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ThoughBatman Beginsmay not have gotten the same fanfare as its successor, none can deny that it was the one game that laid the foundation for what would become the juggernaut that is theArkhamfranchise.
In fact, thinking about it, The Dark Knight’s journey in gaming has been one of constant evolution—from a clunky isometric title on the Amstrad in 1986 to the sprawling, story-rich epics of recent years, featuring the most accurate renditions of the caped crusader.
So, keeping that in mind, whether you’re a Gotham newbie or a lifelong “Batfan,” here are the eight best Batman games that you should most certainly try.
8Batman (1989)
Oh boy, this one’s for the bravest of all. Released on the NES back in 1989, Batman was the first depiction of a superhero in gaming to receive widespread acclaim and attention.
Though, like any other game on the platform, it’s a tough one to beat—it’s punishing, it’s occasionally cryptic, it’s barely tethered to the Tim Burton movie it’s based on, and the combat requires you to plan every jump and punch like it’s life or death.
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Yet for all its quirks, it’s a charming little gem that delivers a solid experience with its gritty rendition of The Dark Knight and his City. Just don’t expect all the shiny gadgets or rich story you’re used to now; this is old-school Gotham at its finest.
7Batman Begins – The Game(2005)
Batman Begins was the one movie-based video game that dared not to be bad, putting players in the cape and cowl with stealth mechanics that, while clunky at times, set the stage for theArkhamseries to swoop in.
Batman Begins is a solid game to boot on its own, too, though, one in which you truly realize how frightening fighting a massive man dressed like a bat with only bare fists and countless tricks at his must feel.
It may lack polish, but it’s a surprisingly nice adaptation for a movie tie-in, reminding us thatBatman Beginsdeserves a little more credit for the masterpieces that came after it.
6Batman: Arkham Origins(2013)
Coming to theArkhamseries,let’s first address the game that gets the least amount of love from people. Although many people consider it a major step down from the games that came before it—not to mention it feels like a shoehorned-in prequel—it’s actually a solid game when you get down to it.
Set in a tense and snow-dusted Gotham, you play as a younger, rougher Batman facing off against early villains, including the memorable Deathstroke battle (you may never forget those countless blocks Batman does against his strikes).
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The real problem with the title wasn’t its somewhat strange storyline; it was the countless bugs that made you want to throw your controller straight at Bane’s face. Let’s face it: it’s noArkham City, but it’s a valuable entry that shows Batman in his formative, raw years.
5Batman: The Telltale Series(2016)
Telltale’s Batmanis the most unconventional of the bunch that we’re covering, favoring depth of narrative over any proper gameplay design, and if we’re being honest, it more than succeeds at this goal.
In this story-driven game, you’re as much Bruce Wayne as Batman, making tough choices that impact the plot and your relationships with Gotham’s finest (and not-so-finest) characters.
The best bit about the game lies in its ability to let you shape Bruce’s morality, leading to a version of Batman that feels deeply personal and engaging. That said, while the pace may not appeal to action junkies, for fans of gritty storytelling,Telltale’s Batmanoffers a fresh, introspective look at the hero beneath the mask.
4Batman: Arkham Knight(2015)
Look,Arkham Knightis an S-tier game that you just can’t help but not like. Now, don’t get us wrong, it’s an absolute stunner whose graphics hold up even today. The combat was perfectly serviceable, and the storyline packs enough emotional punches to feel like an absolute rollercoaster ride.
The only gripe we got? The goddamn Batmobile—a beast of a vehicle in theory—dominates so much gameplay that it can feel like Batman is sidelined in his own game. We get it, Rocksteady, that you built a nice little addition to the franchise and wish to show it off, but it’s just a bit too much.
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That said, however, between the jaw-dropping open world, the showdown with Scarecrow, anda particularly gut-wrenching Joker arc,Arkham Knightis still a must-play title for all, especially in today’s age when games like Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad are doing the series’ legacy injustice. Just maybe brace yourself for a few tank battles—okay, a lot of tank battles.
3Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes(2012)
If you think a Lego game can’t be one of the best Batman games, think again. While both its predecessor and successor do things well in their own right, the secondgamejust feels amazing to play.
Plus, we’d argue that its open-world Gotham, writing, and overall gameplay structure are superior to the other two. It’s also a lighthearted but well-executed take on DC comics, which we could always do occasionally.
Its charming humor and family-friendly approach make it the perfect introduction to Gotham’s heroes and villains. And let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just fun to smash stuff into pieces as a Lego Batman without worrying about consequences.
2Batman: Arkham Asylum(2009)
We all knew it would get down to this and its sequel, but we’re putting this one in second place mainly because of its scope and the simple fact thatArkham Citybuilt on it in just about every imaginable and with perfect execution.
Talking about the game, however,Arkham Asylumthrew Batman into a claustrophobic, dark world that was both exhilarating and terrifying. The combat, with its free-flow mechanics, set a new standard that games follow to this day, while the story delivered an eerie, twisted look at Batman’s world.
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And who could forget those nightmare-inducing Scarecrow sequences? This game is everything you’d want in a Batman story: brooding, challenging, and downright brilliant.Arkham Asylummay be smaller in scale than the later titles, but it’s a testament to how impactful Batman’s world can be when done right.
1Batman: Arkham City(2011)
IfArkham Asylumwas the blueprint for the perfect superhero game, City was the masterful execution that delivered on just about every front.
Everything aboutArkham Cityfeels refined and perfected, from the well-tuned combat that doesn’t feel as unintuitive as Knight or Origins to the intricately woven story that drags you deeper into Batman’s psyche as he grapples with his and Joker’s possible demise.
Let’s also not forget to mention the City itself, which is still the best rendition of Gotham in gaming to date, with every corner of it worth exploring. Simply put, if there’s one Batman game you need to play, this is it.
That’s about it for our list. From humble beginnings to the masterwork that was theArkham series, Batman has come a long way within gaming. Though some recent titles may have tarnished his legacy a little, we believe that it’s only a matter of time before the Caped Crusader makes a full-fledged return into the limelight and provides us with yet another all-timer even greater thanArkham City.
But with all that said, what are your thoughts on this list? Do you think any other game deserves to be a part of it? Let us know in the comments below!
Akshit Dangi
Writer - Gaming
Articles Published :266
Akshit is a supposed human being and gaming writer who lurks in different corners of the internet in search of fascinating rabbit holes. Outside of that, though, you’ll most likely find him staring at a piece of art for days or completing another playthrough of Silent Hill.
