The DC Animated Universe (or DCAU for short) comprised the likes of Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited, plus other cartoons, and many games based on those shows were released while they aired. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and mostly all retaining a similar creative team, the DCAU would create iconic shows such as BTAS, Batman Beyond, and Static Shock. These series were highly acclaimed, and during a period where the publisher was relatively absent from the big screen, they became the focal point of the brand outside of the comics, including DC's video games.
Starting with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, the DC Animated Universe started to develop with the release of Superman: The Animated Series and later again with Batman Beyond and Justice League. Animated movies and comics set in the DCAU continuity were released during this time, all fleshing out the shows' characters and aligning with the fixed timeline created for them. Games based on the DCAU also took place in the same continuity, and while the timeline has sometimes contradicted itself, there are cases where the games slot in fairly seamlessly.
Games based on the DCAU first emerged in the 1990s and continued into the 2000s. Like some games of the era, not all of them have aged particularly well. However, some titles have managed to stand the test of time. They may not have aged as well as the Batman: Arkham games, but dig deep enough, and fans will be able to find games that were able to capture the spirit of the DCAU, and match its level of maturity and storytelling prowess.
Superman On Game Boy Is The Worst DCAU Game
A 1997 2D sidescroller for the Game Boy, Superman is possibly the worst DCAU video game. Based on the DCAU show, Superman: The Animated Series, Superman the game was developed and published by Titus Software. While the game's setting should've provided a solid launching point for a good title, the gameplay was mundane. With clunky controls and underwhelming gameplay, Superman is one of sadly many DCAU video games that aren't worth checking out.
Everything About Superman 64 Is Terrible
A half a step up from Superman for the Game Boy and a game that hopefully would never be ported to the Nintendo Switch, Superman 64 was a single and multiplayer game released on the Nintendo 64 in 1999. Developed and published by Titus Software, the game's only redeeming factor was that it was in 3D. Other than that, there's nothing much.
The game was fraught with unrelenting bugs, horrible gameplay, and a subpar narrative. The game was such a bad experience that it offended and angered critics and fans of Superman alike. If any lesson can be salvaged from Superman 64, it is that it takes more than an iconic property to make a good game.
View-Master Batman Animated VR Wasted Its Setting
One of the odder and most recent DCAU games, View-Master Batman Animated VR, is a single-player game for iOS and Android released in 2016. Unlike the more interactive Batman: Arkham VR game, View-Master Batman Animated VR is more of a passive experience with the player listening and reading clues from Alfred and Batman. Even though it's not as interactive as other DCAU games, the production value is higher than most, with voice actors from the series reprising their roles for the game.
Gotham City Racer Was Fun But Limited
"What if Crazy Taxi was set in Gotham City" Perfectly sums up Batman: Gotham City Racer. Released in 2001, Gotham City Racer was a racing game developed by Sinister Games and published by Ubisoft. Unlike more modern takes on the Batmobile from The Batman film to Arkham Knight, Gotham City Racer offered a more comic accurate Batmobile and Batcycle along with each vehicle's arsenal of gadgets. While the game's map was expansive, gameplay boiled down to driving from point A to B with a clip from The New Batman Adventures playing or text signifying progression, then some more driving. Essentially, the player is in a taxi dressed like the Batmobile driving Batman around, occasionally taking down villains along the way.
Justice League: Injustice For All Was A Forgettable DCAU Game
An action game for the Game Boy Advance, Justice League: Injustice for All was developed by Saffire and published by Midway Games in 2002. Based on an episode from the DCAU animated series, Justice League, the game followed the League as they fought a coalition of villains, the Injustice Gang. Similar to the approach of Suicide Squad: KTJL and its villains, Injustice for All had multiple bosses but was missing a centralized antagonist.
The game also did a good job of portraying each League member's power, with each character's gameplay feeling different. Moreover, the art style was straight from the series which added to its charm. Unfortunately, the overall game was messy and repetitive, becoming a bland beat 'em up with controls that do more harm than good.
Superman: Countdown To Apokolips Didn't Realize STAS' Potential
A definite step from the previous Superman games, Superman: Countdown to Apokolips was a single-player action game for the Game Boy Advance released in 2003. Developed by Mistic Software, the game was based on Superman: The Animated Series and acted as a prequel to Superman: Shadow of Apokolips. Although a prequel, the game worked in elements from other Superman games and fixed some issues, most notably art style. It also added a wide variety of gameplay options, with the player able to fly across levels and use Superman's heat vision and ice breath. Moreover, the isometric camera angle, while clunky at times, allowed the player to get a more comprehensive view of the action. However, despite these improvements to the Superman game formula, the game lacked the narrative depth of its source material, with the gameplay becoming relatively underwhelming.
Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker Deserved A Better Tie-In Game
Based on the animated feature of the same name, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker was a single-player side-scrolling action beat 'em up that was released for the N64, PlayStation, and Game Boy Color in 2000. A storyline that Rocksteady seamingly pulled elements from for Batman: Arkham Knight, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker had gameplay similar to Streets of Rage or Golden Axe. While the game had unique mechanics like offering different suits with varying abilities and a 3D environment that enhanced its visuals, it didn't do the film's narrative justice. The gameplay was also tedious and straightforward.
