The competition is tough between the two universes. MCU movies are more successful than movies produced by DCEU. DC comics sell better than Marvel. There are one entertainment media where DC demolishes the competition, and that is video games. Many companies tried to follow the trend of releasing video games based on popular movie blockbusters. The majority of them failed to deliver a promising superhero video game. But there was one franchise that held onto the trend and got highly successful. The series is none other than Batman, with the first game released back in 1986. The franchise had over 31 games released from 1986 till 2016, with a new game currently in development. In this article, I have mentioned every main game released in order. Batman Arkham games, and Batman Lego games, as well as the spin-offs released for mobiles. So without wasting any time, let us get started.
Batman Arkham Games In Order
Batman Arkham is a series of action-adventure games developed by a list of developers and most titles published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, with only one title published by Eidos Interactive (Batman: Arkham Asylum). The series had nine titles released from 2009 till 2016 on all gaming platforms including, mobile and VR. The series has four main AAA games released under the Batman: Arkham title. The main games in the series have received critical acclaim and were praised for innovation and changing the image of superhero video game series. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is the latest DC game in the Arkham series, planned for a 2023 release. It is currently in development by Rocksteady Studios, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will publish the game on consoles and PC. It is the continuation of the Arkham series. Below are the Batman Arkham games in order:
1- Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is the first game in the series released in 2009, and it took the world by storm no longer after release. The game is considered the best Batman game ever released, and it also made its way into the list of best video game series of all time. The story focuses on Batman’s escape from Arkham Asylum after getting trapped by Joker, his archnemesis. The objective is to escape the gigantic asylum while also dealing with other enemies in the asylum. The player can use Batman’s skills to move around the map and use his detective skills to outsmart his enemies despite being outnumbered. Players can use these skills to observe the environments to find clues, footprints to solve certain puzzles. There are many side missions, which the player can complete to unlock additional content and collectible items. Use Batman’s ability to jump, run, climb, glide and grapple, to move across the asylum to escape as soon as possible. The game is available for PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and macOS X. Relevant: Best Call Of Duty Games Globally – (2023 Updated Rankings)
2- Batman: Arkham City
Following Batman: Arkham Asylum’s success, two years later, Batman: Arkham City was released in 2011. It was the sequel to the first game in the series. The game was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The game was an instant hit, and it was praised as the worthy sequel to the first title. The plot is the further development of the story in the first installment. Following the development of the story, Gotham City is turned into Arkham City by villains released from the asylum. Under the command of Dr. Hugo Strange, the city is turned into a chaotic battlefield. In the second installment of the series, the game introduces Catwoman, which is playable for some parts of the game. The game introduces Batman to several gadgets. The gameplay and the mechanics remained the same, however. The game features a much more open-world environment than the first title. The player can access the surrounding with much ease and freedom. The game is available on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Wii U, and macOS X. It won multiple awards upon release. It also made its way to the list of best video games of all time.
3- Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins is the third main installment in the series and is the prequel to Arkham Asylum. The game was developed by WB Games Montréal studio and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Unlike previous titles, Arkham Origins was not developed by Rocksteady Studios, as the studio was working on Arkham Knight, a sequel to Arkham City. It was released in 2013, and unlike its predecessors, the third installment in the series did not enjoy the same success and received mixed reviews upon release. A companion game was also released for the 3DS and PS Vita. The plot focuses on a much younger, in-experienced Batman who struggles to fight against the notorious crime lord Black Mask. The game features an open-world Gotham City, where the player can move around freely. The player can interact with NPC and undertake new missions. Origins is the first game in the series, which featured a multiplayer mode where the player takes part in the gang wars involving Bane for the first time and Joker. The game featured the same gameplay mechanics from previous games and was criticized for lacking innovation. The game is available on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and Microsoft Windows.
4- Batman: Arkham Knight
Batman: Arkham Knight is the fourth major installment and seventh total installment in the series. The series takes place nine months after the events of Arkham City, making it the sequel to it and remained a prequel to the Arkham Asylum story. Rocksteady Studios developed the game and released it in 2015. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment published the game for all platforms. One of the noticeable changes of the game was the introduction of the Batmobile to the series. The gameplay mechanics and combat style remained the same. In this title, Batman fights against the villains who are gathered with Scarecrow, a new villain, and a Mysterious Arkham Knight who came to destroy Batman once for all. The game received generally favorable reviews. It was praised for the narrative, world design, combat, and visuals but was criticized for overusing the Batmobile and many technical and performance bugs (honestly I liked playing in Batmobile). Despite the issues, it was the bestselling game in the series. The game is available on Microsoft Windows, PS4, and Xbox One.
