Batman Forever (arcade)

For other games with the same name, see Batman Forever.

n/a

ST-V Saturn
Batman Forever
System(s): Sega Titan Video, Sega Saturn
Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment
Developer: Iguana Entertainment
Licensor: DC Comics, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Peripherals supported: Saturn Backup Memory
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code US 1996-05 $? ? JP 1997-02-14 ¥5,8005,800 T-8118G US 1996-11-21 T-8140H EU 1996-11-16 T-8140H-50 DE 1996-11-16 T-8140H-50 PT 1996 STJAK0379 UK 1996-11-16 £44.9944.99 T-8140H-50 PL 199x AU 199x
Non-Sega versions IBM PC PlayStation

Batman Forever, known on the Sega Saturn as Batman Forever: The Arcade Game (バットマンフォーエヴァー・ジ・アーケードゲーム), is a Sega Titan Video arcade beat-'em-up game developed by Iguana Entertainment and manufactured by Acclaim Entertainment, and released exclusively to American arcades in May 1996. Later that November, it was ported to the Sega Saturn in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia by the same developer, gaining the subtitle "The Arcade Game" to differentiate it from identically-named Batman Forever titles.

Story

Batman, the vigilante alter-ego of billionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne, must save Gotham City from the dastardly duo of Two-Face and the Riddler. Two-Face is the former Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent, who was accidentally disfigured in a courtroom incident, which he blames on Batman. The Riddler is disgruntled Wayne Tech employee Edward Nygma, who is angry that Bruce Wayne rejected his invention, a device that beams television signals directly into people's brains. Batman is joined by the young circus acrobat Dick Grayson, whose parents were killed by Two-Face, who takes up the identity Robin.

Gameplay

Character selection

The game is a belt-scrolling beat-'em-up played as the superhero duo Batman and Robin. It can be played by one player or by two players cooperatively. In two-player games, players can both play as the same character simultaneously.

Batman and Robin move with the D-Pad and jump with . They attack by punching with or kicking with . They do a sweep kick with + or a diving kick with in midair. They block attacks with +. Characters can find special gadgets in the stages, such as Batarangs or Grappling Hooks, that grant them a limited number of special attacks, performed with . They can pick up some objects, such as barrels, by holding toward them with the D-Pad and pressing and throw them with again.

Each character has a power meter that builds as the character pummels enemies or when Power-Ups are collected. The power meter allows the character to perform long chains of combos against foes. When the power meter fills, the gadget level increases and the character does a burst attack that attacks every enemy on the screen and recovers some health. The gadget level determines the strength of gadget abilities. The power meter is halved when going from level 1 to 2 and maxed out when it reaches level 3.

Characters also have special moves that are performed with certain button combinations. Batman can do a jumping kick with , a dashing strike with , an uppercut with , and a sliding sweep with . Robin does a series of flips ending in a take-down with , a low sliding palm strike with or , and a corkscrew twist kick with . The horizontal directions are reversed when facing left.

Character have health meters that empty as they take damage from foes. The character is defeated and loses a life when the meter is emptied, but he revives after a moment if the player has lives remaining. If the player runs out of lives, the game can be continued (and the player can change the character if desired) as long as there are continues remaining.

Players can choose the difficulty level (Easy, Medium, or Hard) and the number of continues from the options before starting the game. The game stores high scores to the Saturn's internal memory or a backup cartridge.

Pressure pads

Pressure pads appear on the ground during the stages. Batman or Robin can activate them by standing on them.

	Bat-Signal Pad
	Contains an item or gadget.
	The Riddler
	Provides a random effect: invisibility, invulnerability, Hologram mode, or VR mode.
	Two-Face Yin-Yang
	Provides a random positive effect (such as healing the character) or a random negative effect (such as shrinking the character temporarily) depending on whether the player touches the red (good) or black (evil) part of the pad.

Items

	Power-Up
	Increases the character's power meter.
	Health
	Restores part of the character's health.

Gadgets

Batman and Robin can find various gadgets on the ground in the stages. Gadgets have a power level from 1 to 3, with gadgets being more powerful and sometimes having special effects at higher levels. Gadgets can be used a limited number of times with (with the exception of the Smart Bomb, which is used immediately when it is touched). The currently equipped gadget appears in the bottom corner of the screen for each player with the number of remaining uses.

	Batarang
	Fires a projectile weapon that seeks enemies.
	Taser
	Fires a stun shot that electrocutes opponents.
	Bat Bola
	Fires a projectile weapon forwards.
	Grappling Hook
	Shoots a grappling hook that can knock objects off the ceiling or lets Batman or Robin swing across the screen to knock out enemies.
	Smart Bomb
	Explodes when stepped on.
	Bat Call
	Summons bats that, depending on the power level, form a protective barrier, attack enemies, or pick up and carry enemies away.
	Stun Grenade
	Throws a grenade that stuns enemies in an area.

