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The Death and Return of Superman
From comics to console: a blockbuster storyline became a playable 16-bit adventure
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PRESS START
An Introduction To Today’s Game
It's 1994, and Superman, the most iconic superhero ever, lies dead. Comic shops worldwide are buzzing with the aftermath of DC's latest headlining storyline.
For me personally, this was a pivotal moment in comics. The death of one of my heroes pulled me back into the medium, and I found myself visiting my local shop weekly for the next 4 years. It became a gateway that opened me up to other publishers too: mainly Marvel and Dark Horse. I was completely obsessed.
While many critics dismissed The Death of Superman as just a gimmick to sell comics, well... it was and it worked. I bought a ton of comics because of this storyline and the story resonated with me deeply over those years.
So when the game announcement happened, I can't remember wanting another title so badly.
The Death and Return of Superman arrived on SNES with an ambitious promise: let players experience the entire epic saga, from the Last Son of Krypton's final battle to the emergence of four mysterious successors.
Don’t worry, Superman. If you lose, just blame input lag.
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BEHIND THE PIXELS
Let’s Dive Into The Game
Playing The Death and Return of Superman feels like stepping into a mid-90s arcade, where every problem can be solved by punching it in the face. The game is a side-scrolling beat’em up in the vein of Final Fight or Streets of Rage.
You move Superman through stages filled with thugs, creatures, and classic DC villains, mashing attack combos and tossing enemies like ragdolls. The twist, of course, is the source material: this game follows the famed comic arc where Superman falls to Doomsday in level 2.
Killing off the famed hero in only the second level might seem like a short game, but here’s where the game gets interesting.
The Man of Steel upgraded.
Four heroes emerge claiming Superman's mantle: the ruthless Eradicator, the young Superboy, the armored John Henry Irons (Steel), and the mysterious Cyborg Superman. Each character feels distinct despite sharing the same basic moveset.
Flying mechanics add a vertical element missing from most brawlers. Hitting the jump button twice, characters can soar above street-level combat, engaging flying enemies or avoiding ground-based threats.
Some levels are dedicated flying sections where you're essentially playing a different game entirely, shooting projectiles at airborne foes while navigating obstacles. These are extremely brief and don’t really offer a challenge though.
As you can guess, the four new Supermen don’t get along and most levels end in a boss fight between two of them.
The presentation deserves praise for capturing the comic's epic scope. Sprites are large, colorful and detailed, with smooth animations that bring each character's unique fighting style to life. I feel confident in saying the character artwork is some of the best on the SNES.
The environments look fine, as you can see in the screenshots, but become very repetitive. What you see in even given screenshot, is what the entire level looks like and backgrounds just repeat.
The soundtrack is probably my least favorite thing about the game. What’s here isn’t bad by any means, the Doomsday boss battle track fits perfectly. But had it used John William’s iconic themes, I think it would have elevated the experience by a lot.
Combat can feel repetitive after extended play sessions. Enemy variety is limited, with palette-swapped thugs appearing frequently. Enemies are reskinned for almost every level, but still follow the same attacks.
Superboy vs Cyborg
The difficulty spikes inconsistently, with some boss battles feeling unfairly punishing while regular encounters become trivial once you master each character's optimal strategies. The game can be beaten in under 2 hours, so don’t expect any long marathons.
Cut-scenes between levels advance the plot faithfully, maintaining the comic's dramatic tension. The mystery of Superman's true successor unfolds naturally, over the ten levels. It’s almost faithful to a fault though.
Since it’s following the story as close as possible, every level is predetermined who you play as. With 5 total characters in the game, you are never once offered a choice to who you play as. Another huge featuring missing is there’s no co-op, which is a staple of the beat’em up genre.
Levels are taken from the storyline. Here, Cyborg breaks into Cadmus to steal Doomsday’s corpse.
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WHERE TO PLAY
The original copy or emulation will be your best bet for tracking this down.
Original Copies of the Game (All prices in USD for NA copy)
Loose: $60
Complete: $175
New/Sealed: $700
GAME INFORMATION
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Cover Art
North America
Game Audio
The Death and Return of Superman - Boss Battle
RETRO NEWS
Here’s a quick roundup of the latest retro gaming news we’ve dug up.
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A cult favorite resurfaces, reminding fans of its unique design and nostalgic charm.
Read more at Retro NewsWizardry VI Saturn Version Finally Playable in English
After decades, the long-awaited English patch opens Saturn Wizardry VI to new audiences.
Read more at Time ExtensionAnbernic Dual-Screen Handheld Leaks Ahead of Launch
Images show Anbernic’s DS-inspired handheld, sparking buzz among retro gaming enthusiasts.
Read more at RetroDodoRare Game Boy Title Surfaces in Boxed Form on eBay
One of the rarest Game Boy releases emerges complete, stirring collectors worldwide.
Read more at RetroDodoEGM Documentary in Works from Game Sack and My Life in Gaming
Two creators collaborate to chronicle Electronic Gaming Monthly’s history for YouTube audiences.
Read more at Time Extension
GAME OVER
Why You Should Play This
The Death and Return of Superman stands as a fascinating time capsule. The beat’em up mechanics feel familiar, and modern players might find the repetitive nature tedious. But there's something undeniably charming about experiencing one of comics' most famous storylines through 16-bit action.
Beat’em Up Rule of Law: Must have an elevator level or straight to jail.
At current market prices hovering around $60 for a loose cartridge, it's become quite the collector's item. Whether that's worth it depends on your tolerance for repetitive gameplay and appreciation for comic book history. The game succeeds as both a decent brawler and a loving adaptation of beloved source material.
For Superman fans or anyone curious about Blizzard's beginnings, The Death and Return of Superman offers a unique glimpse into 90s gaming history.
Iconic.
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