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How to Play the Batman Arkham Games in Chronological Order

The Batman: Arkham games stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Insomniac's Spider-Man titles as the pinnacle of comic book video games. Rocksteady Studios masterfully blended fluid freeflow combat, exceptional voice acting, and a breathtakingly realized Gotham City to create an unforgettable action-advent

By Natalie: Mar 17,2025

The Batman: Arkham games stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Insomniac's Spider-Man titles as the pinnacle of comic book video games. Rocksteady Studios masterfully blended fluid freeflow 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 for the first time) these iconic Batman games.

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Chronological Order | Release Order

How Many Batman Arkham Games Are There?

There are a total of 10 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 primary approaches for newcomers: chronological order (starting with 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins) or release order (beginning with Batman: Arkham Asylum). Chronological order might spoil elements of earlier games, while release order follows the evolution of the series' gameplay and story.

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

Below are two playthrough orders: chronological narrative and chronological release.

These synopses contain only minor spoilers, focusing on broad plot points and character introductions.

1. Batman: Arkham Origins

Chronologically first, Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) depicts a younger, less experienced Batman on Christmas Eve in a snow-covered Gotham. A $50 million bounty is placed on his head, attracting Gotham's most notorious villains: Joker, Black Mask, Penguin, Mad Hatter, Bane, Deadshot, Firefly, and Killer Croc. The game's ending foreshadows the events of Arkham Asylum.

Note that Origins features Roger Craig Smith as Batman and Troy Baker as the Joker, replacing the iconic Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Developed by WB Montreal, it differs from the Rocksteady titles. A mobile version, a distinct brawler, also exists.

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

2. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Set three months after Origins, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is a 2.5D side-scroller. Batman investigates Blackgate Penitentiary following a prison break. He explores three areas controlled by Penguin, Black Mask, and the Joker. Catwoman, Amanda Waller, and Rick Flag also appear. 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

Batman: Arkham Shadow, the second VR game, is set in Blackgate Penitentiary between Origins/Origins Blackgate and Asylum—on July 4th, seven months after Origins. Roger Craig Smith returns as Batman, facing a new villain, the Rat King. Jim Gordon, Doctors Harleen Quinzel and Jonathan Crane, Arnold Wesker (Ventriloquist), and Barbara Gordon also appear. Developed by Camouflaj.

Available on: Meta Quest 3 and 3S

Meta Quest 3S — Batman: Arkham Shadow Edition

See it at Amazon

4. Batman: Arkham Underworld

Batman: Arkham Underworld (a now-defunct mobile game) puts players in the role of a Gotham criminal mastermind, commanding villains like Harley Quinn, Riddler, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, and Killer Croc. Kevin Conroy returns as Batman. Set before Arkham Asylum, its narrative impact on the Arkhamverse is minimal.

Bonus: Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman: Assault on Arkham (an animated film) is set roughly two years before Arkham Asylum. It follows Harley Quinn, Joker, Riddler, and others infiltrating Arkham Asylum. Kevin Conroy and Troy Baker reprise their roles.

Available on: HBO Max

5. Batman: Arkham Asylum

Rocksteady's debut, Batman: Arkham Asylum, introduces Kevin Conroy's Batman and Mark Hamill's Joker. The Joker, aided by Harley Quinn, infiltrates the asylum to obtain the Titan serum, threatening to detonate bombs in Gotham.

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

6. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown (a now-unavailable mobile fighter) is set between Asylum and City. It features many Arkham staples, including Joker (Mark Hamill), Harley Quinn, Two-Face, and Batman (Kevin Conroy).

7. Batman: Arkham City

Rocksteady's second game, Batman: Arkham City, takes place a year and a half after Asylum. Mayor Sharp opens Arkham City, a walled-off section of Gotham. Batman navigates this lawless area while thwarting Hugo Strange's plot and dealing with the Joker's ongoing issues from the Titan serum.

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

8. Batman: Arkham VR

Batman: Arkham VR is a VR title set shortly before Arkham Knight. It focuses on detective work as Batman investigates a murder. Conroy and Hamill reprise their roles.

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

9. Batman: Arkham Knight

Rocksteady's trilogy conclusion, Batman: Arkham Knight, features a larger Gotham, a diverse cast, and a playable Batmobile. Scarecrow threatens Gotham with fear toxin, while the Arkham Knight emerges as a new threat.

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

10. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Rocksteady's latest, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, shifts focus from Batman to Task Force X in Metropolis. It's considered a continuation of the Arkhamverse.

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