A surprisingly deep fighter for the Gameboy!
First off, it is basically like the Game Gear version without color.
I am not sure of the story. I do not remember it from the PC version and in this game, you are placed in a bank and you fight to to the top. There really are no story elements, or any text to progress anything. Apparently, Batman has gone on a thug-killing spree.
The game plays out like the PC and Game Gear versions, except the handheld versions do no support any multiplayer. The same music is in all three versions, just in at different speeds and played slightly differently.
The game is played out as Batman. (NO...WAY...) You fight and grapple-hook your way through lots of different areas. From the Gotham Bank you start in to a circus, a subway station and finally to Claw Island. All the while thugs of various sorts drop from the ceiling, break out of barrels and walk on-screen. The enemies all have unique names which seem to be identical to the PC and Game Gear versions. A very nice touch. When the enemies are in a team perhaps, the are named 'Tom' while the next one being 'Jerry'. 'Mumbo' and 'Jumbo' and some others are scattered throughout the game also.
The same moves are still there, just with different execution. After playing with two other versions, I could experiment with the controls and figured out many of the weapons and stuff, but the game is still very confusing with no move list of proper weapon technique. There are no online guide for this game either, so you will have a hard time getting all the moves memorized.
Batman has a lot of moves at his disposal, especially for a system with a d-pad and two buttons. All the enemies have Batman's moves too, just with different results. As the game progresses, they naturally become harder to beat and Batman gets tossed around like a punching bag.
The graphics for this game are by no means bad. Batman is animated smoothly most of the time, as are the enemies. The frame rate drops significantly when more than two enemies (And Batman) are on screen at the same time, or you are being thrown into the air from an uppercut.
The level design is generic and uninspired most of the time. Mostly being a maze of platforms and secret entrances and exits. The back-drops for the levels are mostly un-detailed, but what is there looks nice.
The game is pretty basic, with zero unlockables that I could find. Plenty of hidden items, but nothing to unlock. You will probably play through this a few times and set it on a shelf for a few months, maybe picking it up every now and again for some fun.
Overall, Batman Forever is a very enjoyable romp on the Gameboy. With lots of moves at your disposal, is takes quite some time to figure them all out...especially without the manual to help you out. Buy? Or Rent?
Good luck finding this game up for rent, but if you can find it at a game retailer, I would suggest picking it up. Especially since it is around only four dollars. Here are some moves I discovered that may be useful to you:
Cape Morph: Select + B
Glide: After jumping, press up and hold it on the d-pad.
Batarang: Right, Down, Right, B in quick succession.
Grappling Hook: Up, Right, Down, B in quick succession.
Grappling Hook Angle: Down, Right, B in quick succession. (Reverse Right, to Left for opposite direction)
Fall Through Platforms: Down, Down rapidly.
Roll: Right, Right, A in quick succession. (Reverse Right to Left for opposite direction)
Grab: Left, Right, Right, B in quick succession. (Reverse Right to Left and Left to Right for opposite direction)