The Batman: Arkham series, crafted by Rocksteady Studios, stands alongside Insomniac's Spider-Man as the pinnacle of comic book video games. These games masterfully combine fluid freeflow combat, stellar voice acting, and a captivating rendition of Gotham City, making them essential experiences for any action-adventure superhero game enthusiast. With the recent addition of a new VR game to the Arkham series, now is the perfect time to dive into or revisit these iconic titles.
Jump to:
- How to play in chronological order
- How to play by release order
How Many Batman Arkham Games Are There?
The Batman Arkhamverse encompasses a total of 10 games. However, only eight of these are currently accessible, as two mobile titles have been discontinued and removed from app stores.
Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers, there are two primary ways to start your journey through the Batman Arkham series. If you prefer to follow the story in chronological order, begin with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins. However, be aware that playing Origins first might spoil elements of the earlier released games. Alternatively, if you want to experience the series as it was released, start with Batman: Arkham Asylum.
Batman Arkham Collection (Standard Edition)
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Definitive versions of Rocksteady's Arkham trilogy games, including all post-launch content.
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Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order
We've outlined two approaches to playing the Batman: Arkham games: by release date or by narrative chronology. Both paths are detailed below, with brief plot summaries designed to be spoiler-light for newcomers.
- Batman: Arkham Origins
The first game in the chronological timeline is 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins. Set on a snowy Christmas Eve in Gotham, it features a less-experienced Batman facing a $50 million bounty on his head, attracting Gotham's most notorious criminals like the Joker, Black Mask, and Bane. The game's ending teases the reopening of Arkham Asylum, setting the stage for future events. Notably, Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker voice Batman and the Joker, respectively, in this title developed by WB Montreal. A mobile version, a brawler by NeatherRealm, also exists but plays differently while hitting the same narrative points.
Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Origins Wiki
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
Battman: Arkham Origins Blackgate takes place three months after Origins. This 2.5D side-scroller, developed by Armature Studio, has Batman investigating an explosion at Blackgate Prison, which has freed its inmates. The game features encounters with villains like Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker, with Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker reprising their roles.
Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Wiki
- Batman: Arkham Shadow
Battman: Arkham Shadow is the second VR game in the Arkhamverse, set between Origins/Origins Blackgate and Asylum on July 4th. Roger Craig Smith voices Batman as he confronts a new villain, The Rat King, alongside familiar faces like Jim Gordon and Doctors Harlene Quinzel and Jonathan Crane. Developed by Camouflaj, this game is exclusive to Meta Quest 3 and 3S.
Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition
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- Batman: Arkham Underworld
Battman: Arkham Underworld is a mobile game where you play as Gotham's newest criminal mastermind, managing villains like Harley Quinn and The Riddler. Set before Arkham Asylum, it's no longer available for download, having been shut down in 2017.
Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham
Battman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film set in the Arkhamverse, occurring two years before Arkham Asylum. While not essential for the game series, it enriches the overall narrative and is available on HBO Max. It features Batman's adversaries in a heist at Arkham Asylum, with Kevin Conroy and Troy Baker voicing Batman and the Joker, respectively.
Available on: HBO Max
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
Rocksteady's inaugural Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, introduces the Arkhamverse's version of the Caped Crusader, voiced by Kevin Conroy. Set in the asylum, Batman faces the Joker, voiced by Mark Hamill, and other villains like Harley Quinn and Scarecrow. The game's story, penned by Paul Dini, involves the Joker's plot to obtain the Titan serum.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Asylum Wiki
- Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
Battman: Arkham City Lockdown, a mobile fighter released shortly after Arkham City, is set between Asylum and City. It features Batman dealing with another prison escape, with familiar voices like Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Unfortunately, it's no longer available for purchase.
Available on: N/A | IGN’s Batman: Arkham City Lockdown Wiki
- Batman: Arkham City
Battman: Arkham City, Rocksteady's second game, takes place a year and a half after Asylum. It introduces Arkham City, a section of Gotham walled off for criminals, where Batman must navigate and thwart Hugo Strange's plot while dealing with the Joker's deteriorating health due to the Titan serum. Paul Dini again wrote the story.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham City Wiki
- Batman: Arkham VR
Battman: Arkham VR, the series' only virtual reality game, is set before Arkham Knight. It focuses on detective work as Batman investigates a murder, featuring a brief 90-minute runtime. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprise their roles.
Available on: VR | IGN’s Batman: Arkham VR Wiki
- Batman: Arkham Knight
Battman: Arkham Knight, the final installment in Rocksteady's trilogy, features the largest Gotham yet and introduces the Batmobile. Set on Halloween night, it follows Batman as he battles Scarecrow's fear toxin and the mysterious Arkham Knight. The game concludes the trilogy's narrative threads over a 16-hour campaign.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Knight Wiki
- Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Rocksteady's latest, shifts focus to Task Force X in Metropolis, five years after Arkham Knight. It's a continuation of the Arkhamverse, available on next-gen consoles and PC.
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Every IGN Batman Game Review
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How to Play the Batman Arkham Games By Release Date
- Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)
- Batman: Arkham City (2011)
- Batman: Arkham City Lockdown (2011)
- Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (2013)
- Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014)*
- Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
- Batman: Arkham Underworld (2016)
- Batman: Arkham VR (2016)
- Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024)
- Batman: Arkham Shadow (2024)
*Animated film
What's Next in the Arkham Series?
Following the release of Arkham Shadow last October, there are no confirmed Batman Arkham games currently in development. Fans are eager for Rocksteady Studios to return to the series after nearly a decade, especially after reports of the studio pitching new single-player projects post-Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
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