Batman has been around now for eight decades. He’s been in thousands of comics, dozens of films and television series; and man, so many video games.
But with the character having been around for longer than we have, how do you know which games featuring the Caped Crusader are worth playing?
Here’s our indisputable list of five of the best Batman games ever to help answer that question for you.
5. LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (PS3, PS4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Windows)
The third entry into the LEGO Batman series is definitely the best. Players are not only capable of taking control of Batman and his sidekick, the boy wonder Robin, but a whole host of DC heroes and villains are playable in a story of galactic proportions.
Like all LEGO games, the gameplay is simple and appeals to both children and adults alike. Although it does occasionally feature some rather fiendish puzzles. Despite the simplicity, the game is very addictive and will keep you playing for hours.
Because its story focuses on other characters from the DC Universe as much as it does the Dark Knight, it’s the least Batman-centric game on this list, yet it still manages to keep the caped crusader centre stage.
READ MORE: Batman at 80 – From the movies to the comics
4. Injustice 2 (PS4, Xbox One, Windows)
The follow-up to the successful fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us, Injustice 2 stepped away from the idea of ‘what if Batman and Superman had to fight’ and took on a more complex story; one where that fight is over and Batman is trying to put the world back together.
This may be a fighting game that features characters from around the DC Universe, but it’s heavily weighted as a Batman story. Certainly more so than the previous game. His characterisation is well thought through and his interactions and relationships with other characters are enjoyable to watch, even when they’re with his enemies.
Thanks to a very strong fighting mechanic, challenges and unlockable character customisation options, Injustice 2 is a very strong game with massive replayability.
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3. Batman: The Telltale Series (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows)
Set early within Batman’s career, Batman: The Telltale Series unravels an episodic story where you not only play as Batman, but also taking control of as his alter-ego, Bruce Wayne. As with other games in the now-defunct story-driven games developer’s catalogue, you will investigate crime scenes, build relationships and make choices that will shape the story based on how you choose to play.
Despite some people initial fears about Telltale’s decision to craft a Batman game after it was first announced, their ability to tell an interesting story with well developed characters silenced many doubters upon release.
A five-episode second season of the Telltale series, The Enemy Within, was also released to much acclaim back in 2017. However, barring a miracle, it looks as though there’ll be no more follow ups to this version of the Dark Knight’s journey.
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2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows)
The first game in the acclaimed Arkham series, Batman: Arkham Asylum stunned audiences and critics the world over as it produced one of the best Batman games ever made.
Fusing together a well made story (written by comics legend and long time Batman writer Paul Dini), seamless combat and stealth, Arkham Asylum was the first game that actually made players feel like they were Batman.
There were puzzles to solve and collectables to unlock, enhancing the overall gaming experience. It even managed to pace out its story without it feeling overly long and set the template for how developers have approached superhero games ever since.
Let down only by a weak final boss, Batman: Arkham Asylum only just misses out on the top of the list.
READ MORE: Batman at the movies – 2005-17
1. Batman: Arkham City (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, Windows)
Arkham City was the hotly anticipated sequel to the aforementioned Batman: Arkham Asylum. Arriving in 2011, the sandbox environment action-adventure game built upon the previous entry, improving on it in virtually every single way. The sequel offered players an enhanced and more intricate story, new characters, improved combat and a new place to explore: the closed-off slums of a destitute Gotham City.
Paul Dini was back on writing duties and incorporated dozens of nods to the comics. It even brought obscure characters into the series, without excluding fans new to the Dark Knight’s mythos.
Having expanded upon the first game in size and spectacle, Arkham City is the high point of the series and is still considered one of the best gaming experiences available on consoles. Follow ups such as Arkham Origins and Arkham Knight each drew praise and scorn in equal measure, but even today, Batman: Arkham City remains the best Batman game on the market.
Got a favourite game or feel like we’ve overlooked something? Let us know in the comments below.