The Adventures of Batman & Robin | |
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![]() Packaging for the Super NES version. | |
Developer(s) | Konami (SNES) Clockwork Tortoise (Sega CD, Genesis) Novotrade (Game Gear) |
Publisher(s) | Konami (SNES) Sega (Sega Versions) |
Composer(s) | Konami Kukeiha Club (SNES) Burke Trieschmann (Sega CD) Jesper Kyd (Genesis) |
Platform(s) | SNES, Sega CD, Sega Genesis, Game Gear |
Release | Super Nintendo Entertainment System
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Genre(s) | Action, platformer (SNES, Game Gear) Vehicular combat (Sega CD) Run and gun (Genesis) |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
The Adventures of Batman & Robin is a series of video game adaptations released between 1994 and 1995 featuring the DC Comics characters Batman and Robin based on Batman: The Animated Series (which had been retitled The Adventures of Batman and Robin for its second season). The games were released for numerous platforms, with the Genesis, Game Gear, and Sega CD versions published by Sega while the Super NES version was published by Konami (who also produced an earlier Game Boy video game based on the show).
Super NES version[]
The Super NES version is developed and published by Konami. Each level consists of an episode that is loosely based on those from the animated series, taking Batman to an amusement park and other places where supercriminals do their work.
The soundtrack was written by Konami Kukeiha Club members Kazuhiko Uehara, Harumi Ueko, Jun Funahashi, Masanari Iwata, Masahiko Kimura, Kayo Fujitani, and Masahiro Ikariko.

The Joker is the first villain in the SNES version of The Adventures of Batman & Robin.
Gameplay[]
For the most part, it is an action-adventure platformer in which the player controls Batman, and follows him to the end of each stage, where a villain is set to appear.
Some of the more common features in the game is the possibility to equip with different gadgets, such as bombs and x-ray lenses. The gadgets are in some cases essential to complete some stages. The player can return to the Batcave in order to re-equip the gadgets and restart a stage with all the lives accumulated up to that point (in case the player had lost lives).
The game features passwords, which leaves the player in the last played stage. The passwords also take count of the number of lives remaining and the continues used. Passwords cannot be used in hard difficulty, which means that the game must be completed from the beginning. Completion of the hard mode rewards the player with a special ending.
Genesis version[]
The Genesis version, developed by Clockwork Tortoise and published by Sega, is a run 'n' gun where both Batman and Robin must stop Mr. Freeze, who plans to freeze Gotham City. In order to keep the duo busy, he also frees the Joker, Two-Face and the Mad Hatter, each one with their own agenda. The Joker celebrates his birthday wreaking havoc in Gotham and stealing diamonds, Two-Face tries to take over the city from above, and Mad Hatter is creating a robot army in his surreal lair.
The game can be played by two players simultaneously; one player with Batman, and the other with Robin. Both characters are identical in terms of playability, and both use batarangs, bolas, or shuriken in long-range attacks, while using melee attacks at short range. There are four levels consisting of several stages, mostly of a straight left-to-right traverse to the end where the boss awaits. In some levels the game switches to a side-scrolling shooter, in which the players must control the Batwings.
The Genesis version of the game was released on August 2, 1995. The game features a dark electronica-styled soundtrack by Jesper Kyd.
Sega CD version[]
The Sega CD version, also developed by Clockwork Tortoise and published by Sega, consists of chase screens with the Batmobile and Batplane. Between levels, the story advances through animated cutscenes that were created specifically for the game. The animated cutscenes were produced by Warner Bros. Animation (with animation by Tokyo Movie Shinsha, which also animated some of the episodes of the original cartoon). Kevin Conroy (Batman), Loren Lester (Robin), Robert Hastings (Commissioner James Gordon), Robert Costanzo (Harvey Bullock), Diane Pershing (Poison Ivy), John Glover (the Riddler), Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn), Mark Hamill (the Joker), John Vernon (Rupert Thorne) and Ron Perlman (Clayface) all reprised their roles from the animated series. The animated segments (about seventeen minutes in total) in the video game for the Sega CD are sometimes referred to as "The Lost Episode" of the series.[1]
Game Gear version[]
The Game Gear version was developed by Novotrade and published by Sega. The Joker has assembled a gang of old Batman foes and kidnapped Robin, and the Batman has to go save him. There are four different levels, each with 2 or 3 stages, where Batman runs around beating up thugs and jumping between platforms before taking on a boss. Each stage ends with a boss encounter - some generic machine or thug in the early stages, and a classic Batman villain at the final stage of the level. The four levels takes Batman through a theater where he takes on the Mad Hatter, a frozen office building where he takes on Mr. Freeze, a graveyard where he takes on the Scarecrow, and finally an amusement park where he takes on Harley and the Joker.
