Since I was a child until today, Batman has been my favorite superhero, my first contact with him was with Batman: The Animated Series, a series considered one of the best animated series in history and that is a well deserved title, because this series knew how to give a personality to Batman that even today, both in comics and in movies still maintains or is referred to. After this series, they made another one within that same universe, The Justice League, which is also one of my favorite series and that besides presenting Batman along with Superman and Wonder Woman as the founders of this group of superheroes, it added other heroes that I didn't know at that time but that caught my attention, then after this series they made The Justice League Unlimited, which added even more interesting and powerful superheroes. It was definitely one of the best series of my childhood. Because of this, I remembered a video game or well, two video games based on Batman, such video games were developed by two rival companies at the time Nintendo and SEGA, creating two titles of the same name, but that are very different from each other.
Both the Mega Drive version and the SNES version are based on the whole universe of the animated series, with all those charismatic and eccentric characters and with that particular style that characterized this wonderful animated series, however, these two versions in terms of their story vary a little.
The version of the Mega Drive, has a slightly more elaborate plot and focused on one of the most recognized villains of Batman: Mr. Freeze, as this emblematic villain is intended to completely freeze Gotham City, but because he knows that Batman and his faithful companion, Robin, will want to prevent his evil plan, Mr. Freeze. Mr. Freeze frees from Arkham the most recognized Batman villains: Joke, Mad Hatter and Two Face, to cause chaos throughout the city and thus, the villain with the power of ice can realize its purpose.
Meanwhile the SNES version, doesn't have a plot as such, but it is based on several chapters of the animated series and recreates in each phase of this game one of those chapters, that is, the Nintendo version, adapts to the video game, chapters of the animated series where each phase of this video game will have as main boss the most emblematic villains of Batman, so unlike the SEGA version, this version has more villains to defeat. In total there are 8: Catwoman, Joker, Two Face, Poison Ivy, The Penguin, Clay Face, The Riddler and Two Face.
As they are two games from two different companies that were once competitors (and now only one of them still remains), in terms of graphics they are different, well... in all aspects they are two totally different games, even though they have the same name, the only similarity they have is that the two games are based on the same animated universe. So I'll mention the graphic features of each version, the same way I did with the story and I'll do with the playable and sound aspects.
The Mega Drive version has quite good graphics and is a game that was able to recreate with great accuracy the universe of the animated series, with good details on screen, very well decorated backgrounds, with all the characteristic style of the series, really this version is a good interpretation of everything I liked to see in those years. Although I have to say that in comparison with the SNES version, the sprites of the SEGA version are a little smaller, but it doesn't take away any score because I personally consider this videogame to be visually quite remarkable and charismatic.
The SNES version has bigger sprites, with a little better definition but also knew how to recreate and maintain that aesthetic that we could see in our childhood in the animated series and you could say that the Nintendo version managed to capture better the essence of the animated series, since the design of the characters by having bigger sprites, the resemblance with its counterpart of the small screen, is greater, so likewise, the use of the color palette is more accurate.
However, despite the fact that in each version it has its advantages and disadvantages in the graphic aspect, because I grew up watching this animated series and this series made Batman to become my favorite comic book character and my favorite superhero, the truth is that for me, and I say this as something very personal, these two video games look great, both knew how to capture wonderfully all the aesthetics, charisma, feature and style of the animated series, so for me these are the best Batman games.
Leaving my fanboy side for Batman aside, I will now talk about the sound aspects of each video game. In this aspect the Nintendo version is superior, because unlike the SEGA version, in the SNES version they chose to use the soundtrack that we could hear in the animated series, and for those who like me have grown up watching this series, you know quite easily that this soundtrack is an auditory wonder. The music composed by the master Danny Elfman, has one of the most spectacular main themes that could have some animated series or some series in general, just listening to the first musical notes of this theme is something that encourages me a lot. But still, the Mega Drive version has a pretty good soundtrack, it's original, with melodies that fit very well with the whole theme of the game, its universe, style and above all, it fits very well with Batman.
The two versions of this game, as well as the other aspects above, in terms of playability are also different, but equally entertaining.
In the case of the Mega Drive version, it can be considered as a game of the Action and Run And Gun genre, since the gameplay is based only on going through a series of decorated scenarios and full of enemies and our only function is and shoot "Batarangs" to our enemies in order to defeat them. This version is quite basic and simple, Batman can jump to avoid certain attacks or to be able to give "Batarangs" to their enemies. It's a fairly easy type of gameplay, the stages are quite long and there are many phases to complete. At a certain point in the game, the gameplay changes completely and it becomes Shoot'em Up, where you have control of the Bat-Airplane, which is designed in the style of the animated series. Despite having a very simple gameplay, it does not make it a repetitive or monotonous game, as it is due to its simple but fun gameplay and also, thanks to those well detailed and decorated scenarios, it makes every moment of this game, very exciting.
The Nintendo version, on the other hand, could be considered as a Beat 'em Up, and like all good games of this genre, it is characterized by having to go through a series of scenarios and defeat with our Bat-Fists every enemy who wants to face us and there is no one who knows how to give out fists like a billionaire dressed as a bat. At the end of each stage we will have to fight with their respective final bosses, who are represented by some of the most representative Batman villains. Although depending on the boss we fight, the gameplay will change a little, as is the case when we fight the Joker on the roller coaster, but basically that's what the gameplay of this version is based on, which like its SEGA counterpart, despite its simplicity in terms of mechanics, is a game that also provides great fun at all times.
Batman is and always will be my favorite superhero and that's why these games are very dear to me, because like the animated series, they represent a large part of my childhood, so even though, as I mentioned earlier, each has its own advantages and disadvantages, it's because of all that Batman means to me, is that I consider these two games, are the best representatives of one of my favorite versions of one of the best superheroes in history.
