Best Batman Games, Ranked

Once upon a time, DC’s Batman seemed to get a new game every other year. The Dark Knight was the talk of the town, and his run under Rocksteady’s banner arguably helped usher in a new era of superhero games that is still going strong today.

However, in recent years, Batman has taken a backseat in the video game department. The Caped Crusader has not received a proper standalone outing since 2017’s The Enemy Within, and no news has come out to suggest that will be changing anytime soon. While comic fans have plenty of upcoming superhero titles to look forward to, if someone wants to wear Bruce Wayne’s cowl, they will need to look to the past to find the best Batman games.

Updated October 25, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Yes, finally, a new solo Batman game is out, something that has become oddly rare in recent years. Furthermore, this release falls under the Arkhamverse banner, an association that brings lofty expectations. Where does Arkham Shadow rank among the greatest Batman games?

Generally, only games starring Batman will be included. Some borderline cases will be included, like the
Injustice
series since The Dark Knight plays a central role in the stories and
Gotham Knights
since the Bat Family is an extension of Batman.

27 Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

Gone & Unfairly Forgotten

Similar to
Arkham Underworld
,
Arkham City Lockdown
is no longer available for purchase on mobile devices. Consequently, the game cannot be ranked highly since it is difficult to check if the gameplay holds up.

During the height of Arkham fever, Warner Bros published a couple of spinoffs that were bit-sized adventures that added color to the universe without really offering much substance. Arkham City Lockdown was one such project that was released solely on Android and iOS, which unfortunately put a timer on its availability. Arguably one of the most obscure Batman games of all time, this title exists as a distant and hazy memory, one primarily consisting of a suit-swapping Batman punching through an array of henchmen en route to familiar bosses.

Arkham City Lockdown largely played like a beat ’em up fighting game, with the combat being slightly similar to the mainline console entries. While featuring no exploration, customization was offered courtesy of tech and batsuits, both of which altered the gameplay quite a bit. Ultimately, this mobile game was nothing special, but it was a decent side project that could keep fans interested while waiting for the proper sequels.

26 Batman: Rise Of Sin Tzu

Fun Beat ‘Em Up Based On The New Batman Adventures

Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu occupies a unique place in Batman gaming history. Although it uses the designs and overall continuity of the New Batman Adventures TV show, it stars an original villain named Sin Tzu who seeks out the toughest opponents to defeat them in combat. Naturally, this draws him into the cross-hairs of Batman.

At its core, this game is a surprisingly difficult beat-em-up where Batman fights through legions of henchmen before ending each stage with a boss who has been broken out by Sin Tzu. You can level up and buy new combos but most importantly, you and up to four friends can play as Batman, Robin (Tim Drake), Nightwing, or Batgirl. Rise of Sin Tzu is at its best with four players, and while it will likely never top a best Batman games list, it is fun enough to play once.

25 Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Spin-off That Is Fine For Portable Devices But Not A Patch On The Main Games

The Batman Arkham brand is synonymous with quality. Even the weakest console release (Origins) is an above-average action-adventure game. Unfortunately, the franchise’s single attempt to transfer over to the handheld market resulted in a significant decline in quality.

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is a side-scrolling Metroidvania set within the titular prison after it has been taken over by a myriad of DC villains. Not the most original of stories, but it gets the job done. The game adjusts Arkham‘s influential combat system to complement the limitations of portable consoles, but the transition could have been a lot smoother. Ultimately, this is a mediocre game in a subseries known for excellence.

24 Batman

The First Adventure

While not one of the easiest titles to revisit in the modern age, the Caped Crusader’s debut game was ambitious for its era. Before closing shop in 1998, Ocean Software was a prolific development team that produced some great titles, including 1987’s Head over Heels and 1992’s The Addams Family, and Batman ranks among the company’s better projects. An isometric platformer, the game guides players from one impressive room to the next, challenging them to find Batman’s equipment, avoid traps and enemies, and make the occasional decision.

Although dated, Batman‘s visuals hold up reasonably well, provided someone goes in expecting 8-bit graphics. The map is essentially a labyrinth that regularly forces players to make choices that could lead to dead ends, which could be literal considering the game’s overall difficulty. To combat the gameplay’s potentially frustrating nature, Ocean incorporated a save system, which was an innovative move in 1986.

Batman
‘s sequel, 1988’s
Batman: The Caped Crusader
, is also pretty good.

23 Batman: Arkham VR

Not Quite The Ultimate Batman Simulator

Rocksteady Studios is synonymous with the Caped Crusader, but this association does not stem from Batman: Arkham VR‘s brilliance. This project is undoubtedly the developer’s least impressive foray into DC’s universe, even if it is still fairly decent. Prior to jumping into this virtual reality package, fans should temper expectations as this is a rather restricted experience.

