How to Play the Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

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 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) these legendary Batman titles.

**Jump to:**

• Chronological Order
• Release Order

How Many Batman Arkham Games Are There?

There are a total of ten games within the Batman Arkhamverse. However, only eight are currently playable; two mobile titles have been removed from app stores.

Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Play First?

There are two main approaches for newcomers: chronological order (starting with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins) or release order (Batman: Arkham Asylum). Chronological order might spoil elements of earlier games, while release order offers a 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

We'll outline two playthrough options: chronological order and release order. Both paths are detailed below. Plot summaries are kept brief to minimize spoilers.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

Set on Christmas Eve, a younger, less experienced Batman faces a $50 million bounty on his head, attracting Gotham's most notorious villains. The game sets the stage for 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

Three months after Origins, Batman investigates Blackgate Penitentiary following a mass breakout. This 2.5D side-scroller features a different gameplay style than the main series.

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, a VR title, takes place in Blackgate Penitentiary between Origins/Origins Blackgate and Asylum.

Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S

Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

See it at Amazon

4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

A now-defunct mobile game where you command Batman's villains. Its narrative significance to the Arkhamverse is minimal.

Available on: N/A

5. Batman: Assault on Arkham

An animated film set roughly two years before Arkham Asylum. While not a game, it provides valuable context to the Arkhamverse narrative.

Available on: HBO Max

6. Batman: Arkham Asylum

The first Rocksteady game introduces Kevin Conroy's Batman and Mark Hamill's Joker. The Joker's plot to unleash chaos upon Gotham from within Arkham Asylum sets the stage for the series.

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

7. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

A now-unavailable mobile fighter set between Asylum and City.

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

8. Batman: Arkham City

A year and a half after Asylum, Batman navigates the sprawling prison of Arkham City, facing threats from Hugo Strange and the Joker.

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

9. Batman: Arkham VR

A VR experience set shortly before Arkham Knight, focusing on detective work.

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

10. Batman: Arkham Knight

The conclusion to Rocksteady's trilogy, featuring the Batmobile and a new threat in the Arkham Knight.

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

11. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

A Rocksteady title set five years after Arkham Knight, shifting the focus to Task Force X in Metropolis. Officially 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 no officially announced future Arkham games. While rumors circulate, nothing concrete has been confirmed.

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