Play Batman - Return of the Joker (USA, Europe) Online

Sunsoft released Batman: Return of the Joker for the Game Boy in 1991, a time when handheld games were often simpler, scaled-down versions of their console counterparts. This one stood out for trying to capture the feel of a side-scrolling action platformer on the small screen, with Batman navigating a grim, pixelated Gotham.

You control Batman through a series of linear stages, moving screen by screen and punching, kicking, and throwing batarangs at Joker's henchmen. Your main goal is to stop the Joker's latest scheme, which involves defeating a gauntlet of enemies and navigating environmental hazards like bottomless pits and moving platforms. The game requires careful timing to avoid attacks and projectiles, and the difficulty can feel punishing, especially during boss encounters. It feels tense and deliberate, demanding focus with every jump and every throw.