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

With a new VR entry in the Arkham series now available, many are revisiting (or discovering for the first time) these legendary Batman games.

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Chronological Order | Release Order

How Many Batman Arkham Games Are There?

There are a total of 10 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?

There are two primary approaches: chronological order (starting with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins) or release order (Batman: Arkham Asylum). Starting chronologically might spoil elements of the earlier games, while the release order offers a more natural progression of gameplay and technology.

Batman Arkham Collection (Standard Edition)

Definitive versions of Rocksteady's Arkham trilogy, including all DLC.

See it at Amazon

Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

Here are two paths through the Arkhamverse: chronological order and release order.

These synopses contain only minor spoilers.

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 most notorious villains. The game's conclusion hints at the events of Arkham Asylum. Note that this game features different voice actors for Batman and Joker than the main Rocksteady trilogy.

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 mass breakout.

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 between Origins/Origins Blackgate and Asylum. Batman confronts the Rat King and other familiar faces.

Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S

Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

See it at Amazon

4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

Batman: Arkham Underworld, a now-defunct mobile game, puts you in the role of a Gotham crime boss. It's set before Arkham Asylum but has minimal impact on the overall narrative.

Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film set roughly two years before Arkham Asylum. While not a game, it's a valuable addition to the overall Arkhamverse story.

Available on: HBO Max

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 Arkham Asylum sets the stage for the series.

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 now-unavailable mobile fighter, is set between Asylum and City.

7. Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City (a year and a half after Asylum) sees Batman navigating the newly established Arkham City, a walled-off section of Gotham teeming with criminals.

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-exclusive title set shortly before Arkham Knight. It focuses on detective work and features a compelling narrative.

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

9. Batman: Arkham Knight

Batman: Arkham Knight concludes Rocksteady's main trilogy. It features the largest version of Gotham yet, a diverse cast, and the introduction of the Batmobile.

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 shifts the focus from Batman to Task Force X in Metropolis. While not directly featuring Batman, it's considered a continuation of the Arkhamverse.

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

Every IGN Batman Game Review

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, there are currently no announced future Arkham games.

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