Home News How to Play the Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

How to Play the Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

Author : Grace Mar 14,2025

The Batman: Arkham games stand alongside Insomniac's Spider-Man as some of the greatest comic book games ever created. Rocksteady Studios masterfully blended fluid combat, exceptional voice acting, and a breathtakingly realistic Gotham City to deliver an unforgettable superhero action-adventure experience.

With a new VR entry in the Arkham series now available, you might be eager to play (or replay) these iconic Batman titles.

**Jump to:**

  • Chronological Order
  • Release Order
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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 discontinued.

Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Play First?

There are two main approaches for newcomers: chronological order or release order. Chronologically, you'd begin with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins. However, starting with Origins might spoil elements of the earlier games, as it was released years after the first game in the series. For a release-date experience, start with Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Batman Arkham Collection

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 ways to experience the Batman: Arkham games: by release date or by narrative chronology. Both paths are detailed below. These synopses contain only minor spoilers.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

Batman Arkham OriginsChronologically first is 2013's *Batman: Arkham Origins*. Set on Christmas Eve in a snow-covered Gotham, a less-experienced Batman faces a $50 million bounty on his head, attracting Gotham's most notorious criminals, including Joker, Black Mask, Penguin, and more. The ending hints at the events of *Arkham Asylum*.

Origins features Roger Craig Smith as Batman and Troy Baker as the Joker, replacing the usual Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Developed by WB Montreal, it differs from Rocksteady's entries. A mobile version, a brawler by NetherRealm Studios, also exists.

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

2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Batman Arkham Origins BlackgateSet three months after *Origins*, *Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate* is a 2.5D side-scroller developed by Armature Studio. Batman investigates Blackgate Penitentiary following a prison break.

Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker reprise their roles.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, PC | IGN’s Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Wiki

3. Batman: Arkham Shadow

Play *Batman: Arkham Shadow*, the second VR game, is set in Blackgate Penitentiary between *Origins/Origins Blackgate* and *Asylum*. Roger Craig Smith returns as Batman, facing The Rat King.

Developed by Camouflaj.

Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S

Meta Quest 3S

Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

See it at Amazon

4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

Batman Arkham Underworld *Batman: Arkham Underworld* is a discontinued mobile game where you command Batman villains. It's set before *Arkham Asylum* but has minimal impact on the overall narrative.

Available on: N/A

Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman Assault on Arkham *Batman: Assault on Arkham* is an animated film set roughly two years before *Arkham Asylum*. It focuses on Batman's villains infiltrating Arkham Asylum.

Kevin Conroy and Troy Baker reprise their roles.

Available on: HBO Max

5. Batman: Arkham Asylum

Batman Arkham AsylumRocksteady's first game introduces Kevin Conroy's Batman and Mark Hamill's Joker. The Joker, aided by Harley Quinn, infiltrates Arkham Asylum to obtain Titan, a super-strength serum.

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

6. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Batman Arkham City LockdownA discontinued fighter set between *Asylum* and *City*.

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

7. Batman: Arkham City

Batman Arkham CityRocksteady's second game, set a year and a half after *Asylum*, sees Batman navigating Arkham City, a walled-off section of Gotham housing criminals.

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

8. Batman: Arkham VR

Batman Arkham VRA VR game set shortly before *Arkham Knight*, focusing on detective work.

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

9. Batman: Arkham Knight

Batman Arkham KnightThe conclusion to Rocksteady's trilogy, featuring a larger Gotham, a diverse cast, and a playable Batmobile.

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

10. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

PlayRocksteady's latest, shifting focus to Task Force X in Metropolis. A continuation of the Arkhamverse.

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

Every IGN Batman Game Review

Batman Game Review Batman Game Review Batman Game Review Batman Game Review Batman Game Review 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?

PlayFollowing *Arkham Shadow*'s release, there are currently no announced future Arkham games.

Related Content:

God of War Games in Order and Final Fantasy Games in Order Best Batman Movies and Best Batman Comics Shop Batman merch from the IGN Store

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