Darkman (1991-)

• Developer: Ocean

• Publisher: Ocean

• Genre: Action

Darkman for the Nintendo Entertainment System was developed by Ocean Software and released in 1991. Published by Ocean, the game was a licensed adaptation of the 1990 film directed by Sam Raimi, which starred Liam Neeson as the disfigured vigilante scientist Peyton Westlake. The NES version was one of several ports, with other adaptations appearing on the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and various home computers. As with many of Ocean’s licensed titles, the game aimed to capture key moments from the movie while reimagining them to suit the platform’s action-oriented gameplay style.

The game follows the film’s plot, in which Peyton Westlake, after being brutally attacked and left for dead, uses experimental synthetic skin technology to disguise himself and take revenge on the criminals responsible. The movie’s comic book-inspired tone and dark vigilante theme seem to have influenced the game’s design, combining side-scrolling brawler elements with unique disguise mechanics. Between standard action stages, the player must photograph enemies to create masks, allowing Darkman to infiltrate criminal operations without being detected. This mixture of stealth setup and combat-driven levels helped differentiate it from other licensed games of the era.

Gameplay across the NES version is varied, featuring platforming, hand-to-hand combat, and timed photography sequences. The disguise system adds a strategic layer, as wearing the wrong mask or letting the disguise timer run out forces direct confrontation with enemies. Levels range from urban rooftops and construction sites to hideouts and industrial areas, each with environmental hazards and enemy types drawn from the film’s world. The soundtrack, while limited by NES audio capabilities, delivers tense and driving background themes that aim to match the dark, vengeful tone of the source material, while sound effects punctuate key moments such as combat hits and the ticking of the disguise timer.

Darkman did not have a prequel or direct video game sequel, though the film inspired two direct-to-video movie sequels. Promotion for the NES game leaned heavily on the success of the film, with box art featuring the movie’s iconic imagery of the trench-coated vigilante standing against a fiery backdrop. Reception was mixed: some praised its faithfulness to the movie’s atmosphere and the variety of gameplay styles, while others criticized its stiff controls and steep difficulty. Still, it stands as a notable example of early ’90s licensed games that attempted to blend cinematic storytelling with NES-era action gameplay, offering a unique twist on the beat ’em up formula.

Images from MobyGames