Batman & Robin

• Release Date: 1998
• Genre: Action
• Style: Side-Scrolling Platform
• Similar Games: Batman Returns (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), Batman: The Video Game (Nintendo Entertainment System)

Game Description

Batman and Robin the arcade game: The Dynamic Duo from Gotham City finally make their 32-bit debut in the game based on the hit summer movie of 1997.

Play as Batman or Robin and help clean up the streets of Gotham City. Fight against all the main characters from the movie including Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and the dreaded Hockey Team in a side-scrolling beat-'em-up. Take command of all the vehicles from the blockbuster movie like the Batmobile and the Batcycle and even the BatSki.

Find the cure to save Alfred's life and have a little fun doing it.

Review: Overall

Holy bat-crud, Batman; what a mess. Or so Robin would say if he were to play this awkward, needlessly complicated video game for the Sony PlayStation. While the 1997 film of the same name is not exactly Star Wars, it is much more entertaining than this dark and gloomy exercise in futility.

Batman & Robin fails in so many areas it's hard to believe it ever made it past the game testers. The graphics are too dark; the controls are frustrating; the character animation is choppy; the villains are repetitive; and the load times throughout the game are so long you could fall asleep while waiting to play the next level.

This game is actually based on an interesting and very workable concept. Batman and Robin, with all their gadgets and abilities, are the perfect material for a video game. The notion of treating Batman as the detective that he is (something that is barely touched on in the movie) is a good idea. He must use his skills (with your help) to solve mysteries. But when he studies the Bat Computer, looking for clues to solve a crime, it's more trouble than it's worth because the controls are so cumbersome. Many of the seemingly simple functions in this game are way too complicated.

Don't let the cool music, attractive packaging, popular characters, and gorgeous cut scenes fool you--this game is a clunker.

Review: Enjoyment

This game is too frustrating to be much fun.

Review: Graphics

The graphics are way too dark and the character animation is stiff and sloppy.

Review: Sound

The music is suitably cinematic and the sound effects aren't bad either.

Review: Replay Value

You'll sell this one to a pawn shop after you play it a couple of times.

Review: Documentation

The instruction booklet is more entertaining than the game.