The Batman: Arkham games stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Insomniac's Spider-Man as the pinnacle of comic book gaming. Rocksteady Studios masterfully blended fluid combat, exceptional voice acting, and a breathtakingly realized Gotham City to create an unforgettable superhero action-adventure series.
With a new VR entry in the Arkham series now available, many are revisiting (or discovering for the first time) these legendary Batman titles.
**Jump to:**
Chronological Order | Release Order
How Many Batman Arkham Games Are There?
There are a total of ten games within the Batman Arkhamverse. However, only eight are currently playable; two mobile titles have been discontinued.
Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers, there are two approaches: chronological order (starting with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins) or release order (Batman: Arkham Asylum). Chronological order might spoil elements of earlier games, while release order reflects the series' evolution.
Batman Arkham Collection (Standard Edition)
Definitive versions of Rocksteady's Arkham trilogy, including all DLC.
Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order
We'll explore two playthrough paths: chronological narrative and release order. Minor spoilers (broad plot points and character introductions) are included.
1. Batman: Arkham Origins
Chronologically first, Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) depicts a younger, less experienced Batman facing a $50 million bounty on his head. He confronts Gotham's elite villains: Joker, Black Mask, Penguin, and more. The game hints at Arkham Asylum's reopening, foreshadowing Rocksteady's Arkham Asylum. Note that this game features different voice actors than the main series. A mobile version, a distinct brawler, also exists.
Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC | IGN's Batman: Arkham Origins Wiki
2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
Set three months after Origins, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is a 2.5D side-scroller. Batman investigates Blackgate Penitentiary following a prison break, facing Penguin, Black Mask, and 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, the second VR game, is set in Blackgate Penitentiary between Origins/ Origins Blackgate and Asylum. Batman confronts the Rat King and other familiar faces.
Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S
Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition
4. Batman: Arkham Underworld
Batman: Arkham Underworld, a discontinued mobile game, casts you as a Gotham crime boss, recruiting and managing villains. It's set before Arkham Asylum.
Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham
Batman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film, set roughly two years before Arkham Asylum, focusing on a group of villains infiltrating Arkham Asylum.
Available on: HBO Max
5. Batman: Arkham Asylum
Rocksteady's debut, Batman: Arkham Asylum, introduces Kevin Conroy's Batman and Mark Hamill's Joker. The Joker's plot to unleash chaos within the asylum forms the core narrative.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC | IGN's Batman: Arkham Asylum Wiki
6. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
A discontinued mobile fighter set between Asylum and City.
7. Batman: Arkham City
Rocksteady's second game, Arkham City, expands the setting to a walled-off section of Gotham, with Hugo Strange and a weakened Joker posing threats.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC | IGN's Batman: Arkham City Wiki
8. Batman: Arkham VR
A VR title set shortly before Arkham Knight, focusing on detective work and a mysterious murder.
Available on: VR | IGN's Batman: Arkham VR Wiki
9. Batman: Arkham Knight
Rocksteady's concluding chapter, featuring Scarecrow, the Arkham Knight, and the Batmobile.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | IGN's Batman: Arkham Knight Wiki
10. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Rocksteady's latest, shifting focus to Task Force X in Metropolis, set years after Arkham Knight.
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Every IGN Batman Game Review
[Image Gallery]
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 Arkham Shadow, no future Arkham games are officially announced.
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