Exploring the Batman Arkham Universe: A Chronological Guide to the Best Batman Games

The Batman: Arkham games are a testament to the power of comic book adaptations in the video game medium. Developed by Rocksteady Studios and its successor WB Montreal, the Arkhamverse has delivered a series of action-adventure games that have captivated audiences with their immersive storytelling, top-tier voice performances, and inspired renditions of Gotham City. With the recent release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and the expansion of the Arkhamverse, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide for those interested in experiencing the best Batman games in order, whether it be chronologically or by release date.

First, let’s establish the scope of the Arkhamverse. In total, there are nine games in the series, but only seven are currently playable. Two mobile games, Batman: Arkham Underworld and Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, have been shut down or removed from mobile storefronts.

Now, let’s discuss the two ways to approach the Batman: Arkham games: chronologically by release date or chronologically by narrative.

Chronological Narrative

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

The first game in the Arkhamverse chronologically is Batman: Arkham Origins, released in 2013. Set on Christmas Eve in a snow-covered Gotham, this game stars a less-experienced Batman who finds himself with a $50 million bounty on his head, drawing the attention of Gotham’s finest criminals: the Joker, Black Mask, The Penguin, Mad Hatter, Bane, Deadshot, Firefly, and Killer Croc, among others. The ending hints at the reopening of Arkham Asylum, setting up the future events of Rocksteady’s game of the same name.

Notably, Origins stars Roger Craig Smith as Batman and Troy Baker as the Joker, subbing in for Arkham’s regular superstar duo of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. While the Arkhamverse was established by Rocksteady Studios, Origins was developed by WB Montreal, the studio behind Gotham Knights.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC

2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is set three months after the events of Origins. Unlike the third-person adventures that comprise the mainline Arkham games, Blackgate is a 2.5D side-scroller developed by Armature Studio (Resident Evil 4 VR).

In Blackgate, Batman investigates the titular prison, where an explosion has freed its inmates. As the Caped Crusader, you explore three main areas, each controlled by one of Gotham’s most notorious villains: Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker. Other notable characters include Catwoman, Amanda Waller, and Rick Flag.

Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker take another turn as Batman and the Joker.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, PC

3. Batman: Arkham Underworld

Batman: Arkham Underworld is a mobile game that positions you as Gotham’s newest criminal mastermind, allowing you to command Batman villains such as Harley Quinn, The Riddler, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, and Killer Croc. It’s essentially a free-to-play Gotham gang recruiter, in which you build a criminal hideout, recruit henchmen, and do battle. Kevin Conroy reprises his role as Batman following the mainline Arkham trilogy.

Arkham Underworld is set sometime before Arkham Asylum, though it possesses little importance to the overall Arkhamverse narrative.

Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman: Assault on Arkham is an animated film set in the Arkhamverse, roughly two years before Arkham Asylum. Those only interested in the games can skip the film without much effect, but those interested in the full Arkhamverse narrative should check it out—it’s available to stream on HBO Max and happens to be a pretty entertaining movie; our review awarded it an 8.8, calling it “a great heist film.”

Like Arkham Underworld, Arkham Assault shines the spotlight on Batman’s adversaries, following Harley, Joker, Riddler, and others as they infiltrate Arkham Asylum, ultimately freeing many of its most notorious inmates.

Kevin Conroy once again voices Batman, while Troy Baker voices the Joker. Notably, Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad) lends his voice to Black Spider.

Available on: HBO Max

4. Batman: Arkham Asylum

Rocksteady’s first Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, introduces us to the Arkhamverse’s version of the Caped Crusader (voiced by Kevin Conroy). It’s the fourth game in the chronology but the first to be released. Mark Hamill’s Joker serves as the primary villain, though the cast of characters also includes Harley Quinn, Commissioner Gordon, Scarecrow, Bane, Poison Ivy, and others.

With the help of Harley Quinn, the Joker infiltrates the asylum to obtain a super-strength serum called Titan. The Clown Prince had bombs planted around Gotham City, threatening to detonate them should anyone come to Batman’s aid, leaving our hero to deal with the asylum’s escapees alone.

Arkham Asylum’s story was written by Paul Dini, whose long history with the franchise includes many writing credits on Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC

5. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Released shortly after Arkham City, Batman: Arkham City Lockdown is a fighter set between the events of Asylum and City. It’s the first Arkham mobile game to be released and the second developed by NeatherRealm (the other being the aforementioned Arkham Origins mobile game).

Narratively, Arkham City Lockdown features tons of Arkham staples, including the Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill), Harley Quinn, Two-Face, Penguin, Solomon Grundy, Poison Ivy, Deathstroke, Robin, and of course, Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy). The story centers around yet another prison escape that Batman must clean up.

We’ll spoil this one since the plot is relatively inconsequential and Arkham City Lockdown is no longer available to purchase: Batman prevails and returns the escaped prisoners to the asylum.

Available on: N/A

6. Batman: Arkham City

Rocksteady’s second game in the series, Batman: Arkham City, takes place a year and a half after Arkham Asylum. Following the events of Asylum, Mayor Quincy Sharp opens Arkham City, a section of Gotham City walled off to house criminals. Arkham City sees Batman navigating the lawless area while working to thwart the nefarious, overarching plot seemingly orchestrated by Hugo Strange.

Batman must also deal with a separate threat from the Joker, who’s dealing with the ill effects of the Titan serum he took during the events of Asylum.

Arkham City’s story, like Asylum’s before it, was written by Paul Dini.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC

Release Date Narrative

1. Batman: Arkham Asylum

Rocksteady’s first Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, was released in 2009. It introduced us to the Arkhamverse’s version of the Caped Crusader (voiced by Kevin Conroy) and the Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill). The game’s story was written by Paul Dini and follows Batman as he deals with the Joker’s takeover of Arkham Asylum.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC

2. Batman: Arkham City

Released in 2011, Batman: Arkham City is the second game in the series and the sequel to Arkham Asylum. It takes place a year and a half after the events of the first game and sees Batman navigating the lawless area of Arkham City while working to thwart the nefarious, overarching plot seemingly orchestrated by Hugo Strange.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC

3. Batman: Arkham Origins

Batman: Arkham Origins, released in 2013, is the third game in the series and the first to be developed by WB Montreal. It’s set before the events of Arkham Asylum and follows a less-experienced Batman dealing with a $50 million bounty on his head, drawing the attention of Gotham’s finest criminals.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC

4. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, released in 2013, is a 2.5D side-scroller set three months after the events of Origins. It follows Batman as he investigates the titular prison, where an explosion has freed its inmates.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, PC

5. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown, released in 2013, is a fighter set between the events of Asylum and City. It follows Batman as he deals with yet another prison escape.

Available on: N/A

6. Batman: Arkham Origins

Batman: Arkham Origins, released in 2013, is the fifth game in the series and the first to be developed by WB Montreal. It’s set before the events of Arkham Asylum and follows a less-experienced Batman dealing with a $50 million bounty on his head, drawing the attention of Gotham’s finest criminals.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC

7. Batman: Arkham Knight

Batman: Arkham Knight, released in 2015, is the sixth game in the series and the final game developed by Rocksteady. It takes place a year after the events of Arkham City and sees Batman dealing with the Scarecrow’s fear toxin and the introduction of the Batmobile.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC

In conclusion, the Batman: Arkham games offer an immersive and captivating experience for fans of comic books and action-adventure games. Whether you choose to explore the Arkhamverse chronologically by release date or narrative, you’re in for a treat. With the recent release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and the expansion of the Arkhamverse, there’s never been a better time to dive into this iconic series.