While the 1989 version does have a better theme the gameplay just sucks. Best strategy is to just loop the middle ramp for unlimited millions, even the multiball is not worth going for when you can do this. Also the Batcave looks like poop on that game.
You forget that the game will kick the ball off the ramp to keep you from looping it that much. You have to start million plus mode to actually get the game to allow you to loop that ramp. It is an incredibly easy shot, though.