Batmobiles You Have To See To Believe

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Summary

  • Batmobile in games were often poorly executed, but certain titles managed to offer entertaining and immersive experiences.
  • Batman games showcased different Batmobile styles and gameplay, with each version presenting unique gameplay mechanics for the iconic vehicle.
  • Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham Knight delivered an advanced Batmobile with various functions, popular for its versatility and integration into gameplay.

Although the Batmobile is closely associated with Batman across various comic books, films, and series, it hasn’t been as prominently featured in video games compared to his well-known tools or martial arts prowess. Over time, the Batmobile has undergone numerous transformations and upgrades, mirroring the character’s development through the decades. These changes range from heavily armored muscle cars to advanced tank-like vehicles capable of overpowering villains like Bane.

It’s fortunate that there are various games available for fans of the Batmobile, offering diverse gameplay styles and unique designs inspired by the iconic vehicle. These differences help each game stand out from one another. In some games where the Batmobile is just a minor aspect, it still enhances the immersion by making the player feel like they’re embodying The Dark Knight.

8. Batman: Gotham City Racer

An Appealing Concept Wasted By Poor Execution

In the game Batman: Gotham City Racer, players could drive the updated Batmobile using clips from The New Batman Adventures. This lesser-known UbiSoft title featured Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and other iconic Batman characters with their own unique vehicles. They all raced through the bustling streets of Gotham City.

As a passionate fan, I must admit that while the concept of Batman: Gotham City Racer was initially thrilling, the game has been generally criticized for its subpar controls and lackluster visuals. The Batmobile, in particular, feels overly unresponsive and floaty to my control inputs, turning even the fast-paced races through Gotham into a frustrating experience.

7. Batman Returns

Each Version Puts A Different Spin On The Batmobile

Different companies have created several variations of “Batman Returns“, designed for diverse systems. This has led to various gameplay styles for the Batmobile. In the MS-DOS version, action and point-and-click adventure elements are blended together, making the Batmobile a central hub from where Batman can get updates and swiftly travel to different city locations.

In “Batman Returns” for the Sega CD, the Batmobile segments offer exhilarating third-person shoot-’em-up stages mixed with areas where players take control of Batman on foot. The version developed by Konami for the NES is a shoot-’em-up as well, but it follows a 2D side-scrolling pattern similar to “Gradius”, providing a variety of gameplay experiences for the Batmobile in 1992.

6. Batman & Robin

The First Open-World Batman Game

In numerous aspects, the Batman & Robin game for the original PlayStation mirrors the film it was adapted from: a hastily assembled production primarily aimed at promoting toys. Yet, acknowledging its positive points, it was also a pioneering title as players were required to employ detective skills to determine locations and timing. While minimal, this element certainly offered more detective work in the style of the Dark Knight than most games.

As a gamer, I’ve got to hand it to Batman and Robin, they were trailblazers when it comes to that colossal neon-lit Batmobile cruising through the city. They were the first to offer an expansive, open-world Gotham City for us to explore back then. Driving the Batmobile was a bit cumbersome, but considering it was on the PlayStation 1, it was leaps and bounds ahead of its time.

5. Batman Vengeance

Simple But Effective Action Game For The DC Animated Universe

Batman Vengeance is another title that follows the theme of The New Batman Adventures, aiming to deliver an extended experience similar to episodes from the cherished animated series. The majority of gameplay involves controlling Batman, engaging in battles against villains and their minions in a third-person action-adventure setting. However, the iconic Batmobile is only playable on specific levels.

The Batmobile isn’t hard to grasp; it involves the player pursuing other cars and firing at them, evading various vehicles, and employing a grappling hook for sharp turns during quick-time events. Although they can be lengthy, these sequences are seen as significant enhancements compared to Batman: Gotham City Racer.

4. Rocket League

Many Famous Movie Cars Are Playable

A variety of well-known vehicles, such as the Ecto-1 from the Ghostbusters universe and James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5, have been introduced into Rocket League as downloadable content. Notably, there have been several iterations of the Batmobile, modeled after Tim Burton’s Batman films, Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, the DC Extended Universe, and Matt Reeves’ The Batman.

In essence, the Batmobiles are merely aesthetic additions and don’t influence the gameplay. This means you’re still getting the same thrilling Rocket League experience that so many players have grown fond of. It’s a soccer-style game played with cars, offering both tense and comical moments as vehicles battle it out online to earn points.

3. LEGO Batman 2: DC Superheroes

A LEGO Gotham Requires A LEGO Batmobile

LEGO Batman 2: DC Superheroes marked a significant milestone for Traveler’s Tales as it was their first game to incorporate voice actors. Furthermore, inspired by the success of Batman: Arkham City, they delved into creating an expansive open-world superhero game for the first time with

Characters such as Superman were included in the game LEGO Batman 2, leading many players to choose him to navigate through the LEGO version of Gotham City. However, the Batmobile and other vehicles that can be unlocked are equally useful, boasting quick speeds and precise handling. These vehicles will form the basis for most vehicle-related levels in future LEGO games.

2. Batman Begins

The Tumbler Helps Break Up The Stealth Gameplay

In Christopher Nolan’s film “Batman Begins,” the Tumbler vehicle revolutionized the concept of Batmobiles, often depicted as armored vehicles in subsequent adaptations. Similarly, the “Batman Begins” video game followed this trend, incorporating several gameplay elements that later became staples of the critically acclaimed “Batman: Arkham” series.

In the film, “Batman Begins,” the Tumbler missions are sequential pursuits and competitions that are brimming with action. These missions effectively utilize the tank-like structure of the vehicle as Batman speeds through the city. The pleasure of crashing into criminal vehicles in slow motion is heightened by stunning visuals, making it a standout feature for a game based on a PS2 movie license. Remarkably, the game manages to run smoothly despite its fast pace.

1. Batman: Arkham Knight

Rocksteady Did Not Disappoint With Their Batmobile

In Batman: Arkham Knight, fans were thrilled to have control over a cutting-edge prototype of the Batmobile for exploration. With Gotham City being expansive and teeming with military vehicles, Batman was equipped with a transformable Batmobile that could function both as a tank and a vehicle capable of driving, smashing, and firing through the open world.

Despite receiving criticism for excessive Batmobile usage in the main story of Batman: Arkham Knight, it’s still gratifying to employ it in the open world, races, time trials, and combat challenges. The Batmobile can also be used to solve a variety of puzzles, much like Batman himself with his array of gadgets. Moreover, downloadable content offers a range of Batmobile skins modeled after vehicles from different Batman films.

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2025-04-10 09:05