Summary
As one of the superhero genre’s most popular and recognizable heroes of all time, it’s hardly surprising there are plenty ofBatmanvideo games out therefor fans to dive into. While the classic hero’s adventures on home consoles are more famous, Batman has also had plenty of adventures in the world of handheld gaming.
Over the decades, handheld platforms have provided gamers with all manner of takes on the character of Batman. From film and cartoon adaptations to extensions of popular home console games, there’s an impressive range of variety when it comes to the handheldBatmanexperience. SomehandheldBatmangamesprovide numerous interesting looks at Gotham’s protector, ranging from lighthearted adventures to darker looks at the criminal world The Caped Crusader wages war against.
Adapted from thepopular animated seriesof the same name,The Adventures of Batman and Robineven got well-regarded show scribe Paul Dini to pen the plot. The Game Gear release’s narrative begins with The Joker putting together an alliance of dangerous Gotham villains.
From there, The Clown Prince of Crime successfully kidnaps Robin, setting off a dangerous journey for Batman to save his trusty sidekick. Each level follows a similar format, as The Dark Knight must tackle an array of thugs whilst exploring an area, before colliding with one ofhis classic enemiesin a big boss fight. With both gadgets and martial arts prowess to utilize in combat, the game provides a solid look at the action-packed life of the titular TV show’s Batman by the standards of its time.
Bringing the events ofthe popular 2005 filmto life,Batman Beginsfollows the early crime-fighting escapades of Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne. Unfortunately, the Game Boy Advance version falls slightly short of the remarkably slick graphics sported by its PS2, GameCube, and Xbox equivalents.
On the bright side, the neat blend of beat ‘em up and stealth action remains intact for the GBA, providing handheld enthusiasts with a solidBatmanexperience. Gliding, sneaking, and head-kicking his way through a variety of objectives, Bruce Wayne grows from a League of Shadows trainee into the classic Gotham hero over the course of the game. Fast-paced and faithful to the film,Batman Beginsis a fun little gem that fans of the movie are sure to enjoy.
Introducingthe side-scroller styleto theArkhamseries,Blackgatetakes place three months after the hectic events ofArkham Origins. Taking players to the titular Blackgate Penitentiary, Batman must hunt down three troublemaking villains.
The Penguin, Black Mask, and The Joker have all managed to take advantage of riots at Blackgate, prompting The Dark Knight to step in. Needless to say,the Metroidvania-like approach to gameplaymakes for an interesting change of pace compared to the explosive style of Batman’s usual combat.Blackgatemakes for a bleak setting, taking players into a dark, oppressive environment in a fast-paced follow-up to the often underratedArkham Origins.
This 2D platformeris a must-play for fans of the colorful, team-up animated series. Taking a peg from the show, the game gets a new hero for Batman to team up with from level to level.
From obvious allies such as his trusty sidekick Robin to space-faring heroes like Green Lantern and supernatural crimefighters such as Hawkman, the game has a bit of something for every taste. Each level functions as an episode of the show in format, further adding to this pitch-perfect crack at adapting the popular animated series.Batman: The Brave And The Bold’s pace and charmingly cartoonish aesthetic make for a brisk, funBatmanexperience, and the story is brimming with witty, rapid-fire dialogue.
LEGO’s acclaimed, upbeat take on The Dark Knight made a successful journey into the world of handheld gaming. The original game in the series takes players through many of Gotham’s most famous locations and provides amusing LEGO interpretations of many classic characters.
The Nintendo DS versionalso provides players with some new features to discover. One such feature is the Villain Hunt, which allows players to unlock a selection of additionalBatmanantagonists not available in other console versions of the game. The signature LEGO style of gameplay is on full display here, as players solve a variety of curious puzzles and fight their way through enemies similarly made out of LEGO. With many characters beyond Batman himself also being playable, this is a light, fun take on the character and his expansive mythos.
