The iconic caped crusader began its life in the pages of comic books in 1939 and later jumped into the television as Adam West interpretation and the dark. In the 90’s we saw batman in brooding animated series, and later he appeared in a number of movies, some great like Christopher Nolan trilogy and Tim Burton’s original.
Besides films and comic books, Dark Knight has also appeared in an exhausting amount of video games over the years. Unfortunately, most of the Batman games are not as good as movies and comics. Majority of them are rushed efforts that are simple cash grabs. However, this didn’t impact the craziness for Batman among fans.
There have been at least a handful of intense Batman games, even a few of them could be considered as the best video games of all time. We are listing some of the best Batman games of all times, and we are sure all fans will enjoy it.
Table of Contents
18. Batman Returns
Released In: 1992
Available For: Sega Genesis/Mega-CD, Lynx, Amiga, MS-DOS, Game Gear, NES and SNES
If you are into older games and have a Super NES, and want a good Batman game, this is the one to go with. It’s a “side-scrolling beat ’em” up game that features more traditional platforming segements and a harrowing Batmobile chase. Although it’s an old game, the gameplay didn’t remain repetitive and gets somewhat difficult as you progress.
Batman Returns was praised for its graphics quality, sound, balanced difficulty level and fluid control. It was awarded best licensed game by Electronic Gaming Monthly in 1992. Moreover, the Mega-CD version was a bestseller in the United Kingdom.
17. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
Released In: 2011
Available For: Android and iOS
Arkham City Lockdown provides touchscreen controls to fight enemies one-on-one. Defeating popular opponents like Solomon Grundy, Deathstroke, Joker and Two-Face would give you more points, which can be used to upgrade Batman’s stats, costumes and gadgets.
There are total 4 enemies to fight in 2 stages before fighting the mastermind behind the crime. Also, there are 4 bonus stages that give you a chance to upgrade Batman’s physique.
16. Batman: The Brave and The Bold
Released In: 2010
Available For: Wii and Nintendo DS
It’s a side-scroller beat ’em up, 2D game based on a cartoon series. Each level is presented as an episode where Batman teams up with other superheroes (like Robin, Green Arrow, Plastic Man and Aquaman) to stop foes. Players get access to many different gadgets and can summon another Jump-In Hero to execute a strong attack.
To make the levels seem more like actual episodes of the TV show, they have included several animated cutscenes. The characters are voiced by the same people who voice them in the cartoon series. Also, they have added a great sense of humor.
15. Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
Released In: 2003
Available For: Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
The game is played under a time limit in which the player has to fight a bunch of enemies. Each level continues the story and allows players to purchase new moves for their character. It also features a quick challenge mode in which players take on groups of foes without a storyline. You can play it alone or co-operatively. There are 4 difficulty levels – Easy, Medium, Hard and Dark Knight.
The game starts with the night of the anniversary of Bruce Wayne’s parents’ murder. The mysterious foe (Sin Tzu) plunges Gotham City into chaos and Batman is aided in his quest to save the City by Batgirl, Nightwing and Robin.
14. The Adventures Of Batman And Robin
Released In: 1994
Available For: Super NES, Sega CD, Game Gear and Genesis
The Adventures of Batman and Robin is a classic 2d action and puzzle game based on the animated series. Each level starts with a conversation (which is taken straight from the shows) between Batman and his allies.
In this game, you are equipped with many different gadgets, like x-ray lenses and bombs, that are necessary to complete levels. To re-equip the gadgets, player needs to return to the Batcave and restart a stage with all the lives accumulated up to that point.
13. Batman Begins
Released In: 2005
Available For: Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
Batman Begins has a unique system involving intimidation. Instead of just using straightforward fighting, it features the utilization of the environment to frighten enemies. You will be equipped with modern gadgets like smoke grenades, HF transponder and flash bang grenades to incapacitate opponents with fear.
The intense game has voice overs from the actors who played their roles in the movie, including Christian Bale as Batman. There are total 20 clips from the film that give context to the story, and the game goes deeper into each scene.
12. Batman: Arkham VR
Released In: 2016
Available For: PlayStation 4 and Windows
This is the first Batman game to use Virtual Reality headsets, allowing you to experience the game world from Batman’s perspective. A lot of focus is given to Batman’s skills and modern gadgets to explore the immediate environment and solve puzzles. It features a lot of optional tasks, target practice with batarang, and viewing profile of various characters on the Batcomputer.
You can look around the environment freely, interact with reachable items and access gadgets like a forensic scanner and a grappling book, which can be used to examine a crime scene.
11. Batman: Gotham City Racer
Released In: 2001
Available For: PlayStation
Gotham City Racer came out in the days of the PlayStation One when comic fans were trying to put a new spin on Batman. Here you do not actually race opponents, rather the clock. All villains have escaped and it’s now your (Batman’s) job to round them up.
The game has 51 missions and in each mission you will be assigned with an objective. You get to choose from 6 music tracks that will be played while riding a Batmobile. And yes, it does support multiplayer mode.
10. DC Universe Online
Released In: 2011
Available For: Windows, PlayStation 3/4 and Xbox One
DC Universe Online is a massive multiplayer online action game that assigns you a role of not only batman, but all famous DC characters. You can select any breed of heroes or villains and wield incredible powers as you go to the war.
You can explore the darkened streets of Gotham City, investigate the mysteries of the futuristic cityscape of Metropolis, and travel to popular location like Watchtower and Arkham Asylum.