The thought of viewing the world through Batman’s eyes is enticing, and Arkham VR scratches that itch to a certain extent. As Bruce Wayne, players step into his alter-ego’s shoes as they head out to investigate a murder mystery. Featuring appearances by many figures found in Rocksteady’s mainline Arkham games, this project tells an effective storyline that would not seem out of place on the pages of a comic. Batman’s detective skills are put front and center, and this aspect of the campaign is reasonably immersive.

Otherwise, Batman: Arkham VR lacks content. The game has no combat, which is arguably the most beloved part of Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy, and the controls can be clumsy at times. While die-hard Dark Knight fans will probably get a kick out of this project, Arkham VR is not a must-play release.

Arkham Shadow
has retroactively diminished the value of
Arkham VR
, which barely feels like a game when compared to the 2024 release. Rocksteady’s project is still kind of charming, but it is little more than a tech demo.

22 Batman Begins

Respectable License Game That Was Overshadowed By The Arkham Series

Based on Christopher Nolan’s movie, Batman Begins has slipped through the cracks due to coming out just a few years before Arkham Asylum, a game that is superior in nearly every way. However, Eurocom’s 2005 release was a better-than-average licensed game for its era, and it was impressive in some regards. For one, the visuals were great, and they are still decent today. The voice acting was also top-notch, with many actors from the film reprising their roles.

Batman Begins falters slightly in the gameplay department, albeit not to the point of becoming unplayable. The game is just a bit unfocused in this area, combining a few different ideas to create a serviceable but ultimately shallow whole. Nevertheless, this was a fine late addition to the PS2, Game Cube, and Xbox libraries.

21 Gotham Knights

The Batfamily Gets Its Moment To Shine, And It Is Mostly OK

Technically, Gotham Knights is not a Batman game, at least in terms of playable characters. That said, the Dark Knight’s shadow looms heavily over this version of Gotham. The main storyline centers around the Caped Crusader, while the four playable heroes – Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin, and Red Hood – are all intrinsically linked to Batman. In the last 20 years, DC has emphasized the Bat Family quite a bit in the comics, and this association serves as the beating heart of WB Games Montreal’s action-adventure title. Despite giving off heavy “lone wolf” energy, Bruce Wayne has repeatedly searched for a successor capable of picking up the mantle of protecting Gotham once he is no longer around. Gotham Knights brings that ambition to fruition.

Gotham Knights shines the brightest in its characters and story. All four leads are likable and bounce off each other well, and cutscenes change depending on which character players are using at the time. Each hero essentially serves as a separate class, and they all have unique skill trees and individualized progression systems. The narrative assembles a wide selection of Gotham’s most dangerous villains, ranging from the lesser-known but fascinating Court of Owls to heavyweights like Mr. Freeze and Harley Quinn.

If Gotham Knights consisted of nothing but story missions, it would rank higher on this list. However, the game bogs itself down with open-world busy work that only serves to pad out the campaign’s runtime. Gotham has a few impressive locations, but they are spread thin across a rather empty and often uninspired map. The combat also leaves something to be desired, and it is made worse by the fact that enemies are damage sponges.

20 Batman: Return Of The Joker

Average Is Not Bad

For better or worse, Batman: Return of the Joker is a bog-standard NES action-platformer. It controls well enough to be playable but features plenty of “Nintendo Hard” sections that threaten to be frustrating rather than fun. Unsurprisingly, Batman’s moveset is limited and mostly consists of ranged attacks along with a typical jump.

There is not too much to say about this project due to just how basic it is; however, that does not mean it is bad. Batman: Return of the Joker is a perfectly serviceable representative of this type of project, and it benefits from a stylish presentation that fits the IP and seems to take inspiration from Castlevania, at least in its color palette.

Return of the Joker
also received a Genesis version.

19 Batman: The Brave And The Bold – The Videogame

A Solid Romp For A Solid Show

Released shortly after Arkham‘s rise, Batman: The Brave And The Bold – The Videogame showcases a different side of DC’s legendary hero. Based on the eponymous animated series, The Brave And The Bold offers a comedic take on the Dark Knight’s adventures, one that involves a colorful cast of allies and villains. Split into four episodes, the game features multiple playable characters, with players being allowed to pick their poison or engage in local co-op.

Blending platforming and beat ’em up combat, Batman: The Brave And The Bold – The Videogame is a cute licensed game that does not stand out too much from the crowd. Rather than a recommendation for general DC or Batman fans, this title is primarily for people who love this specific show.

