Name:	Batman series (3 titles) Batman Batman - Revenge of the Joker Batman Returns
Author/Vendor:	Data East/Sunsoft
Released:	various
Type:	Action
Language:	English
Premise:	A series of action platformers starring our favorite Caped Crusader, all but one of which were based on the first three live-action feature films. Based on the original characters created by Bob Kane for DC Comics.
Impressions:	Terrible graphics that get better as the series goes. Mediocre game engine that doesn't show much improvement throughout. Average gameplay at best. All in all, they're rather flat and uninspiring.
Variations:	The Konami Batman game is a totally different animal and is not considered part of this series, as is Acclaim's Batman Forever. See seperate entries for more details. Batman (1990, straightforward port of the acclaimed 8-bit NES title that may look better but plays worse than its predecessor - based on the first feature film starring Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, and Jack Nicholson) Batman - Revenge of the Joker (1991, a somewhat improved game that draws directly on the comic book for its inspiration, this appears to be a humdrum port of the mundane Amiga original) Batman Returns (1993, third and final game in the Data East series is the best looker and player of the three, even though it's still the same old game engine with almost all of the same gripes intact - based on the second feature fim starring Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Danny DeVito)
Recommended Emu:	KGen 98