Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
A 2003 beat 'em up introducing Sin Tzu to the Batman universe.
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu, a beat 'em up action game, hit shelves in 2003 for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, and GameCube. Ubi Soft handled both development and publishing, working alongside Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. The story and setting draw from *The New Batman Adventures* TV series, with the show’s voice actors returning to their roles. This title marked the last Batman video game connected to the DC Animated Universe.
In the gameplay, players choose from Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy), Batgirl (Tara Strong), Robin (Scott Menville), or Nightwing (Loren Lester). It supports solo play or a two-player cooperative mode. As players finish levels and move through the story, they unlock upgrades like new fighting moves for their character. A separate challenge mode lets players, either together or against each other, fight groups of thugs with no plot attached. Four difficulty settings exist: 'Easy', 'Medium', 'Hard', and an unlockable 'Dark Knight' option.
The plot begins on the anniversary of Thomas and Martha Wayne’s murder. Batman visits Crime Alley to pay respects but spots civilians being kidnapped. After stopping the kidnappers, he learns of prison breaks at both Arkham Asylum and Stonegate Prison. Commissioner James Gordon (Bob Hastings) calls him to the courthouse, but the Scarecrow (Jeffrey Combs) attacks Gordon with fear toxin. Batman defeats the Scarecrow, and Gordon warns that more supervillains have escaped. Batman then finds Clayface (Ron Perlman) at the Gotham Chemical Factory, disarms explosives on rooftops, and learns Clayface plans to turn everyone into clay creatures. He follows Clayface to the factory, while Gordon mentions a weapon of mass destruction heading to Gotham. After beating Clayface, Batman deduces that the mastermind is Sin Tzu (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), an Asian warlord once captured and sent to Arkham. Sin Tzu intercepts their talk, declaring Gotham will become his new stronghold. Gordon says the weapon has reached the docks, so Batman intercepts the cargo ship and brings it to the Batcave. There, he finds it is actually Bane (Héctor Elizondo), another escaped villain, part of Sin Tzu’s trap. After defeating Bane, Batman learns Sin Tzu hides at Arkham. Gordon surrounds the asylum. Batman enters through the sewers, warned about
- Release year
- 2003
- Platforms
- Xbox, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, GameCube
- Developer
- Ubi Soft
- Publisher
- Ubi Soft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, DC Comics
- Genre
- Action beat 'em up
- Based on
- The New Batman Adventures
- New character introduced
- Sin Tzu
Lore & Background
The game's story follows the Bat-Family—Batman, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Robin—as they face a new adversary, a superpowered Asian warlord called Sin Tzu, on the anniversary of Batman's parents' murder. The plot involves prison breakouts at Arkham Asylum and Stonegate Prison, with Batman confronting villains such as the Scarecrow, Clayface, and Bane, who are revealed to be manipulated by Sin Tzu's mind-control powers. Batman ultimately infiltrates Arkham Asylum and defeats Sin Tzu.
Reader's Guide
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu was released in October 2003 to mixed reviews from critics. It was marketed as introducing a new character to the Batman universe, similar to how Harley Quinn debuted in Batman: The Animated Series. Sin Tzu was designed by comic artist Jim Lee but did not gain popularity and was not seen in other media for thirteen years, until his comic debut in Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo and Killer Croc #3 (October 2016). The game shipped with special editions containing action figures or a lithograph, but it did not earn Greatest Hits, Player's Choice, or Platinum Hits status. A novelization and a year-long webcomic sequel, Batman: Shadow of Sin Tzu, were also released.
Did You Know?
- Sin Tzu was designed by comic artist Jim Lee.
- The game features four difficulty settings: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Dark Knight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu?
It is a 2003 side-scrolling beat 'em up developed and published by Ubi Soft in partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. The game is set within the world of The New Batman Adventures animated series and brings that continuity to a playable format.
Who are the playable characters in Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu?
Players can take on Batman, Batgirl, Robin, or Nightwing, each with their own move sets. The original voice cast from The New Batman Adventures returned, with Kevin Conroy back as Batman and Tara Strong voicing Batgirl.
What is the story of Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu about?
The plot follows the Bat-family as they confront Sin Tzu, a new antagonist threatening Gotham City. The narrative and setting are adapted directly from The New Batman Adventures TV series, making it a natural extension of that show's storyline.
Why is Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu important to DC Animated Universe fans?
This title was the last Batman video game ever tied to the DC Animated Universe continuity. For longtime fans of the classic animated series, it marks the final time that particular universe was adapted into a video game.
What platforms was Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu released on?
The game hit shelves in 2003 for Xbox, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo GameCube. Ubi Soft handled both the development and publishing across all four versions.
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