So you wanna dive into the Batman Arkham games but don't know where to start? Been there. When I first tried figuring out the Batman Arkham games order, I spent hours digging through forums and getting conflicting answers. Total headache. Should you play them in story timeline order? Or by release date? And what about those DLC expansions – do they matter? Let's cut through the confusion.
Getting the Batman Arkham series order right makes a huge difference. Play them wrong and you'll spoil major twists or miss critical backstory. But do it right? You're in for one of gaming's greatest superhero experiences. I've played through the entire series three times – once chronologically, once by release, and once skipping around like a maniac – so I'll give you the real breakdown.
Why the Batman Arkham Order Actually Matters
Look, I used to think playing games chronologically was overrated. Then I made the mistake of starting with Arkham Knight before Origins. Big regret. You know that emotional payoff when characters reference past events? Totally lost if you play out of sequence. The Batman Arkham games order isn't just about plot – it's about gameplay evolution too. Going backwards from Knight's polished combat to Asylum's simpler system feels jarring. Trust me, I tried.
The trilogy follows Batman's physical and psychological journey. Playing in the correct Batman Arkham games order lets you experience his transformation alongside the tech upgrades. Miss that progression and you're robbing yourself.
Batman Arkham Games Release Order (How They Actually Launched)
This is the order most players experienced them. Rocksteady didn't plan a 10-year saga upfront – they built on success. Release order preserves gameplay improvements and avoids spoilers. My recommendation? First-timers should start here.
| Game Title | Year | Main Developer | Platforms | Play Time (Main Story) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batman: Arkham Asylum | 2009 | Rocksteady | PS3, Xbox 360, PC | 12-15 hours |
| Batman: Arkham City | 2011 | Rocksteady | PS3, Xbox 360, PC | 15-20 hours |
| Batman: Arkham Origins | 2013 | WB Games Montréal | PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U | 15-18 hours |
| Batman: Arkham Knight | 2015 | Rocksteady | PS4, Xbox One, PC | 15-20 hours |
Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)
The one that started it all. Joker takes over Arkham Asylum on Christmas Eve – brilliant premise. Still holds up surprisingly well. Combat feels simpler than later entries but has this raw energy. I remember getting lost in the medical wing for an hour because the map wasn't as refined. Frustrating? Yeah. But that claustrophobic atmosphere? Unmatched.
Core Experience: Metroidvania-style progression • Introduces Freeflow combat • Predator stealth rooms • Iconic boss fights (Scarecrow sections still give me chills)
Must-Play DLC: Seriously, skip it. Only cosmetic skins existed back then.
Batman: Arkham City (2011)
Where the series exploded. They took Asylum's blueprint and dumped it into an open-world prison district. Gliding between buildings felt revolutionary in 2011. Still does, honestly. My first playthrough took 40 hours because I kept stopping to solve Riddler trophies – no shame.
Story-wise, this is where Hugo Strange and Ra's al Ghul enter the picture. Playing this before Origins matters because...
- Two-Face's transformation hits harder
- You understand why Joker looks sickly
- That ending? Tears. Every time.
Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
Ah, the black sheep. Developed by WB Montréal instead of Rocksteady. Set five years before Asylum on Christmas Eve (again). Eight assassins hunt Batman – cool concept, uneven execution. The map's mostly recycled Arkham City locations. Combat's floatier too. But don't skip it!
Why it's essential for the Batman Arkham games order:
- Best portrayal of Batman/Barbara Gordon relationship
- Shows the first Batman/Joker encounter (pivotal!)
- Introduces the Shock Gloves – most OP weapon in the series
Personal gripe? The boss fights against Deathstroke and Firefly are spectacular... but the rest feel like filler.
Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
The controversial finale. Rocksteady went big: Batmobile, Gotham City proper, the Knightfall Protocol ending. Driving the tank gets repetitive fast – we all complained about that. Still, gliding over neon-lit streets remains magical. Story ties back to every previous game:
- Asylum's Titan formula returns
- City's Protocol 10 fallout lingers
- Origins' Anarky tags appear everywhere
Play this last. That twist about the Arkham Knight's identity? Massive spoiler if you haven't played the others.
Chronological Story Order (Timeline Sequence)
Want to experience events as they happened in-universe? Here's the Batman Arkham games chronological order:
| Timeline Position | Game Title | Time Period | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Batman: Arkham Origins | Year 2 Batman | First meeting with Joker • Black Mask plot • Formation of rogue's gallery |
| 2 | Arkham Origins Blackgate (Handheld Spin-off) | 6 months after Origins | Prison riot • Catwoman team-up • Non-essential but fills gaps |
| 3 | Batman: Arkham Asylum | ~8 years after Origins | Joker's takeover • Titan formula debut • Scarecrow nightmares |
| 4 | Batman: Arkham City | 18 months after Asylum | Protocol 10 • Hugo Strange's plan • Joker's fate |
| 5 | Batman: Arkham Knight | 9 months after City | Scarecrow's fear toxin • Arkham Knight identity • Knightfall Protocol |
Playing chronologically reveals cool details. In Origins, you'll see:
- Amateurish Batsuit modifications
- GCPD's open hostility toward Batman
- Joker before he became "fully formed"
But there's a catch. When you jump from Origins (2013) to Asylum (2009), gameplay feels clunky. No counter icons, no multi-ground takedowns. Feels like downgrading your phone.
