Just in time for Batman Day, a reader lists their favourite Dark Knight-related video games, from the 1989 film tie-in to Arkham Asylum.
I have to admit that I am the sort of nerd that already knew it was Batman Day this weekend and so while some have been surprised by the news of free Batman games and a rumoured Fortnite crossover its exactly the sort of thing I wouldve expected. And so, I like to think that makes me perfectly suited to offer this rundown of the eight best games to feature my favourite superhero.
8. Batman (1989)
Im going to admit this is purely nostalgia talking, as this was the first Batman game I ever played (one of the first anything I ever played) and I havent touched it since my Amiga got moved to the loft, or wherever happened to it. I do remember it as being a decent little platform game, with some fantastic racing levels with the Batmobile and Batwing. It certainly wasnt the worst film tie-in theres ever been and the first real proof that you could make a decent Batman game.
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7. Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (2014)
Im using this as a rep for the whole Lego Batman line-up as theyre all fun. Although while this is the best game its also the least Batman-centric, but since I like most of the rest of the DC Universe as well, Im good with that. (Although unfortunately this game focuses a little too much on the Green Lanterns, which is one of my least favourite elements.) There are so many characters here its crazy, and its the only game where you can play as Polka-Dot Man, Condiment King, and Bat-Cow. And yes, those are all real and from the comics (well, Condiment King started in the cartoon).
6. Batman: The Telltale Series (2016)
Bit of a strange one for me this, as it veers away so far from the accepted mythos at times it doesnt really feel like a Batman game at all. The first season is not great but the second one starts to get really interesting when you realise you can greatly affect the evolution of the characters, including stopping the Joker from turning into a full supervillain. The writing and voice-acting is not great a lot of the time, and as usual with Telltale the action is awful with no real gameplay, but its an interesting take and Id like to see someone else try a similar take but with a better script.
5. Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
A controversial choice, because it kicks Arkham Knight off my list, but this was actually a really good spin-off. You could tell it was cobbled together with leftover assets from Arkham City, and it has the worst excuse of all the games for no civilians being around, but a lot of the missions and story are really good. The twist is a bit lame but the boss battles, which is the one thing Rocksteady are no good at, are great. The appearance of Deathstroke, for example, is 100 times better here than in Arkham Knight.
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4. The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1994)
As far as Im concerned, and I dont think Im alone in this, the best Batman anything is the 90s animated series. Its such a perfect medley of everything great about the character and his world that it transcends even the comics its based on. There were quite a few game tie-ins at the time, but this was easily the best. It was an action platformer by Konami but the Mega Drive and SNES versions are quite different and while I think the SNES game is best the Mega CD version has some exclusive cut scenes, done by the same people as the animated series, that you cant see anywhere else.
3. Batman: Arkham City (2011)
A lot of people will put this as their favourite Batman game, and the best of the Arkham series, but for me its a notch or two below Asylum. The open world is great and all but its quite small and doesnt justify losing so many of the Metroidvania elements and the tight design of the first game. The story is also a complete mess, with just cameo after cameo that never really makes sense. Its still great, dont get me wrong, but as an open world Batman game it could sRead More – Source
