Hardest Batman Games – Investment Policy

Superhero games have been a mixed bag – some have been amazing, while others haven’t quite hit the mark. It’s often hard to capture the feeling of being these powerful characters, and many games just don’t get it right, leaving fans disappointed.

While Batman games haven’t always been leaders in the superhero gaming world, the character became DC’s most prominent gaming figure in the first twenty years of the 2000s. From the well-known Arkham series to other appearances over the years, Batman games generally provide exciting experiences, though they can be quite challenging.

GameFAQs is a helpful resource because it includes a difficulty rating for each game. Since these ratings can change based on the game console, we’ll specify which version we’re referencing in the title. We will only include one entry for each game.

8. Batman: Chaos in Gotham (GBC)

GameFAQs Difficulty Score: 3.64/5

Though often overlooked, Chaos in Gotham is a classic Batman game for the Game Boy. It’s a straightforward 2D action-platformer with easy-to-learn combat and levels. The game is enjoyable and features many of Batman’s most famous enemies, as the story revolves around a mass escape from Arkham Asylum.

This game isn’t overly challenging for a Game Boy Advance action-platformer, and most players should be able to complete it without too much trouble. However, the controls can be a bit awkward, and making mistakes is heavily penalized, which might cause some frustration.

7. Batman: Vengeance (GBA)

GameFAQs Difficulty Score: 3.82/5

Do you remember when game publishers often used the same title for both console and handheld versions, even if they were completely different games? Batman: Vengeance is a great example of this. The Game Boy Advance version and the console versions (PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, and PC) barely resemble each other. Most players probably know the console version, which is a straightforward 3D beat ’em up with a variety of gameplay sections. While it hasn’t aged perfectly, Vengeance was considered one of the best Batman games when it was first released.

The Game Boy Advance version is quite different, though it also attempts to mix things up. For the most part, it’s a classic 2D action-platformer where Batman is surprisingly fragile. The controls aren’t great, making the game feel harder than it actually is.

6. Batman & Robin (PS1)

GameFAQs Difficulty Score: 4.07/5

Some games offer a real challenge, pushing players to truly master the gameplay. While difficult, they’re rewarding because they give you everything you need to succeed – setbacks usually happen when players make mistakes, not because the game is unfair.

The Batman & Robin game is notoriously difficult, but not because of challenging enemies – it’s the awkward controls that make it tough. Set in Gotham City, the game lets you complete missions over several in-game days. It was a surprisingly ambitious title for a movie tie-in, and its open-world design wouldn’t be seen again until the Arkham Asylum and Arkham City games. For a PlayStation 1 game, the graphics are quite good, and there’s a lot to explore. Plus, you can play as three different characters, each with their own unique abilities.

However, none of that matters, as Batman & Robin is just a pain to control.

5. The Adventures of Batman & Robin (Genesis)

GameFAQs Difficulty Score: 4.24/5

Okay, so there was a Batman & Robin game on the Genesis that’s totally different from the SNES one. This version is all about running, gunning, and fast action. There have been other Batman games that tried this style, but this one nailed it. It’s seriously challenging, which is exactly what you want in a game like this – a real skill-tester!

The Super Nintendo version of the game is challenging, but the Genesis version is consistently more difficult – sometimes to the point of frustration. Batman often feels underpowered, especially since the game throws a lot of enemies at you simultaneously.

4. Batman: Dark Tomorrow (GameCube)

GameFAQs Difficulty Score: 4.38/5

Like Batman & Robin, Batman: Dark Tomorrow is difficult to play because of awkward controls, annoying gameplay features, a bad camera, and sudden, unfair jumps in difficulty. Widely considered the worst Batman game ever made, Dark Tomorrow has a decent story, but the gameplay is so frustrating that it’s hard to recommend to anyone.

Even dedicated Batman fans who don’t mind a challenge might find Dark Tomorrow overly difficult and frustrating. If you’re curious about the story, it’s best to just watch the cutscenes online – they’re the only enjoyable part.

3. Batman Forever (PC)

GameFAQs Difficulty Score: 4.45/5

Platforms: SNES, PC, R-Zone, Game Boy, Game Gear, Sega Genesis, DOS
Released: 07-10-1995
Developers: Acclaim Studios London

Even after Tim Burton stopped directing, movies based on his style continued throughout the 1990s, and video games quickly followed. While the Batman Forever movie is still well-regarded, the game is remembered more for its extreme difficulty. This was true for all versions, but the PC version was notoriously the hardest to beat.

I remember playing Batman Forever when it first came out, and honestly, it almost nailed the fighting game feel. But then they threw in a ton of platforming stuff, and it made the controls super clunky and confusing. A few of us figured it out, but even back then, most people didn’t love it. And looking back now, the game hasn’t really aged any better than the movie it was based on.

2. Batman (1986)

GameFAQs Difficulty Score: 4.46/5

The idea of making a Batman video game goes back a long way – almost as far back as The Legend of Zelda series. The very first Batman game came out in 1986 for early personal computers. It was set in a 3D world viewed from above, and the story involved Batman trying to find all the parts of the Batmobile to rebuild it and rescue Robin.

Even though it’s an older game, this Batman title is noteworthy for pioneering features like an early form of the save system and was highly regarded when it was released. However, playing the 1986 game today can be challenging because gaming has evolved significantly, and games of that era were deliberately difficult due to their short length. Anyone who finds this game now should be prepared for a tough experience.

1. Batman Returns (Atari Lynx)

GameFAQs Difficulty Score: 4.59/5

While the games based on the 1989 Batman movie were tough, the games inspired by Tim Burton’s Batman films were even more challenging. Batman Returns received several game adaptations in 1992, each developed by a different company for various consoles, and all of them are notoriously difficult. The versions for Sega CD, Genesis, and SNES are probably the best known, with the Genesis and Sega CD versions being particularly hard. However, these all seem easy compared to the Batman Returns game for the Atari Lynx, which is so difficult it’s almost impossible to play at times.

Though visually striking when it was released, Batman Returns is a side-scrolling action game that quickly becomes incredibly challenging. While many games from that time were difficult, this one often feels frustratingly unfair. I’d only suggest it to dedicated Batman fans who are up for a truly tough gaming experience.

2025-12-31 16:35