Batman: The Video Game
Batman: The Video Game — frequently asked questions
- What platforms is Batman: The Video Game on?
- Batman: The Video Game was released on Family Computer, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.
- When did Batman: The Video Game release?
- Batman: The Video Game was first released on December 22, 1989.
About Batman: The Video Game
Batman: The Video Game, is a group of platform games developed by Sunsoft for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy, loosely based on the 1989 film of the same name. Despite having the same title, each is actually a different game. The NES title is arguably the best known and contains five levels culminating in a final showdown with the Joker in the bell tower of Gotham Cathedral. It was received well despite changes from the movie upon which it was based. Sunsoft later released Batman: Return of the Joker as a follow-up which is not related to any movie.
Summary via IGDB.
Game details
- Platforms
- Family Computer, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
- Developer
- SUNSOFT
- Publisher
- SUNSOFT
- Game modes
- Single player
- Themes
- Action
- Series
- Batman
Details via IGDB.
Reception
Every version compared
Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release
| Platform | Year | Loose | Complete | Sealed | Period reviews | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sega Genesis | 1991 | $37 | $104 | $300 | 2 reviews | Low |
Also released on: Family Computer · Nintendo Entertainment System · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Genesis · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-29
Other releases and variants
| Release | Loose | Complete | Sealed |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (PAL) release | $24 | $69 | $127 |
| Japanese release | $33 | $47 | — |
How often it sells
- Loose: about once a week
- Complete: about once a week
- Sealed: about once a year
Prices marked “few sales” rest on about one recorded sale a year, so treat them as a rough guide: the next copy could sell well above or below. Expect to wait for one to come up.
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-29.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $0.75 in Oct 2007, $40 five years ago, and $37 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2008 | $2.00 | — |
| Jan 2009 | $7.98 | — |
| Jan 2010 | $8.31 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $10.50 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $8.04 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $16.05 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $12.99 | $24 |
| Jan 2015 | $16.50 | $35 |
| Jan 2016 | $19.99 | $45 |
| Jan 2017 | $19.95 | $40 |
| Jan 2018 | $25 | $54 |
| Jan 2019 | $22 | $48 |
| Jan 2020 | $36 | $68 |
| Jan 2021 | $47 | $89 |
| Jan 2022 | $44 | $108 |
| Jan 2023 | $55 | $108 |
| Jan 2024 | $46 | $97 |
| Jan 2025 | $42 | $100 |
| Jan 2026 | $44 | $83 |
| Oct 2026 | $37 | $104 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date | Product number | Known board |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | June 1991 | — | — |
| Europe / PAL | July 1992 | MK-1044-50 | 171-5703 · MPR-14561-T |
| Japan | 27 July 1990 | T-15043 | — |
- Region
- NA+EU+JP
- Released
- 1991
- Authenticity
- Low
A good-looking, well-scored Sunsoft take on the 1989 film, a little easy but pricier than most US carts.
Sunsoft's Batman is a side-scrolling action game for the Genesis based on the 1989 film. It follows the film's plot more closely than the NES game of the same name and includes levels where you control Batman's vehicles. It came out in Japan on 27 July 1990, in North America in June 1991 and in Europe in July 1992.
Electronic Gaming Monthly's four reviewers praised how faithful it was to the film and liked the graphics, music and sound. Mean Machines called the graphics and sound tremendous, with thumping rock tracks, but warned that platform experts would find it fairly easy to beat.
What the press said at the time
| MegaTech Issue 17 | May 1993 | 70% |
| MegaTech Issue 18 | June 1993 | MT RATING: 70% |
“There’s nothing imaginative here—then again, most movie-licensed video games aren't. What's more, this Genesis game is a rather easy one to beat, even on the “hard” setting.”
“The action takes the form of platform beat 'em up stuff interspersed with scrolling Batmobile and Batwing shoot 'em up bits. Smart graphics and fairly enjoyable gameplay. A bit boring and a bit too easy to complete.”
“Smart graphics and fairly enjoyable gameplay. … A bit boring and a bit too easy to complete.”
“Well, y’know, if you’re really after a Batman game then wait for the Mega CD Batman game which will feature video stills and animation from the film, making it one of the first true multi-media games. Word is that”
Also on other platforms
Sega Genesis/Mega Drive · NES
- NES. The NES game's music was composed by Naoki Kodaka, who also wrote the Genesis soundtrack.
Before you buy
Among US carts it sits well above the middle. The European cart usually costs noticeably less than the US one. The Japanese cart usually costs less as well, much less when complete; its cartridge has a different shape and needs an adapter or two plastic tabs removed from a Western console's slot. A complete US copy means the case, cartridge and manual.
Batman: The Video Game screenshots
Watch on YouTube
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