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Ever wanted to play the Arkham games on the go? Perhaps while perched atop a gargoyle on a dark and stormy night? Well later this year you'll be able to.

Batman: Arkham Trilogy is coming to Nintendo Switch in October, just in time for Halloween. The collection will include the original game, Arkham City and Arkham Knight plus all the DLC.


I'm definitely getting this. It's been years since I played through the first two games, and I never got around to playing Arkham Knight.

I'm interested in seeing how well Arkham Knight will run on the Switch. I already own these, but depending on how well they look/run, I may pick it up on my Switch.

I might get it, but maybe not. I played all four games so much during their original run that a break of years still isn't enough to make them feel new. I have a number of other things I want to do, namely get through most of the original Goosebumps books, Tintin and Roald Dahl. There's plenty of value in products aimed for children. They're a universal good time and to me it's all about the ideas. Slipping back into nostalgia is also part of the appeal.

The Adventures of Tintin is my all-time favourite comic book series. I always re-read at least a few of those stories every year in the summer. Yesterday I finished re-reading The Seven Crystal Balls and I've just started Prisoners of the Sun. Hergé's adventures never get old and his ligne claire art style remains as captivating today as when the books were first published.

There's a lot of political and historical depth to the Tintin comics. If you get the change, check out the commentaries by Tintinologist Michael Farr where he points out the real life influences behind each book. Also check out the nineties animated TV series, which is superb and ranks alongside Batman: The Animated Series for how well it captures the spirit of the source material. The makers of the TV show adapted every book except Tintin in the Land of the Soviets, Tintin in the Congo (for obvious reasons) and the incomplete Tintin and Alph-Art.


Needless to say R. L. Stine and Roald Dahl are also classic authors whose work can be appreciated as much by adults as by children. As C. S. Lewis observed, "No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond."

I got this for Christmas. I've heard the port of Arkham Knight is poor, but since I've never played that game I'm just happy to have the chance to experience it now, even if it isn't the best version. Before I do that I'm playing through the original Arkham Asylum again. I played it extensively when it came out in 2009, but I haven't revisited it since before Arkham City was released, well over a decade ago. I'd forgotten how great it is.

Everything about the game is fun. The Metroidvania exploration elements, the combat, the stealth mechanics, the detective sequences – nothing is a slog. The boss fights are unique and inventive, and the art style is on a par with the best Batman movies and comics. I love the level design, and how it offers the player multiple different ways to take down bad guys during the stealth sections. Even if it wasn't a Batman game, Arkham Asylum would be good. The fact it is a Batman game, and that it makes such excellent use of the license, elevates it to the status of a gaming classic. I'm looking forward to replaying Arkham City again, and to playing Arkham Knight for the fist time, but right now I'm just enjoying the original.

Quote from: Silver Nemesis on Tue,  2 Jan  2024, 17:03I got this for Christmas. I've heard the port of Arkham Knight is poor, but since I've never played that game I'm just happy to have the chance to experience it now, even if it isn't the best version. Before I do that I'm playing through the original Arkham Asylum again. I played it extensively when it came out in 2009, but I haven't revisited it since before Arkham City was released, well over a decade ago. I'd forgotten how great it is.

Everything about the game is fun. The Metroidvania exploration elements, the combat, the stealth mechanics, the detective sequences – nothing is a slog. The boss fights are unique and inventive, and the art style is on a par with the best Batman movies and comics. I love the level design, and how it offers the player multiple different ways to take down bad guys during the stealth sections. Even if it wasn't a Batman game, Arkham Asylum would be good. The fact it is a Batman game, and that it makes such excellent use of the license, elevates it to the status of a gaming classic. I'm looking forward to replaying Arkham City again, and to playing Arkham Knight for the fist time, but right now I'm just enjoying the original.