Following Are The Batman Games In Order Of Their Release
Batman Arkham series games are the most popular and sold games. However, the series is not just these games. Several other Batman games were released after seeing massive success worldwide as a superhero genre. The first game in the series released as early as 1986 laid the foundation on which the Batman series would stand out from other superheroes games. Though these games were not as successful as the Arkham series became but it is worth knowing the order if you are interested in playing most games. Unlike the Arkham series, these games are developed by numerous developers and published by multiple publishers. Here is the list of Batman Games released for major platforms:
#1- BATMAN (1986)
The first game that started the trend of Batman games is the iconic Batman game. It was developed by Jon Ritman and was published by Ocean Software. The game is a 3D isometric action-adventure game. The objective of the player is to rescue Robin by collecting seven parts of the Batcraft hovercraft. These parts are scattered around the Batcave. It is credited be implementing a save game system that would allow the player to continue from a single point instead of starting from the start upon losing all HP. The player could save their progression by collecting Batstones. It was received well by the critics during that time, and it received over 90% ratings from the video game review aggregators. It also received a couple of remakes for DOS, Game Boy Advance, PC, and more platforms. The game was released for multiple Personal Computers like ZX Spectrum, MSX, and Amstrad PCW/CPC.
#2- BATMAN: The Caped Crusader (1988)
Two years after the success of the first Batman game, Ocean Games released a new Batman title called Batman: The Caped Crusader. It is a 2D action-adventure game developed by Special FX Software Ltd and Ocean Games, Data East (North America), and Erbe SA (Spain) published the game for multiple platforms. The game featured two different playable storylines where Batman would face two iconic villains, i.e., the Joker and The Penguin. The game was played in a unique comic panel style way. The gameplay involved Batman using punches, kicks and throwing his Batarang onto the enemies to defeat them. The game received a positive reception upon release. The critics praised the game for its innovative gameplay, graphics, and two separate adventures. The Caped Crusader was released on Amiga, Apple II, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum, and Commodore 64.
#3- Batman In 1989 (1989)
Ocean Software developed and published the third video game titled Batman in 1989 based on the movie of the same name. The plot is split into five levels. Each level follows the plot of the movie. Each level has a time limit and a health gauge. Batman loses a life if each of them runs out. Each level featured different gameplay. The first level is a side-scrolling 2D level where Batman fights his foes through the Axis Chemical Plant. The second level features Batman riding his Batmobile throughout Gotham City. The third level is a puzzle set in the Batcave. The player can use a grapple to navigate through the level to progress. The fourth level features Joker’s parade. Batman flies Batwing to cut the balloons filled with the deadly Smilex gas. In the fifth and final stage, Batman’s job is to stop Joker from escaping by climbing the Gotham City Cathedral. It was received well by the press and received the Game of the Year award. It was released for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, MSX, and ZX Spectrum.
#4- Batman: The Video Game (1989/1990/1991/1992)
Batman: The Video Games is a bunch of platform games released for Nintendo Entertainment System, Gameboy, PC Engine, Genesis, and Arcade System. The game was developed and published by Sunsoft. The game was loosely based on the 1989 movie. Despite having the same name, each of these games differed from the other. The Genesis title was closer to the movie plot but, the NES version is considered the best due to the last showdown against Joker. It was received well by the community despite changes from the movie. The game features stages from Axis Chemical Plant, Gotham City, Gotham sewers, and more. Many villains from the DC universe appeared in the game as low-level minions. It featured five different bosses, with Joker as the final boss.
