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 breathtaking portrayal of Gotham City, creating an unforgettable superhero action-adventure series.

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

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Chronological Play OrderRelease Order Play OrderExploring the Batman Arkham Universe: How Many Games Exist?

The Batman Arkhamverse boasts a total of 10 games. However, currently only eight are playable; two mobile titles have been discontinued.

Your Arkham Adventure: Choosing a Starting Point

Newcomers to the series have two main options: A chronological playthrough begins with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins. However, this might spoil elements of earlier games. Alternatively, a release date order starts with Batman: Arkham Asylum.

### 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 playing the Batman: Arkham games: by release date or by narrative chronology. Both paths are detailed below, with minimal spoilers.

Batman: Arkham Origins

Chronologically first, Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) depicts a younger, less experienced Batman facing a $50 million bounty on his head. This attracts Gotham's elite criminal roster: Joker, Black Mask, Penguin, Mad Hatter, Bane, Deadshot, Firefly, and Killer Croc. The game hints at Arkham Asylum's reopening, foreshadowing events in Rocksteady's Arkham Asylum.

Note: Roger Craig Smith voices Batman, and Troy Baker portrays the Joker, replacing the usual Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Developed by WB Montreal (Gotham Knights), not Rocksteady. A mobile version, a distinct brawler, also exists.

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

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Set three months after Origins, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is a 2.5D side-scroller, a departure from the main series' 3D gameplay. Batman investigates Blackgate Penitentiary after a prison break. He explores areas controlled by Penguin, Black Mask, and Joker, encountering Catwoman, Amanda Waller, and Rick Flag.

Smith and Baker reprise their roles.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, PC| IGN’s Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Wiki

Batman: Arkham Shadow

Batman: Arkham Shadow, the second VR title, is set in Blackgate Penitentiary between Origins/Origins Blackgate and Asylum – July 4th, seven months after Origins. Batman confronts the Rat King, alongside familiar faces like Jim Gordon, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, Arnold Wesker, and Barbara Gordon. Developed by Camouflaj (Marvel's Iron Man VR).

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 now-defunct mobile game, casts you as a Gotham crime boss, managing villains like Harley Quinn, Riddler, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, and Killer Croc. It's set before Arkham Asylum, but its narrative impact is minimal.

Available on: N/A

Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film, set roughly two years before Arkham Asylum. It follows Harley Quinn, Joker, Riddler, and others infiltrating Arkham Asylum. While optional for gamers focused solely on the games, it enriches the overall Arkhamverse narrative.

Available on: HBO Max

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Rocksteady's debut, Batman: Arkham Asylum, introduces Kevin Conroy's Batman and Mark Hamill's Joker. The Joker, aided by Harley Quinn, infiltrates the asylum to obtain Titan, a super-strength serum, while threatening Gotham with bombs.

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

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown, a fighter set between Asylum and City, is another discontinued mobile game.

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

Batman: Arkham City

Rocksteady's second installment, Batman: Arkham City, takes place a year and a half after Asylum. Mayor Sharp establishes Arkham City, a walled-off criminal zone. Batman confronts Hugo Strange's plot and the Joker's Titan-related issues.

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

Batman: Arkham VR

Batman: Arkham VR is a VR detective story set shortly before Arkham Knight.

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

Batman: Arkham Knight

Batman: Arkham Knight, Rocksteady's trilogy finale, features a larger Gotham, a diverse cast, and a playable Batmobile. Scarecrow threatens Gotham with fear toxin, while the Arkham Knight emerges.

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

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Rocksteady's latest, set five years after Arkham Knight, shifts focus to Task Force X in Metropolis. It's considered a continuation of the Arkhamverse.

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

IGN's Batman Game Reviews

48 ImagesRelease Date Order: A Journey Through Arkham's History

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)