You'd think playing through a superhero series would be straightforward, right? Pick up the first one, punch some clowns, move to the next. But with the Arkhamverse, things get messy fast. We’ve got prequels, VR spin-offs, mobile tie-ins, and a "sequel" that features the Suicide Squad instead of the Bat himself.
If you just grab the arkham batman games in order of when they hit the shelves, you’re going to be jumping all over the timeline. Play them chronologically, and you’re starting with a game that came out years later and has completely different voice actors. It’s a lot. Honestly, most people just want to know if they should start with the snowy Christmas vibes of Origins or the claustrophobic hallways of Asylum.
Here is the truth: there is no "perfect" way, but there is definitely a "best" way for your first time.
The release order (How we all experienced the madness)
If you want to see how the technology evolved, this is the only way to go. You see Rocksteady Studios go from "indie-ish" darlings to absolute industry titans.
- Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009): The one that started it all. It’s tight, it’s moody, and it feels more like a Metroidvania than an open-world game.
- Batman: Arkham City (2011): They took the walls down. Suddenly you’re gliding over a flooded chunk of Gotham. This is where the "Freeflow" combat really became the industry standard.
- Batman: Arkham Origins (2013): A bit of a curveball. WB Games Montreal took over for this one while Rocksteady was busy. It’s a prequel, but it came out third. People used to hate on it, but the boss fights are actually some of the best in the whole series.
- Batman: Arkham Knight (2015): The big, beautiful, controversial finale. It introduced the Batmobile (which you'll either love or find incredibly annoying by the tenth tank battle).
- Batman: Arkham VR (2016): Short, sweet, and mostly just a tech demo to see what it's like to put the cowl on.
- Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024): Look, it’s technically in the same universe. It’s a looter-shooter, which feels weird after four stealth-action games, but it’s the canon continuation of the story.
- Batman: Arkham Shadow (2024): This is the latest Meta Quest exclusive. It’s actually a prequel set between Origins and Asylum.
Playing this way prevents "gameplay whiplash." If you play Origins (2013) and then jump to Asylum (2009), you'll suddenly feel like Batman forgot how to use half his gadgets. It’s frustrating.
The chronological timeline: Gotham’s history from the start
If you’re a story purist and you want to see Bruce Wayne grow from a "reckless vigilante" into a "legendary myth," then you have to follow the calendar. It’s a long journey.
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1. Batman: Arkham Origins
Set on a snowy Christmas Eve about two years into Bruce's career. He’s angry. He’s mean. He hasn't even met the Joker yet—at least, not at the start. You get to see the first time he meets Jim Gordon, and honestly, their relationship arc is the best part of the game. Roger Craig Smith voices Batman here instead of the legendary Kevin Conroy, giving him a much rawer, younger energy.
2. Batman: Arkham Shadow
The newest kid on the block. Since this is VR, it’s a very different vibe. It takes place about six months after Origins. Batman is still finding his footing, dealing with a cult leader called the Rat King. It fills that awkward gap where Bruce is transitioning from a street brawler to a detective.
3. Batman: Arkham Asylum
The "classic" experience. It’s been years since Origins. Batman is seasoned. He’s confident. The game takes place over a single, very long night where the Joker takes over the local madhouse. It’s spooky. It’s focused. Even in 2026, the atmosphere in this game holds up better than most modern triple-A titles.
4. Batman: Arkham City
About a year after the Asylum incident, Quincy Sharp (now Mayor) has turned a whole section of Gotham's slums into a giant open-air prison. It’s a terrible idea, obviously. This is the peak for many fans. The ending of this game is still one of the most shocking moments in gaming history. No spoilers, but you’ll probably need a minute to process it when the credits roll.
5. Batman: Arkham VR
This sits in a weird spot. It’s essentially a nightmare sequence that happens shortly before Arkham Knight. It’s about 90 minutes long. You’re doing detective work, looking for Nightwing and Robin. It’s not essential for the plot, but it adds a lot of psychological depth to Bruce's deteriorating mental state.
6. Batman: Arkham Knight
The night the Scarecrow finally makes his move. The city is evacuated, the villains have teamed up, and there’s a mysterious "Arkham Knight" leading a literal army against Batman. This is the "End of the Batman." It’s huge, it’s raining constantly, and it’s the most mechanically dense game of the lot.
7. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Set five years after the "Knightfall" ending. It’s controversial. A lot of fans don't like how the Arkham Batman's story continues here, but if you want the full picture of what happened to this version of the characters, this is where it ends.
What about the "hidden" games?
People forget the handheld and mobile stuff. Arkham Origins Blackgate is a 2.5D side-scroller that takes place right after the main Origins game. It’s fine, but the map is a nightmare to navigate. Then there’s Arkham Underworld and Arkham City Lockdown, which were mobile games that you basically can’t even play anymore unless you have an old iPad and a lot of patience. They don't add much to the lore, so don't feel bad about skipping them.
The DLC, however, is a different story.
You absolutely should play Cold, Cold Heart for Origins and Batgirl: A Matter of Family for Knight. The Batgirl DLC is actually a prequel set before Asylum, showing Barbara Gordon before she was in a wheelchair. It’s a great piece of world-building that makes the later games hit much harder.
Why the voice actors change
This trips a lot of people up. For the "Main Trilogy" (Asylum, City, Knight), we have Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker. This is the gold standard. They’re the duo from the 90s animated series.
In Origins and Shadow, they swapped them out for Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker.
The logic was that they wanted "younger" sounding voices. Roger Craig Smith (who you might know as Sonic the Hedgehog) actually does a killer job. He sounds like a guy who’s constantly grinding his teeth from pure rage. It fits the younger, less disciplined Bruce perfectly.
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The best way to play right now
Honestly? Go with the release order.
Starting with Asylum is like a warm-up. The mechanics are simple but perfect. If you start with Arkham Knight or even Origins, going back to the limited movement of Asylum feels like Batman is wearing lead boots. Plus, the narrative mystery of who the Joker is and how he relates to Batman is built much better if you let the story unfold the way the writers originally intended.
Your Actionable Checklist for the Arkham Series:
- Get the Arkham Collection: It’s usually on sale and includes Asylum, City, and Knight with all the DLC.
- Don't skip Arkham Origins: Even though it’s not in the main collection (due to the different developer), it’s a crucial part of the story. Grab a Steam key or a physical copy for Xbox/PS3.
- Play the "Post-Game" Episodes: In Arkham Knight, there are "Arkham Episodes" for Harley Quinn, Red Hood, and Nightwing. Play these after you finish the main story. They are tiny epilogues that wrap up loose ends.
- Finish the Riddler Trophies (Optional): Look, there are hundreds of them. Don't feel like a "fake fan" if you look up a guide. Life is too short to spend forty hours looking for green question marks in a sewer.
The Arkham games changed how people look at licensed superhero titles. They aren't just "good for a Batman game"—they are some of the best action-adventure games ever made. Just pick a path and stick to it. Gotham isn't going to save itself.