#5- Batman: Return Of The Joker (1991/1992)
Following the release of Batman: The Video Game, Sunsoft released a sequel to the first game released by the publisher. It was developed and published by Sunsoft. This game was different than the prequel. It featured Batmobile, and the player could use the Batwing and the Batmobile like in the 1989 movie. The game was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, and Sega Genesis. The gameplay resembled the gameplay from Contra and Mega Man, which were the popular titles released in the 90s. The game was released as a remake of the game with a different title, titled Batman: Revenge of the Joker. The Game Boy version was totally different than what was released for NES and Genesis. It is a traditional side-scrolling platformer and released in 1992. The game was received well by the critics praising the gameplay and wall-running mechanics.
#6- Batman Returns (1992)
Batman Returns is a beat ‘em up video game developed by Aspect (Game Gear, Master System), Konami (NES, SNES), Denton Design (Amiga), Spirit of Discovery (DOS), Tiger Electronic (Handheld Tiger game). The game was published by multiple publishers, Sega (Sega versions), Konami (Nintendo/Amiga/DOS), and Tiger Electronics (Handheld Tiger games version). This was the first game in the series featuring a beat ‘em up gameplay inspired by Final Fight games. The Sega Genesis and CD versions featured a 2D platforming style. The SNES version was released in 1993, featuring a left-to-right beat ‘em up style. Despite using the same title, each game was fundamentally different for each console and system. Some featured the beat ‘em up genre. Some had the 2D platforming style. Due to varying gameplay styles and quality, each version received different ratings. The SNES version was receiving higher scores than its competitors. The Konami version of the game featured seven scenes. Batman has to win the boss fight at the end of the scenes to progress to the next stage. In the Sega version of the game, the plot starts after The Penguin kills Ice Princess and frames Batman for the murder. All of the games follow the plot of the movie of the same title, Batman Returns.
#7- Batman: The Animated Series (1993)
The next game in the series released for a Game Boy is the Batman: The Animated Series, released in 1993. It is a side-scrolling action video game based on the 1992 animated series. For the first time, the game featured Robin as a playable character for two levels instead of Batman. The game was also released on other consoles and game systems with a different title released as “The Adventures of Batman & Robin”. This game was developed by Konami for the SNES, Clockwork Tortoise (Sega CD, Genesis), Novotrade (Game Gear) and was published by Konami and Sega for multiple platforms. The game series was released between 1994 and 1995. The game, for the most part, is an action-adventure game. Batman can equip different equipment that he can use in fights. The player has the freedom to return to the Batcave to re-equip the gadgets and restart a specific stage. The Sega Genesis version featured a run ‘n’ gun type of game. In the Genesis version, Batman and Robin fight their way through Gotham City to stop Mr. Freeze, who wants to freeze the city. The player can control two players simultaneously. The Sega CD version was a different game where the player can ride the Batmobile and Batplane. Special cutscenes produced by WB Animation were used for this version of the game. In the Game Gear version, the players’ objective is to find and rescue Robin, who has been kidnaped by the villains.
#8- Batman Forever (1995)
Based on the movie series of the same name, Batman Forever was released in 1995. It was developed by Probe entertainment, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and was published by Acclaim Entertainment. The game is a 2D beat ‘em up video game, where the player has the choice to play either as Batman or Robin. Besides the main story mode, the game also featured a fighting game mode called the “training mode”. The game was released on multiple platforms, for the first time, the game was similar with other versions released on different platforms. Despite having a promising launch, the game was bashed by critics for having poor controls and sluggish gameplay. GamePro rated the game as the worst in the Batman series and flaked it for being frustratingly difficult, lack of continues and time limit in certain stages, and mediocre backgrounds, that made the presentation of the game extremely dull. The game was released on Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, Game Gear, R-Zone, MS-DOS, and Microsoft Windows 95.
#9- Batman Forever: The Arcade Game (1996)
Based on the movie Batman Forever, Batman Forever: The Arcane game was released in 1996, featuring a second beat ‘em up title published by Acclaim Entertainment. The game was developed by Probe Entertainment, Iguana Entertainment, and Iguana Entertainment UK (PS1). The game is not related to Batman Forever and was released for the Arcade, PS1, MS-DOS, and Sega Saturn. The player can play as Batman or Robin. Two people can play each of the characters simultaneously, making it the first co-op game in the series. The objective of the game is to defeat the minion of The Riddler and Two-Face. Players can perform combinations on a single villain and can pile up to 150+ hits on a single target. Upon release, the game received mixed to negative reviews. Some praised the game for introducing fighting mechanics like the Street Fighter series. The game was bashed for being too repetitive and could not be compared to the arcade version.
