Highlights
- Rocksteady Studios surprised everyone in 2009 with the outstanding Batman: Arkham Asylum, setting the bar high for superhero video games.
- The Arkham series continued to deliver high-quality games, making it a rare gem in the world of comic book-based titles.
- Despite some hits and misses in the franchise, new projects like Batman: Arkham Shadow keep fans excited for the future of the Arkhamverse.
In 2009, the relatively unknown developer, Rocksteady Studios, did something unusual. It released a comic book video game that was truly outstanding. Its name was Batman: Arkham Asylum. Asylum wasn't the first good superhero game, but great titles based on comic books were so rare that it was always a surprise to see one. And even more impressively, it wasn't just the one. The series consistently delivered high-quality games in the following years.
By this point, there have been a bunch of great titles – and a few mediocre ones – released under the Arkham banner. Which begs the question, how do they stack up against each other? Which is the best Batman Arkham game?
Updated May 14, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Warner Bros' Batman: Arkham is not done yet. In early May 2024, a new VR project was revealed: Arkham Shadow. Set to debut at the end of the year, it remains to be seen whether this project will sit among the franchise's best or worst entries.
Every Batman: Arkham Game
Over the last 15 years, the Batman: Arkham series has ballooned to 10 games, making it a far more expansive franchise than might seem to be the case if someone is only familiar with Rocksteady's main entries. The upcoming table contains every Batman: Arkham game released (or announced) so far.
Click on the game to jump to its ranking.
|
Games |
Release Date |
Developer |
|---|---|---|
|
2009-08-25 |
Rocksteady Studios |
|
|
2011-10-18 |
Rocksteady Studios |
|
|
2011-12-07 |
NetherRealm Studios |
|
|
2013-10-16 |
NetherRealm Studios |
|
|
2013-10-25 |
WB Games Montréal |
|
|
2013-10-25 |
Armature Studio |
|
|
2015-06-23 |
Rocksteady Studios |
|
|
2016-07-14 |
Turbine, Inc. |
|
|
2016-10-11 |
Rocksteady Studios |
|
|
2016-10-18 |
Rocksteady Studios |
|
|
2023-12-01 |
Rocksteady Studios |
|
|
2024-02-02 |
Rocksteady Studios |
|
|
2024 |
Camouflaj |
12 Batman: Arkham Origins (Mobile)
Metascore: 63
Despite having the same name, Arkham Origins on mobile is a completely different game from the one on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. Primarily because on iOS and Android, the game was a brawler, not an action-adventure title. In 2021, Arkham Origins Mobile was removed from the Apple and Play Stores, so it is no longer possible to legally download the free-to-play game.
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It was a freemium game, so expectations for it were never high. The fighting was simple, and the lack of variety in Batman's opponents didn't help. However, the restrictive stamina system meant players could not brawl for long periods unless they wanted to spend money.
11 Batman: Arkham Underworld
Metascore: 64
Underworld is a different sort of mobile game from Origins. It's also a freemium title, but instead of fighting Batman's villains, players control them. Similar to its companion app, Underworld was eventually removed from stores, and it lasted a far shorter time than Origins.
The goal was to build up a criminal empire using management skills. Players also get to partake in a little bit of fighting during missions. That said, the game was mostly about strategy. It was fine, but aside from the voice actors, it was an Arkham game in name only.
10 Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
Metascore: 69
Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
- Released
- December 7, 2011
- Developer(s)
- NetherRealm Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Any game that followed Asylum and City was going to struggle to live up to their excellence. Arkham City Lockdown, however, has avoided any comparisons to those classics because it's nothing like them.
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Gotham City has had a few iterations in the Batman franchise, and the following remain the most memorable versions.
The title has more in common with its successor, Arkham Origins (mobile). It's an iOS and Android fighter, where Batman takes on various goons. The brawling is simplistic and repetitive, but at least it's fast-paced. In comparison to most mobile fighters, it's fine; compared to the best of the Arkham series, it's mediocre.
9 Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
Metascore: 68
With Blackgate, Armature Studio attempted to bring Arkham to handheld consoles. To do this, they made certain changes to account for the less powerful systems, the main one being the switch to a 2.5D perspective.
The result isn't perfect. Combat and stealth feel shallow compared to the main Arkham games. Whereas, the environments are very repetitive and uninteresting. At least the game recounts the first meeting between Batman and Catwoman. An argument could be made that Underworld and Lockdown were more interesting games than Blackgate, but the fact the latter can still be played today gives it the edge.