Sinclair Spectrum (1989)

Amstrad CPC (1989)

Commodore Amiga (1989)

There's no hanging around here with an eighties videogame movie tie-in that stands tall in the face of justice.

In late summer 1989, Batman: The Movie hit cinemas amidst a whirlwind of anticipation. Fans and skeptics alike wondered how Warner Bros. could transcend the campy tone of the 1966 original. What they delivered was a revelation - a bold, dark reimagining of the Caped Crusader, setting the stage for a new era of brooding superhero cinema.

The video game adaptation wastes no time plunging you into the action. As Batman, you begin in the treacherous Axis Chemical Plant, hot on the trail of Jack Napier - a notorious criminal and the architect of Batman's tragic origins. The first level offers classic platforming gameplay, with smooth movement in all four cardinal directions. Ladders and ledges provide access to higher or lower platforms, but it's the iconic grappling hook that steals the show. This versatile tool lets you scale walls, swing over hazards, or dodge enemy attacks with superhero flair.

Of course, Gotham's criminal underworld isn't idle. Henchmen launch relentless assaults, firing bullets and lobbing acid bombs without mercy. Batman's arsenal, including the trusty Batarang, helps even the odds. You can also incapacitate foes by leaping onto them from above. The climactic first level culminates in Jack Napier's plunge into a vat of chemicals, transforming him into the deranged Joker.

One particularly striking design choice is how damage is visualised - each hit shifts Batman's portrait closer to that of his archnemesis. Should the Joker's image fully replace Batman's, the game is over.

"Batman: The Movie" earns its stripes as a well-rounded action game. By blending platforming, vehicular combat, and puzzle-solving, it avoids the monotony that plagued many adaptations of the era. The varied gameplay elements combine seamlessly to create a cohesive and thoroughly entertaining experience - one that does justice to the Dark Knight's enduring legacy.