#10- Batman & Robin (1998)
Based on the movie of the same title, Batman & Robin is an action-adventure game developed by Probe Entertainment and published by Acclaim Entertainment. It was released in 1998 after the release of the movie. The gameplay features Sandbox-style gameplay and features three characters that the player can choose, Batman, Robin, and Catwoman. Each of these characters has vehicles that the player can drive. Batman drives the Batmobile, Robin has the Redbird motorcycle, and Batwoman uses the Batblade. In this part, the main objective of the player is to stop the main villain, Mr. Freeze, from robbing a bank. The game was not received well by the community and was a failure overall in terms of reviews and sales similar to the movie. The game was released for PS1.
#11- Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker (2000)
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is the next title in the series, which is based on the original TV series called Batman Beyond. It was released in 2000 for Game Boy Color, PS1, and Nintendo 64. It was developed by Kemco and published by Ubisoft. Beat ‘em up style returns for this title. For the PS and Nintendo 64 versions, there were four suits. The players have the option to select and switch between the four suits. Each suite has its ability. Standard: Mix of offensive and defensive strengths. The suit comes with three weapons. Offense: Capable of a lot stronger attacks but lacks a decent defensive ability. Normal attacks deal more damage when this suit is equipped. Players can open gray crates by punching them in this suit for extra powerups. Defense: Decreases attack power but increases the defensive ability to multiple folds. The player takes less damage than any other suit. The player can use the special technique to deal extra damage to enemies. Nimbus: Allows better agility and movement. The player can use the double jump, glide mechanics, and perform jumping kicks. The double jump can be used to acquire extra items. Like the previous Batman game, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker received unfavorable reviews by the critics and community.
#12- Batman: Chaos In Gotham (2001)
Batman: Chaos in Gotham is an action video game developed by Digital Eclipse Software and published by Ubisoft. The game is based on The New Batman Adventures animated TV series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The game was released in 2001 for the Game Boy Color. The plot follows closely with the animated series. A lot of prisoners managed to escape Arkham Asylum, causing chaos throughout Gotham City. The game features many iconic villains from the DC universe including, The Joker, Harley Quinn, Bane. Batman’s job is to capture the escaped inmates. Upon investigating, Batman finds the culprit behind the Asylum breakout. The game received mixed reviews from the critics and fans, with few critics awarded the game over 70% ratings.
#13- Batman: Gotham City Racer (2001)
Batman: Gotham City Racer is the second game that was based on The New Batman Adventures animated series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The game was released in 2001 for PS1. It was developed by Sinister Games and published by Ubisoft. The game, as the title suggests, is more like a villain chase game or race against the clock. Batman drives the Batmobile across Gotham City. The game featured cut scenes from the animated series. The player will move around the city to complete missions. After reaching a certain checkpoint, an animated cut scene would play. After it finishes, the mission would be marked as complete. The game was generally disliked by the community as playing the game was more like watching a movie than playing a video game.
#14- Batman: Vengeance (2001)
Batman: Vengeance is an action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. The game is a big upgrade from any Batman game released before. Vengeance is the third title in the series based on The New Batman Adventures animated series. The story revolves around Batman as he investigates The Joker’s apparent death after their last encounter. During his investigation, Batman had to deal with other villains and their scheme to kill Batman. The Clown Prince of Gotham is the main antagonist of the game. The game received mixed to positive reviews upon release. The console version of the game generally received positive reviews upon release. The PC version received mostly unfavorable reviews due to complex and confusing control. The game was praised for the voice acting, cinematic cut scenes, and story. The game also featured a first-person mode, which was generally disliked. It was also nominated for the best videogame soundtrack of the year but lost to another game. The game is available on PS2, Game Boy Advance, Microsoft Windows, Xbox, and GameCube.
