Batman Arkham Games in Order: Full Playlist
This article lists every mainline Batman: Arkham game in chronological story order and release order, so you know exactly what to play and when. You’ll get the full series lineup, the spin-offs, and the answers to common questions like whether you can skip any entries.
Release Order vs. Story Order
The Arkham series has two common ways to play: by release date (how most fans experienced it) or by the in-game timeline (which jumps around). Here’s the breakdown:
- Release order: Arkham Asylum (2009), Arkham City (2011), Arkham Origins (2013), Arkham Knight (2015), Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024).
- Story order: Arkham Origins (set years before Asylum), Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, Arkham Knight. Suicide Squad is a separate sequel to Arkham Knight.
Both orders work. If you’re new, release order is simpler because each game improves on the last mechanically. If you want the narrative to flow chronologically, start with Origins.
Mainline Games in Story Order
1. Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
Set on Christmas Eve during Batman’s second year as a crimefighter, this prequel features a younger, more aggressive Bruce Wayne. Eight assassins are hired to kill him, including Deathstroke and Deadshot. It’s the only mainline game not developed by Rocksteady (WB Games Montréal took over), and it introduces the “Crime Scene Reconstruction” mechanic. The story ends with Batman’s first encounter with the Joker.
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)
The game that started it all. Joker seizes control of Arkham Asylum and traps Batman inside with the inmates. It’s a metroidvania-style action game where you explore the island, unlock gadgets, and fight classic villains like Scarecrow and Harley Quinn. Its tight focus and atmosphere make it a fan favorite, and it’s the first game in the series to feature the signature “Freeflow” combat system.
3. Batman: Arkham City (2011)
A direct sequel set in a walled-off section of Gotham turned into a massive prison. Hugo Strange runs the city, and Batman must uncover Protocol 10 while dealing with the Joker’s poisoned blood. This is widely considered the best game in the series due to its open-world design, memorable story, and the introduction of Catwoman as a playable character.
4. Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
The finale of Rocksteady’s trilogy. The Scarecrow returns with a new toxin, and the mysterious Arkham Knight leads a military assault on Gotham. It introduces the Batmobile as a drivable vehicle, which is used for both combat and puzzle-solving. The game’s ending ties up the main story arc and sets up the Suicide Squad sequel.
Spin-Offs and Side Games
Several smaller titles expand the universe but aren’t essential to the main story:
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (2013) – A 2.5D side-scroller set after Origins, following Batman as he tracks Black Mask and the Joker inside Blackgate Prison.
- Batman: Arkham VR (2016) – A short VR experience set between Arkham City and Arkham Knight, where Batman investigates the murder of Robin.
- Batman: Arkham Underworld (2016) – A mobile game where you play as a villain building a criminal empire (no longer available).
- Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024) – A co-op shooter set five years after Arkham Knight, where the Suicide Squad must take down a brainwashed Justice League, including Batman.
Which Order Should You Play?
If you have limited time, play the three Rocksteady main games in order: Asylum → City → Knight. That gives you the complete story arc without the prequel. If you want the full timeline, add Origins first, then play the Rocksteady trilogy. Blackgate and VR are optional and add little to the main narrative.
For a first-time player, release order is recommended because the mechanics evolve naturally. Starting with Origins might make Asylum feel dated by comparison.
Common Questions About the Series
Is Arkham Origins worth playing?
Yes, if you want more Batman and don’t mind a slightly less polished experience. It has a strong story, good boss fights, and a younger, angrier Batman. However, its open world feels emptier than City’s, and the combat is nearly identical to Asylum’s.
Do I need to play the spin-offs to understand the main story?
No. The spin-offs (Blackgate, VR, Underworld) are self-contained and don’t affect the main trilogy. You can skip them entirely without missing any crucial plot points.
Is Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League a proper Arkham game?
It’s a sequel in the same universe, but it’s a looter-shooter with co-op multiplayer, not a single-player action-adventure like the main Arkham games. It features the Suicide Squad, not Batman as the protagonist, and has a very different tone and gameplay style.
Can I play Arkham Knight without playing the others?
You can, but you’ll miss a lot of character context and references. The game assumes you know the history between Batman, Joker, and Scarecrow. Playing at least Arkham City first is highly recommended.
What’s the best version of each game to buy?
For modern consoles and PC, the Return to Arkham collection includes remastered versions of Asylum and City. Arkham Knight is available separately with all DLC in the “Batman: Arkham Knight Premium Edition.” Origins is not in the collection and is only available on older platforms or PC.
Where to Play Them
All mainline Arkham games are available on PC (Steam, Epic), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch (via the Arkham Trilogy collection released in 2023). The Switch version includes all three Rocksteady games but requires a download for Arkham Knight. Origins is not on Switch and is only on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 (backwards compatible on Xbox).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Batman Arkham games are there in total?
There are four mainline games (Asylum, City, Origins, Knight) and three spin-offs (Blackgate, VR, Underworld). The mainline count is often cited as four, with Suicide Squad as a separate sequel.
Is Batman: Arkham Origins a prequel?
Yes, it’s set about 5–8 years before Arkham Asylum, during Batman’s second year of crime-fighting. It shows his first meeting with the Joker and his early encounters with other villains.
Should I play Arkham Origins before Arkham Asylum?
If you want a chronological story, yes. But most players recommend release order because Origins was made after Asylum and City, so its gameplay is a hybrid of the two. Playing it first might spoil some of the surprises in Asylum.
What order should I play the Arkham games for the best experience?
The most common recommendation is: Asylum → City → Origins → Knight. This mixes release order (Asylum, City) with story order (Origins before Knight) and avoids the disappointment of going from the newer mechanics back to the older ones.
Are there any Arkham games on Nintendo Switch?
Yes, the Batman: Arkham Trilogy was released for Switch in December 2023. It includes Asylum, City, and Knight, with all DLC. Origins is not included.
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