The Adventures of Batman & Robin

"Konami and Batman at their best"

Batman - The Animated Series was more than just a Saturday morning cartoon, it was a series that defined a style, a tone and a mood never seen before in children's programming. It became the standard by which all subsequent animated shows would be matched against. In perhaps on of the most accurate adaptations of the Dark Knight, Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski set out represent the character as closely to the original envisioned idea as possible. At the height of the popularity of the show, Konami, with such hit titles for the SNES as Super Castlevania IV, Batman Returns and TMNT IV, took on the project of making the video game adaptation of the show. The result? Nothing has ever come so close to the source material. Read on.

Story:
Think of the game as a series of episodes from the show. Each level has Batman, sometimes with the help of Robin, going up against one of Gotham's crazed criminals in unique and original settings and plots. The final level however, poses a greater threat as a group of these fiendish foes team-up against the Dark Knight in "The Gauntlet".

Graphics:
The film noir feeling of the show is totally nailed by Konami's artists, and all the gadgets, backgrounds, vehicles and character designs from the show are faithfully represented here. There's a smart use of the color palette, with darker colors for the backgrounds and brighter colors for the main characters while following the "Dark Deco" style of the show.

Music:
Going with the Elfman-inspired Shirley Walker score was a can't miss, but even the new tunes follow the same musical theme and it all blends together beautifully.

Game Play:
This is the most enjoyable part of the game. Each level, as described above, has a unique threat and a unique setting and although it may all seem like a classic platform game, it is not. The game has puzzles, vehicle chases, rooftop chases, virtual worlds and wild roller coaster rides; from the Batcave, you choose which items to take to the mission; you team-up with Robin and battle all the famous characters from Batman's rogues gallery: The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, The Riddler, Two-Face, Clayface, Man-Bat and Scarecrow with cameos by Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Harley Quinn and Summer Gleason. In this game you are truly playing the show.

Overall:
This is a great Batman game and a great adaptation of the animated series. This was Konami at its best, taking full advantage of the SNES's capabilities. It was a big challenge to adapt this show into a video-game at the height of its popularity but they nailed it, they delivered. Take a look at it, you won't regret it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/15/09

Game Release: The Adventures of Batman & Robin (US, December 1994)