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Prerelease:Batman (TurboGrafx-16)

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This page details prerelease information and/or media for Batman (TurboGrafx-16).

Hmmm...
To do:
Add more magazine previews if they can be found.

Rather infamously, Batman for PC Engine in its early previews was a completely different game from the final product, being a platformer rather than an overhead maze game.

Bi-Weekly Famicom Tsūshin (Famitsu) – No. 83 - September 15th, 1989

Cacti may speak Japanese, but do they speak it well?
...But does it make sense?
The translations on this page need to be proofread. If you are fluent enough in this language, please make any corrections necessary!
Notes: Double-check translation by Sledge3, as requested.

The September 15, 1989 issue of Famitsu had a preview of Batman with some early screenshots. Judging from the screenshots, it appears to be in a very preliminary state, with platforms implemented but with no enemies or obstacles visible.


The info mentions about Batman being able to jump, punch and use his grappling hook to reach higher ledges (much like in Batman game on Sega Genesis), while finding various items and weapons throughout the stages.

The game was going to have 4 stages total, each of them containing the boss at the end. The first 3 being Gotham City, Axis Chemicals and Gotham Museum, all of which could be chosen in any order to unlock the last one, where Joker awaits.

The screenshot with the Batcave was meant for the Stage Select screen. Also stating, that the stages would have lots of enemies to fight with, traps and objects falling from above to avoid, along with the boss fights having their own unique gameplay style.

Famitsu No83 1989-09-15 p86 Batman PCE.jpg


(Source: PC-Engine: July-Sep. 1989 - Chris M. Covell, Bi-Weekly Famicom Tsūshin (No. 83, Sept. 15, 1989, p. 86))

Title Screen

In the early version, the Batman crest is on the right side while the logo is on the left side. The final version has both centered on the title screen.

Early version Final
Batman PCE Famitsu 1989-09-15 Title.jpg Batman TurboGrafx-16 Title.png

Platforming Segments

Batman PCE Famitsu 1989-09-15 Gameplay01.jpg Batman PCE Famitsu 1989-09-15 Gameplay02.jpg Batman PCE Famitsu 1989-09-15 Gameplay03.jpg Batman PCE Famitsu 1989-09-15 Gameplay04.jpg

There are some screenshots of gameplay also shown in the magazine preview. However, only platforms and some backgrounds are shown, and there are no enemies present, nor is there any HUD with life/ammo count for weapons (if any) visible. Most likely this preview was preliminary and only a demonstration of platforming at this point.

Batcave Cutscene

Batman in his Batcave.

This cutscene of the Batcave is nowhere to be found in the final version. The previews in Famitsu and PC Engine Fan state that this was taken from the Stage Select screen.

PC Engine Fan (October 1989)

Cacti speak Japanese.
...But what does it mean?
This game has text or audio that needs to be translated. If you are fluent with this language, please read our translation guidelines and then submit a translation!
Notes: Is there any more info in PC Engine Fan that's not in Famitsu?

Four of the same screenshots are also shown in the October 1989 magazine of PC Engine Fan. However, besides the screenshots not being covered by any additional graphics, the preview also gives a tentative release date for December 1989, as well as giving a preliminary HuCard size of 4 Megabits.

PC Engine Fan October 1989 p95 Batman PCE.jpg
(Source: PC Engine Fan (October 1989, p. 95))