#15- Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu (2003)
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu is the sequel to the Batman: Vengeance game. It was developed by the same studio, Ubisoft Montreal, and published by Ubisoft. The game is also based on The New Batman Adventures animated series by Warner Bros. Making it the fourth title in the series based on the animation series. It is an action video game with some beat ‘em up features. It featured single-player as well as co-op gameplay. The story begins with Batman learning about the prison breakouts at Arkham Asylum and Stonegate Prison. After capturing the potential mastermind behind the breakout, Scarecrow, Batman realizes that Scarecrow is not the only supervillain that escaped from the prisons. Upon investigating and talking with Gordon, the Caped Crusader realizes that the person responsible for the breakout is Sin Tzu. Batman then embarks on a journey to defeat and capture Sin Tzu as he is too dangerous to be left alone. The game received mixed reviews upon release with barely getting 60% ratings by major review aggregators. The game, however, inspired a webcomic series with the same name. Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu was released on Xbox, PS2, Game Boy Advance, and GameCube.
#16- Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003)
Batman: Dark Tomorrow is an action-adventure game released in 2003 for GameCube and Xbox. Kemco developed the game for GameCube, and HotGen was responsible for developing the game for Xbox. Kemco published the game for all available platforms. The game is the first game after the very first Batman games, which are not based on any movie or animated series. The game is based on the comics and the character’s iteration from the DC Universe. The game was initially announced as a GameCube exclusive title but was released for Xbox later on. The story focuses on Ra’s al Ghul, his daughter, and a group of assassins under him to take control of a weaponized satellite that is targeting Gotham City. The city is in chaos and facing issues due to a prison outbreak. Batman rushes through the city’s sewers to enter the Asylum undetected. On his journey to make things back to normal, he has to face several foes including, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, The Joker, and many more. Despite having a promising story, graphics, the game received overwhelmingly bad reviews. The main targets of criticism were the controls, repetitive content, and camera, which made the game frustrating. The cut scenes were, however, praised. It is often considered one of the worst video games ever developed. Suggested: Best Nintendo Switch Multiplayer Games – Online & Local Experience!
#17- Batman Begins (2005)
Batman Begins is, based on the movie of the same name, a stealth action-adventure game that was released a day before the release of the movie. Eurocom developed the game for GameCube, PS2, and Xbox. Vicarious Visions developed the game for GameBoy Advance. EA Games published the game across all platforms. The game closely follows the plot of the movie with minor changes. To have a better understanding of the plot, the game included several clips from the movie as cut scenes between levels. The game starts with Batman as he confronts a bunch of thus working for the supervillain Dr. Jonathan Crane. During the fight, the explosives in the building are triggered by an accident. Batman manages to leave the building. The game flashes back a year ago in the Himalayas, where Batman trains with a group trained by Ra’s al Ghul. Upon learning the group is planning to destroy Gotham, he burns the temple hoping to leave Ra’s and the rest of his underling to die in the fire. He returns to Gotham to fight the crimes, and the player begins their adventure. The game received average to mixed ratings. The fans, however, liked the game for the most part.
#18- Batman: The Telltale Series (2016)
Batman: The Telltale Series is an episodic point-and-click game developed and published by Telltales games. The game is based on Batman based on Bob Kane and Bill Finger’s version of Batman. Telltale released over five episodes in the series released in the span of five months. The gameplay is very similar to other games developed by Telltale. The plot is centered within Gotham. The main objective of the game is to defeat crime and corruption that has infected Gotham City deeply. The plot of the game is split into five episodes: Episode 1. A shocking revelation about the Wayne family has come to light, which caused Bruce Wayne, head of the Wayne Industries, under public fire. Batman is busy fighting the crime lord, Carmine Falcone. Episode 2. Bruce decides to investigate his family’s legacy. During his investigation, he realizes one of his close friends became his foe. Episode 3. Gotham is getting highly influenced by the Children of Arkham, who are constantly rising to power. Batman decides to investigate the Children of Arkham. Wayne, on the other hand, is still under public fire. Episode 4. After learning the true identity of Lady Arkham, Bruce commits to Arkham Asylum. Episode 5. In the final chapter in the game, Batman faces Lady Arkham in a final battle to determine the fate of Gotham City. Upon release, the game received mostly positive reviews. It was released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch.
