We have received roughly a billion Batman games over the last three decades, and very few of them tell stories that are worth praising, discussing, or even remembering. Now, to be fair, a DC game doesn't need a great story to be great, and the main appeal is that fans get to step behind the cowl and become Batman for a time. Players want to move and fight like Batman, and a complex story with mystery, moral conflict, and character development is just a bonus.
8 Smartest Versions Of Batman, Ranked
Batman is a genius in nearly every incarnation, from the Arkhamverse to The Batman Who Laughs, whether he is a hero or a villain.
That said, over the years, numerous video games have tried harder to capture the narrative magic of the World’s Greatest Detective. While some adaptations missed the mark, others delivered engaging narratives that stand among the best superhero stories in gaming. From psychological thrillers to character-driven dramas, these games prove that Batman’s world thrives when storytelling takes center stage.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
8 Batman Begins
Put on Christian Bale's cowl
Batman Begins
- Released
- June 14, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Eurocom
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, PS2, Xbox (Original)
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Stealth
Christopher Nolan launched his iconic Dark Knight trilogy with Batman Begins, which instantly cemented Christian Bale as a stand-out live-action Bruce Wayne. Although his origin story was fairly well-known at the time, the movie expanded beyond just that faithful night when Bruce lost his parents, and it made for a great tale that was arguably the strongest in the trilogy. Thus, EA and WB decided to craft a video game based on this story, with some minor tweaks.
Batman Begins follows the same plot and also features clips from the original movie as cutscenes, making for a respectable alternative. Admittedly, there is only so much credit that can be given to the developers since they borrowed the story, but plenty of adaptations butchered the source material as they tried to be faithful. A few actors and actresses also gave their voices to their respective characters, which made the gaming experience more realistic.
If you have never played Batman Begins, I recommend trying to track a copy down. It isn't anywhere near as great as the Arkham games, but it is still underrated and underappreciated.
7 LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
Hey, Nobody Said A Batman Story Needs To Be Dark
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
- Released
- June 19, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Traveller's Tales, TT Fusion
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS3, PS Vita, Nintendo DS, 3DS, Wii, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox 360, Android, iOS
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Lego Batman is not going to win any awards for its storytelling, but all three main entries have respectable narratives running through their campaigns. While Bruce is at his over-the-top brooding best, the series juxtaposes his seriousness with a lighthearted tone, and it is a match made in heaven. Out of the three entries, Lego Batman 2 tells the most memorable story in the trilogy, and it greatly benefited from being the first Lego game to incorporate voice acting. It also came out when TT Games was more willing to create original stories, rather than just using the source material.
Telling a relatively traditional crossover story, Lego Batman 2 juggles a fairly big cast due to the introduction of the Justice League and villains outside of Gotham's orbit, a shift that could have totally buried Batman as the protagonist. However, the game manages to strike a balance that allows the Caped Crusader to anchor the rest of the characters, so it still feels like a Batman story rather than a JL one. Lego Batman 3 took things a bit too far and doesn't really feel like a Batman game, but its predecessor got the balance just right.
6 Batman: Arkham Origins
A Decent Origin Story That Is Elevated By A Snowy Gotham
Batman: Arkham Origins
- Released
- October 25, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- WB Games Montreal
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Although not garnering anywhere near as much attention as Rocksteady's main trilogy, Batman: Arkham Origins is nevertheless a rock-solid prequel. The game takes players back in time when Bruce was still learning to be Batman, although it still features quite a few of the hero's traditional villains. The events of the game take place on Christmas, leading to a snow-covered Gotham that is aesthetically pleasing and, arguably, more atmospheric than Arkham City's version.
From Arkham to Dispatch: The Ultimate Superhero Game List
Looking for the top superhero games? Check out our ranked list featuring DC and Marvel favorites, from epic adventures to thrilling gameplay.
Batman: Arkham Origins touches upon the beginnings of Batman's infamous relationship with the Joker (in this universe), along with exploring his early dynamic with Gordon, showing how the latter became one of the hero's most reliable allies. Compared to the core trilogy, this entry tries harder to humanize Bruce Wayne, even if Batman's inexperience is not really reflected by the gameplay.
5 Batman: Arkham Knight
A Respectable Farewell to Gaming's Best Dark Knight
Batman: Arkham Knight
- Released
- June 23, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rocksteady Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action
While they would return to this universe, Rocksteady initially bid adieu to the Batman Arkham series with Arkham Knight. The game's Batmobile sections overshadowed nearly everything else, which is a shame, as there is a lot to enjoy here. Coming to the story, it takes place after the events of Arkham City and shows how calm and cozy Gotham has become; at least, until Scarecrow, along with the eponymous Arkham Knight, spreads his influence over the city and makes it hell for the innocents.
