Batman: Gotham City Racer
A racing game set in Gotham City.
In 2000, Ubisoft published a racing game for the PlayStation titled Batman: Gotham City Racer, developed by Sinister Games. The game draws from The New Batman Adventures and includes numerous clips from that animated series. Players control Batman, Robin, or Batgirl as they race through the streets of Gotham. The gameplay includes checkpoint, point-to-point, and circuit races across various tracks, each with its own obstacles. As the game progresses, new characters, vehicles, and tracks become available. Each character has distinct abilities, like faster acceleration or improved handling, and vehicles differ in speed, handling, and durability. In a preview, IGN noted that Ubisoft had taken over the Batman license and described the project, then tentatively called Batman Vehicle Adventure, as a driving game set in the art-deco world of Batman: The Animated Series. IGN highlighted the planned 20 missions, Adventure and Patrol modes, and mentioned that the Batmobile would include gadgets and weapons similar to those from the animated series.
- Release
- 2000
- Publisher
- Ubisoft
- Developer
- Sinister Games
- Platform
- PlayStation
- Genre
- Racing video game
- Based on
- The New Batman Adventures
- Playable characters
- Batman, Robin, Batgirl
Lore & Background
Batman: Gotham City Racer is a racing video game released in 2000 by Ubisoft for the PlayStation, developed by Sinister Games. It is based on The New Batman Adventures and incorporated many clips from the series into the game. The player takes on the role of Batman, Robin, or Batgirl, and competes in a series of street races across the city of Gotham. The game features a variety of different race types, including checkpoint races, point-to-point races, and circuit races. The races take place on a variety of different tracks around Gotham City, each with their own unique challenges and obstacles. As players progress through the game, they can unlock new characters, tracks, and vehicles. Each character has their own unique abilities and attributes, such as faster acceleration or better handling. The vehicles also vary in speed, handling, and durability, allowing players to choose the best vehicle for each race.
Reader's Guide
Batman: Gotham City Racer represents a niche entry in the Batman video game franchise, focusing entirely on vehicular racing rather than the typical action-adventure gameplay. Its significance lies in its direct adaptation of The New Batman Adventures, incorporating clips from the animated series and its art-deco visual style. The game's inclusion of multiple playable characters—Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing—each with unique abilities, and a variety of race types and power-ups, offered a distinct gameplay experience for fans. While not a major commercial or critical hit, it stands as a notable example of a licensed racing game from the early 2000s. Its legacy is primarily as a curiosity for collectors and fans of the animated series, preserved through external references such as MobyGames.
Did You Know?
- The game was originally tentatively called Batman Vehicle Adventure.
- It was previewed by IGN, which noted Ubisoft had taken over the Batman license.
- The game features 20 missions, as well as Adventure and Patrol modes.
- The Batmobile includes various gadgets and weapons similar to those seen in the animated series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Batman: Gotham City Racer?
It is a 2000 PlayStation racing game published by Ubisoft and developed by Sinister Games. Players race through the streets of Gotham City controlling Batman, Robin, or Batgirl.
What characters can you play as in Batman: Gotham City Racer?
You can choose between Batman, Robin, and Batgirl. Each hero has a distinct driving profile, with one favoring quicker acceleration while another offers tighter handling.
What kinds of race modes does Batman: Gotham City Racer offer?
The game includes checkpoint races, point-to-point runs, and circuit tracks. Every course is populated with its own set of obstacles to dodge mid-race.
What animated series is Batman: Gotham City Racer based on?
The game takes its setting and roster from The New Batman Adventures cartoon. It also weaves in short clips from that series throughout the gameplay.
How do you unlock new characters and tracks in Batman: Gotham City Racer?
As you progress through the game's sequence of races, additional heroes, vehicles, and courses gradually become available. This progression keeps the roster and track list expanding as you play.
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