#19- Batman: The Enemy Within (2017)
Batman: The Enemy Within is the sequel to 2016’s Batman: The Telltale series. The game follows the point-and-click graphic adventure genre developed and published by Telltale Games. In The Enemy Within, the players can switch between Batman and Bruce Wayne. The narrative plays a crucial role in changing some aspects of the game. One of the great things about the game is, if you have played the prequel of this game, you can import your save files, and the result will change depending on the choices you have made. The game can be played as a standalone title as well. Playing the prequel is not necessary. The story continues a year after Batman defeats the Children of Arkham. The Riddler returns to Gotham, and Batman embarks on a new dangerous journey to capture Riddler. The choice that you will make heavily influences the outcome of the episode. Telltale released five episodes for The Enemy Within. The game received generally positive reviews upon release. Critics praised the sequel as the game has improved a lot. The game was nominated for many awards and even won multiple awards. The game was praised for its narrative. Extra credit was given for The Joker’s portrayal, which the public has never seen in a Batman video game before.
Batman Games By Lego
A lot of games have been released featuring Batman as the main protagonist. Most of the games received mixed to positive reviews. The Arkham series took the Batman video games series, as well as the superhero video game genre, to the next level. The superhero also got a video game adaptation into the Lego toy universe. There are three games in total released as Lego Batman. Below is the order of Lego Batman, if you are interested in playing the Lego games.
#1- Lego Batman: The Video Game (2008)
Lego Batman: The Video Game is an action-adventure game released in 2008 based on the DC comic series and the Lego Batman toy line. The game was developed by Traveller’s Tales and TT Fusion (for handheld devices). It was published by multiple publishers, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Feral Interactive (macOS X). The gameplay is very similar to other Lego games developed by the same studio. It features environments, objects, and creatures made out of Lego. The plot of the game is entirely original and is not based on any movie or animated series. This time the player can play as The Riddler, Joker, and Penguin. Batman and Robin had different chapters. The game is a perfect mix of hilarious yet fun fights and an interesting story. One fun fact about the gameplay is when a character dies, his body breaks into small Lego pieces, which is a sight to behold. Each escaped villain from Arkham Asylum has divided into three groups of five to achieve a personal goal: Joker: He intends to blow the Gotham Cathedral and spread his deadly killer smiling gas across the city. He gets help from other notorious supervillains, including Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, and others. Riddler: Wants to rob the city savings from the Gotham Gold Reserves. He is also aided by four super villains from the DC universe. Penguin: His goal is to take control of Gotham using the remote-controlled penguin-looking robots. He gets help from Bane, Catwoman, Man-bat, and Killer Croc. The game was well-received by review aggregators, critics, and fans. The game inspired two sequels to commemorate the success of the first game in the Lego series. The game is available on Microsoft Windows, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360, macOS X, and Nintendo DS.
#2- Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (2012)
Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is the standalone sequel to the Lego Batman: The Video Game. It was developed by Traveller’s Tale and TT Fusion (for handheld devices) and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Feral Interactive published the game for macOS X. It was the first Lego game to have been voiced over by actors. The plot starts as Batman and Robin seek aid from Lego Justice League to put an end to Lex Luthor and Joker’s depraved plan. The game has over 75 playable characters. At the end of the story, as the League is busy rebuilding the Batcave, Green Lantern shoots a beacon into the air as a sign of victory. Brainiac sees the beacon and says “I have located it,” which hints at the sequel in the Lego series. The game was received well by critics and fans alike. The game was praised for improving the gameplay mechanics and presenting the story in a more refined manner. The game is available on Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, macOS X, PS3, PS Vita, Wii, Wii U, and Xbox 360. Recommended: Best Nintendo Switch Exclusives You’re Not Going To Want To Miss!
#3- Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (2015)
Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is the last game in the Lego Batman series but is the penultimate game in the DC universe. It was developed by the same developers and the same publishers who published the game across multiple platforms. The gameplay did not change much from its predecessors, but Traveller’s Tales increased playable characters to over 150. The game featured over 200 characters from DC comic universe. The story of the second part in the series hinted at the third title. The story of Beyond Gotham picks up the story where the second game’s story ended. Brainiac, after capturing six members of the Lantern Corps, is headed towards the Earth to capture the last member, Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern. His purpose is to shrink the size of the Earth using the power of the Lantern corps rings. The heroes and the villains form a temporary alliance to stop Brainiac from destroying the planet. The game received mixed reviews upon released and was criticized for multiple technical issues, repetitive content, and frustrating gameplay. The game is available on Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, macOS X, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.
