Revisiting The Death and Return of Superman on SNES

Few comic book events in the early 90s generated as much buzz as the "Death of Superman" storyline. It was everywhere – news reports, talk shows, and eventually, video game adaptations. Among them, one stands out for many retro gamers: The Death and Return of Superman SNES game. Developed by none other than Blizzard Entertainment (yes, that Blizzard, before Warcraft and Diablo were household names!), this Super Nintendo title brought the epic saga to the world of side-scrolling beat 'em ups. But how does it hold up today? Let's take a trip back to Metropolis.

The Comic Event Comes to Life

The game follows the sprawling comic narrative fairly closely, starting with Superman's fateful battle against Doomsday. This wasn't just a quick boss fight; the game dedicates significant time to the initial confrontation, setting the stage for the titular event. After Superman's "death," the story progresses, introducing the four potential successors: Cyborg Superman, Eradicator (often called Futuristic Superman in game discussions), Superboy, and Steel.

The game does a commendable job of translating the broad strokes of the comic's plot into its level structure, guiding players through key moments and locations from the storyline. For fans of the comics, seeing these events play out in 16-bit glory was a major draw.

Stepping into the Suit(s)

At its core, The Death and Return of Superman SNES is a classic 90s beat 'em up. You walk from left to right, punching, kicking, and using special moves to clear waves of enemies. Superman and his successors all share a basic move set: punches, kicks, a jump, and the ability to fly briefly. Yes, you can fly! Hitting the R button lifts you off the ground, allowing you to glide over some obstacles or position yourself differently, a neat mechanic not always seen in the genre. You also have heat vision, typically activated with a button combo, serving as a screen-clearing special attack.

The combat feels solid, if a bit simple. Enemies come at you in waves, and progression often involves defeating everyone on screen to unlock the path forward. Like many games of the era, it can feel a bit repetitive, especially in earlier stages where enemy variety is limited. You'll be fighting a lot of generic thugs and robots before the more iconic villains show up.

The Four Supermen: Distinct or Just Different Sprites?

One of the game's biggest selling points was the chance to play as the four different Supermen who emerge after the original's demise. Each has their own levels and slightly different abilities:

• Cyborg Superman: Features projectile attacks and is prominent in the game's unique shooter segments.
• Eradicator: Often described as faster or having unique energy blasts.
• Superboy: Known for his speed and "tactile telekinesis," often manifested as throws.
• Steel: The powerhouse, wielding his hammer for heavy damage.

While the game intends for them to feel distinct, the reality is that their core beat 'em up movesets are very similar. The differences often boil down to their special attacks and perhaps slight variations in speed or power. The most significant gameplay change comes when playing as Cyborg Superman in the horizontal shooter levels, which offer a welcome break from the standard brawling. This similarity in the main gameplay can be a bit disappointing, as it doesn't fully capitalize on the unique powers and personalities from the comics.

Hits and Misses

What the game gets right:

• Story Adaptation: It follows the comic plot surprisingly well for a game of its time.
• Graphics & Sound: The sprites are large and detailed, the animations are smooth, and the music is fittingly heroic. It looks and sounds like a quality SNES title.
• Blizzard's Touch: Knowing Blizzard made this adds a cool historical note for fans of the developer.
• Shooter Levels: The segments featuring Cyborg Superman offer fun, distinct gameplay.

Where it falls short:

• Repetition: Like many beat 'em ups, it can become monotonous, especially with limited enemy types early on.
• Difficulty Spikes: The game can be quite challenging, sometimes feeling unfair with enemy placement or damage output. Health items aren't always plentiful.
• Character Similarity: The different Supermen don't feel as distinct in their core combat as they could have.
• No Co-op: A beat 'em up based on a team-up story feels like a missed opportunity without two-player support.

Does It Hold Up?

The Death and Return of Superman SNES is a solid, if unspectacular, beat 'em up. It’s arguably one of the better Superman games from the 16-bit era, which, to be fair, isn't the highest bar. Its main appeal today lies in its nostalgia factor, its connection to a famous comic storyline, and the curiosity of playing a Blizzard-developed game from their pre-megahit days.

It's a game best enjoyed in short bursts or by dedicated fans of the comic or the genre. While it doesn't reach the heights of classics like Final Fight or Streets of Rage, it's a competent brawler that successfully translates a complex narrative into a playable format.

FAQ

Q: Who developed The Death and Return of Superman SNES? A: The game was developed by Blizzard Entertainment, known today for franchises like Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch.

Q: How many playable characters are in the game? A: You play as the original Superman initially, and later gain access to four successors: Cyborg Superman, Eradicator, Superboy, and Steel, for a total of five playable characters across different sections of the game.

Q: Is the game difficult? A: Yes, the game is known for being quite challenging with tough enemies and bosses, requiring careful play and sometimes exploiting mechanics.

Q: Does the game follow the comic storyline accurately? A: It follows the major beats and plot points of the "Death of Superman" and "Return of Superman" comic arcs, though it simplifies some elements for gameplay purposes.