"Batman Arkham Games: Chronological Play Order Revealed"

The Batman: Arkham series, crafted by Rocksteady Studios, stands as a pinnacle of comic book gaming, rivaling the excellence of Insomniac's Spider-Man titles. These games masterfully combine fluid freeflow combat, stellar voice acting, and a captivating rendition of Gotham City, delivering an unparalleled action-adventure experience for superhero fans.

With the recent release of a new VR addition to the Arkham series, now is the perfect time to dive into or revisit these iconic Batman 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 of these are currently accessible, as two mobile titles have been discontinued and removed from app stores.

Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Play First?

Newcomers to the series have two primary paths to explore: chronological story order or release order. Starting with the story's timeline leads you to 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins, though this could potentially spoil elements of the earlier games. Alternatively, following the release order begins with Batman: Arkham Asylum.

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

Here are two ways to experience the Batman: Arkham series: by narrative chronology or by release date. Both paths are detailed below, with mild spoilers limited to broad plot points and character introductions for newcomers.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

The first game in the chronological timeline is 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins. Set on a snowy Christmas Eve in Gotham, it features a less-experienced Batman facing a $50 million bounty on his head, attracting Gotham's notorious criminals like the Joker, Black Mask, and Bane. The game's conclusion teases the reopening of Arkham Asylum, setting the stage for future events.

Notably, Origins features Roger Craig Smith as Batman and Troy Baker as the Joker, replacing the iconic duo of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Developed by WB Montreal, the studio behind Gotham Knights, Origins differs from Rocksteady's work but remains part of the Arkhamverse.

A mobile version of Arkham Origins also exists, developed by Mortal Kombat's NeatherRealm as a brawler, yet it follows the same narrative.

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

2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, set three months after Origins, shifts to a 2.5D side-scrolling format developed by Armature Studio. Batman investigates an explosion at Blackgate Prison, navigating areas controlled by Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker, with appearances by Catwoman, Amanda Waller, and Rick Flag.

Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker reprise their roles as Batman and the Joker.

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/Origins Blackgate and Asylum on July 4th. Roger Craig Smith voices Batman as he confronts a new villain, The Rat King, alongside familiar faces like Jim Gordon and Doctors Harlene Quinzel and Jonathan Crane.

Developed by Camouflaj, the studio behind Marvel's Iron Man VR, Shadow is exclusive to Meta Quest 3 and 3S.

Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

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4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

Batman: Arkham Underworld is a mobile game where players assume the role of a criminal mastermind in Gotham, recruiting villains like Harley Quinn and The Riddler. Set before Arkham Asylum, it has minimal impact on the overall narrative and is no longer available for download, having been shut down in 2017.

Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film set in the Arkhamverse, occurring two years before Arkham Asylum. While not essential for the game series, it enriches the universe and is available on HBO Max. The film follows Batman's adversaries as they infiltrate Arkham Asylum, featuring voices by Kevin Conroy, Troy Baker, and Giancarlo Esposito.

Available on: HBO Max

5. Batman: Arkham Asylum

Rocksteady's inaugural Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, introduces the Arkhamverse's Batman, voiced by Kevin Conroy. Set as the fourth game chronologically but the first released, it features Mark Hamill's Joker and a host of other villains. The story, penned by Paul Dini, follows Batman's solo mission to stop the Joker's takeover of the asylum.

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 voices by Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Though no longer available, it remains part of the Arkhamverse.

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

7. Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City, Rocksteady's second game, takes place a year and a half after Asylum. It introduces Arkham City, a walled-off section of Gotham for criminals, where Batman must navigate and thwart Hugo Strange's plot, alongside dealing 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

Batman: Arkham VR, the series' only VR game, is set before Arkham Knight. It focuses on detective work as Batman investigates a murder, featuring a brief 90-minute narrative with voices by Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill.

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

9. Batman: Arkham Knight

Batman: Arkham Knight concludes Rocksteady's trilogy, set on Halloween night following City. It introduces the largest Gotham yet, the Batmobile, and new threats like Scarecrow and the mysterious Arkham Knight. The game wraps up multiple storylines over its 16-hour campaign.

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, Rocksteady's latest, shifts focus to Task Force X in Metropolis, yet remains a continuation of the Arkhamverse. Set five years after Arkham Knight, it explores new narratives while tying up loose ends from previous games.

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, no new Batman Arkham games are currently in development. Fans are eager for Rocksteady Studios to return to the series after nearly a decade, especially after reports of the studio pitching new single-player projects post-Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

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