The Batman: Arkham series stands alongside Insomniac's Spider-Man as one of the pinnacle achievements in comic book gaming. Developed by Rocksteady Studios, the series is renowned for its seamless freeflow combat, exceptional voice acting, and a meticulously crafted Gotham City, making it a landmark in action-adventure superhero gaming.

With the recent release of a new VR game in the Arkham series, fans both new and old might be eager to dive into or revisit these iconic Batman games.

Jump to:

• How to play in chronological order
• How to play by release order

How Many Batman Arkham Games Are There?

There are a total of 10 games in the Batman Arkhamverse. However, only eight of these are currently playable, as two mobile games have been discontinued and removed from mobile stores.

Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers, you have two main options: start with the story's chronological order, which begins with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins, or follow the release order, starting with Batman: Arkham Asylum. Choosing Arkham Origins first might spoil some elements of the earlier games, so consider your preference carefully.

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 for playing the Batman: Arkham games: by chronological narrative or by release date. Both paths are detailed below, with mild spoilers focused on broad plot points and character introductions for newcomers.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

Batman: Arkham Origins, released in 2013, is the first game chronologically. Set on a snowy Christmas Eve in Gotham, it follows a less-experienced Batman with a $50 million bounty on his head, attracting Gotham's notorious criminals like the Joker and Bane. The ending sets the stage for the reopening of Arkham Asylum. Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker voice Batman and the Joker, respectively, in this game developed by WB Montreal.

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

2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Bakman: Arkham Origins Blackgate takes place three months after Origins. This 2.5D side-scrolling game, developed by Armature Studio, has Batman investigating an explosion at Blackgate Prison. The game features villains like Penguin 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

3. Batman: Arkham Shadow

Bakman: Arkham Shadow is the second VR game in the Arkhamverse, set between Origins and Asylum. It takes place on July 4, seven months after Origins. Roger Craig Smith voices Batman as he confronts a new villain, The Rat King, alongside familiar faces like Jim Gordon and Harlene Quinzel. Developed by Camouflaj, it's available on Meta Quest 3 and 3S.

Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

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4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

Bakman: Arkham Underworld is a mobile game where you play as a criminal mastermind in Gotham, 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

Bakman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film set in the Arkhamverse, two years before Arkham Asylum. While not essential for the games, it enriches the narrative and is available on HBO Max.

Available on: HBO Max

5. Batman: Arkham Asylum

Batman: Arkham Asylum, Rocksteady's first game, introduces the Arkhamverse's Batman, voiced by Kevin Conroy. Set after Origins, it features the Joker, voiced by Mark Hamill, and other villains like Harley Quinn and Scarecrow. The story revolves around the Joker's takeover of the asylum to obtain the Titan serum.

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

6. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Bakman: 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

7. Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City, set a year and a half after Asylum, expands the setting to a walled-off section of Gotham called Arkham City. Batman navigates this lawless area to thwart Hugo Strange's plot and deal with the Joker's deteriorating health due to the Titan serum.

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 a VR game set before Arkham Knight, focusing on detective work as Batman investigates a murder. It features a brief runtime of about 90 minutes and includes characters like Robin and the Joker, 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 trilogy, set on Halloween night after City. It introduces the Batmobile and features Scarecrow and the mysterious Arkham Knight as main antagonists. The game wraps up multiple storylines over its 16-hour campaign.

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 is Rocksteady's latest game, set five years after Arkham Knight. It shifts focus to Task Force X in Metropolis, featuring characters like Harley Quinn and Deadshot. It's a continuation of the Arkhamverse narrative.

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 hopeful for Rocksteady Studios' return to the series, especially after their focus on single-player games post-Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

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