I just got done playing these games over the past couple of years. I finished Arkham Knight back in October.  I loved the first two games. They really are an immersive experience and I loved their versions of these classic characters. As a Batman fan I didn't have any gripes with Asylum or City. Knight was better than what I'd initially heard about it, but I do agree that the use of the Batmobile gets tiring and frustrating after a while.

I do intend to get around to Origins one of these days.

Quote from: BatmanFurst on Tue,  2 Jan  2024, 23:14I do intend to get around to Origins one of these days.

If you haven't bought it yet, you can only buy it on Steam for the PC. It's currently under $10 on sale until Friday.

There were rumours of a remastered edition for the game in development, but nothing has been confirmed.

I stand corrected, buying AO isn't exclusive to Steam.

QuoteThat is, the Batman: Arkham saga games are currently available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC. Warner Bros. Games has re-released it in a compilation, although Arkham Origins was not so lucky and can only be purchased on its original platforms (PS3, Xbox 360 and PC). Still, it is backwards compatible on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

https://en.as.com/meristation/2022/03/03/news/1646335779_577524.html

Quote from: BatmanFurst on Tue,  2 Jan  2024, 23:14I just got done playing these games over the past couple of years. I finished Arkham Knight back in October.  I loved the first two games. They really are an immersive experience and I loved their versions of these classic characters. As a Batman fan I didn't have any gripes with Asylum or City. Knight was better than what I'd initially heard about it, but I do agree that the use of the Batmobile gets tiring and frustrating after a while.

I do intend to get around to Origins one of these days.

If WB Games were serious about their gaming future, they would green light a sequel to Origins with Roger Craig Smith. After the desecration we see in the Suicide Squad game, people will likely be demanding a palette cleanser. Conroy is sadly no longer with us, but Smith did a fine job in the role and has been established in this part of the Arkham timeline. Troy Baker as Joker is there if needed to replace Hamill as it's apparent he's done voicing the character. Origins has the best story and boss fights and deserves a proper remaster. Nothing like what we've seen for the Switch. I'll stick to my original copies of the games.

Quote from: BatmanFurst on Tue,  2 Jan  2024, 23:14I do intend to get around to Origins one of these days.

I haven't played Origins either. Most of the criticisms I read of it, back when it first came out, related to glitches and accusations of the game being rushed/incomplete. I'd expect those issues to have been patched by now.

I did play Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate on the 3DS when it was first released, and I thought it was a solid game. It used a side-scrolling perspective that heightened the Metroidvania vibe, but the core elements of the Arkham series – the combination of stealth, exploration and combat – remained intact.


Hopefully another Arkham collection will be released in the future containing Blackgate and a patched version of Origins. I haven't been following the development of the new Suicide Squad game, but I find the mandatory online element off-putting. I don't have a platform to play it on anyway. But I would buy an Arkham Origins collection if it was released on the Switch.

Quote from: Silver Nemesis on Fri,  5 Jan  2024, 12:24I did play Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate on the 3DS when it was first released, and I thought it was a solid game. It used a side-scrolling perspective that heightened the Metroidvania vibe, but the core elements of the Arkham series – the combination of stealth, exploration and combat – remained intact.

I echo that. I also played Blackgate on the 3DS upon release and it's a very good game and managed to translate the console experience pretty well. I remember the cutscene cinematics being beautifully atmospheric too. If you get around to playing Origins at some point it may be a good idea to give Blackgate another go given it's set three months after. I may just do that myself.

I never played Blackgate, so I just ordered it for pretty cheap. I'll try to get to it soon. I guess I'll have to charge up my 3DS, since I haven't played it in a few years, lol.

Quote from: The Dark Knight on Fri,  5 Jan  2024, 19:54I echo that. I also played Blackgate on the 3DS upon release and it's a very good game and managed to translate the console experience pretty well. I remember the cutscene cinematics being beautifully atmospheric too. If you get around to playing Origins at some point it may be a good idea to give Blackgate another go given it's set three months after. I may just do that myself.

