Batman. The name alone means that it's goddamn awesome.
I've been a big fan of the Dark Knight since I've first known him as a kid, and several iterations of the character played out in various mediums besides the comics only serve to heighten my preference for the character and the rich history he has accumulated under his belt for the past 70 plus years since his inception. I've followed every actor who has donned the cape and cowl, from the legendary campy portrayal of Adam West to the seriousness of Michael Keaton, and even the realistic and gruff portrayal of Christian Bale. The comic book adventures of the Caped Crusader continue to evolve, and even with the recent relaunch of the entire DC Universe platform, the Bat's core history is intact and he remains the same guardian knight of Gotham City who has expanded his crimefighting arm worldwide with his new initiative, Batman Inc. In video games, I'm anxiously waiting for the release of Batman: Arkham City this October, and as the sequel to the 2009 monster hit game Batman: Arkham Asylum, it proves without a shadow of a doubt that even the Bat can be awesome in the gaming world.
Yes, Batman is that much of a cultural icon everyone has deep respect for, and I'm still dedicated to following his adventures to this very day. In fact, while he's basking in the spotlight now in terms of the video game scene, there was a time when only a few developers ever got it right in creating a Batman game fans could consider decent and enjoy. One such game is "Batman" by Sunsoft, released for the NES in 1989 and based on the classic Tim Burton movie that starred Michael Keaton in the titular role. The best way to describe this game is that it's merciless, and it plays a whole lot like "Ninja Gaiden" in terms of navigating Batman in a complex platform action game full of traps, respawning enemies, and tough bosses. Heck, even The Joker was tough, and he could summon lighting like it was nothing! Despite going way overboard with the stages and enemies that don't even reflect what's seen in the actual movie, the game was a fine and early example of an awesome Batman game, and that's why I've chosen a track from it for today's Video Game Music Month entry - The first Stage's theme - Streets of Desolation.
Go on. Play it and feel like Batman when you listen to it!
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