18 Batman Returns (SNES)

A Decent, If Not Great Beat ‘Em Up

Back in the 16-bit console era, it would have been quite impossible for Batman games to have heavily detailed stealth or detective mechanics. Thus, fans received mostly linear side-scrollers, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t fun. Case in point, Konami’s classic Batman Returns on the Super Nintendo.

Aside from a single Batmobile driving level, the game follows the events of the movie as Batman fights Catwoman, The Penguin, and endless legions of thugs from a beat-em-up perspective. While the game is hardly revolutionary, the graphics have aged quite well and the controls are solid, making its combat highly satisfying. Its cheap bosses knock it down a peg compared to other beat-em-ups on the SNES, but it’s still fun to throw criminals into glass windows after stunning them with a Batarang.

17 Batman: The Animated Series

Respectable Representation Of A Beloved Series

A slightly forgotten entry in the Caped Crusader’s gaming career, Konami’s Batman: The Animated Series does an impressive job of paying tribute to its beloved source material while making the most of the Game Boy’s limited hardware. Obviously, realistic expectations are needed when analyzing a licensed game for a handheld system that debuted in 1989, but all things considered, Konami could not have done a better job putting together a project that delivers solid gameplay, great visuals, and even better music.

Controlling either The Dark Knight or Boy Wonder, players work their way through an array of stages centering around different villains from the show. Each segment is somewhat standalone, which makes the campaign feel episodic in nature. While Batman: The Animated Series might not blow most players away, it has more than enough positives to justify a recommendation for people who have a fondness for Game Boy-era releases.

16 Batman: Vengeance

Respectable Attempt To Capture The Source Material

Developed by Ubisoft, of all companies, Batman: Vengeance was one of quite a few early 3D games that were consumed by Arkham‘s shadow. The consensus seems to be that none of the Caped Crusader’s pre-Rocksteady projects are worth seeking out in this day and age, which is slightly unfair. Sure, most of them are way too clunky to hold up to modern scrutiny, but there are a few gems that deserve some recognition. Vengeance is one such title.

Now, to be clear, this 2001 release is not some forgotten masterpiece, nor is it one of the greatest superhero games of all time. However, Vengeance does a good job of capturing the source material’s style and spirit, particularly Batman: TAS. The game tells a pretty good story, and it even features a surprisingly complex combat system for its era.

15 Batman: The Video Game (NES)

Well-Done Action-Adventure Game

Retro gamers still loyal to Nintendo’s breakout console still swear by this Batman title and after playing it, it’s easy to understand why. Batman on the NES is a simple side-scroller where players must reach the end of a stage, beat a boss, and move on to the next one until they reach The Joker.

From its wall-jumping puzzles to its various weapon power-ups, the game plays extremely similar to Ninja Gaiden on the same console, which isn’t a bad template for an 8-bit Batman title. What puts this over the edge of many other Batman movie games, though, is its presentation. The 8-bit cutscenes look amazing for their time and its soundtrack shines on a system known for classic soundtracks. Very much worth the time of any Batman fan.

14 Batman: The Telltale Series

A Bit Disjointed, But Decent Look Into Bruce Wayne’s Psyche

Batman: The Telltale Series garnered a mixed reception during its initial run due to suffering from performance issues, particularly the PC version. Telltale fixed quite a few of these problems once the season was completed, allowing the actual quality of the content to take center stage rather than its technical execution.

For the most part, Batman offers a nuanced look into the hero’s psyche, and it does a great job of distinguishing between the character’s different personas. Most games do not even show Bruce Wayne with the cowl, let alone emphasize his role in the Batman mythos. Telltale goes out of its way to define Wayne as a counterpart to the Caped Crusader, and it is great. The rest of the cast is also very good.

13 The Adventures of Batman & Robin (SNES)

Great Presentation, Mediocre Gameplay

There are a couple of The Adventures of Batman & Robin games available, and they are not ports of each other. The Genesis game is an average beat ’em up that has fast-paced combat that is entertaining but becomes repetitive quickly. The soundtrack is also mind-numbing. The Game Gear version was fine for its era, but it might struggle to hold somebody’s interest all these years later. Finally, Konami’s The Adventures of Batman & Robin graced the SNES, delivering lethargic gameplay along with fantastic visuals and music.

As an action-adventure beat ’em up, the SNES game is rather one-note, mostly consisting of moving along a straight line while plowing through repetitive enemies. However, The Adventures of Batman & Robin faithfully captures Batman: The Animated Series‘ look and sound. The backdrops are jaw-dropping and perfectly replicate the source material; meanwhile, the soundtrack utilizes the show’s classic music, which just never grows old. Even though the action is not great, the game earns points for allowing players to pick a gadget loadout before a stage, which adds some variety and customization.

