How to Play the Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

The Batman: Arkham games stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Insomniac's Spider-Man as titans of comic book gaming. Rocksteady Studios masterfully blended fluid combat, exceptional voice acting, and a breathtaking Gotham City to create an unforgettable action-adventure superhero experience.

With a new VR entry in the Arkham series now available, you might be eager to dive into (or revisit) these legendary Batman games.

**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 main 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 offers a natural progression of gameplay and technology.

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 chronological release. Mild spoilers regarding plot points and character introductions are included below.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

Chronologically first, Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) depicts a younger, less experienced Batman facing a $50 million bounty on his head, attracting Gotham's elite criminals: Joker, Black Mask, Penguin, and more. The game's ending hints at Arkham Asylum's reopening, setting the stage for Rocksteady's Arkham Asylum. Note that this game features different voice actors for Batman and Joker than the main Rocksteady trilogy. 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. The game features appearances from Penguin, Black Mask, Joker, Catwoman, and others.

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, is set in Blackgate Penitentiary between Origins/ Origins Blackgate and Asylum. Batman confronts the Rat King alongside familiar characters.

Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S

Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

Batman: Arkham Underworld, a now-defunct mobile game, casts players as a Gotham crime boss, recruiting villains like Harley Quinn and others. 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 Batman's rogues' gallery infiltrating Arkham Asylum.

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 fighter set between Asylum and City, Batman: Arkham City Lockdown (now unavailable) features another prison break for Batman to resolve.

7. Batman: Arkham City

Rocksteady's second game, Batman: Arkham City, takes place a year and a half after Asylum, with Batman navigating the walled-off criminal haven of Arkham City.

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 experience set shortly before Arkham Knight, focusing on detective work to solve a murder.

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

9. Batman: Arkham Knight

Rocksteady's trilogy finale, Batman: Arkham Knight, features Scarecrow's fear toxin plot and the introduction of the Arkham Knight.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Knight Wiki

10. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Rocksteady's latest, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, shifts focus to Task Force X in Metropolis, continuing 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)

What's Next in the Arkham Series?

Following Arkham Shadow's release, there are no currently announced Arkham games in development.

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