Spin-Offs
There are three games released for mobile devices; and one game was made for VR (Virtual Reality), and one was released as a spin off title. The details of these games are mentioned below:
#1- Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
Batman: Arkham City Lockdown is the first mobile game in the Arkham series. The game was developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for Android and iOS. The game was developed by using the Unreal Engine 3. The game was initially released for iOS in 2011 but was made available for Android in 2013. The plot of the game is set six weeks before the events of Arkham City. The objective of the game was to control Batman and to capture the escaped villains after the Arkham Asylum breakout. The player can control the fights using touch control. The player can dodge, deflect and counter-attack enemies by performing the right actions during the fights. The game received a positive reception upon release. It was criticized for being too short and lack of a story to keep the game interesting. The game is no longer available to download from the respective mobile app stores.
#2- Batman: Arkham Origins (Mobile)
Batman: Arkham Origins (Mobile) is a spin-off beat ‘em up game developed by NetherRealm Studios. The game is published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Developed in Unreal Engine 3, it was first released for iOS in 2013 and was released on Android in 2014. The game is a free-to-play game that featured similar gameplay as its predecessor. The plot is set in Gotham City. Unlike the previous game, the player could not free-roam the city. The player can unlock three districts upon clearing the first district. Story-wise, it follows the main plot featured in the game released for PC and consoles. The player takes control of a less experienced, younger Batman and his struggle controlling the crime bosses roaming around the city. Like Arkham City Lockdown, this game is no longer available to download from the AppStore and play store.
#3- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is a companion game that is the sequel to Arkham Origins. The game is developed by Armature Studio and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The plot is set three months after the events of Arkham Origins. The game starts as Batman attempts to stop a prison riot happening at Blackgate Penitentiary. The penitentiary is taken over by three notorious supervillains, The Penguin, The Joker, and Black Mask. During the gameplay, the player also first encounters Catwoman, who aids the caped crusader but is hiding something from him. Arkham Origins Blackgate received mixed reviews upon release. The game had a fixed 2.5D camera which received criticism. Other topics that received criticism were its controls, weird difficulty, and a lackluster story setting, unlike other Arkham games. The game is available on Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, PS Vita, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360.
#4- Batman: Arkham Underworld (2016)
Batman: Arkham Underworld is a strategy game developed by Turbine, Inc. and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It was released for Android and iOS. The game is based on the Arkham series. For the first time, the player can control the notorious supervillains from the DC universe. The player can control supervillains including, Harley Quinn, Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc, Bane, and Scarecrow. The objective is to become Gotham City’s “next criminal kingpin”. You can build your base and recruit henchmen to increase your strength. Purchasing upgrades for your base increases your overall strengths. The game features voice actors from the main series. The game was free-to-play and offered in-game purchases. Like other mobile games, Batman Arkham Underworld is no longer available for downloading from the respective application stores of both mobile operating systems.
#5- Batman: Arkham VR (2016)
Batman: Arkham VR is the first and the only game in the Arkham and Batman series that is developed for VR only. The game is a virtual reality adventure video game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner bros. Interactive. The story was written by Martin Lancaster and Craig Owens. The plot takes place between the 2011’s Arkham City and 2015’s Arkham Knight. The objective of the game is to investigate the disappearance of Batman’s allies Nightwing and Robin. The game, like other VR titles, is played in the first-person perspective. The player can investigate their surroundings and solve puzzles for progressing the story. The game is available for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 / Playstation VR. The game can be played with different VR headsets that are supported by Microsoft Windows (HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Valve Index VR).
Gotham Knights – New Batman Game?
Gotham Knights is a new upcoming game developed by Warner Bros. Games Montreal studio. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will be publishing the game for all platforms in 2023. The game will release for, Xbox One, Xbox X | S, PS4, PS5, and Microsoft Windows. The plot is set after Batman’s death and Gotham City’s downfall. The players can take control of the Dark Knight’s old allies including, Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood. All of the heroes had gone their separate ways but has to work together now to bring Gotham City back to peace. The league of heroes came into contact with the Court of Owls, one of the oldest criminal communities. The heroes work together to put a stop to Court of Owl’s plan while also investigating Batman’s death and how did it happen. The story is not related to the Arkham series and will be an original story. According to the most recent trailer, the player seemed to control Batwoman as the main character to neutralize their foes. After completing the Arkham series, you can play the Lego Batman series. The Lego series are pretty hilarious and fun games in the Batman series with a totally original plot that is not based on any movie or animated series. If you want to play the first title in the series, you can download emulators on your PC to play the classic titles released in the 90s and 20s.
