"Batman Arkham Games: Chronological Play Order Revealed"

The Batman: Arkham series stands as one of the premier comic book game franchises, rivaling Insomniac's Spider-Man titles in quality and acclaim. Developed by Rocksteady Studios, these games masterfully combine fluid freeflow combat, exceptional voice acting, and a captivating portrayal of Gotham City to deliver an unparalleled action-adventure experience. With the recent addition of a new VR title to the Arkham series, fans old and new have the perfect opportunity to dive into or revisit these iconic games.

Jump to:

• How to play in chronological order
• How to play by release order

How Many Batman Arkham Games Are There?

The Batman Arkhamverse encompasses a total of 10 games. However, only eight are currently accessible, as two mobile titles have been discontinued and removed from app stores.

Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers to the series, there are two primary approaches to start your journey:

• Chronological Story Order: Begin with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins, which is set earliest in the timeline. Be aware, though, that starting here might spoil elements of the earlier released games.
• Release Order: Start with Batman: Arkham Asylum, the first game released in 2009, to experience the series as it unfolded.

Batman Arkham Collection (Standard Edition)

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Definitive versions of Rocksteady's Arkham trilogy games, including all post-launch content.

See it at Amazon

Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

We've outlined two ways to approach the series: by release date or by narrative timeline. Below, we provide both paths, tailored for newcomers with minimal spoilers focused on broad plot points and character introductions.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

   

   The first game chronologically, Batman: Arkham Origins (2013), is set on a snowy Christmas Eve in Gotham. It portrays a younger, less experienced Batman facing a $50 million bounty on his head, attracting Gotham's notorious villains like the Joker, Black Mask, The Penguin, and others. The game's conclusion teases the reopening of Arkham Asylum, setting the stage for subsequent titles.

   Notably, Roger Craig Smith voices Batman and Troy Baker voices the Joker, replacing the iconic duo of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Developed by WB Montreal, the studio behind Gotham Knights, Origins expands the Arkhamverse beyond Rocksteady's initial work.

   A mobile version of Arkham Origins exists, developed by NetherRealm Studios, offering a different gameplay style but covering similar narrative ground.

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

2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

   

   Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is set three months after Origins. This 2.5D side-scroller developed by Armature Studio explores Batman's investigation into a prison breakout at Blackgate Penitentiary, orchestrated by villains like Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker.

   Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker return to voice Batman and the Joker, respectively.

   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 title in the series, set between Origins/Origins Blackgate and Asylum on July 4th. Roger Craig Smith voices Batman, who battles a new villain, The Rat King, alongside familiar characters like Jim Gordon and others.

   Developed by Camouflaj, known for Marvel's Iron Man VR, Shadow adds a new dimension to the Arkhamverse.

   Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S

   

   Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

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4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

   

   In Batman: Arkham Underworld, players take on the role of a criminal mastermind in Gotham, managing a roster of villains like Harley Quinn and The Riddler. This mobile game, which is no longer available, is set before Arkham Asylum and has minimal impact on the overall narrative.

   Kevin Conroy reprises his role as Batman.

   Available on: N/A

Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film set in the Arkhamverse, roughly two years before Arkham Asylum. While not a game, it provides additional context for the series' narrative and features voice acting by Kevin Conroy, Troy Baker, and Giancarlo Esposito.

Available on: HBO Max

5. Batman: Arkham Asylum

   

   Rocksteady's inaugural Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009), introduces players to the Arkhamverse's version of the Caped Crusader, voiced by Kevin Conroy. Set in the iconic asylum, Batman faces off against the Joker, voiced by Mark Hamill, and other villains in a gripping narrative penned by Paul Dini.

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

6. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

   

   Batman: Arkham City Lockdown, a mobile fighter released shortly after Arkham City, is set between Asylum and City. It features Batman tackling another prison escape, with voice work by Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Though no longer available, it adds to the Arkhamverse's lore.

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

7. Batman: Arkham City

   

   Batman: Arkham City (2011) takes place a year and a half after Asylum. In this expansive sequel, Batman navigates the new, walled-off section of Gotham known as Arkham City, thwarting plots by Hugo Strange and the Joker, who is suffering from the effects of the Titan serum.

   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 narrative-driven virtual reality game set before Arkham Knight. Focused on detective work, it stars Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill and features a brief yet impactful story.

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

9. Batman: Arkham Knight

   

   The final installment in Rocksteady's trilogy, Batman: Arkham Knight (2015), features the largest version of Gotham yet, a diverse cast, and the introduction of the Batmobile. Set on Halloween, it follows Batman's battle against Scarecrow and the mysterious Arkham Knight amidst personal struggles stemming from past events.

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

10. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

    Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024) is Rocksteady's latest addition to the Arkhamverse, focusing on Task Force X in Metropolis. Set five years after Arkham Knight, it continues the overarching narrative with new characters and a fresh setting.

    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)

*Animated film

What's Next in the Arkham Series?

Following the release of Arkham Shadow last October, there are no confirmed upcoming Batman Arkham games in development. Fans are eager for Rocksteady Studios to return to the series, especially after their focus on single-player games post-Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. However, no official announcements have been made yet.

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