The best Batman games put you in the shoes of Gotham’s favorite hero, and there’s now quite a bit of variety to sink your teeth into, even after some serious delays on titles like Gotham Knights.
The Dark Knight has a plethora of excellent forays readily available on most major consoles and PC to keep players entertained for the foreseeable future. So put on your suit, prepare the Batmobile and grab the nearest can of shark repellent spray you can find as we dive into the best Batman games to play.
Batman: Return to Arkham
Platforms: PS4 and Xbox One
Since 1986, the Caped Crusader has had all kinds of gaming experiences, but it wasn’t until Arkham Asylum in 2009 that players really felt what it was like to be the Bat. Developers Rocksteady followed this success in the sequel, Arkham City, creating not only the best Batman games on this list, but arguably two of the best video games ever.
The decision to bring back Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as The Joker was an inspired choice, providing fans of the animated series and similar memorable performances that will live on for years to come. This remaster brings together both captivating adventures into one collection, including all previously released downloadable content. Crushing.
Lego DC Super Villains
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC
While not strictly a true Batman title, the character does feature plenty in this “bricktastic” action-adventure. Anyone who has played a Lego game knows full well how much love and charm is poured into Traveller’s Tales. Of which Lego DC Super-Villains meets the studio’s high standards, with an even more impressive roster.
Having the ability to impersonate anyone from The Joker and Lex Luthor to Polka Dot Man and the Condiment King is exactly the kind of insane set-up that makes this franchise as fun as it is. It’s also hard to discount the added two-player co-op, which works brilliantly, allowing both casual and hardcore players to explore together without any irritation from one holding back the other.
Batman: The Telltale Series 1/2
Platforms: PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android and PC
Do you want to weed out all the tireless gameplay and get to the heart of the story? Well, Batman: The Telltale Series might be just what you’re looking for. This five-episode (per season) point-and-click adventure puts you firmly in the shoes of Bruce Wayne, making decisions that affect the overall storyline, for better or for worse.
Going in with an open mind makes this adjustment hugely rewarding; notably due to its dark tone and surprising amount of detective work that forces the “greatest in the world” to prove he is just that. Not to mention, its episodic nature makes for great evening entertainment, breaking each two-hour segment into chunks that you can play through at your own leisure…or just binge-watch (play?) everything like we did with no regrets.
Batman: Arkham Origins
Platforms: PS3, Xbox One (backwards compatible), Wii U and PC
Inspired by Batman: Year One and Legends of the Dark Knight, Arkham Origins WB Games sees Montreal behind the (Bat) wheel. Set on Christmas Eve, a young Batman takes on Black Mask and eight other assassins (enter the villain’s gallery) after the mob boss puts a bounty on his head.
Snow-soaked Gotham is a marvel to explore, while the combat is hugely satisfying without straying too far from the near-perfect system established in Asylum and City. Incredibly, this 2013 prequel was the last game provided by WB Games Montréal until the yet-to-be-released Gotham Knights – nine years between releases. Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself.
Injustice 2
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, iOS, Android and PC
Batman v Superman may not have been the knockout the general public wanted, so NetherRealm Studios took it upon themselves to give fans exactly what they wanted: action, spectacle, and a surprisingly cohesive story. More widely recognized as the creators of Mortal Kombat, the Chicago-based developer went all out for Injustice 2, with its expansive combat system, impressive visuals, and plethora of customization options. Seriously, it’s mighty impressive how much content is here.
As mentioned, the shock factor comes from the story. Not a last-minute cobbled-together story that’s just used to pit our superheroes against each other. It’s basically a deep plot rooted in comics as Batman leads a team of reformed heroes against the Society, a lineup of villains led by Gorilla Grodd. All this as a tyrannical Superman and an invading Brainiac loom, each vying for control of the planet. Chaos. Beautiful chaos.
Batman: Arkham Knight
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One and PC
It’s a testament to Rocksteady’s ingenuity that, almost six years later, Batman: Arkham Knight is still one of the most beautiful games of the last generation. Bruce closes the Arkham trilogy on a sweet note, taking on Scarecrow in an open-world Gotham that drives the billionaire philanthropist to the brink of madness.
Most notoriously, the Batmobile makes its debut; be fully playable to traverse the streets, launch the Dark Knight to the sky and (carefully) give villains a concussion of any wrongdoing. To remind. Batman doesn’t kill (wink, wink). This blockbuster climax to the series is full of memorable moments, gripping suspense, emotional resonance and enough Riddler trophies to drive the Joker crazy. Still, what a reward.
The best xbox series x games and the best ps5 games are also set to take you to titles you haven’t experienced yet, but if you’re looking for another super adventure you might want to check out our full list of best superhero games at.