BATMAN - Return of the Joker was the first Batman video game I have ever played, and remains as one of my favorite Batman games ever. I have played all the Batman games released for the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color, and let me tell you, none of them are as good as this game. The fluid controls coupled with fast-paced game play make this game a joy to play. The swinging grappling hook mechanism adds a slight bit of strategy by allowing you avoid enemies if you are low on health, and it makes exploring levels much more fun. You do sometimes feel like you're playing a Spider-man game sometimes though. The levels are really unique and detailed. You will find yourself brawling in a large underground sewer, dodging falling boulders in a mine, and even rampaging through the passenger cars of a high-speed train. One of the elements of the game that disappointed me a tiny bit was that none of the boss battles (except Joker) are Batman villains. Despite that, the Boss battles are still really fun and unique. The other element that disappointed me a little was the shortness of the game. There are only four levels, but all of them are very well made. In the end, quality beats quantity. If you are looking for a good retro Batman platformer, I recommend this game.

PS: The NES version of this game is not as good.

Here is a video of someone doing a longplay of the game: