Batman Returns on the Genesis is one of those beat 'em ups that nails the vibe of the movie—dark, punchy, and just a little janky in that classic '90s way. You start off punching thugs in a snowy Gotham alley, and within minutes you're dodging chainsaws, chucking Batarangs, and getting sucker-punched by Catwoman. The sprites are chunky but full of personality, especially the Penguin waddling around with his stupid umbrella.

What surprised me was how much it leans into brawler mechanics—you’ve got grapples, throws, even a weird jump kick that sends guys flying. The subway level’s my favorite, with those claustrophobic tunnels and dudes popping out of manholes. Boss fights are brutal (that damn clown car…) but satisfying when you finally figure out the pattern. Soundtrack’s all moody synths and punchy effects—exactly what you’d want from a Batman game.

It’s not perfect—hit detection gets weird sometimes, and the platforming bits feel tacked on—but it’s got way more charm than most movie tie-ins. If you’ve got nostalgia for the era or just want to see Batman uppercut a guy into a Christmas tree, it’s still a solid time.