Play Batman: Return of the Joker Online

Summary

Batman: Return of the Joker shifts the NES series away from the Burton film and leans into the comic‑book Batman we all recognize. The game plays as a side‑scrolling run‑and‑gun platformer, letting you zip through seven distinct stages—from a gothic cathedral to a snowy mountain and the Joker’s island hideout—each packed with sub‑levels and boss fights. Batman’s wrist projector is the core weapon, and you can swap ammo types on the fly: crossbow arrows that explode, homing Batarangs, criss‑cross Sonic Neutralizers, and three‑dart Shield Stars. Sliding with the A‑button and down on the D‑pad not only lets you dodge but also serves as a melee attack against certain foes, while eight collected energy capsules grant temporary invincibility. The title offers three lives, unlimited continues, and password checkpoints accessed by pausing, with health displayed as a bar in regular stages and a numeric meter during boss encounters. Its sprite work and graphics earned praise, cementing it as a memorable NES beat‑'em‑up for fans of the Dark Knight.

Storyline

The story of Batman: Return of the Joker opens with the Joker breaking out of an insane asylum, intent on corrupting Gotham City and sowing chaos. Batman is summoned by the city to stop him, and after battling a variety of henchmen he must bring the Clown Prince of Crime to justice.

Batman’s investigation leads him to a cache of stolen metals, one of which is highly toxic and destined for missile explosives. The Dark Knight follows the trail through iconic sites such as the Gotham City cathedral, the Joker’s warehouse, a snowy mountain, a refinery, an underground conduit, an ammunition base, and finally the Island of Ha‑Hacienda, the villain’s secret hide‑out.

Along the way he confronts bosses like the Ace Ranger, a Minedroid, and the Master C.P.U. of the refinery. The journey culminates in two intense battles with the Joker himself, ending the madman’s plot and restoring order to Gotham.