12 LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham

Open-World Lego Romp That Goes Well Beyond Just Batman

The Dark Knight’s third solo Lego adventure is bigger and, in some ways, better than everything that came before. At the time of its debut, this game had arguably the best roster in any release in the franchise, not just the ones starring Bats. Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham delivers exactly what its title advertises, pushing the Caped Crusader away from his main hunting grounds into the wider DC universe.

Gameplay-wise, this is generally more of the same, offering a mix of puzzles, light combat, and exploration. The story is also quite amusing. Beyond Gotham‘s most divisive element is the inclusion of hub areas that contain most of the game’s content outside the story missions. While visiting iconic locations like the Hall of Justice and Justice League Watchtower is fun, the hubs vary greatly in quality and size, making quite a few of them underwhelming. Beyond Gotham might have been better off creating one big city.

11 Justice League: Cosmic Chaos

DC’s Trinity Gets A Fun Little Adventure

Calling this a Batman game might be a stretch since it is clearly under the Justice League brand, but it warrants a mention since the Caped Crusader is one of Cosmic Chaos‘ three playable characters. While all three heroes (Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman) will need to be used at one point or another, players can switch between them on the fly, allowing them to play most of the campaign as Bats if that’s what they would like to do. More importantly, this 2023 release launched with very little fanfare, so much so that it might have slipped by even die-hard DC fans. And, while not the biggest superhero-themed game released in the last few years, Cosmic Chaos was arguably among the best, as long as someone goes in with realistic expectations. PHL crafted a charming and accessible brawler that oozes personality and humor.

At a glance, Justice League: Cosmic Chaos may seem like an uninspired children’s game, especially since it had such a muted debut for a project featuring DC’s holy trinity. However, there is a lot to appreciate here. The writing is witty and filled with little nods to all three characters’ legacies. The beat ’em up-style combat is flashy and enjoyable, even if it is not particularly deep. All three characters play differently enough to ensure there is enough variety to keep things interesting throughout the campaign. Set in a sandbox, Cosmic Chaos gives players the freedom to explore Happy Harbor, and the open-world has a decent range of optional content to complement the main missions.

Is this a “traditional” Batman game? Obviously, no; however, it shows a different side to the Caped Crusader and two of his closest companions.

10 Injustice: Gods Among Us

Batman Goes Up Against The Ultimate Villain

Overshadowed entirely by its superior successor, Injustice: Gods Among Us is somewhat difficult to recommend in this day and age. While far from terrible, the gameplay is stiff even by NetherRealm’s standards, and a few characters are so overpowered that they throw the roster’s balancing completely off. Still, the Ultimate Edition can be picked up for a steal, and its single-player content should be able to keep a DC fan entertained for a couple of hours.

The combat might leave something to be desired, but the same cannot be said for the story. Injustice‘s tale of Superman-gone-bad can be consumed in a few different forms of media, but the game’s iteration is still the best of the bunch. More importantly, this story is all-around great, arguably ranking among DC’s better narratives of the 2010s. An argument could also be made that Gods Among Us is better than its sequel in this area.

9 Lego Batman: The Videogame

Endlessly Charming Adventure With Co-Op Support

The Lego games have gradually evolved to incorporate large sandboxes and hundreds of characters; Lego Batman: The Videogame is from a different era. Released before these releases started to incorporate open-worlds or voice acting, this Batman is a level-based action-adventure game overflowing with humor and charm.

Despite lacking voices, this title still manages to capture the personalities of the legendary characters that make up Gotham City. This entry also has the best story in the Lego Batman trilogy, perhaps a benefit of the campaign’s streamlined nature. Along with just being really fun to play, this game is an endearing celebration of The Dark Knight’s mythos and legacy.

8 Batman: Arkham Origins

The Christmas Setting Works Wonders, And Still An Arkham Game At Its Core

The black sheep of the Arkham franchise, Origins deserves more love. Yes, the game notoriously launched in an underwhelming state that rightfully garnered criticism. It also recycles Arkham City‘s map and features an uninspired selection of boss battles, at least when compared to its predecessors. WB Games Montreal’s prequel is far from perfect, but it is not a stain on the Arkham name either and would have been a positive addition to the myriad of compilations the series has produced in recent years.

Even though the setting is the same, the snow-covered Gotham looks absolutely gorgeous, and this seemingly small change makes the city feel fresh. The story has its share of great moments, particularly in its first two acts. Finally, the combat system is nearly as good as Arkham City, and arguably even improves on the formula in places.