#2 – Do you need to play the Batman games in order?
No, it is not necessary to play all Batman games to understand the plot. The series has over 30 games developed by various developers. Each one followed different stories based on either the movies or animated series. Although, it is recommended by the critics and gaming community to play the Arkham series in order as they are the best Batman games. If you want to play Batman games in order of release, you will have to download certain emulators that can run them on your computers.
#3 – Which Batman Arkham game is first?
Batman: Arkham Asylum is the first game that laid the foundation of the Arkham series. The story focuses on Batman’s escape from Arkham Asylum after getting trapped by Joker, his archnemesis. During the whole game, Batman tries to escape the huge asylum while also dealing with other enemies in the asylum. The game received critical acclaim upon release.
#4 – Should I play Batman Arkham Origins first?
Yes, you can start with Batman: Arkham Origins. Considering the release order, the game is third in the Arkham series but is the prequel to all of the Arkham games. The game is set eight years before the events of Arkham Asylum breakout. The game features a younger, less experienced Batman who is struggling to fight against the crime lord Black Mask. The player would also face other notorious villains from the DC universe as he tries to bring justice to Black Mask.
#5 – How many Batman games are there?
Considering every type of Batman game that has been developed since the first title, there are a total of 41 games released since 1986. If we are talking about only the main games, released on consoles and PC, there are 31 games released since Batman (1986). Out of these 31 games, five games are spin-off titles, with one game developed for VR.
#6 – Which Batman game does Joker die?
No, Batman did not the one who killed him. Joker is the one who killed the Joker. He died due to the side effect of the deadly Titan Disease. He died in Arkham City when Batman decided to give him the cure but drops it after Joker stabs his hand.
#7 – Is the Joker Batman’s brother?
It could be open for interpretation. As per the latest Joker movie, the chances of the Joker being the brother of Batman is highly likely. The father of Bruce Wayne is depicted as a person having an affair with Joker’s mother. Upon confronting Wayne denies the allegations. As per the comics, it is not confirmed that Joker is indeed the brother of Batman. For all we know, the real brother of Batman is nothing better than The Joker.
#8 – Did Batman really die in Arkham Knight?
No, Batman did not die in Arkham Knight’s misleading ending, but Bruce did die. Judging from the clues provided by the developers at the end of the game, the clues hint that Bruce Wayne may have faked his death to commit himself fully for protecting Gotham City. It was to make people think that he is not Batman. The ending itself is very ambiguous and open for discussion. It is also a possibility that Wayne has retired as Batman, and someone else took the role as the Dark Knight.
#9 – Is Batman Dead?
Batman is still alive and kicking criminals’ asses every day. A new game is planned to release in 2023 titled the Gotham Knights. The game premises start after Batman’s death and James Gordon’s retirement as the detective. In the latest Batman game, he is indeed alive and working to keep Gotham safe.
#10 – Can I skip Arkham origins?
Yes, you can skip Arkham Origins without getting lost track of the plot. It is the third title in the Arkham series. The setting is eight years before the events of Arkham Asylum breakout, making Origins the prequels to the titles released before it.
Final Verdict:
Batman is one of the most popular superheroes among younger people as well as adults. It is one of the few heroes in the DC universe which received the most attention and media adaptations out of other heroes. The Batman movies are undoubtedly one of the best superhero movies ever released combining, both Marvel and DCEU. The superhero also started receiving video game adaptations as early as 1986. Several games were released but failed to meet expectations. The series was pretty mediocre until Rocksteady developed Batman: Arkham Asylum. The game laid the foundation and set a new standard for the superhero video game genre. Many games can be played, which are released under the title of Batman but to play the earliest versions released for 8-bit computers, an emulator is necessary to run those games.
