For Batman’s fictional story chronology, play Batman: Arkham Origins, Batman: Arkham Shadow, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Knight, then Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The first two entries lead into the Rocksteady trilogy, and Suicide Squad continues the same universe after Knight. This is the supported order for the principal story games—not a definitive placement for every spin-off or tie-in.
Batman: Arkham games in chronological order
- Batman: Arkham Origins — The earliest principal story game. DC describes it as a prequel set several years before Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, following a younger Batman early in his career. DC’s Arkham Origins page.
- Batman: Arkham Shadow — Set in the substantial interval between Origins and Asylum. DC describes its Batman as transitional between his Origins outfit and his Asylum debut. DC’s June 11, 2024 story article.
- Batman: Arkham Asylum — The beginning of the core Rocksteady trilogy.
- Batman: Arkham City — Follows Asylum in the trilogy.
- Batman: Arkham Knight — The trilogy’s conclusion, following City. DC groups Asylum, City and Knight as the trilogy.
- Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League — A same-universe continuation. In a March 11, 2024 account, DC says more than five years have passed since Harley was apprehended by Batman in Arkham Knight. DC’s Arkhamverse article.
What order should you play the Batman: Arkham games in?
Choose based on what you want from a first playthrough. Story order follows Batman’s fictional career: Origins and Shadow come before the trilogy. Original release order preserves the sequence in which players encountered the games and their design progression. The official sources cited here establish the story placements, but do not declare either approach universally preferable.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Batman: Arkham Trilogy | $26.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER TACTICAL ED – PS5 | $37.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Batman: Arkham Knight | $59.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Gotham Knights (PS5) | $26.38 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Deluxe Edition - PlayStation 5 | Buy on Amazon |
Which games are in the core Arkham trilogy?
The core Rocksteady sequence is Batman: Arkham Asylum → Batman: Arkham City → Batman: Arkham Knight. Origins is a prequel, Shadow fills an earlier story gap, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League continues the universe after Knight; those games are not part of the three-game trilogy.
Does the Batman: Arkham Trilogy compilation include every game?
No. Nintendo Switch’s Batman: Arkham Trilogy contains Asylum, City and Knight, along with previously released DLC. It does not include Origins, Shadow or Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Check platform and regional availability before purchasing. Nintendo’s June 21, 2023 announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- Become Gotham City’s ultimate protector across the iconic Batman: Arkham Trilogy.
- Experience Rocksteady Studios’ critically acclaimed gameplay and AAA original storytelling across all 3 games, PLUS all DLC, in one complete package.
- Some features may require an internet connection and an online subscription.
Where do Arkham Origins Blackgate and Arkham VR fit?
A complete chronology for every peripheral game is not established by the official sources cited here. In particular, they do not resolve placements for Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate or Batman: Arkham VR, so this list leaves both out rather than guessing. The Batman: Arkham Knight comic is also outside the game list: DC describes it as an in-continuity prequel to the game, not a game entry. DC’s Batman: Arkham Knight #1 page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Suit up with new gear, vehicles, and more, to expand your experience with the LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Deluxe Edition
- Includes: Full Base Game, Legacy Collection, Mayhem Collection*
- Legacy Collection - Over 30 launch-day items included across 3 Themed Packs: Arkham Trilogy Pack, Batman Beyond Pack, Party Music Pack. Each Themed Pack includes 7 suits (1 for each playable character), 1 Batmobile, and a set of 5 Batcave customization props
- Mayhem Collection* - Includes new Story Mission and Mayhem Mode featuring The Joker and Harley Quinn, along with a villain-themed Sinister Pack. Break out of Arkham Asylum as playable characters The Joker and Harley Quinn in an all-new Story Mission. Cause chaos on the streets of Gotham City in the all-new Mayhem Mode. Sinister Pack includes 7 suits (1 for each of the original playable characters), 1 Batmobile, and 1 Batcave prop set
- Mayhem Collection is a separate post-launch DLC releasing September 2026 and will be included in the LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Deluxe Edition (full base game required)
Rank #4
- Play as a New Guard of DC Super Heroes – Step into the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin and shape Gotham’s newest protector to create your own version of the Dark Knight.
- Action-Packed, Original Story Set in DC’s Batman Universe – With the Belfry as their base of operations, this new era of heroes will solve mysteries that connect the darkest chapters in Gotham’s history – from its soaring towers to its underground criminal network. Embark on rich storylines,
- Explore and Fight Crime in an Open-World Gotham City – Patrol the dark streets of five distinct boroughs in a dynamic, interactive Gotham using a variety of traversal abilities and heroic combat moves, as well as the iconic Batcycle. From street-level crimefighting to face-offs with iconic DC Super-Villains, save the city from descent into chaos.
- Unique Character Abilities and Customization – Each hero has unique abilities, gear, weapons and a customizable suit. Batgirl wields her melee tonfa Nightwing uses his signature dual escrima sticks; Red Hood has trained to reach peak human strength; and Robin is expertly skilled with his collapsible quarter staff.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
Rank #3
- Batman Arkham Knight [PlayStation 4]"
Rank #2
- The story, characters, voice acting, gameplay, and music that made the original a sensation return, remade for modern consoles
- This evolutionary leap breathes new life into every cutscene, and rebuilds every corner of the world
- Incredible new graphics bring the wild growth of the jungles, forests, and swamps to life in exquisite detail
- Characters are rendered in fine detail so that facial wrinkles, pores, & separate eye & iris movements are visible, allowing for rich animations
- Any injuries to his actual body will leave their mark permanently, telling a story of each player's unique journey
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
