Every Major Batman Game, Ranked

by

Batman is a natural fit for video games. His skills as a detective, his cool gadgets, and his fighting prowess lend themselves perfectly to many different game types, like adventure, stealth, and first-person shooters. He’s been appearing in games since 1986, and has starred in over thirty major titles. We’ve reviewed all 32 of his biggest games, ranking them based on what critics thought when they were released, how popular they were, and how enjoyable they are to play. When it comes to games based on Batman movies, we only included our favorite version from each film, as different game developers created versions for different consoles. Otherwise, you’ll find every major Batman game ranked below.

32) Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003)

Out of the 32 Batman games released, Batman: Dark Tomorrow is generally considered the worst. Originally intended as an expansive, open-world adventure for the GameCube based on the comics, the game’s development became complicated when it was also released on the Xbox. This led to many features being cut or scrapped. The final product was a critically panned experience, making it one of the most disliked Batman video games ever created. It received extremely low scores on Metacritic – 29/100 on GameCube and 25/100 on Xbox – with reviewers stating it fundamentally failed in its gameplay design.

31) Batman & Robin (1998)

Most games based on movies are notoriously bad, and the Batman & Robin game is unfortunately no different. It follows up on the previous Batman Forever game, letting players explore a sandbox-style city as Batman, Robin, or Batgirl, each with their own unique vehicle. Players tackle missions involving crimes like robberies and heists, needing to find clues and stop the criminals before time runs out. While the graphics are okay, the controls are clunky, and the game barely resembles the movie it’s based on – just like the film itself, it’s pretty disappointing.

30) Batman: Gotham City Racer (2001)

Batman is famous for his incredible gadgets and vehicles, so a racing game based on his world makes a lot of sense. Batman: Gotham City Racer stays true to the look and characters of The New Batman Adventures animated series. However, despite having a good foundation, the game feels surprisingly slow and frustrating to play. The controls are much harder to master than in other racing games, which makes it less fun overall. With updated controls and more features, a remake could really capture the excitement of a Batman racing experience.

29) Batman Forever: The Arcade Game (1996)

The arcade game Batman Forever, based on the movie, was later released on home consoles and computers. It’s a classic beat-’em-up for one or two players, letting you choose to play as Batman or Robin and battle villains like the Riddler and Two-Face, along with their henchmen. You can even play as the same character with a friend if you want! While it’s a beat-’em-up, it has surprisingly complex fighting moves. Overall, it’s a decent arcade game—fun for a few plays, but not particularly memorable.

28) Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu (2003)

Despite being made by a talented team, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu is unfortunately the weakest game based on the DC Animated Universe. This beat-’em-up lets you play as Batman, Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl as they battle a new Gotham villain, Sin Tzu. It offers both a single-player story and cooperative multiplayer, with new moves and characters to unlock as you play. While not terrible, it’s a fairly forgettable experience – something you might play a couple of times and then move on from.

27) Batman (2013)

The 2013 Batman arcade game focuses on fast-paced vehicle combat with the Batmobile. Players drive around Gotham City, trying to recapture all the criminals who have escaped from Arkham Asylum. The game features many familiar characters from the Batman universe. A unique feature for arcade games at the time was the ability to save your progress with a personal profile. The game cabinet itself is very immersive, boasting lots of LED lights and a specially designed Batmobile seat. While it’s an enjoyable arcade experience, it was never released for home consoles, so you’ll need to find an arcade that still has it to play.

26) Batman Begins (2005)

I remember when Batman Begins came out – it totally saved the Batman movies after Batman & Robin! The movie itself was awesome, but honestly, the game was just… okay. It’s a stealth-action game that came out on a bunch of systems. The Xbox version was the best, I guess, but the graphics and lighting weren’t that much better. A cool thing was that almost all the actors from the movie did the voices for their characters in the game. It wasn’t a bad game, just not a great one. It followed the movie’s story pretty closely, and they even used clips from the film as cutscenes, which was a nice touch for a tie-in game.

25) Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (2013)

So, I checked out Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate – it’s a spin-off game that came out alongside Arkham Origins. It takes place a few months after the main story, and I was basically playing as Batman trying to shut down a full-on riot at Blackgate prison. It’s pretty different from the other Arkham games in how it plays, and it was released on a bunch of consoles. The story and cutscenes were actually pretty cool, but honestly, the controls felt a little clunky, and the fixed camera angles were super annoying at times. Still, it was a big deal because it brought the Arkham world to handhelds like the 3DS and PS Vita, which was awesome.

24) Batman: Arkham VR (2016)

The core Arkham games are played from a third-person perspective, but Batman: Arkham VR uniquely puts you inside the world as Batman, experiencing it through his eyes. This game isn’t a remake of any of the other Arkham titles and takes place between the events of Arkham City and Arkham Knight. You’ll play as Batman searching for Robin and Nightwing, using his detective skills and gadgets to investigate locations and solve mysteries. While it was the first Batman game in virtual reality, Batman: Arkham VR isn’t universally considered the best. Despite selling well and winning awards, some players found it to be a bit short and straightforward.

23) Batman: The Telltale Series (2016)

Telltale Games’ first Batman game uses the familiar point-and-click style the studio is known for. It tells a brand new story, separate from existing Batman comics or movies. Batman: The Telltale Series, released in five parts between August and December 2016, didn’t receive as much critical acclaim as other Telltale games, partly due to some technical issues at launch. However, it still offers a strong atmosphere, quality voice acting, and exciting action. The game’s success led to a sequel in 2019.

22) Batman: Chaos in Gotham (2001)

Okay, so I’ve played a lot of superhero games on older handhelds, and honestly, the Batman ones were usually pretty good. But even then, Batman: Chaos in Gotham is definitely the weakest link. It came out for Game Boy Color back in 2001 and it’s based on The New Batman Adventures cartoon. Basically, all the villains escape from Arkham Asylum and chaos breaks out in Gotham. You run around as either Batman or Batgirl trying to round up the usual suspects – Joker, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Bane, the whole crew. It’s got 18 levels and a bunch of cool gadgets and vehicles you can use, but it’s still the least impressive of the Batman handheld games I’ve tried.

21) Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is a video game based on the popular animated movie. It’s a classic side-scrolling beat-’em-up that was released on several consoles, but the PlayStation version wasn’t very good. The Game Boy Color version actually provided a superior 2D gaming experience, even though it had less powerful graphics than consoles like the Nintendo 64. It also had better controls. While the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation versions were criticized, the Game Boy Color version was much more well-received.

20) Batman Forever (1995)

Released alongside the Batman Forever: The Arcade Game, the console game Batman Forever is a completely separate experience. It’s a side-scrolling beat-’em-up where you can play as either Batman or Robin to fight Two-Face and the Riddler. The game was released on several platforms, and while many versions received negative reviews, the Sega Genesis version is generally considered the best. It’s not a terrible tie-in game, but it’s also not a standout title; it’s one you’ll likely play once and then forget, unless you’re feeling nostalgic.

19) Batman (1990) 

This list focuses on games made to coincide with movies, but two games based on the 1989 film Batman are special enough to be mentioned separately. The version for the TurboGrafx-16 (known as the PC Engine outside of North America) follows the movie’s story but plays like a top-down Bomberman game, and it was admired for its visuals. While it’s a unique and enjoyable game on the TG16, it wasn’t widely played due to the console’s limited popularity.

18) Batman: The Caped Crusader (1988)

Released on various home computers in the late 80s, Batman: The Caped Crusader is a classic arcade-style adventure game. Many fans consider the Commodore 64 version to be the best. The game uniquely presents its levels like comic book panels, complete with captions, and was truly innovative for its time. It’s divided into two sections, offering a mix of puzzles and battles against Batman’s foes. Considering it was made in 1988 for early PCs, it remains a surprisingly enjoyable game, though you’ll probably need an emulator to play it since it hasn’t been re-released.

17) Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame (2010)

Based on the popular cartoon series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame was released for both Nintendo DS and Wii. While the versions differ slightly due to the DS’s hardware, both games offer a fun way to experience the show’s characters and settings. The game is a classic 2D beat-’em-up where Batman teams up with various heroes in levels based on different episodes. The Nintendo DS version generally received higher praise and was considered a well-made and enjoyable adaptation for players of all skill levels.

