SDCC 10: Batman: The Brave and the Bold DS Preview

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an interesting side-scrolling beat-em-up. You play as Batman, tag-teamed with various other DC Comics superheroes and fighting your way through a series of levels. The style is reminiscent of comic books of old and fits really well for the DS. Oh, so the interesting part. You are continually switching between characters in the game to make your way around various obstacles. It's sort of like playing co-op by yourself.

As far as the side-scrolling bit is concerned, it's pretty much business as usual. Each character has a small handful of attacks that seem like they will get a bit repetitive. Wisely, Warner Bros. chose to show off Plastic Man at San Diego Comic-Con. He's easily among the more interesting Justice League members (yes, he really was a member of the JLA!) simply by virtue of his powers and off-the-wall personality.

I always love pairings of Plastic Man and Batman, because the two couldn't be more different. Batman's a "real" dude who trained his body and mind to battle the greatest foes the world has ever known. He doesn't make jokes; he makes criminals cry. Plastic Man is a guy who's all rubber, bounces around, has no discipline, and cracks wise constantly. Plastic Man is like some sort of practical joke a villain would pull on the Dark Knight.

The contrast isn't as stark in Brave and the Bold, but it's still fun to see the two together. Plastic Man has the expected set of moves. Things like stretching to punch enemies who are further away and turning into an anvil while in the air and smashing baddies.

Batman has his usual kicks and punches and can toss out his Batarang to hit foes further away or to activate switches. When Batman's selected, his utility belt shows on the touch screen. You can slide the stylus along the screen to scroll through the belt and see what goodies Batman has at his disposal. Sadly, I didn't find any shark repellent. What will Batman do if he is challenged by the Joker to a surfing contest? (Editor's Note: This is a lame joke referencing the 1960s Batman TV show.)

I should be clear that Batman and Plastic Man aren't on screen at the same time. You switch between the two throughout the level. All it takes is a tap to the touch screen (which shows a portrait of the two characters). Switch in the middle of combat or (more likely) when you face an obstacle only one specific hero can solve.

Plastic Man has strength and jumping prowess, which the Dark Knight lacks. And Batman has the Batarang and the newly discovered ability to bounce from wall to wall to ascend upwards. Often these obstacles are back-to-back, so you'll be switching between the two characters with regularity. In the Comic-Con demo, there's very little variety in these different tasks.

Hopefully things get a little more difficult as the Brave and the Bold progresses. I realize that this is a title geared towards a younger audience, but kids are not dumb. Having once been an eight-year-old gamer, I can assure you that kids can handle challenge and complex ideas in games better than most adults.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is set for a September release. Plastic Man is set to drive Batman crazy on the same day.