Summary

  • Batman video games offer a wide range of adventures on handheld platforms, from lighthearted stories to ones with darker tones.
  • Games like The Adventures of Batman and Robin and Batman Begins bring the comic hero's world to life faithfully.
  • Titles like Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate and LEGO Batman provide unique gameplay experiences in Gotham City.

As one of the superhero genre’s most popular and recognizable heroes of all time, it’s hardly surprising there are plenty of Batman video games out there for fans to dive into. While the classic hero’s adventures on home consoles are more famous, Batman has also had plenty of adventures in the world of handheld gaming.

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Best Batman Games, Ranked

Outside of maybe Spider-Man, Batman has the greatest video game history of any superhero. Here's the best Dark Knight games of all time.

Over the decades, handheld platforms have provided gamers with all manner of takes on the character of Batman. From film and cartoon adaptations to extensions of popular home console games, there’s an impressive range of variety when it comes to the handheld Batman experience. Some handheld Batman games provide numerous interesting looks at Gotham’s protector, ranging from lighthearted adventures to darker looks at the criminal world The Caped Crusader wages war against.

5 The Adventures Of Batman And Robin

Provides A Straightforward Adaptation Of Its Namesake

The Adventures of Batman and Robin gameplay
The Adventures Of Batman And Robin
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Released
1995
Developer(s)
Konami
Platform(s)
Sega CD, Sega Genesis, SNES

Adapted from the popular animated series of the same name, The Adventures of Batman and Robin even got well-regarded show scribe Paul Dini to pen the plot. The Game Gear release’s narrative begins with The Joker putting together an alliance of dangerous Gotham villains.

From there, The Clown Prince of Crime successfully kidnaps Robin, setting off a dangerous journey for Batman to save his trusty sidekick. Each level follows a similar format, as The Dark Knight must tackle an array of thugs whilst exploring an area, before colliding with one of his classic enemies in a big boss fight. With both gadgets and martial arts prowess to utilize in combat, the game provides a solid look at the action-packed life of the titular TV show’s Batman by the standards of its time.

4 Batman Begins

A Faithful Tie-In To The 2005 Film

Batman Begins Game Boy Advance gameplay
Batman Begins
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Released
June 14, 2005
Developer(s)
Eurocom
Platform(s)
Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, PS2, Xbox (Original)

Bringing the events of the popular 2005 film to life, Batman Begins follows the early crime-fighting escapades of Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne. Unfortunately, the Game Boy Advance version falls slightly short of the remarkably slick graphics sported by its PS2, GameCube, and Xbox equivalents.

On the bright side, the neat blend of beat ‘em up and stealth action remains intact for the GBA, providing handheld enthusiasts with a solid Batman experience. Gliding, sneaking, and head-kicking his way through a variety of objectives, Bruce Wayne grows from a League of Shadows trainee into the classic Gotham hero over the course of the game. Fast-paced and faithful to the film, Batman Begins is a fun little gem that fans of the movie are sure to enjoy.

3 Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Follows On From The Events Of Its Namesake

Batman Arkham Origins Blackgate combat gameplay
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
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Released
August 25, 2013
Developer(s)
Armature

Introducing the side-scroller style to the Arkham series, Blackgate takes place three months after the hectic events of Arkham Origins. Taking players to the titular Blackgate Penitentiary, Batman must hunt down three troublemaking villains.

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The Batman Arkham series has seen a lot of great games, but not every entry in Warner Bros' DC franchise is equal.

The Penguin, Black Mask, and The Joker have all managed to take advantage of riots at Blackgate, prompting The Dark Knight to step in. Needless to say, the Metroidvania-like approach to gameplay makes for an interesting change of pace compared to the explosive style of Batman’s usual combat. Blackgate makes for a bleak setting, taking players into a dark, oppressive environment in a fast-paced follow-up to the often underrated Arkham Origins.

2 Batman: The Brave And The Bold – The Videogame

Perfectly Captures The Spirit Of The TV Series

Batman: The Brave and The Bold grappling to a building
Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame
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Released
September 7, 2010
Platform(s)
Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii

This 2D platformer is a must-play for fans of the colorful, team-up animated series. Taking a peg from the show, the game gets a new hero for Batman to team up with from level to level.

From obvious allies such as his trusty sidekick Robin to space-faring heroes like Green Lantern and supernatural crimefighters such as Hawkman, the game has a bit of something for every taste. Each level functions as an episode of the show in format, further adding to this pitch-perfect crack at adapting the popular animated series. Batman: The Brave And The Bold’s pace and charmingly cartoonish aesthetic make for a brisk, fun Batman experience, and the story is brimming with witty, rapid-fire dialogue.

1 LEGO Batman

Provides A Colorful Take On The Usually Dark Hero

lego batman the video game cover
Lego Batman: The Videogame
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Released
September 23, 2008
Developer(s)
Traveller's Tales

LEGO’s acclaimed, upbeat take on The Dark Knight made a successful journey into the world of handheld gaming. The original game in the series takes players through many of Gotham’s most famous locations and provides amusing LEGO interpretations of many classic characters.

The Nintendo DS version also provides players with some new features to discover. One such feature is the Villain Hunt, which allows players to unlock a selection of additional Batman antagonists not available in other console versions of the game. The signature LEGO style of gameplay is on full display here, as players solve a variety of curious puzzles and fight their way through enemies similarly made out of LEGO. With many characters beyond Batman himself also being playable, this is a light, fun take on the character and his expansive mythos.

Batman: Vengeance (left), Batman: Arkham Knight (middle), and Batman in Injustice 2 (right)
Best Versions Of Batman In Games

Batman has been in many games over the years, and these are the best depictions of the Dark Knight.