16) Batman (1986)

Though simple by today’s standards, the original Batman game from 1986 is still surprisingly enjoyable. Released on several different systems, this isometric action-adventure tasks players with rescuing Robin by locating seven parts of the Batcraft hidden within the Batcave. It was innovative for its time, being one of the first games to allow players to save their progress. While it definitely shows its age now, the game was a critical and commercial success upon its release, earning widespread praise that few games since have matched.

15) LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (2014)

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham continues the adventures from the previous LEGO Batman games with similar gameplay. The story revolves around Brainiac, a villain who plans to shrink the Earth and add it to his collection. This unlikely threat forces both the Justice League and the Legion of Doom to work together to stop him. Like other LEGO titles, this game is packed with humor, features over 150 playable characters, and offers a fun, semi-open world to explore. While not as popular as the first two games, LEGO Batman 3 remains enjoyable and lighthearted.

14) Batman: Vengeance (2001)

Inspired by The New Batman Adventures, Batman: Vengeance is an action-packed game released on all major platforms, including the Game Boy Advance. The game features the original voice actors from the show, creating an immersive experience for fans. The story centers around Batman investigating The Joker’s supposed death, while other villains create chaos along the way. However, The Joker’s death isn’t what it seems. While all versions of the game received similar reviews, the Xbox and GameCube versions were generally considered the strongest.

13) LEGO Batman: The Videogame (2008)

The original LEGO Batman game was a popular release on all major gaming consoles. While it used the same gameplay style as other LEGO games, it was the first to tell a completely new story. This proved successful, leading to three sequels. The plot revolves around a breakout at Arkham Asylum, where Batman, Robin, and other heroes must stop three gangs of escaped villains, each led by one of Batman’s classic enemies. LEGO Batman: The Videogame was highly praised by critics and won many awards, largely due to its engaging story and how much players enjoyed returning to it again and again.

12) Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)

In Batman: Arkham Origins, the third game in the Arkham series, players experience Batman’s early days, eight years before the events of Arkham Asylum. Still developing as a crime fighter, Batman finds himself targeted by Black Mask, who puts a bounty on his head. He must track down Black Mask and bring him to justice while evading the police, all complicated by the interference of other villains. This installment introduced a multiplayer mode to the series, but is generally considered weaker than previous Arkham games by critics. Despite this, Arkham Origins boasts a strong story, captivating music, and impressive voice acting. The main criticisms focused on a lack of new ideas and the perceived unnecessary addition of multiplayer.

11) Batman: The Enemy Within (2017)

I was so hyped after playing Batman: The Telltale Series, and Batman: The Enemy Within didn’t disappoint! It really built on everything that made the first game great and just improved it across the board – the story was even more engaging, the interface was slicker, and they did something truly special with The Joker. Honestly, they managed to reinvent him, and that’s saying something after all these years! A lot of us fans think it’s one of Telltale’s best, and it’s definitely a top-tier Batman experience. The story continued right from where the first game left off, and it came out in five parts between August 2017 and March 2018.

10) Batman: Return of the Joker (1991)

Following the popular Nintendo Entertainment System game Batman, Sunsoft created Batman: Return of the Joker. While the first game was based on the 1989 Tim Burton movie, Return of the Joker tells a brand new story, drawing heavily from recent Batman comic books. It still includes some elements from the film, like the Batwing and Batmobile. A different version was also released for the Game Boy, playing more like a traditional platformer, while the NES game is a fast-paced, action-filled shooter. It’s an enjoyable game and worth playing, even if it doesn’t quite reach the same level of originality as the first Batman title.

9) LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (2012)

LEGO games and Batman are a great combination, and LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is the highlight of the series. The story brings Batman, Robin, and Superman together to thwart Lex Luthor and The Joker’s scheme to have Luthor become President. The Justice League lends a hand, and the game boasts 50 playable characters – even more with the 10 available through downloadable content. With its high replay value and overall quality, LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is a really enjoyable game.

