How to Play the Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

The Batman: Arkham games stand alongside Insomniac's Spider-Man as the pinnacle of comic book video games. Rocksteady Studios masterfully combined fluid combat, exceptional voice acting, and a captivating portrayal of Gotham City to create an unforgettable superhero action-adventure series.

With a new VR entry in the Arkham series now available, many players might be eager to revisit (or experience for the first time) these iconic Batman titles.

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Chronological Play OrderRelease Order Play OrderExploring the Batman Arkham Game Universe

The Batman Arkhamverse encompasses ten games; however, only eight are currently accessible, as two mobile titles have been discontinued.

Optimal Starting Point: Your Batman Arkham Adventure

Newcomers to the series have a couple of options: a chronological storyline beginning with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins, or a release date order starting with Batman: Arkham Asylum. Choosing the chronological approach might spoil elements of earlier games.

### Batman Arkham Collection (Standard Edition)

0Definitive editions of Rocksteady's Arkham trilogy, including all DLC.See it at AmazonChronological Order: Unraveling the Arkham Narrative

Here are two approaches to experiencing the Batman: Arkham games: by release date or narratively. Both paths are detailed below, with minimal spoilers.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

Chronologically first, 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins unfolds on Christmas Eve in a snow-dusted Gotham. A less seasoned Batman faces a $50 million bounty, attracting Gotham's most notorious criminals: Joker, Black Mask, Penguin, Mad Hatter, Bane, Deadshot, Firefly, and Killer Croc. The conclusion hints at Arkham Asylum's reopening, foreshadowing Rocksteady's subsequent game.

This entry features Roger Craig Smith as Batman and Troy Baker as the Joker, replacing the usual Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. While Rocksteady Studios established the Arkhamverse, WB Montreal developed Origins.

A mobile version, a distinct brawler by NetherRealm Studios, also exists.

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

2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate follows three months after Origins. Unlike the main series' 3D adventures, Blackgate is a 2.5D side-scroller by Armature Studio (Resident Evil 4 VR).

Batman investigates Blackgate Penitentiary after an explosion frees its inmates. He explores three areas controlled by Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker. Catwoman, Amanda Waller, and Rick Flag also appear.

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, the second VR title, primarily unfolds in Blackgate Penitentiary between Origins/Origins Blackgate and Asylum—specifically, July 4th, seven months after Origins.

Roger Craig Smith returns as Batman, confronting the Rat King. Jim Gordon, Harleen Quinzel, Jonathan Crane, Arnold Wesker, and Barbara Gordon also feature.

Camouflaj, known for Marvel's Iron Man VR, developed Shadow.

Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S

### Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

0See it at Amazon4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

Batman: Arkham Underworld, a mobile game, casts you as a Gotham crime boss, commanding villains like Harley Quinn, Riddler, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, and Killer Croc. It's a free-to-play gang management game. Kevin Conroy returns as Batman.

Set before Arkham Asylum, its narrative impact on the Arkhamverse is minimal. Note that it's no longer available.

Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman: Assault on Arkham, an animated film, is set roughly two years before Arkham Asylum. While skippable for those focusing solely on the games, it's crucial for the complete Arkhamverse narrative. It's available on HBO Max.

Like Arkham Underworld, it spotlights Batman's rogues' gallery.

Kevin Conroy voices Batman, and Troy Baker portrays the Joker. Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian) voices Black Spider.

Available on: HBO Max

5. Batman: Arkham Asylum

Rocksteady's debut Arkham game introduces the Arkhamverse's Batman (Kevin Conroy). Mark Hamill's Joker is the main antagonist, alongside Harley Quinn, Commissioner Gordon, Scarecrow, Bane, and Poison Ivy.

The Joker, aided by Harley Quinn, infiltrates Arkham Asylum to acquire Titan, a super-strength serum. He's planted bombs in Gotham, forcing Batman to handle the asylum's escapees alone.

Paul Dini, known for Batman: The Animated Series, wrote the story.

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

6. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Released shortly after Arkham City, Batman: Arkham City Lockdown is a fighter set between Asylum and City. It's NetherRealm's second Arkham mobile game.

It features the Joker (Mark Hamill), Harley Quinn, Two-Face, Penguin, Solomon Grundy, Poison Ivy, Deathstroke, Robin, and Batman (Kevin Conroy). The plot revolves around another prison breakout.

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

7. Batman: Arkham City

Rocksteady's second game, Batman: Arkham City, takes place a year and a half after Arkham Asylum. Mayor Quincy Sharp establishes Arkham City, a walled-off section of Gotham housing criminals. Batman navigates this lawless area, thwarting Hugo Strange's plot and confronting the Joker, suffering from the Titan serum's effects.

Paul Dini again penned the story.

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, precedes Arkham Knight. It's a narrative-driven detective story focusing on solving the murder of an ally.

The supporting cast includes Robin, Nightwing, Alfred, Penguin, Killer Croc, and Joker (Conroy and Hamill).

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

9. Batman: Arkham Knight

The conclusion to Rocksteady's trilogy, Batman: Arkham Knight features a larger Gotham, a diverse cast, and a playable Batmobile.

Set on Halloween, possibly less than a year after City, Scarecrow (John Noble) threatens Gotham with fear toxin, alongside the mysterious Arkham Knight. Batman grapples with internal conflict.

The supporting 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

Rocksteady's latest game shifts away from Batman and Gotham, but is officially a continuation of the Arkhamverse. Set approximately 5 years after Arkham Knight.

Kill the Justice League focuses on Task Force X, exploring Metropolis as Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, or King Shark.

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

IGN's Batman Game Reviews

48 ImagesRelease Date Play Order: A Linear Arkham Journey

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

The Future of the Arkham Series

Following Arkham Shadow's October release, no new Batman Arkham games are currently announced. Fans hope Rocksteady Studios will return to the series after a near decade-long absence. While Bloomberg reported Rocksteady pitched new single-player titles, official confirmation is pending.

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