Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Justice League: Injustice for All shines when it comes to its core gameplay loop of tag-team hero action. Each level casts you as two iconic Justice League members—Superman and Wonder Woman, Batman and The Flash, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl, or Martian Manhunter paired with another ally. Seamlessly switching between these characters on the fly allows you to leverage their distinct strengths—flight, brute force, super speed, energy projection, and more—to overcome both environmental obstacles and swarms of Injustice League goons.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The level design frequently challenges you to think strategically about which hero’s ability is best suited for a particular puzzle or hidden challenge. For example, you’ll need Flash’s speed to trigger distant switches, and Hawkgirl’s wings to scout platforms that contain concealed key cards. Finding these cards is essential to unlocking the final boss chamber, and the hunt adds a welcome layer of exploration to what might otherwise be a straightforward beat-’em-up.

Combat itself is responsive and varied. Each hero has their own basic combo, a special attack that drains a small portion of energy, and an ultimate move that requires filling a special meter. While button inputs are simple, integrating switches between heroes mid-fight—especially when a level’s AI enemies exploit elemental weaknesses—creates a dynamic rhythm that keeps encounters fresh. Boss fights against villains like Lex Luthor or Cheetah elevate the tension by demanding that you play to both heroes’ strengths and weaknesses in rapid succession.

Graphics

On the Game Boy Advance, Justice League: Injustice for All impresses with its detailed sprite work and colorful backgrounds. Each hero and villain is rendered with clear, expressive animations that capture the essence of their comic book selves. Superman’s cape flutters in midair, Batman’s gargoyle shadows loom ominously, and Gorilla Grodd’s chest-beating rage is vividly portrayed, all within the confines of a handheld screen.

Environmental backdrops—whether you’re traversing a rain-soaked Metropolis rooftop or infiltrating LexCorp’s high-tech corridors—are rich with ambient details. Subtle parallax scrolling adds depth, while quick visual cues highlight interactive objects such as hidden switches or breakable crates hiding health pickups. Despite occasional sprite flicker when too many enemies appear on screen, the overall presentation remains crisp and engaging throughout most levels.

Cutscenes leverage static comic-inspired artwork accented by punchy text boxes and occasional motion lines to convey motion. They’re not fully animated, but they deliver essential story beats effectively, ensuring players remain invested in the Justice League’s mission to thwart the Injustice League’s chaos campaign. The game’s color palette stays vibrant yet appropriately moody—shifting seamlessly from neon-lit cityscapes to shadowy dungeons without jarring transitions.

Story

The narrative premise is classic DC fare: the Justice League unites to dismantle the Injustice League’s plan for world domination. Iconic villains—The Joker, Mongul, Solomon Grundy, and others—have teamed up under a mysterious mastermind to sow anarchy. This setup allows for a rotating roster of confrontations that feel both varied and thematically cohesive.

Each stage opens with a brief exposition outlining the current villain’s scheme, which gives context to your mission objectives—rescue hostages, deactivate weapons platforms, or retrieve stolen artifacts. While the plot never reaches Shakespearean depths, its brisk pace ensures you’re always moving toward the next set piece. Occasional character banter—Batman’s dry quips, Flash’s lighthearted jabs—imbues the journey with personality and reinforces the camaraderie of Earth’s greatest heroes.

Boss encounters are treated as story climaxes for each chapter. Defeating Star Sapphire over a cityscape or bringing down Gorilla Grodd in his subterranean lair gives you a palpable sense of progression. The final showdown ties back to the overarching mystery, delivering a satisfying resolution that honors longtime Justice League fans while remaining accessible to newcomers.

Overall Experience

Justice League: Injustice for All offers a satisfying blend of action, puzzle-solving, and fan service. Switching between heroes keeps the gameplay fresh, while the platforming and exploration elements ensure that each stage feels more than just a corridor of enemies. The balance between button-mashing combat and thoughtful ability usage means you’ll want to revisit levels to uncover every hidden key card and secret bonus.

Replay value is bolstered by the desire to master each hero’s toolkit and achieve full completion on every mission. Though the difficulty curve is approachable for younger players, seasoned beat-’em-up veterans will find challenges in timed segments and boss fights that demand precise switching and energy management. A cooperative mode would have been a welcome addition, but the single-player experience remains robust enough to stand on its own.

For fans of DC Comics and side-scrolling action alike, Justice League: Injustice for All is a compelling handheld adventure. Its polished visuals, engaging level design, and faithful character portrayals combine to create a package that delivers both nostalgia and solid gameplay. Whether you’re assembling the perfect tag-team to take down Felix Faust or simply enjoying a brisk romp through Metropolis, this game is a worthy addition to any collector’s GBA library or modern emulation lineup.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10