I'd love to play Origins. From the way you and others have described it, it sounds like a solid addition to the Arkham series. I remember people comparing the wintery Gotham in that game to the Batman Returns version, which is a factor that would appeal to me. I also need to play Blackgate again soon. I think the last time I played that was around 2016.

Presently I'm still playing through the first Arkham game. I'm trying to get 100% completion before I move on to Arkham City (I'm having a tough time with the extreme combat challenges). The last time I played City must've been around 2012 or 2013. Back then I remember liking it more than the first Arkham game, but that might've just been because I was dazzled by the open world Gotham. I'm keen to see how well it holds up.

Quote from: Travesty on Sun,  7 Jan  2024, 18:16I never played Blackgate, so I just ordered it for pretty cheap. I'll try to get to it soon. I guess I'll have to charge up my 3DS, since I haven't played it in a few years, lol.

I hope you enjoy Blackgate. I still play on my 3DS quite often. Last year I had to get a new battery for it because the original was overheating and not charging properly. There are a lot of classic games that are exclusive to the 3DS, including what I consider to be the definitive version of Ocarina of Time, my favourite game ever. I still have my original N64 version of OoT from 1998 and a GameCube version, but the 3DS remake perfected an already near-perfect game. It's definitely worth dusting off the 3DS and keeping it in working order.

Blackgate has been released on several other consoles now. I don't know if those newer versions differ greatly from the original 3DS and PS Vita versions. The game was designed to play to the strengths of those handheld systems, so I imagine they're probably still the best platforms on which to experience it.

Quote from: Silver Nemesis on Sun,  7 Jan  2024, 19:44I'd love to play Origins. From the way you and others have described it, it sounds like a solid addition to the Arkham series. I remember people comparing the wintery Gotham in that game to the Batman Returns version, which is a factor that would appeal to me. I also need to play Blackgate again soon. I think the last time I played that was around 2016.

I can see you appreciating and enjoying Origins.

Quote from: The Dark Knight on Sun, 26 Feb  2017, 03:24Arkham Origins is my number one Arkham game.

WB Montreal were in an difficult position following Arkham City.

Retain the template of the previous two games and you're accused of doing a copy and paste job. Strike out on your own and you're accusing of betraying the spirit of the franchise given they didn't establish it. They were being viewed as caretakers while everyone was waiting for Rocksteady's next instalment.

Origins has the best story and characterisations.
The crime scene investigations were improved.
I loved the shock gloves.
I loved Batman's rougher methods and personality.
The Christmas theme and the snow.
The Deathstroke boss battle is a franchise standout.
The interactive Joker flashback sequence is outstanding.
Did Bane justice, before having to dumb him down again for continuity reasons.
Conroy is the legend, but Roger Craig Smith did a fine job, likewise with Baker.
We actually got to visit the real batcave and enter Wayne Manor.

This all holds true for me today. I played the game again last year and it still holds up well, warts and all. What I didn't mention in that 2017 post is the relationship Batman has with Alfred. It's heartfelt and evolves throughout the course of the story. The DLC with Freeze is also very good.

Quote from: Silver Nemesis on Sun,  7 Jan  2024, 19:44Presently I'm still playing through the first Arkham game. I'm trying to get 100% completion before I move on to Arkham City (I'm having a tough time with the extreme combat challenges). The last time I played City must've been around 2012 or 2013. Back then I remember liking it more than the first Arkham game, but that might've just been because I was dazzled by the open world Gotham. I'm keen to see how well it holds up.

I prefer City. I have fond memories of Asylum but think it feels dated in comparison. It can't be understated how much of a revelation Asylum was at the time, though. I was hopeful for a good product but didn't fully appreciate how good it would actually turn out to be. I think they're still the best superhero games on the market even with the arrival of the Spider-Man PlayStation series. I like Arkham Knight too. I'm a TDK Rises fan but think Knight was an even more epic way to conclude a Batman timeline.

