Difference between revisions of "Batman Returns (Mega-CD)"

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'''''[[Batman Returns]]''''' is a [[Sega Mega-CD]] action platform and driving game developed by [[Malibu Interactive]] and published by [[Sega]]. Based on the June 1992 film ''[[wikipedia:Batman Returns|Batman Returns]]'', the game is an enhanced port of the earlier [[Batman Returns (Mega Drive)]] and was released in early 1993 to more positive reception, especially in regards to the extensively-developed driving stages.
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'''''[[Batman Returns]]''''' is a [[Sega Mega-CD]] action platform and driving game developed by [[Malibu Interactive]] and published by [[Sega]]. Based on the June 1992 film ''[[wikipedia:Batman Returns|Batman Returns]]'', the game is an enhanced port of the earlier [[Batman Returns (Mega Drive)]] and was released in early 1993 to more positive reception, particularly in regards to the newly-added driving stages.
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
It contains the same 2D platform stages from the cartridge game together with all new pseudo-3D driving stages and a rearranged music score by [[Spencer Nilsen]], although the total amount of songs has been reduced as more stages now share the same background music. PCM samples are now of higher quality and the opening sequence and game over/continue screens have been reworked. The fight during staff roll has been replaced by a new, non-interactive sequence. The player can choose to play the full game, only the driving sections or only the platform stages.
+
Batman Returns contains both the original action platforming game and a new pseudo-3D arcade driving game on the same disk. As both games follow the same plot, their stage order was interwoven to best match the movie and deemed the “full” game, although each can also be played individually. Smaller changes were made to accompany the move to CD, such as reducing the cartidge soundtrack and increasing PCM sample quality and replacing the playable fight from the staff roll with a non-interactive sequence.  
  
 
==Reception==
 
==Reception==
 
The game was released to mixed reception. Reviewers were immediately impressed with the new driving sections, but were still unimpressed with the previously-released action platform stages.
 
The game was released to mixed reception. Reviewers were immediately impressed with the new driving sections, but were still unimpressed with the previously-released action platform stages.
  
The scaling and rotation effects displayed in the driving sections were very well-received, and the game was resultingly considered a showcase of the [[Sega Mega-CD]] hardware. the  Its soundtrack was also well-received, with the track ''City Limits'' frequently being used in [[Sega of America]] promotional videos.
+
The scaling and rotation effects displayed in the driving sections were very well-received, and the game was resultingly considered a showcase of the [[Sega Mega-CD]] hardware. [[Spencer Nilsen]]’s soundtrack was also well-received, with the track ''City Limits'' frequently being used in [[Sega of America]] promotional videos.
  
 
==Production credits==
 
==Production credits==

Revision as of 05:46, 23 March 2021

n/a

BatmanReturns MCD title.png

Batman Returns
System(s): Sega Mega-CD
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: DC Comics
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega-CD
US
$49.9949.99[2] 4401
Sega Mega-CD
EU
4401
Sega Mega-CD
DE
DM 119.95119.95[7] 4401
Sega Mega-CD
FR
4401
Sega Mega-CD
PT
CDJ4401
Sega Mega-CD
UK
£44.9944.99[5] 4401
Sega Mega-CD
AU
$119.95119.95[9]
OFLC: G8
Sega Mega-CD
BR

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.


Batman Returns is a Sega Mega-CD action platform and driving game developed by Malibu Interactive and published by Sega. Based on the June 1992 film Batman Returns, the game is an enhanced port of the earlier Batman Returns (Mega Drive) and was released in early 1993 to more positive reception, particularly in regards to the newly-added driving stages.

Gameplay

Batman Returns contains both the original action platforming game and a new pseudo-3D arcade driving game on the same disk. As both games follow the same plot, their stage order was interwoven to best match the movie and deemed the “full” game, although each can also be played individually. Smaller changes were made to accompany the move to CD, such as reducing the cartidge soundtrack and increasing PCM sample quality and replacing the playable fight from the staff roll with a non-interactive sequence.

Reception

The game was released to mixed reception. Reviewers were immediately impressed with the new driving sections, but were still unimpressed with the previously-released action platform stages.

The scaling and rotation effects displayed in the driving sections were very well-received, and the game was resultingly considered a showcase of the Sega Mega-CD hardware. Spencer Nilsen’s soundtrack was also well-received, with the track City Limits frequently being used in Sega of America promotional videos.

Production credits

Game Developed by: Malibu Interactive
  • Driving Game Designers: Jeff Godfrey, James Maxwell, John O'Brien
  • Platform Game Designers: James Maxwell, Bert Schroeder
  • Additional Platform Design: Nancy Nakamoto, Bernie Wang
  • Driving Game Backgrounds Lead Artist: Stephen Thomson
  • Driving Game Vehicles Lead Artist: Jeff Godfrey
  • Additional Driving Game Artists: Tom Applegate, Jeremy Cantor, Russel Comte, Damon DuBois, Robert Hemphill, Ray Huerta, Jayne Shrigley
  • Platform Game Artwork: Tom Applegate, Todd Tomlinson
  • Additional Platform Game Artists: Robert Hemphill, Ray Huerta, Stephen Thomson
  • Driving Game Programmer: John O'Brien
  • Platform Game Programmer: Andrew Green
  • Game Shell Programmer: Chris Shrigley
  • Sound Programmer: Brian Howarth
  • Testers: Darin Johnson, Justin Monast
  • Game Directors: James Maxwell, John O'Brien
Source:
In-game credits


Source:
US manual
Batmanreturns mcd us manual.pdf
[11]

Magazine articles

Main article: Batman Returns (Mega-CD)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

