Batman: Arkham Asylum was first released on consoles back in 2009, marking the first video game that managed to finally meet and, in some cases, exceed fan expectations, allowing fans of "The Dark Knight" the opportunity to step into his iconic Batsuit. Turns out that home consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 weren't the only intended devices the game was being developed for.
A new ROM uploaded by Twitter user @SuperDarkMimeIV shares a prototype version of Batman: Arkham Asylum that was being developed for Nintendo's popular Nintendo DS handheld, which would have allowed gamers the opportunity to protect the denizens of Gotham City on the go. @SuperDarkMimeIV wrote how they were sharing the "never-before-seen" prototype, noting how that was true as far as they knew.
The game starts with a title screen featuring the DS-styled logo for Batman: Arkham Asylum on the top screen. The bottom one sees Batman, crouched and ready for action as he surveys Gotham City. There's not much to engage with during the prototype itself, and the barebones prototype experience of Batman: Arkham Asylum on Nintendo DS consists primarily of a rooftop and the inside of a library. An enemy is present in each location that Batman can engage with; however, they don't respond, react, or attack Batman if the player decides to try and take them out.
Once loaded into the prototype itself, the top screen changes to an image of a map, allowing gamers to know where they are and see enemy locations, signified by red blips compared to Batman's blue. Dropping the iconic comic book character onto the Gotham City library's rooftop, the prototype immediately informs the player of Batman's capabilities. Gamers would have been able to implement stealth, running, and action in the form of a punch and kick option to tackle the enemy goons. An image of Batman is featured in the bottom right corner, with his arms seemingly crossed, his stamina depleting with every shot thrown.
Although the footage depicts early development of the game, there is still a rough cityscape surrounding the rooftop depicting the Gotham skyline, including a gothic looking church nearby, all painted in muted purples and pinks. Inside the building itself is the fancy interior of the library. Pictures align the walls as light spills in from the outside, pooling on the checkered floor. Another single enemy is inside the room, also impervious to Batman's onslaught. In the bottom left corner of the lower DS screen is Batman's yellow utility belt. Tapping on the icon reveals that "The Caped Crusader" is carrying a Batarang alongside a few other objects, all of which don't seem to work in this early build.
The Nintendo DS prototype was being developed by British developer Full Fat, who had previously worked on other movie projects, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Drawing influence from the character's comic book lineage, Batman: Arkham Asylum was the first in a series of games. It would be followed by 2011's Batman: Arkham City as well as Batman: Arkham Origins, and Batman: Arkham Knight. Batman: Arkham Asylum followed the DC superhero as he battled against the Joker after the latter managed to take control of the infamous Arkham Asylum and trap Batman inside with himself and a cavalcade of his rogue gallery that he helped put away.
Source: TechRaptor (via Twitter)