When you think of Batman, what comes to mind? Is it a dark, brooding vigilante who strikes fear into the hearts of criminals or is it perhaps his whacky sidekick and best friend, the Caped Crusader? There’s no denying that whether in comics, books or movies; the popularity of Batman has never been higher. But one area in which he isn’t as widely known as other super heroes is video games. And for good reason – there are currently very few decent Batman video games. Thankfully, if you’re searching for a solid Batman game to pass time with this article is for you. Here we’ll take a look at the top five Batman games ever made.
Batman: Arkham Origins
The Arkham Origins games were released as prequels to the Arkham series of games. Arkham Origins was released in 2013 and was the first of the Arkham series to be released for the PS4 and Xbox One. The game is set shortly after the death of Joker at the hands of Batman in Arkham City. Storywise, Arkham Origins is a little silly and a bit too unoriginal. The plot revolves around a group of assassins who have been hired to kill Batman before he becomes too powerful and unstoppable. The plot is simple and the narrative is nothing we haven’t seen before. The two strongest parts of the game are without a doubt the boss fights and the graphics. The boss fights in Arkham Origins are incredibly challenging and will test even the most skilled gamer. Furthermore, the graphics are stunning and the game looks beautiful. Arkham Origins is a must-play for Batman fans.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
If you ask anyone who has ever played a Batman game, they’ll tell you that Arkham Asylum is the best Batman game of all time. Released in 2009, Arkham Asylum was a game that was ahead of its time. Everything from the graphics, the plot and the combat was incredible. The game was set in the infamous Arkham Asylum where the Joker had managed to break in and take the entire facility hostage. Your job as Batman is to stop the Joker and put an end to his madness. The plot may sound pretty basic, but it was executed extremely well and was perhaps one of the best parts of the game. Arkham Asylum has some of the best graphics seen in a video game up to that point in time. The visuals are truly a sight to behold and it’s almost unbelievable that the game was released so long ago. Arkham Asylum also features some of the best combat ever seen in a video game. Whether you’re using your fists or your gadgets, the combat feels incredibly satisfying and is extremely fun to play around with. All in all, Arkham Asylum is the best Batman game to ever be released and continues to be played by gamers to this day.
Lego Batman Games
If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted Batman game then look no further than the popular Lego Batman games. There have been a number of Lego Batman games over the years and they’ve all proven to be extremely popular among all ages. The visuals in the Lego Batman games are exactly what you would expect from a Lego game – colorful, cartoonish and very silly. But don’t let this put you off because the games are extremely fun to play. The games usually follow the plot of the Batman movies in which the Joker has created chaos and mayhem in Gotham. As the Dark Knight, you must stop the Clown Prince of Crime and restore peace to the city. The Lego Batman games are laugh out loud funny and are a great way to pass time if you’re feeling a little silly. Despite the fact that the games are silly and extremely colorful, the combat and gameplay are surprisingly engaging and challenging. Lego Batman games are fun for all ages and are among the best Batman games ever created.
Dark Knight Returns
Dark Knight Returns is a very different type of Batman game that focuses on the mature storyline of the same name. Dark Knight Returns is a comic book written by Frank Miller. The comic book is a re-imagining of the Batman story in which an older version of the character has been forced out of retirement and is struggling with inner demons and personal problems. The game is a 2D fighter that has been heavily inspired by Street Fighter. The game is incredibly fun to play, but it definitely isn’t suitable for children as it features extremely strong language and violent gameplay. In Dark Knight Returns, you play as either Batman or his arch-nemesis, the Joker. The gameplay mechanics are simple and easy to pick up. However, it’s incredibly difficult to master and will take you a long time to become good at the game. All in all, Dark Knight Returns is a fun game that any die-hard Batman fan will love to play.
Dark Vengeance
Dark Vengeance is a side-scrolling beat ‘em up game that was released in 1991. The game was a sequel to the 1989 game The Revenge of Shinobi. The game was critically acclaimed upon release and was considered one of the best games of its genre at the time. The game follows a similar plot to the movie Predator in which an evil alien cyborg wants to destroy mankind. Your job as Batman is to stop this evil creature and save the world. The game is largely difficult and is definitely a challenge for even the most experienced gamers. The graphics have held up surprisingly well over the years and are still very impressive to look at. The sound effects in the game are also very impressive and make you feel like you’re really in the middle of a fight. Dark Vengeance is a game that has been overlooked by many gamers and it’s a shame as it’s a fantastic game.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re a die-hard Batman fan or just someone with a passing interest in the character, you’ll find something in this article that you’ll enjoy. Batman: Arkham Origins, Arkham Asylum and the Lego Batman games are my personal favorites. They’re games that are suitable for all ages and are extremely fun to play. There are however, some more adult themed games that have been overlooked by many gamers. Dark Knight Returns and Dark Vengeance are fantastic games that shouldn’t be ignored. All in all, there are very few decent Batman games out there. Luckily, there are plenty of choice for gamers who are looking for a solid Batman game to play.