Bonus items

At the end of each stage, the players have their scores tallied and are rewarded bonuses for the next stage depending on their performance. In two-player games, the player who performs better receives the bonus, while in one-player games, the player receives them merely for fulfilling the condition for the bonus at least once. Players each choose one bonus item for the next level, which is then triggered with .

	Overall Round Score
	Rewarded to the player who achieves the highest score. When triggered, gives the player double points for 60 seconds.
	Highest Combo
	Rewarded to the player who performs the combo with the most hits. When triggered, launches "Hologram Mode," which creates transparent clones of the player to confuse and block the enemy. The number of clones depends on the character's power level.
	Hero Bonus
	Rewarded to the player with the most gadget hits on an enemy. When triggered, gives the character a random extra gadget.
	Crime Buster
	Rewarded to the player who defeats the most enemies. When triggered, gives the character sustained high power levels.
	Super K.O. Bonus
	Rewarded to the player who knocks out the most enemies (sending them flying). When triggered, activates "VR mode," which turns enemies into green holograms that can be shattered (or freezes bosses).
	Bat-Signal
	Rewarded to the player who activates the most Bat-Signals. When triggered, performs a full-power vertical grapple.
	The Riddler Bonus
	Rewarded to the player who activates the most Riddler pads. When triggered, activates temporary invisibility or invulnerability.
	Two-Face Yin-Yang
	Rewarded to the player who activates the most Two-Face pads. When triggered, raises the character's power level to its maximum level.

Stages

	Gotham City Streets
	Biker Bar
	Rooftop
	Ritz Hotel
	Subway Station
	Two-Face Lair
	Alleyway
	Batcave
	The Riddler Throne Room

History

A Sega 32X version was produced, and progressed far enough in development to have a prototype shown at E3 1995, but ultimately never saw release.

Production credits

• Programmed by: Iguana UK
• Managing Director: Darren Falcus
• Director of Product Development: Jason Falcus
• Creative Director: Guy Miller
• Technical Director: Rick Frankish
• Art Director: Mike Muskett
• Project Manager: Nick Bagley
• Assistant Project Managers: Robert McCracken, Simon Phipps
• Lead Programmer: Dave Semmens
• Programmers: Darren Tunnicliff, Dave de Pauw, Mike Chilton, Steve Snake, Mark Wilkinson, Andy Taylor
• Lead Artist: Trevor Storey
• Artists: Andy Wright, Darren Hodgson, Ian McBurney, Neil Hislop
• Music: Rick Fox
• Sound Effects: Marc Schaefgen, Darren Mitchell
• Quality Assurance Manager: Andy Roberts
• Game Testers: Andy Davies
• Special Thanks: Iguana US, Ziggy, Frank Tindle, Stephanie, Sam, Emma, Jan, Carolanne, Paula, Jane, Trevs Harem, Keith the Cat, Donna Semmens, Chris Semmens, Danielle Semmens, Brandon Luke Semmens, Phil Gaskell, Steve Archer, Jim Sangster, Dr Andrew Davies, Vicki Robinson, Christine Robinson, Claire Hopkins, Jamie Ulerick, My Magic Trousers

Batman Coin-Op

Saturn

Acclaim Product Development

• Director: Amy Smith-Boylan
• Associate Producer: Mike Hong

Acclaim Quality Assurance

• Director: Ray Boylan
• QA Supervisors: Carol Caracciolo, Tom Falzone
• Technical Support Supervisor: Harry Reimer
• Lead Analysts: Jeff Rosa, Mike Mazziotto
• Game Analyst: Joseph Howell, Chris Jean
• Technical Support: John Gonzales, Howard Perlman, Dan Wimpleberg, Andrew Fullaytor

Team Batman

• Producer: Neill Glancy

Design

• Game Design: Neill Glancy, Stephen Broumley, Carl Wade
• Additional Design: Nigel Cook, Ian Dunlop, Jason Carpenter, David Dienstbier

Programming

• Lead Programmer, Titan Engine: Carl Wade
• Lead Programmer, Gameplay: Stephen Broumley
• Tools Programmers: Carl Wade, Stephen Broumley, Craig Galley
• Presentation Programming: David Crummack
• Riddler Control Room: Richard Cowie
• Additional Programming: Craig Galley