8) The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1994)

Several versions of The Adventures of Batman & Robin were released for different gaming systems. The game is based on the animated series, and most fans agree that the Sega Genesis version is the strongest. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed game – similar to Revenge of the Joker – and uniquely features a two-player mode where one person can play as Batman and the other as Robin. While the Genesis version is considered the best, the other versions for home consoles and handheld devices are also well-made adaptations.

7) Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)

Following Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Knight is the fourth game in the series. Set nine months after the previous installment, the story centers on Batman confronting Scarecrow after he launches an attack that forces Gotham City to be evacuated. As Batman investigates, Scarecrow joins forces with a new villain, the Arkham Knight, uniting Gotham’s criminals in a massive attempt to defeat the Dark Knight. Arkham Knight is a critically acclaimed and award-winning game, notable for the inclusion of the Batmobile, which significantly changed how the game was played, making it well worth playing again and again.

6) Batman Returns (1992) 

Early Batman video games based on the movies were surprisingly well-made and enjoyable. The game adapting Batman Returns came out on many different consoles, but the Super Nintendo version is often considered the best. It’s a classic beat-’em-up that lets you fight through seven scenes from the film, each ending with a boss battle. The Super Nintendo version looked fantastic and was one of the system’s best side-scrolling action games. While not overly difficult, it closely followed the movie’s story and included several iconic Batman villains to expand the gameplay.

5) Batman: Arkham Shadow (2014)

Batman: Arkham Shadow is the second virtual reality game in the Batman: Arkham series, continuing the story after the events of both Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Blackgate. The game takes place six months after Arkham Origins, showing a less experienced Batman. He has to stop a new villain, the Rat King, from destroying Gotham City on the Fourth of July. The game also explores other storylines, such as Bruce Wayne’s friendship with Harvey Dent before he became Two-Face. Critics generally loved Batman: Arkham Shadow, praising it much more than the first VR game.

4) Batman: The Animated Series (1993)

As you might expect, Batman: The Animated Series is a game based on the popular cartoon of the same name. The show was actually called The Adventures of Batman & Robin for part of its run, and several games have been made from it. This Game Boy version was the first, created by Konami, with other developers making games later on. It’s a side-scrolling action game where you can play as either Batman or Robin, each with unique skills to help you get past challenges. While the Batman game based on the 1989 movie was very good, this Batman: The Animated Series game is considered the best Game Boy adaptation.

3) Batman: The Video Game (1989)

Many fans consider the 1989 NES game Batman: The Video Game to be one of the best Batman games ever made. Released alongside the popular movie, this 2D platformer was praised for its impressive graphics, smooth controls, and gameplay that felt similar to Ninja Gaiden. Players could equip Batman with three different gadgets: the Batpoon, Batarang, and Batdisk. Despite being based on the movie, the game doesn’t follow the film’s story closely. It features unique characters and environments not found in the movie, making it feel more like an original adventure than a simple tie-in.

2) Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)

As a huge Batman fan, I have to say that Batman: Arkham Asylum was a total game-changer when it came out in 2009. Before that, Batman games just weren’t as deep – the graphics were simpler, the stories weren’t as engaging, and everything felt a bit less polished. Arkham Asylum had a really compelling original story, and the way they let you be Batman – using stealth and fighting – was amazing. It quickly became one of the best Batman games ever made, and people loved it – it sold incredibly well and critics raved about it. It even kicked off a whole franchise! While one of the sequels eventually edged it out as my personal favorite, Arkham Asylum still holds up incredibly well and is easily one of the best games I’ve ever played. I still replay it regularly!

1) Batman: Arkham City (2011)

Following the success of Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City is often hailed as the greatest Batman game of all time. It builds on the original’s strengths, emphasizing Batman’s skills in investigation, stealth, and fighting. The game features a much larger open world and improves upon every aspect of the first game. Arkham City was a huge commercial success, selling over 12.5 million copies – only surpassed by LEGO Batman: The Videogame, although Arkham City offers a more mature experience and a faithful interpretation of Batman’s world.

What’s your favorite Batman video game of all time? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/10-best-dc-games-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2026-02-17 19:20