Batman Arkham Games: Chronological Play Order Guide

The Batman: Arkham series, crafted by Rocksteady Studios, is widely regarded as one of the premier comic book game franchises, rivaling the excellence of Insomniac's Spider-Man games. This series masterfully combines fluid freeflow combat, stellar voice acting, and a meticulously crafted Gotham City to deliver an unparalleled action-adventure superhero experience.

With the recent addition of a new VR game to the Arkham series, fans old and new might be eager 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 boasts a total of 10 games. However, only eight of these are currently playable, as two mobile games have been discontinued and removed from mobile stores.

Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Play First?

Newcomers to the series have options for starting their journey. For a chronological experience, begin with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins, though be aware that it might spoil elements of the earlier games due to its later release. Alternatively, to follow the release order and avoid potential spoilers, start with Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Batman Arkham Collection (Standard Edition)

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

See it at Amazon

Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

Here's how you can approach the Batman: Arkham series, either by following the narrative chronology or the release dates. Both paths are detailed below, with mild spoilers included for newcomers.

Batman: Arkham Origins

Set on a snowy Christmas Eve, Batman: Arkham Origins is the first game chronologically. It portrays a less seasoned Batman facing a $50 million bounty, attracting Gotham's notorious criminals like the Joker, Black Mask, and Bane. The game's ending teases the reopening of Arkham Asylum, setting the stage for future events.

Voices for Batman and the Joker are provided by Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker, respectively, deviating from the iconic Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Developed by WB Montreal, Origins diverges from Rocksteady's work but remains integral to the Arkhamverse.

A mobile version was also released, offering a different brawler-style gameplay but maintaining the same narrative essence.

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

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Set three months post-Origins, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate adopts a 2.5D side-scrolling format, developed by Armature Studio. Batman investigates an explosion at Blackgate Penitentiary, navigating areas controlled by Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker.

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

Batman: Arkham Shadow

Batman: Arkham Shadow, the second VR game in the series, is set between Origins/Blackgate and Asylum. On July 4th, a younger Batman, voiced again by Roger Craig Smith, confronts The Rat King amidst familiar Gotham faces like Jim Gordon and Barbra Gordon.

Developed by Camouflaj, Shadow offers a fresh VR experience within the Arkhamverse.

Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S

Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

See it at Amazon

Batman: Arkham Underworld

Batman: Arkham Underworld allows players to assume the role of a Gotham criminal mastermind, managing villains like Harley Quinn and The Riddler. Though set before Arkham Asylum, it's 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, two years before Arkham Asylum. While skippable for those focused solely on the games, it's a valuable addition for a comprehensive understanding of the Arkham narrative.

Available on: HBO Max

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Batman: Arkham Asylum, the first game released by Rocksteady, introduces the Arkhamverse's Batman, voiced by Kevin Conroy. The game features Mark Hamill's Joker and a host of Gotham's villains as Batman tackles an asylum breakout.

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

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown, a mobile fighter, bridges the narrative gap between Asylum and City. It features familiar villains but is no longer available for purchase.

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

Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City expands the Arkhamverse, set a year and a half after Asylum. Batman navigates a new criminal enclave, Arkham City, while facing threats from Hugo Strange and a deteriorating Joker.

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

Batman: Arkham VR

Batman: Arkham VR offers a VR experience set before Arkham Knight, focusing on Batman's detective skills as he investigates a murder.

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

Batman: Arkham Knight

Concluding Rocksteady's trilogy, Batman: Arkham Knight introduces the Batmobile and a sprawling Gotham City. Set on Halloween, Batman faces Scarecrow's fear toxin and the mysterious Arkham Knight.

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

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League shifts focus to Task Force X, exploring Metropolis with characters like Harley Quinn and Deadshot. Though set five years after Arkham Knight, it remains part of the Arkhamverse.

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 Batman: Arkham Shadow last October, no new Batman Arkham games are currently in development. Fans are hopeful for Rocksteady's return to the series, especially after reports of the studio pitching new single-player games post-Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

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