The Batman: Arkham series, alongside Insomniac's Spider-Man, stands as one of the premier comic book game franchises ever crafted. Rocksteady Studios has masterfully combined dynamic freeflow combat, stellar voice acting, and a richly detailed Gotham City to deliver a captivating series of action-adventure superhero games.

With the recent release of a new VR entry in the Arkham series, fans and newcomers alike might be eager to dive into or revisit the best Batman games to date.

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How to play in chronological orderHow to play by release order

How Many Batman Arkham Games Are There?

The Batman Arkhamverse boasts a total of 10 games. However, only eight of these are currently playable, as two mobile games have been discontinued and removed from mobile storefronts.

Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Play First?

Newcomers to the series have a choice between starting with the story's chronological order or the release order. To follow the story chronologically, you would begin with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins. However, this could potentially spoil elements of the earlier released games. For a release order experience, start with Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Batman Arkham Collection (Standard Edition)

0Definitive versions of Rocksteady's Arkham trilogy games, including all post-launch content.

See it at Amazon

Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

Below, we offer two paths to explore the Batman: Arkham series: by narrative chronology or by release date. Both approaches are outlined for you to choose your preferred journey.

With series newcomers in mind, these plot summaries contain minimal spoilers, focusing on broad plot points and character introductions.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

The first game in the chronological order is 2013’s Batman: Arkham Origins. Set on a snowy Christmas Eve in Gotham, this game features a less-experienced Batman who must contend with a $50 million bounty on his head, attracting a host of Gotham's notorious criminals including the Joker, Black Mask, The Penguin, Mad Hatter, Bane, Deadshot, Firefly, and Killer Croc. The game's conclusion teases the reopening of Arkham Asylum, setting the stage for future events.

Notably, Roger Craig Smith voices Batman and Troy Baker voices the Joker in this title, replacing the iconic duo of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. While Rocksteady established the Arkhamverse, Origins was developed by WB Montreal, also known for Gotham Knights.

A mobile version of Arkham Origins was released as well, offering a brawler experience developed by Mortal Kombat's NeatherRealm studio, though it follows the same narrative beats.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Origins Wiki

2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate takes place three months after Origins. This 2.5D side-scroller, developed by Armature Studio (known for Resident Evil 4 VR), follows Batman as he investigates an explosion at Blackgate prison, navigating through areas controlled by Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker. Other characters include Catwoman, Amanda Waller, and Rick Flag.

Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker reprise their roles as Batman and the Joker.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Wiki

3. Batman: Arkham Shadow

Batman: Arkham Shadow is the second VR game in the Arkhamverse, set between Origins/Origins Blackgate and Asylum on July 4, seven months after Origins. Roger Craig Smith voices Batman, who confronts a new villain, The Rat King. Other familiar faces include Jim Gordon, Doctors Harlene Quinzel and Jonathan Crane, Arnold Wesker (The Ventriloquist), and Barbra Gordon.

This game marks the debut of Camouflaj, the studio behind Marvel's Iron Man VR, in the Arkhamverse.

Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S

Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

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4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

Batman: Arkham Underworld is a mobile game that lets you step into the shoes of Gotham's newest criminal mastermind, managing villains like Harley Quinn, The Riddler, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, and Killer Croc. It's set before Arkham Asylum, though it has minimal impact on the overall narrative. Unfortunately, it's no longer available for download, having been shut down in 2017.

Available on: N/A

Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film set in the Arkhamverse, roughly two years before Arkham Asylum. While not essential for understanding the games, it enriches the Arkhamverse narrative. Available on HBO Max, it follows Batman's adversaries infiltrating Arkham Asylum.

Kevin Conroy voices Batman, with Troy Baker as the Joker and Giancarlo Esposito as Black Spider.

Available on: HBO Max

5. Batman: Arkham Asylum

Rocksteady’s inaugural Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, introduces us to the Arkhamverse's Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy). It's the fourth game chronologically but the first released. Mark Hamill's Joker is the main antagonist, with other characters including Harley Quinn, Commissioner Gordon, Scarecrow, Bane, and Poison Ivy.

The game follows Batman as he combats the Joker's plan to use a super-strength serum called Titan, amidst an asylum breakout.

Written by Paul Dini, a veteran of Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Asylum Wiki

6. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown, released shortly after Arkham City, is a mobile fighter set between Asylum and City. It features familiar faces like the Joker (Mark Hamill), Harley Quinn, Two-Face, Penguin, Solomon Grundy, Poison Ivy, Deathstroke, Robin, and Batman (Kevin Conroy), as Batman deals with yet another prison escape.

Unfortunately, this game is no longer available.

Available on: N/A | IGN’s Batman: Arkham City Lockdown Wiki

7. Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City, Rocksteady’s second game, takes place a year and a half after Arkham Asylum. Following the asylum's events, Mayor Quincy Sharp establishes Arkham City, a section of Gotham to contain criminals. Batman navigates this area to thwart Hugo Strange's plot and deal with the Joker's deteriorating health due to the Titan serum.

Again, written by Paul Dini.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham City Wiki

8. Batman: Arkham VR

Batman: Arkham VR is the series' only virtual reality game, set shortly before Arkham Knight. It's a narrative-driven detective experience where Batman investigates an ally's murder. Featuring Robin, Nightwing, Alfred Pennyworth, Penguin, Killer Croc, and the Joker, it's voiced by Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill.

Available on: VR | IGN’s Batman: Arkham VR Wiki

9. Batman: Arkham Knight

Batman: Arkham Knight concludes Rocksteady's mainline trilogy with the largest Gotham yet, introducing the Batmobile and a varied cast. Set on Halloween, less than a year after City, it features Scarecrow's fear toxin threat and the mysterious Arkham Knight. Batman grapples with internal struggles from previous games.

The game's cast includes Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Penguin, Riddler, Two-Face, Robin, Commissioner Gordon, and Barbara Gordon.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Knight Wiki

10. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Rocksteady’s latest, shifts focus to Task Force X in Metropolis, yet remains part of the Arkhamverse. Set five years after Arkham Knight, it promises to tie up loose ends from previous games.

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 Batman: Arkham Shadow last October, there are no confirmed upcoming Arkham games in development. Fans hope Rocksteady Studios, absent from the series for nearly a decade, will return, especially after Bloomberg reported their interest in single-player games post-Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. However, no official announcements have been made.

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