Batman typically fights with projectile attacks - he has an unlimited supply of batarangs, but can pick up other weapons with limited ammunition in small item boxes along the way. They're all more powerful than the batarangs. Once Batman gets close to an enemy, he will switch to melee attacks, which deal more damage than the projectiles. Batman can make several types of jumps, both upwards and sideways. Pressing the jump button twice does a double jump. Batman starts out with 9 extra lives, and instantly respawns where he died after losing one, with a full health bar, all ammunition intact, and all inflicted damage and defeated enemies accounted for. There are also multiple extra lives and life bar refill items spread around on the stages. The game has infinite continues and a password system, allowing the player to start over from any previously reached stage. The only punishment for having to continue is that the player's score is reset to zero, encouraging full playthroughs without continuing.
Reception[]
Reviewing the Super NES version, GamePro's Bacon praised the game's often brain-teasing challenges, strong graphics and sound effects, and "eerie atmosphere". Though he criticized the fact that Robin appears only in cutscenes, the "vapid" dialogue, and the poor graphics and controls of the Batmobile stages, he concluded "The tame fighting and intricate challenges in The Adventures of Batman and Robin should please thoughtful action/adventure fans. But its beautiful graphics and supernatural sounds will impress anyone."[2] Nintendo Power also criticised the game for not giving Robin a more active role (although the game was actually under development before the series was retitled between seasons[3][4]). Next Generation reviewed the SNES version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "Unfortunately, the game's diverse play is flawed by a slow-moving character that can make it difficult to pull off quick jumps or attacks. In addition, the wildly varying difficulty levels often leave the game way too easy or frustratingly hard."[5]
A reviewer for Next Generation gave the Genesis version one out of five stars, citing its generic side-scrolling platform gameplay and failure to recreate the look of the TV show.[6] Scary Larry of GamePro called the Genesis version "a standard side-scrolling platform game with great backgrounds from the show but mediocre action", citing tedious and overly difficult level design, unresponsive controls, poor character visuals, and repetitive music.[7] The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a 6.875 out of 10, remarking that the graphics and sounds are excellent, but the action is simplistic, repetitive, and overly difficult due to the large numbers of enemies attacking all at once.[8]
While noting that it has a more diverse selection of weapons than the Genesis version, Scary Larry said that the Game Gear version is likewise "predictable side-scrolling action." He also criticized the music as "annoying and repetitive."[9] The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a 6.375 out of 10. They said it has good cartoon-style graphics and level design, but that the screen blurs when moving and enemies frequently fire bullets from off-screen which the player has no time to react to, both of which make the game unfairly difficult. Al Manuel went so far as to say that it was "probably the hardest game I have ever played."[10]
The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly commented that while the FMV cutscenes in the Sega CD version are entertaining, the gameplay is repetitive and frustrating due to trees and other objects blocking the player's view of the road. One of them summarized the game as "a CD full of cartoon episodes with a so-so driving game included to break up the animated sequences." They gave it a 6.5 out of 10.[11] Tommy Glide of GamePro particularly criticized the lack of variety in the gameplay, commenting that "This barely average driving game should be called The Adventures of the Batmobile".[12] A reviewer for Next Generation likewise regarded the rudimentary and repetitive gameplay to be the game's main flaw. Calling it "a journey into sheer tedium, boring yet frustrating at the same time", he scored it two out of five stars.[13]
References[]
- ↑ "Batman: The Lost "Episode"". Toonamiarsenal.com. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
{{cite web}}
: - ↑ "The Adventures of Batman and Robin". GamePro (IDG) (77): 29. February 1995.
- ↑ "Pak Watch Update". Nintendo Power 55: 112. December 1993.
- ↑ "Pak Watch Update". Nintendo Power 62: 112. July 1994.
- ↑ "Finals". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (1): 102. January 1995.
- ↑ "The Adventures of Batman and Robin". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (4): 99. April 1995.
- ↑ "ProReview: The Adventures of Batman and Robin". GamePro (IDG) (83): 60. August 1995.
- ↑ "Review Crew: The Adventures of Batman & Robin". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Sendai Publishing) (73): 36. August 1995.
- ↑ "The Adventures of Batman and Robin". GamePro (IDG) (83): 89. August 1995.
- ↑ "Review Crew: The Adventures of Batman & Robin". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Sendai Publishing) (73): 40. August 1995.
- ↑ "Review Crew: Batman & Robin". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (74): 36. September 1995.