The core narrative is decent but somewhat let down by a disappointing reveal; however, Arkham Knight shines in its quieter moments, as the Caped Crusader seems fully aware that his time might be up. The game also explores the psychological tussle Batman is going through after everything he has been through, creating a gripping dynamic with a unique version of Joker.
4 Batman: Arkham Shadow
A Close and Personal Journey
Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Released
- October 21, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Mild Blood, Language
- Developer(s)
- Camouflaj
- Platform(s)
- Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S
- Genre(s)
- Action, Virtual Reality
The most recent solo Batman game, Arkham Shadow is a VR exclusive, a decision that limited its reach and understandably infuriated quite a few fans. While I would necessarily suggest picking up a Meta Quest 3S just to play the latest Batman Arkham game, it is a very easy recommendation for anybody who already owns the hardware. Arkham Shadow is comfortably among the greatest virtual reality games of all time, and it has a proper, full-length campaign rather than an "experience" that lasts an hour.
Set after Batman: Arkham Origins, the story finds an inexperienced Bruce Wayne on the hunt for the Rat King, a new threat who promises to destroy Gotham City. Backed by a cult and boosted by a sense of mystery, the villain casts a shadow over Batman's entire journey, which involves a lengthy trip behind bars. Although the story isn't anything original by Batman standards, the first-person perspective adds an element of immersion that enhances the plot; meanwhile, a few of the characters are given some much-needed development in this universe, with Harvey Dent benefiting the most.
3 Batman: Arkham Asylum
Where the Arkham Universe started
Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Released
- August 25, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
WB played a gamble on Rocksteady with Batman: Arkham Asylum, and it is safe to say that it paid off. Not only was this the best superhero game ever at the time of its release, but its combat system proved to be incredibly influential, inspiring many developers to try something similar. Compared to its sequels, Arkham Asylum is way more linear and focused, which arguably works in its favor. The eponymous prison is haunting and packed to the brim with environmental details.
Set almost entirely within the asylum’s walls, the story thrives on creating a claustrophobic environment and tension driven by Joker's manipulation from the shadows. The plot has very little fat or wasted moments, and it is far more willing to explore Batman's horror side than any other video game. Though the finale stumbles slightly, Arkham Asylum tells arguably the definitive video game Batman story.
2 Batman: Arkham City
A Perfect Batman Game
Batman: Arkham City
- Released
- October 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rocksteady Studios
- Platform(s)
- PS3, PC, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch
Batman: Arkham City is a true masterpiece by Rocksteady. This is where the Arkham series peaked and solidified its place in the hearts of all fans. Arkham Asylum's warden, Quincy Sharp, shifts all the inmates from this island and Blackgate prison to the slums of Gotham, turning this area into an immense prison enclosure known as Arkham City.
Batman: Riddler's Best Riddles
Over the years, the Riddler has posed quite a few interesting conundrums for Batman to solve. These are the best of the bunch.
After Bruce Wayne is thrown into Arkham City, he starts his investigation into this area, seeking to learn what Hugo Strange is truly up to. Along the way, the story weaves in a second, deeply personal conflict with the Joker, whose deteriorating condition adds urgency and unpredictability to every encounter. In addition, the narrative is strengthened by its ensemble approach, giving meaningful roles to characters like Catwoman, Two-Face, and Ra’s al Ghul without losing focus.
1 Batman: The Telltale Series & The Enemy Within
A More Grounded Batman That Emphasizes Bruce Wayne
Batman: The Telltale Series
- Released
- August 2, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Telltale Games
- Platform(s)
- Mobile, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Batman: The Telltale Series took a distinctly different approach to the Dark Knight, prioritizing narrative choice and character-driven storytelling over combat. Following Telltale's typical blueprint, the game features very little traditional gameplay; consequently, the story had to lean into Batman’s detective roots in place of action, even though the latter is still present to an extent.
The story is relatively grounded and personal, centering on Gotham’s systemic corruption and the rise of familiar figures like Penguin and Harvey Dent, reimagined with new motivations. The narrative builds momentum through political intrigue, fractured alliances, and the gradual unraveling of Bruce Wayne’s world. Although the first season suffers from pacing issues, Batman: The Enemy Within improves on nearly every element, delivering a far more well-rounded experience with a particularly strong core story. Although the focus is on Bruce Wayne's double life, the sequel's handling of Joker was also fantastic and fresh.
If we are talking solely about the best stories, Telltale's effort is far and away Batman's strongest effort in gaming. The story is the gameplay, and it never takes a backseat. This Bruce Wayne is a fully fleshed-out character with clearly defined flaws and insecurities, and he never feels like a costume for players to control.
The Batman 2: Possible Villains For The Sequel
As fans wait patiently for a sequel to The Batman, the desire to see these famed Batman villains in the live-action series only grows.