Tracing the Evolution of Batman Video Games

Batman has appeared in video games for over two decades. The main theme of these games centered on Batman fighting against villains. Several versions were launched over the years, featuring different tasks and characters. Batman comics were the inspiration for these games, which later went on to incorporate features from the films.

Development of Batman video games: 1986 – 1988

In 1986, Ocean Software, a Manchester based company developed the first ever Batman game based on the comic book. The batman featured in this version was rather cute and chubby, and wandered around 150 rooms in search of Robin. Two years later, Batman: The Caped Crusader was launched, which was better in terms of digital color and had two campaigns, one with the Penguin and the other with the Joker. These could be played in any ordered decided upon by the player. Even though the launch of this version coincided with the release of Tim Burton’s Batman film, they showed no similarity.

1989 – 1992

In 1989 NES featured the Batman based on the movie. The goal was to reach the big boss, played by the Joker, by tackling smaller bosses that came first. The Batman was purple and was put up against robots and Gotham city thugs. The next year saw the arcade version by Atari and the pinball version by Dataeast. 1992 witnessed ‘Return of the Joker’, which was a sequel to the NES version. This game had improved graphics and funny commentary.

1993 – 1994

Batman Returns launched in 1993 was inspired by Tim Burton’s movie, it even featured the movie soundtrack. This game was more advanced with limited 3D features. Batman had to fight with several thugs, Catwoman and the Penguin to move up the streets. 1994 saw the release of The Adventures of Batman, which was a cartoon version of the game; it was powered by SNES and Genesis and met some criticism.

1996 – 2001

1996 and 1997 saw the release of Batman Forever by SNES and Genesis and Batman and Robin by PlayStation. Both these games did not have great graphics and met unfavorable reviews.
Batman: Gotham City Racer, Batman: Vengeance and other games were released in 2001. The graphics were average, although Batman Vengeance was the better of the two. The games were based on the New Adventures of Batman cartoons. City racer featured the famous Batmobile, while the latter saw batman fighting street thugs in Gotham city yet again.

2003 – 2007

In 2003, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu was noteworthy, as it introduced a new villain and also highlighted several unlikely characters. Clayface, Bane and Scarecrow were some such characters. Batman Begins (2005) was more realistic than its forerunners. It had superior graphics and the plot followed the Christopher Nolan movie. The voices for the game were given by the cast from the film. Justice League Heroes (2006) featured Batman among other heroes like Superman fighting enemies.

The Lego Batman Video Game for the Wii

2008 – 2009

The Lego Batman released in 2008 was an upward turn in the series. It combined attractive Lego characteristics with Batman characters and made it enjoyable for both serious gamers and casual players. Batman: Arkham Asylum was launched in 2009 was a bench mark for the game. The graphics and settings were exquisite. The eerie atmosphere was lent by the Arkham mansion. This Batman could be controlled in very superior manner and he took on several villains in order to get to the Joker who was at the heart of the plot.

Create 3D models of your dreams with PLapp

Did you build your own spaceship or fighter plane when you were a kid having it to either guard your fantasy kingdom or just go gun blazing on your sibling? If you answered yes, you’ll love the iPad app I am reviewing today. PLapp is an amazing app which can be used to build all kinds of plastic models in a digital 3D environment assembling and customizing parts as you wish. Frankly speaking, I straight away was overjoyed by the fun and challenges this game offered.

PLapp is a model kit building app that lets you create 3D models and customize them as per your choice without compromising on the experience of building them in reality and lets you to even share the models you’ve created, with your friends on Facebook.

PLapp iPad app Screenshot

Assembling the parts of your 3D models couldn’t have been more enjoyable, with enough and more options for customization like a range of decals, materials, textures and colors all on your iPad, you can have all the fun you want without worrying about getting your hands dirty. Adding to this, PLapp comes with sound effects that are exactly like those you hear when you assemble and demolish model kits! The app has a simple interface and great functionality to assemble and color your models.

The 3D models you design move around really smoothly, making it hard to believe that they have been digitally created. This app gives you the thrill of having constructed your own models and provides you with plenty of options for customization.

As I said earlier, this app is sure to bring out the child in every adult as it will take you back to those days when you spent hours in your room with your siblings or playmates, patiently assembling various parts to build the machine of your dreams. Download PLapp and lose yourself for a few hours in the enchanting world of building 3D models!

I also found a demo video in Youtube for the app and in case you want to check it out, here is the link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aIlVJ02Yv8