Chronological order works best for replaying the series. First time? Stick to release order. You'll appreciate QOL improvements and avoid narrative whiplash.
Where Spin-Offs Fit in the Batman Arkham Series Order
Confession: I forgot Blackgate existed until last year. These aren't essential but add flavor:
Arkham Origins Blackgate (2013)
2.5D Metroidvania for Vita/3DS. Set after Origins, before Asylum. Shows Batman cleaning up loose ends. Digital only now. Skip unless you're obsessive about Batman Arkham games order completion.
Arkham VR (2016)
PSVR experience set during Arkham Knight. Only 90 minutes long. Shows the immediate aftermath of a key Knight scene. Creepy as hell in VR – that Croc encounter made me yelp.
DLC Order - When to Play Additional Content
Most DLC expands the main stories. Play them immediately after finishing the base game:
- Arkham City: Harley Quinn's Revenge (play after main ending)
- Arkham Origins: Cold, Cold Heart (best DLC in series – Mr. Freeze story)
- Arkham Knight:
- Season of Infamy (essential – adds Mad Hatter, Killer Croc missions)
- Batgirl: A Matter of Family (prequel set before Asylum)
Funny story: I played Cold, Cold Heart before finishing Origins' main story once. Made a certain electrocution death feel less impactful. Don't be like me.
Definitive Play Order Recommendation
After testing all approaches, here's my ideal Batman Arkham games order:
- Arkham Asylum (The foundation)
- Arkham City (The masterpiece)
- Arkham Origins (The prequel)
- Arkham Knight + Season of Infamy (The finale)
- Cold, Cold Heart DLC (Standalone gem)
- Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC (City epilogue)
Why this sequence? You experience the core trilogy as intended, then use Origins as a flashback before Knight's grand finale. DLCs act as dessert.
If you're tight on time, cut Origins. Controversial? Maybe. But Rocksteady's trilogy stands stronger alone.
Platform Guide: Where to Play Today
Finding these games can be messy. Some aren't on modern consoles without workarounds:
| Game | PS4/PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PC | Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkham Asylum | PS Now streaming | Backward compatible | Steam/Epic | No |
| Arkham City | PS Now streaming | Backward compatible | Steam/Epic | No |
| Arkham Origins | No | Backward compatible | Steam | No |
| Arkham Knight | Buy digitally | Buy digitally | Steam/Epic | No |
Annoyances: Origins remains stuck on last-gen consoles. Asylum and City require streaming or old hardware. Knight's the only one with native PS5/XSX play.
Frequently Asked Batman Arkham Order Questions
Can I start with Arkham Knight?
Technically? Yes. Should you? Absolutely not. You'd miss critical backstory about Joker, Oracle, and Scarecrow. Knight opens assuming you know these characters intimately. Plus, gameplay mechanics won't feel earned.
Is Arkham Origins necessary?
Not 100%, but recommended. It explains Bruce and Gordon's strained early relationship. Shows why Joker obsesses over Batman. Introduces Anarky – who matters in Knight. Skip only if you hate prequels.
What about Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League?
Despite marketing, it's not part of the Arkham universe. Different continuity. Play it separately after finishing the core Batman Arkham games order.
Do I need to play the mobile games?
Nah. Arkham Underworld and Lockdown are shallow tie-ins. No story impact.
Can I skip Arkham VR?
Unless you own VR gear, yes. It's atmospheric but non-essential. Watch the story scenes on YouTube if curious.
Why Release Order Beats Chronological for New Players
It boils down to storytelling craft. Rocksteady planted seeds in Asylum that bloomed in Knight. Playing chronologically disrupts that intentional pacing. Ever watch a prequel movie first? The Phantom Menace before A New Hope ruins Darth Vader's mystique.
Similarly, Origins reveals:
- How Joker learned Batman's identity
- Why Gordon initially distrusted Batman
- When Babs started helping as Oracle
All meant as reveals for established fans. Experienced cold, they lose impact.
Then there's tech whiplash. Going from Origins' polished combat (2013) to Asylum's simpler system (2009) feels like downgrading your Batmobile to a scooter.
Final Thoughts: Just Start Playing
Honestly? Don't overthink the Batman Arkham games order. Pick Asylum. See if you like sneaking through vents and punching thugs. If it clicks, binge the series release order. Come back later for chronological runs.
My big regret? Not experiencing City blind. That ending... man. Wish I could erase my memory and replay it. So if you take one thing from this guide: avoid spoilers at all costs. Gotham's twists are best experienced raw.
Still stuck? Tweet me @GothamGuide. I've helped 200+ viewers settle this debate. Now if you'll excuse me, I have Riddler trophies to collect. Again.
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