- ↑ "ProReview: The Adventures of Batman and Robin". GamePro (IDG) (85): 56. October 1995.
- ↑ "Spun Out". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (11): 182. November 1995.
External links[]
- Adventures of Batman & Robin (SEGA CD) at MobyGames
- Adventures of Batman & Robin (Genesis) at MobyGames
- Adventures of Batman & Robin (SNES) at MobyGames
- Adventures of Batman & Robin (Game Gear) at MobyGames
Batman video games | ||
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Arkham series | Arkham Asylum • Arkham City (Lockdown) • Arkham Origins (Mobile • Blackgate) • Arkham Knight | |
Lego series | Lego Batman: The Videogame • Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes • The Lego Movie Videogame • Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham • Lego Dimensions | |
Film-based | Batman (PC, 1989) • The Video Game (NES, 1989) • Batman (MD, 1990) • Batman (arcade, 1990) • Returns • Forever • Forever: The Arcade Game • Batman & Robin • Begins • The Dark Knight (cancelled) | |
Animation-based | The Animated Series • The Adventures of Batman & Robin • Beyond: Return of the Joker • Chaos in Gotham • Gotham City Racer • Vengeance • Rise of Sin Tzu • The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame | |
Other games | Batman (1986) • The Caped Crusader • Return of the Joker • Dark Tomorrow • DC Universe Online • Gotham City Impostors • Batman (2013 arcade) |
TMS Entertainment | ||
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2010s | Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders (2010–2011) • Lilpri (2010–2011) • Magic Kaito (2010–2012) • Cardfight!! Vanguard (2011–2012) • Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge (2011–2012) • Tottoko Hamtaro Dechu (2011–2012) • Battle Girls: Time Paradox (2011) • Brave 10 (2012) • Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (2012) • Hamtaro (2012–2013) • Cardfight!! Vanguard: Asia Circuit (2012–2013) • Zetman (2012) • Moyasimon Returns (2012) • Kamisama Kiss (2012) • Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman (2013) • Cardfight!! Vanguard: Link Joker (2013–2014) • Yowamushi Pedal (2013–2014) • The Pilot's Love Song (2014) • Z/X Ignition (2014) • Cardfight!! Vanguard: Legion Mate (2014) • Hero Bank (2014–2015) • Sengoku Basara: End of Judgement (2014) • Gugure! Kokkuri-san (2014) • Yowamushi Pedal Grande Road (2014–2015) • Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls (2014) • Cardfight!! Vanguard G (2014–2015) • Kamisama Kiss◎ (2015) • Jewelpet: Magical Change (2015) • My Monster Secret (2015) • Lupin the 3rd Part IV: The Italian Adventure (2015–2016) • Cardfight!! Vanguard G: GIRS Crisis (2015–2016) • Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation (2016) • Bakuon!! (2016) • Cardfight!! Vanguard G: Stride Gate (2016) • Kamiwaza Wanda (2016–2017) • ReLIFE (2016) • Orange (2016) • D.Gray-man Hallow (2016) • Sweetness and Lightning (2016) • Nobunaga no Shinobi (2016–2017) • Trickster (2016–2017) • All Out!! (2016–2017) • Chain Chronicle ~Light of Haecceitas~ (2017) • Yowamushi Pedal: New Generation (2017) • Nana Maru San Batsu (2017) • Yowamushi Pedal: Glory Line (2018) • Lupin the Third Part 5 (2018) • Megalo Box (2018) • Nobunaga no Shinobi: Anegawa Ishiyama-hen (2018) • Space Bug (2018) • The Thousand Musketeers (2018) • Tsukumogami Kashimasu (2018) • Between the Sky and Sea (2018) • Bakugan: Battle Planet (2018–present) • Meiji Tokyo Renka (2019) • Fruits Basket (2019) • Hachigatsu no Cinderella Nine (2019) • Dr. Stone (2019) | |
Films | Lupin the Third: Pilot Film (1969) • Kyojin no Hoshi: Chizome no Kesshousen (1969) • Kyojin no Hoshi: Ike Ike Hyuuma (1969) • Kyojin no Hoshi: Dai League Ball (1970) • Kyojin no Hoshi: Shukumei no Taiketsu (1970) • Panda! Go, Panda! (1972) • Panda! Go, Panda!: The Rainy Day Circus (1973) • First Human Giatrus (1975) • The Mystery of Mamo (1978) • The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) • Ace o Nerae! (1979) • Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! (1979) • Ashita no Joe: Gekijōban (1980) • Ie Naki Ko (1980) • Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! 