US print advert
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #41: "December 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #14: "August/September 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Supergame (BR) #28: "Novembro 1993" (1993-11-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 [12]
84 [13]
53 [14]
93 [15]
68 [2]
85 №12, p48-51
81 №11, p42-44
90 №3, p28-29
89 [16]
73 [17]
94 №19, p68-70
90 [18]
85 №45, p42-44
86 №22, p42-43
55 №10, p38-39
83 [19]
73 [20]
85 №2, p11
80 [21]
78 [22]
Sega Mega-CD
81
Based on
20 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
79
[23]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
88
[5]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
53
[24]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
93
[15]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
93
[25]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
70
[26]
Game Power (IT) PAL
80
[27]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
68
[2]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
93
[28]
Hyper (AU)
86
[29]
Joker (SI)
83
[30]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-U
81
[31]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
81
[32]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
90
[33]
Mega Force (FR)
89
[34]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
73
[17]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
63
[35]
Mega Power (UK) PAL
70
[36]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
94
[4]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
90
[37]
Megazone (AU)
85
[38]
Power Up! (UK)
75
[39]
Sega Magazin (DE)
80
[40]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
85
[41]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
86
[42]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
55
[43]
Sega Force Mega (UK) NTSC-U
83
[44]
Sega Force (SE)
73
[20]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
85
[45]
Supergame (BR)
80
[21]
Super Juegos (ES)
94
[46]
Todo Sega (ES)
89
[47]
Video Games (DE) NTSC-U
78
[48]
Sega Mega-CD
81
Based on
33 reviews

Batman Returns (Mega-CD)

Mega-CD, US
BatmanReturns MCD US Box Back.jpgBatmanReturns MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
BatmanReturns MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc
Batmanreturns mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
BatmanReturns MCD US RegCard.pdf
Reg Card
Mega-CD, EU
BatmanReturns MCD EU Box Back.jpgBatmanReturns MCD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
BatmanReturns MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Mega-CD, FR (Blister pack)
BMR MCD FR blister back.jpgBMR MCD FR blister front.jpg
Cover
Mega-CD, PT

Mega-CD, BR

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega-CD
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
527,137,296 CD (EU) 4401
Sega Mega-CD
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
527,137,296 CD (US) 4401
Sega Mega-CD
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1993-04-23 Page

References

  1. GamePro, "April 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 122
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 GamePro, "June 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 66
  3. Computer & Video Games, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-15), page 100
  4. 4.0 4.1 MegaTech, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-19), page 68
  5. 5.0 5.1 Computer & Video Games, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-15), page 40
  6. Megablast, "4/93" (DE; 1993-09-29), page 34
  7. 7.0 7.1 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 11
  8. Select Round, "Septembre 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 2
  9. Megazone, "October 1993" (AU; 1993-xx-xx), page 33
  10. Video Game, "Outubro 1993" (BR; 1993-xx-xx), page 6
  11. File:Batmanreturns mcd us manual.pdf, page 33
  12. Computer & Video Games, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-15), page 40-41 (40)
  13. Computer & Video Games, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-15), page 108
  14. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "June 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 34/160-161 (34)
  15. 15.0 15.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 119
  16. Mega Force, "Mega-CD Force: Le Supplément Spécial Mega-CD" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 28-29 (28)
  17. 17.0 17.1 Mega Fun, "09/93" (DE; 1993-08-18), page 33
  18. Mean Machines Sega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-30), page 68-71 (68)
  19. Sega Force Mega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 36-38 (36)
  20. 20.0 20.1 Sega Force, "5/94" (SE; 1994-08-10), page 33
  21. 21.0 21.1 Supergame, "Junho 1993" (BR; 1993-06-xx), page 20
  22. Video Games, "9/93" (DE; 1993-08-25), page 38 (36)
  23. Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 130
  24. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "June 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 34
  25. GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 7: June 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 16
  26. Game Players, "Vol. 6 No. 8 August 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 118
  27. Game Power, "Settembre 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 46
  28. Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 56
  29. Hyper, "December 1993" (AU; 1993-xx-xx), page 55
  30. Joker, "Oktober 1993" (SI; 1993-xx-xx), page 22
  31. Joypad, "Juillet/Août 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 92
  32. Mega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-15), page 42
  33. Mega Action, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-15), page 28
  34. Mega Force, "Mega-CD Force: Le Supplément Spécial Mega-CD" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 28
  35. Mega Play, "June 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 58
  36. Mega Power, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-29), page 42
  37. Mean Machines Sega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-30), page 68
  38. Megazone, "October 1993" (AU; 1993-xx-xx), page 32
  39. Power Up!, "Saturday, October 16, 1993" (UK; 1993-10-16), page 1
  40. Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 10
  41. Sega Power, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-01), page 42
  42. Sega Pro, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-08), page 42
  43. Sega Zone, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-22), page 38
  44. Sega Force Mega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 36
  45. Sonic the Comic, "12th June 1993" (UK; 1993-06-12), page 11
  46. Super Juegos, "Septiembre 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 104
  47. Todo Sega, "Septiembre 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 30
  48. Video Games, "9/93" (DE; 1993-08-25), page 38



Batman games for Sega systems / published by Sega
Sega Mega Drive
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)
Sega Game Gear
Batman Returns (1992) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995) | Batman Forever (1995)
Sega Master System
Batman Returns (1993)
Sega Mega-CD
Batman Returns (1993) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995)
Pinball
Batman Forever (1995)
Arcade
Sega Saturn
Batman Forever (1996) | Batman & Robin (unreleased)
Windows PC
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X
Gotham Knights (2022) | Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024)