Batman (Ocean)
Licensed game done right
Ocean Software's 1989 Batman tied to Tim Burton's film and defied licensed game expectations with quality platforming and faithful adaptation.
Overview
Ocean Software held the Batman licence and released games to coincide with Tim Burton’s 1989 film. Against the usual expectation that licensed games would be rushed and poor, the Batman games—particularly the Amiga and C64 versions—delivered quality platforming that captured the film’s dark atmosphere.
Fast facts
- Developer: Ocean Software.
- Publisher: Ocean Software.
- Based on: Batman (1989 film).
- Genre: platform action.
- Versions: different gameplay across platforms; Amiga/ST differed from 8-bit.
- Reception: praised for quality unusual in licensed games.
Platform variations
Different games for different hardware:
- Amiga/ST: isometric action with Batmobile sequences.
- C64/Spectrum: side-scrolling platformer.
- NES: action platformer developed by Sunsoft (different team).
- All versions: captured the film’s gothic aesthetic.
Breaking the curse
Why it succeeded:
- Development time: adequate schedule despite film tie-in.
- Talented teams: experienced developers on each version.
- Atmospheric design: dark visuals matched the source.
- Varied gameplay: not just basic platforming.