9. Gotham City Imposter
Released In: 2012
Available For: Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Gotham City Imposter is a multiplayer FPS game where violent vigilantes dressed up like Batman fight against craven criminals dressed up like The Joker in open warfare on the streets of Gotham City. A robust level up unlocks the items required to create your imposter as crazy you want.
Maximum 12 players can play at a time. Each player can customize their costume and gadgets like grappling hooks, roller skates, glider wings and explosive. The game comes with conventional guns as well as outlandish weapons, including a rocket launcher and a grenade like a jack-in-the-box.
8. Batman Vengeance
Released In: 2001
Available For: PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance
Batman Vengeance follows an interesting story based on the television series The New Batman Adventures. It starts with a woman in trouble in her apartment. Batman saves her, and this starts a chain of events.
In this game, you can jump, glide through a 3d polygonal environment, drive the Batmobile, fly the Batplane and drive down from tall buildings to catch falling civilians before rappelling to safety. Throughout the game, Batman is monitored and assisted by Batgirl in the Batcave.
7. Injustice: Gods Among Us
Released In: 2013
Available For: Android, iOS, Windows, Wii U, PlayStation 3/4 and Xbox 360
Injustice is a 2d fighter game featuring a wide range of special moves and numerous DC characters, including Joker, Wonder Woman, Superman, Flash and more. All characters have different special abilities, and every special move could be more or less powerful depending on the power bar. The fluid combat mechanism makes jumping and landing punches smoother.
The game comes with Versus mode, Battle mode, Training mode and S.T.A.R Labs that includes 240 characters. There is also a competitive online mode where you can battle with other player in a 1v1 or 3v3 match.
6. Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
Released In: 2014
Available For: iOS, Android, Windows, OS X, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, PlayStation Vita 3/4 and Xbox 360/One
With Batman in the lead, the game narrates a fun story and is filled with a deep love for comics. It covers almost every angle of the DC Universe. There are over 100 characters to unlock with their own unique abilities, numerous missions, hidden bonuses and tons of replay value.
The game includes exciting space combat, and the various Lantern worlds, including Odym and Zamaron. Brainiac’s mind control ability, power of the Lantern rings and other surprising disguises bring a whole new twist to the characters you thought you knew.
5. Batman: The Telltale Series
Released In: 2016
Available For: iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation Vita 3/4 and Xbox 360/One
The Telltale Series is completely different from the Arkham series. It has 5 episodes, all include action and investigation sequences. The series introduces a new feature named “crowd play” that allows the game to be watched by an audience who can participate in the decision-making process.
In this violent and gritty story, you will make discoveries that will shatter Bruce Wayne’s life, as well as fragile stability of Gotham City. Most of the storyline revolves around Bruce Wayne and mayor of Gotham City, Harvey Dent. Throughout the course of the game, your choice and actions will determine the fate of the Batman.
4. Batman: Arkham Knight
Released In: 2015
Available For: Windows PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Arkham Knight finishes what Arkham Asylum started. It introduces Rocksteady unique version of the Batmobile and enhancements to signature features like FreeFlow combat, forensics and navigation. Also, player gets the opportunity to explore all of Gotham City in a completely open and free-roaming world.
In this explosive finale, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the Gotham City, as Scarecrow unites with notorious criminals. The story revolves around Batman’s psyche and the anti-Batman created to kill the real Arkham Knight.
3. Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
Released In: 2012
Available For: iOS, Android, Windows, OS X, Wii U, Nintendo DS/3DS, PlayStation Vita/3 and Xbox 360
Lego Batman 2 is a different kind of game. Since it is based on Lego blocks everything can be broken or made into something. The game features 75 playable characters from only the Batman series, but also DC Universe, including Wonder Woman, Superman and Green Lantern to save the Gotham City from notorious villains like The Joker and Lex Luthor.
The game introduced new gadgets like Superman’s heat vision, Robin’s hazard cannon, and a power suit for Batman. Also, characters have new abilities – Wonder Woman can lasso, Cyborg is magnetized and you will find more as your progress.
Read: 35 Best GBA Games OF All Time | Bring Your Childhood Back
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum
Released In: 2009
Available For: Windows, OS X, PlayStation 3/4 and Xbox 360/One
Batman: Arkham Asylum blew away all expectations, delivering the most exciting and authentic Batman experience at the time. It features unique Freeflow combat system to chain together unlimited combos seamlessly and battle with large groups of The Joker’s henchmen.
The ambiance is dark, intense and gritty. The physics in the game are spot on, especially noticeable when your cape moves with your punches. You get to unlock secrets by completing hidden challenges, and while doing so you will have access to Batarangs, Batclaw, explosive gel aerosol, sonar resonator and the line launcher.
1. Batman: Arkham City
Released In: 2011
Available For: Windows, OS X, Wii U, PlayStation 3/4 and Xbox 360/One
Batman: Arkham City took everything that was great from Arkham Asylum. Walled-off city meant for villains to run amok, Arkham City is the open world Batman game fans have been looking for years. It packages new gameplay content, 3 playable characters, 7 maps and 12 skins.
Read: 16 Best Puzzle Games You Of This Year
Featuring an incredible Rouges Gallery of Gotham City’s minacious criminals like Joker, Riddler, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze, Two Face and Penguin, the game lets you genuinely experience what it feels like to be the Dark Knight fighting for justice on the streets of Gotham City.