Justice League: Chronicles Was A Better JL Game (But Barely)
Released in 2003 and developed by Full Fat, Justice League: Chronicles is a paradox. On the one hand, it's a massive improvement from the previous Justice League game, opting for a wider camera angle and levels that expand the number of controllable characters for the player by one. On the other hand, while the game expands on the powers of the League, the game seemingly feels half of most DCAU games with only three levels. Like the now delayed Suicide Squad game, Justice League: Chronicles should have taken more time to flesh out its dull gameplay and a nonexistent narrative.
Batman: The Animated Series On Game Boy Succeeded Overall
Based on the DCAU show of the same name, Batman: The Animated Series (the game) was a side-scrolling single-player action-adventure platformer developed by Konami and released in 1993 on the Game Boy. The game levels were incredibly distinct, with each level split into episodes that switched between Batman and Robin offering new experiences. Further still, the narrative was filled with Batman's rogues gallery, from the Riddler to Catwoman, making the game feel more part of the comics and the DCAU shows.
The game eerily feels like a combination of Mega Man and Castlevania. However, its setting, gameplay, and easy-to-use controls overshadow its obvious inspirations. It may not be as good as later DCAU titles, but it was still good for the time.
Batman: Chaos In Gotham Brought TNBA To Game Boy Color
Similar to how Gotham Knights takes inspiration from Batman: Reborn, Batman: Chaos in Gotham takes inspiration from the Batman: The Animated Series game. A single-player action game based on The New Batman Adventures, Batman: Chaos in Gotham was released in 2001 for the Game Boy Color and developed by Digital Eclipse Software and published by Ubisoft (known as "Ubi Soft" at the time). The game seems to take similar gameplay beats as Batman: The Animated Series game, but rather than Robin switching out it's Batgirl instead. However, that doesn't make this game a copycat, with notably updated controls, unique gameplay, and minimalistic level design making the game a new yet familiar experience.
Batman: Rise Of Sin Tzu Featured A Brand New DCAU Villain
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu was an action game that released in 2003 for the Xbox, PS2, GBA, and Game Cube. Similar to how Gotham Knights is spotlighting Nightwing and the rest of the Bat Family, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu allowed up to two players to take control of Batman, Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl. The game features an upgrade system that rewards gameplay with more abilities and the cutscenes are also top-notch, with the art style straight from The New Batman Adventures. Key cast members from the DCAU also returned, including Kevin Conroy as Batman, and Tara Strong as Batgirl.
However, Rise of Sin Tzu's gameplay was slightly underwhelming, with levels consisting of mind-numbing punching galleries. While the narrative is more thought out than most DCAU games, it's very surface-level and lackluster. Regardless, for those DCAU fans looking for a cooperative experience, Rise of Sin Tzu is worth tracking down.
Superman: Shadow of Apokolips Might Be Superman's Best Game
Released in 2002 for the PS2 and 2003 on the Game Cube, Superman: Shadow of Apokolips was a single-player action-adventure game published and developed by Atari. As opposed to Superman 64, which had the player navigate rings for hours at a time, Superman's depiction actually made sense. From the cel-shaded art style and music to the gameplay and cast of voice actors - including Tim Daly as Kal-El and Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor - the game was a worthy adaptation of Superman: The Animated Series. While the controls can be finicky, especially in the collision detection department, it was a vast improvement over previous Superman games, and shows that a more modern title based on the character could succeed.
The Adventures Of Batman & Is A Classic DCAU Game
A testament to how the SNES era was one of the best times to be a gamer, the 1994 classic, The Adventures of Batman & Robin, is one of the best DCAU games to date. Although not as in-depth as the Batman: Arkham games, The Adventures of Batman & Robin captured the look and feel of BTAS and successfully translated the show to the gaming medium. An action-adventure platformer developed and published by Konami, the gameplay was great, and the level designs were incredibly unique and detailed.
Moreover, each level featured a boss fight with a villain from the series, and areas where these fights mirrored the character and were dynamic and distinctive. This is in addition to a beautiful art style and distinct 16-bit music remixed from the animated series. All in all, the game is an impressive and faithful rendition of the DCAU series and is a must-play.
Batman: Vengeance Is The Best DCAU Video Game
Developed and published by Ubisoft, Batman: Vengeance is the best DCAU game ever released. Released in 2001, Batman: Vengeance is basically a lost BTAS episode, boasting a brand-new story involving the Joker and compelling action-adventure gameplay. Batman: Vengeance allows players to immerse themselves as Batman and his arsenal of gadgets. The level design and gameplay variation are head and shoulders above other DCAU titles, from piloting the Batwing to driving the Batmobile.
Going further, the game's story is split into fully fleshed-out episodes pitting the player against Batman's most iconic villains. The design of each level is also impressive, capturing the feel and sense of the animated series. This is on top of an all-star cast of voice actors from Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker. Batman: Vengeance is incredibly immersive, massively faithful to the source material, and overall fun, all of which make it the best DCAU game.