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Plug & Play Games:
The Batman

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The Batman
Manufacturer: Jakks Pacific
Year: 2004
About This Set:  This set is based on "The Batman" (2004-2008), a poorly-drawn cartoon series of the iconic superhero.  Despite the fact that this plug & play is centered on a crappy cartoon, I really love it!  The character designs are strange to say the least, but the backgrounds and overall graphics work is excellent.  I also like the fact that the games on this set aren't all rock 'em, sock 'em action.  You do have to use a bit of brain power at times to advance.  For instance, you'll need to find clues on occasion, and know how to use them.  This set also tries to incorporate most of Batman's major gadgetry:  Batarang, Batboat, Batcycle, Batgrapnel, Batmobile, Batpack, etc.  The Batarang is the most heavily used of Batman's weapons in any of the games on this set.  Another thing: Batman is ALWAYS referred to as "The Batman" in this game, never as just "Batman".

    There are four primary villains Batman needs to capture: Bane, Firefly, Joker, and Mr. Freeze.  Each villain has a set of games (levels) that you need to complete in order to bring him to justice.  When the four major baddies are arrested, you will be able to pursue Penguin, an unlockable villain.  You don't need to fight any of the first four villains in any particular order, but you can ONLY fight Penguin after you've defeated these bad guys.  This is an interesting selection of villains.  Joker is an obvious choice.  Penguin?  Sure.  Mr. Freeze is another longtime favorite villain for Batman fans, but he's definitely not in the A-list with Catwoman, Joker, Penguin, or Riddler.  Bane is almost an essential villain nowadays since he's been such a big part of Batman's saga from his comic book debut in "Batman: Vengeance of Bane" #1 (January, 1993) to now.  An odd choice for villains is Firefly.  The character, himself, has been around in Batman media since his comic book debut in "Detective Comics" #184 (June, 1952).  However, Firefly has always been a third-stringer character in popularity at best.  According to the storyline in this game, Firefly is a "newer" villain to surface in Gotham City.

    There is no Robin in this game.  It took the series awhile to introduce Robin, and this game came out shortly after the series' debut.  I miss Robin when he doesn't appear in Batman media.  He's too valuable of a character to dismiss.  I think a great idea for a Batman video game would be to make it so a player has to alternate between Batman and Robin to use those characters' certain advantages.

    I also find it interesting that no women characters appear in this set.  There is no Batgirl, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, etc.  Besides the fact that there is no Robin or any females, I still think this is a really well-done set of games.  An interesting sidenote, the controller looks like a Batarang.  Awesome!