To this day, the Batman Arkham series remains a signature franchise in the history of video games. Whether it is the open world in Arkham City or Joker’s escape in Arkham Asylum, the series has seen it all. However, with so many Arkham games out there, knowing where to start is next to impossible. Don’t worry as we were in the same boat. To help you out, we decided to list down all Batman Arkham games in story and release date order. So with that, let’s begin!
All Batman Arkham Games in Story Order
While there are a total of eight games in the Arkhamverse universe, we have decided to include Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. However, only seven are playable as two mobile titles have been shut down. Arkham Shadow is the new VR game that will join the Arkhamverse but as of now, we don’t know its timeline. With that said, here are all the Batman Arkham games in story order:
1. Batman: Arkham Origins
In the prequel, Batman: Arkham Origins (2013), a snowy Gotham on Christmas Eve sees a young Batman targeted by assassins for a hefty bounty. This attracts a rogue’s gallery including Joker, Penguin, and Bane.
The game establishes Arkham Asylum’s reopening, bridging to the next chapter, and features a new voice cast for Batman and Joker. Arkham’s Origins ending hints at the opening of Arkham Asylum essentially setting the plot for the upcoming game.
2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
Set in 2013, three months after the chaos of Arkham Origins, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate takes a 2.5D turn. Developed by Armature Studio, you navigate Blackgate Prison after a riot frees inmates controlled by Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker. Familiar voices like Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker return as Batman and the Joker, respectively. While not the best in the Arkham series, Blackgate had its own fanbase.
3. Batman: Arkham Underworld
You could become Gotham’s ultimate villain in the (now defunct) mobile game, Batman: Arkham Underworld (2016). Recruit infamous rogues like Harley Quinn and Mr. Freeze to build your criminal empire.
Train thugs, design your hideout, and clash with rivals for dominance in this free-to-play underworld adventure all before a young Batman takes center stage. While not fully cannon, Arkham Underworld had its time in the spotlight before being shut in 2017.
4. Batman: Arkham Asylum
Set in 2009, Batman: Arkham Asylum, the first released game by Rocksteady (though chronologically the fourth), introduces us to Kevin Conroy’s Batman navigating the Arkhamverse. Mark Hamill’s Joker takes center stage, aided by Harley Quinn, as they take over Arkham Asylum to acquire a super-strength serum.
With Gotham threatened by bombs, Batman must face the asylum’s chaos and the Joker’s schemes alone. The story, penned by Paul Dino, a Batman: The Animated Series veteran, sets the stage for the acclaimed Arkhamverse. Of all the Batman Arkham games in order, this one has to be my favorite.
5. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
Filling the gap between Arkham Asylum and City, Batman: Arkham City Lockdown (2011) came out on mobile devices. Developed by NetherRealm, it’s the first Arkham mobile title and features a familiar rogue’s gallery voiced by legendary actors like Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy.
The plot, though simple (another Arkham breakout), sees Batman restore order and return the chaos-causing inmates. As before in Arkham Asylum, Batman is obviously victorious and returns all escaped inmates to the prison. It’s a shame you cannot buy Arkham City Lockdown anyone.
6. Batman: Arkham City
While Arkham Asylum was an amazing game, some didn’t like it because of its limited map. Well, just 18 months after it came Arkham City, an Arkham game that throws Batman in the ever-corrupt landscape. Navigating this lawless sprawl, Batman confronts the manipulative warden Hugo Strange and a twisted plot.
Meanwhile, the Joker, ravaged by his Titan experiments, adds another layer of chaos to the already explosive situation. With a returning writer, Paul Dini, weaving the narrative, Arkham City delivers a thrilling sequel packed with action and intrigue.
7. Batman: Arkham VR
Stepping into the Batcave in 2015, just before Arkham Knight, Batman: Arkham VR puts you in the detective cowl. This VR experience, clocking in at around 90 minutes, tasks you with solving a close ally’s murder, with appearances by familiar faces like Robin, Nightwing, and even the ever-menacing Joker.
8. Batman: Arkham Knight
Rocksteady’s Arkham Knight concludes their Batman trilogy in a Halloween showdown. Gotham City has now been majorly evacuated due to Scarecrow’s fear toxin threat. The remaining villains seek to destroy the city using all kinds of violence.
However, to save them is Batman who along with Commissioner Gordon plans justice. Haunted by past events, Batman must overcome his inner demons and this new external threat before the night ends. While the tank battles might repetitive, the excellent story will hook you in. So be sure to play this while studying all Batman Arkham games in order.
9. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Set five years after the chaos of Arkham Knight, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League throws us into a new Gotham-free adventure. Rocksteady continues the Arkhamverse with this fresh story, but this time with a villainous twist.
Players control members of the infamous Task Force X – Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, or King Shark – wreaking havoc on Metropolis in a fight against a corrupted Justice League. KTJL wasn’t the best received Arkham Game and since it’s not fully part of the lore, you can skip it if you wanted to.
All Arkham Games in Release Order
If you don’t care much about the story and just want all Batman Arkham games in order by release dates, this one’s for you. So here you go:
- Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009 | PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
- Batman: Arkham City (2011 | PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC)
- Batman: Arkham City Lockdown (2011 | Android, iOS)
- Batman: Arkham Origins (2013 | PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC)
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (2013 | PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, PC)
- Batman: Arkham Knight (2015 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)
- Batman: Arkham Underworld (2016 | Android, iOS)
- Batman: Arkham VR (2016 | PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows)
- Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024 | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
- Batman: Arkham Shadow (2024 | Meta Quest 3)
These are all the Batman Arkham games in order. So, which games you have already played? Are you thinking about completing all of them before a new Batman Arkham game comes out? Share it with us in the comments below!
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