2: Gekitō Pennant Race (1980) • Makoto-chan (1980) • Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! Hatsu Warai 3: Aa Tsuppari Jinsei (1980) • Chie the Brat (1981) • Ashita no Joe 2 (1981) • Ohayō! Spank (1982) • Space Adventure Cobra: The Movie (1982) • Kyojin no Hoshi (1982) • Six God Combination Godmars (1982) • Golgo 13: The Professional (1983) • Bōkenshatachi: Gamba to 7-biki no Naka Ma (1984) • Legend of the Gold of Babylon (1985) • Bug-tte Honey: Megalom Shōjo Rondo 4622 (1987) • Akira (1988) • Anpanman films (1989–present) • Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989) • The Rose of Versailles: I'll Love You As Long As I Live (1990) • Anpanman shorts (1990–present) • Gamba to Kawauso no Bōken (1991) • Kaiketsu Zorori: Mahou Tsukai no Deshi/Dai Kaizoku no Takara Sagashi (1993) • Farewell to Nostradamus (1995) • Dead or Alive (1996) • Case Closed: The Time Bombed Skyscraper (1997) • Case Closed: The Fourteenth Target (1998) • Case Closed: The Last Wizard of the Century (1999) • Case Closed: Captured in Her Eyes (2000) • Case Closed: Countdown to Heaven (2001) • Hamtaro (2001–2004) • Case Closed: The Phantom of Baker Street (2002) • Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital (2003) • Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004) • Detective Conan: Strategy Above the Depths (2005) • Mushiking: The Road to the Greatest Champion (2005) • Detective Conan: The Private Eyes' Requiem (2006) • Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior (2006–2008) • Fashionable Witches: Love and Berry - Magic of Happiness (2007) • Mushiking Super Battle Movie: The Upgraded Armored Beetle of Darkness (2007) • Detective Conan: Jolly Roger in the Deep Azure (2007) • Detective Conan: Full Score of Fear (2008) • Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (2009) • Detective Conan: The Lost Ship in the Sky (2010) • Detective Conan: Quarter of Silence (2011) • The Princess and the Pilot (2011) • Hal's Flute (2011) • Detective Conan: The Eleventh Striker (2012) • Fuse Teppō Musume no Torimonochō (2012) • Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea (2013) • Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan: The Movie (2013) • Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper (2014) • Lupin III: Jigen's Gravestone (2014) • Yowamushi Pedal Re:RIDE (2014) • Detective Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno (2015) • Yowamushi Pedal Re: ROAD (2015) • Yowamushi Pedal: The Movie (2015) • Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare (2016) • Yowamushi Pedal: Spare Bike (2016) • Orange: Future (2016) • Chain Chronicle ~Light of Haecceitas~ (2016–2017) • Lupin III: Goemon Ishikawa's Spray of Blood (2017) • Detective Conan: The Crimson Love Letter (2017) •Yowamushi Pedal: Re:GENERATION (2017) • Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (2018) • Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire (2019) • Lupin III: Fujiko Mine's Lie (2019) | |
OVAs/ONAs | The Rose and Women of Versailles (1980) • Sugata Sanshirō (1981) • Katsugeki Shōjo Tanteidan (1986) • 2001 Nights (1987) • Fuma Ichizoku no Inbo (1987) • Ace o Nerae! 2 (1988) • Godmars: The Untold Legend (1988) • Ace o Nerae! Final Stage (1989–1990) • Tengai Makyou: Jiraiya Oboro-hen (1990) • OL Kaizo Koza (1990) • Wizardry (1991) • Shizukanaru Don – Yakuza Side Story (1991) • Ozanari Dungeon (1991) • Maps (1994–1995) • Otanjobi Series (1995) • Rayearth (1997) • Glass no Kamen: Sen no Kamen wo Motsu Shoujo (1998–1999) • Aoyama Gosho Tanhenshu (1999) • Karakuri no Kimi (2000) • Hamtaro (2001–2004) • Ikiteita Majustushi (2002) • Azusa, Otetsudai Shimasu! (2004) • Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior (2007–2008) • Green vs. Red (2008) • Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas (2009–2011) • Kamisama Kiss (2013) • Yowamushi Pedal (2013) • Kamisama Kiss: Kako-hen (2015–2016) • Bakuon!! (2016) • Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts − Prelude (2016) • Kamisama Kiss: Kamisama, Kekkon Zenya (2016) • Trickster: Episode 00 (2016) • ReLIFE (2018) • Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts (2018–present) | |
Video games | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995) • Astal (1995) • Sonic Jam (1997) • Burning Rangers (1998) • Lupin the 3rd: Sage of the Pyramid (1998) | |
Related | Sega Sammy Holdings (Sega • Marza Animation Planet) |