The Batman: Arkham series stands alongside Insomniac's Spider-Man as the pinnacle of comic book video games. Rocksteady Studios masterfully crafted these games, blending exhilarating freeflow combat, stellar voice acting, and a vivid portrayal of Gotham City into a memorable action-adventure superhero experience. The latest addition to the series, a VR game, has sparked renewed interest among fans eager to revisit or experience these iconic titles.
Whether you're new to the series or looking to replay the classics, understanding the order of the games can enhance your journey through the Arkhamverse.
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 within the Batman Arkhamverse. 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?
For newcomers, the Batman Arkham series can be approached in two main ways: by story chronology or by release date. If you choose to follow the story chronologically, start with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins. However, be aware that playing Origins first might spoil elements of the earlier released games. If you prefer to experience the series in the order it was released, begin with Batman: Arkham Asylum.
Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order
Below are two ways to approach the Batman: Arkham series: by release date or by narrative chronology. Both paths are detailed for newcomers, with brief plot summaries that avoid major spoilers.
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. Here, a younger, less-experienced Batman faces a $50 million bounty on his head, attracting Gotham's most notorious criminals like the Joker, Black Mask, and Bane. The game's ending foreshadows the events of Arkham Asylum. Notably, Origins features Roger Craig Smith as Batman and Troy Baker as the Joker, and was developed by WB Montreal, not Rocksteady. A mobile version also exists, though it's a different style of gameplay.
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 where Batman investigates an explosion at Blackgate Prison. The game introduces villains like Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker, and features other characters like Catwoman and Amanda Waller. Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker reprise 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
Batman: 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 Gotham staples like Jim Gordon and Doctors Harlene Quinzel and Jonathan Crane. This game was developed by Camouflaj.
Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S
4. Batman: Arkham Underworld
Batman: Arkham Underworld is a now-defunct mobile game where players assume the role of a criminal mastermind recruiting Gotham's villains. Set before Arkham Asylum, it features Kevin Conroy as Batman but has little impact on the overall narrative.
Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham
Batman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film set in the Arkhamverse, roughly two years before Arkham Asylum. It's not essential for the game series but adds depth to the universe. The film features Batman's adversaries and is available on HBO Max.
Available on: HBO Max
5. Batman: Arkham Asylum
Rocksteady's first Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, introduces the Arkhamverse with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker. The story involves the Joker's infiltration of the asylum to obtain the Titan serum, forcing Batman to navigate the chaos alone.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Asylum Wiki
6. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
Released after Arkham City, Batman: Arkham City Lockdown is a mobile fighting game set between Asylum and City. It features Batman dealing with another prison escape and is no longer available for purchase.
Available on: N/A | IGN’s Batman: Arkham City Lockdown Wiki
7. Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City is Rocksteady's second game, set a year and a half after Asylum. It introduces Arkham City, a walled-off section of Gotham for criminals, where Batman must 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
The series' only VR game, Batman: Arkham VR, is set before Arkham Knight and focuses on Batman solving a murder mystery. It features a rich narrative and is a must-play for VR enthusiasts.
Available on: VR | IGN’s Batman: Arkham VR Wiki
9. Batman: Arkham Knight
The final game in Rocksteady's trilogy, Batman: Arkham Knight, features the largest version of Gotham and introduces the Batmobile. Set on Halloween, it follows Batman as he battles Scarecrow's fear toxin and the mysterious Arkham Knight, culminating in a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Knight Wiki
10. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Rocksteady's latest game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, expands the Arkhamverse by focusing on Task Force X in Metropolis. Set five years after Arkham Knight, it continues the narrative threads from previous games.
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Every IGN Batman Game Review
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, no new Batman Arkham games are currently in development. Fans are hopeful that Rocksteady Studios will return to the series after a long hiatus, especially given recent reports of their interest in single-player games.
Related Content:
- God of War Games in Order and Final Fantasy Games in Order
- Best Batman movies and the best Batman comics of all time
- Shop Batman merch from the IGN Store