Art

• Lead Artist: Mciahel McCallion
• Artists: Scott Brocker, Patrick Thomas
• Presentation Art: Gregg Hargrove

Advanced Technology Group

• ATG Director: Cyrus Lum
• Lead 3D Character Animator: Derek Robinette
• 3D Character Animators: Cyrus Lum, Michael Daubert, Peyton Duncan, Jason Moulton, Alan Johnson
• 3D Real Time Artist: Patrick Thomas

Team Iguana

• President: Jeff Spangenberg
• V.P. Product Development: Darrin Stubbington
• Art Director: Matt Stubbington
• Assistant Art Director: Jools Watsham
• Technical Director: Craig Galley
• Creative Director: Nigel Cook
• Dev Support Manager: J Moon

Music and Sound

• Music: Rick Fox
• Sound Effects: Marc Schaefgen

Voice Talent Cast

• Batman: Marc Schaefgen
• Robin: Michael Daubert
• Saboteur: David Dienstbier
• Guesser Robot: Marc Shaefgen
• Feather Thug: Scott Brocker
• Tassel Boss: Rick Stefan
• Spice: Michelle Thomas
• Sugar: Jane Notgrass
• Two Face Thugs: Adam McCarthy, Victor Mercieca
• Voice from the Sky: Marc Shaefgen
• Game Testing: Bey Bickerton, Neill Glancy, Stephen Broumley, Carl Wade, Derek Robinette, Michael Daubert, Peyton Duncan, Jason Moulton, Victor Mercieca, Nigel Cook, David Dienstbier, Jason Carpenter, Marc Schaefgen, Michael McCallion, Rob Cowen, Cameron, Matt, Nathan, Tyrone Miller, Jim Richardson
• Special Thanks: Kate Miffitt, Jane Notgrass, Rubin Smith, Wendy Schultz, Veronica Villareal, Al Artus, Grant Dishman, John Carlsen, Pete Suarez, Beth Spengenberg, Gari Biasillo
• Very Special Thanks: Wico Corporation, Happ Controls, Brett at Tilt Arcade Austin, Boots and Grey the Bags, Randy the Reindeer, Tubbs the Hamster

An Acclaim Coin-Operated Entertainment Inc Production

• Producers for Acclaim: Tom Petit, John Pasierr
• Hardware: Manoj Bhatngar, James Hunkins, Robin Seaver
• Field Test Co-ordinator: Jaques Carter
• Acclaim New York Special Thanks to: Paul Samulski, Nina Skalka
• DC Comics Special Thanks to: Cheryl Ruben
• Warner Brothers Special Thanks to: Holly J. Stein

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Batman Forever (arcade)/Magazine articles.

Promotional materials

Print advert in Blue Jean (TR) #03/97: "Mart 1997" (1997-xx-xx)

Physical scans

ST-V version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score Next Generation (US) NTSC-U 50

	50
Based on 1 review

Batman Forever (arcade)

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

{{{{{icon}}}|L}}
Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score Edge (UK) PAL 40 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U 48 Fun Generation (DE) NTSC-U 40 GameFan (US) NTSC-U 60 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 68 Joypad (FR) PAL 50 LeveL (CZ) 14 MAN!AC (DE) PAL 37 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 35 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 68 Next Generation (US) NTSC-U 0 Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J 48 Secret Service (PL) 50 Sega Magazin (DE) 35 Sega Power (UK) PAL 59 Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL 63 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 63 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 72

	47
Based on 18 reviews

Batman Forever (arcade)

Saturn, JP
Cover
Spinecard

Saturn, US
Cover
Disc Manual

Saturn, EU
Cover
Disc

Saturn, PT
Cover
Disc

Saturn, AU
Cover
Disc

Saturn, TR
Cover
Disc

Technical information

Main article: Batman Forever (arcade)/Technical information.

ROM dump status

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments
✔	CRC32 MD5 SHA-1	29,519,952		CD-ROM (EU)	T-8140H-50 V1.000
?	CRC32 MD5 SHA-1	29,519,952		CD-ROM (JP)	T-8118G V1.000
✔	CRC32 MD5 SHA-1	29,519,952		CD-ROM (US)	T-8140H V1.000

References

Batman games for Sega systems / published by Sega
	Batman (1990) | Batman: Revenge of The Joker (1992) | Batman Returns (1992) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995) | Justice League Task Force (1995) | Batman Forever (1995)
	Batman Returns (1992) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995) | Batman Forever (1995)
	Batman Returns (1993)
	Batman Returns (1993) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995)
	Batman Forever (1995)
	Batman Forever (1996) | Batman & Robin (unreleased)
	Gotham Knights (2022) | Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024)