Batman: Return of the Joker

Batman: Return of the Joker is a sequel developed by SunSoft for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Its premise involves the Joker's escape from Arkham Asylum, prompting Batman to pursue him across seven distinct stages to secure Gotham City.

The core action is a side-scrolling affair where Batman navigates environments like a military base, sewers, a snowy area, and a moving train. The pace varies, with some stages requiring evasive maneuvers alongside moving vehicles, while others briefly shift to a jetpack-powered shooter perspective.

Batman's primary offense is a gauntlet that fires basic projectiles. This arsenal can be enhanced by collecting power-ups found in level boxes, unlocking homing and energy-based weapons. Each of these upgraded weapons features a unique secondary attack that can be charged. For mobility and offense, Batman also has access to a sliding maneuver effective against standard enemies and certain bosses.

Confrontations with major adversaries employ a different health system, where Batman's resilience is represented by a point total rather than a standard life bar, allowing him to withstand more damage. The game is considered a notable entry as it was not directly adapted from a film or television series.