I've given up trying to get 100% on Arkham Asylum. I finished the main story, collected all the Riddler trophies, all the Chronicles of Arkham recordings and all of the upgrades. I've unlocked and completed all of the combat and stealth challenges, for both Batman and Joker. Yet the game still says only 95% complete.

Apparently you've got to get three bat-emblems on every challenge to get 100%. I've managed to score three bat-emblems on all of the stealth challenges, but with the combat challenges the best I can do is one or two bat-emblems. I might go back and try to do better at a later time, but for now I feel I've gotten the most out of the first game and I'm ready to move on to Arkham City.

Quote from: The Dark Knight on Mon,  8 Jan  2024, 04:29I prefer City. I have fond memories of Asylum but think it feels dated in comparison. It can't be understated how much of a revelation Asylum was at the time, though. I was hopeful for a good product but didn't fully appreciate how good it would actually turn out to be.

This is how I remember it too. The first game made you feel like Batman, but the second game made you feel like Batman patrolling Gotham City, which was a big upgrade in the overall experience. To be able to free roam around the city we know from the comics, and explore so many of the familiar locations, was mind blowing. There were also gameplay improvements, such as being able to tightrope walk along railings and cables, or being able to deploy your grapple line while gliding without having to land first. The result was more intuitive gameplay that made it easier to navigate the large open world environments.

Yes, I'm looking forward to returning to Arkham City. ;D

Quote from: Silver Nemesis on Wed, 10 Jan  2024, 15:12Yes, I'm looking forward to returning to Arkham City. ;D

If you're still needing a Batman game fix after the Arkham series I strongly recommend both seasons of the Telltale games. They're probably the most slept on modern Batman content and in some ways make you feel like Batman more than any other game, even though you're not gliding or fighting anywhere near like you do in Arkham. I'm still hopeful a third season can get made some point. Any serious Batman game ranking should have them high up on the list.

I'd forgotten about the Telltale Series. I never played those games, but I'd love to give them a go when I'm done with Arkham City and Arkham Knight. I like point-and-click adventure games, and I remember you and several other people speaking highly of the Telltale Series when they first came out. It looks like something I'd enjoy, and it's available pretty cheap now.


Batman fans have really been spoilt for good games over the past fifteen years. We've also had the Injustice series, the Lego Batman trilogy and the underrated Brave & the Bold game from 2010. No other superhero has had that many good games in the same span.

Yeah, the Telltale games are good, although, I think S1 is way better than S2. They totally rewrote the mythos, so everything feels fresh. It's a must for Batman fans.

But reading the rest of your post, I had no idea there was a Brave and the Bold game. I'm gonna have to find a way to play that.  :o

Quote from: Travesty on Fri, 12 Jan  2024, 16:46Yeah, the Telltale games are good, although, I think S1 is way better than S2. They totally rewrote the mythos, so everything feels fresh. It's a must for Batman fans.

But reading the rest of your post, I had no idea there was a Brave and the Bold game. I'm gonna have to find a way to play that.  :o

Wii Emulation is pretty solid--Dolphin runs Brave and the Bold like a champ, should you be willing. It's a great game, too (of course, anything made by WayForward tend to be great).

I couldn't agree more about Arkham Origins--it's a must-play. The best story in the series, mostly because Bruce is young and more emotional. I love Kevin (obviously) but in the Arkham series he was mostly stuck playing the atypical iconoclastic Batman who stays frozen as a character, but in Origins he's quite brusque and has to go on a character arc. These days, any recent computer should be able to run it with few problems, but when it comes to playing it on a console, that's tougher. It IS backwards compatible on modern Xboxes, but you have to run it from a disc, and playing it there allows a more stable framerate than playing it on the PS3.

But when I got an upgraded PC, I decided I was never going back to Arkham games at 30 fps, and besides that, now people are able to add in new, fully modeled Batsuits now, so the sky's the limit on the cool stuff we can have now.

The Telltale games are a perfect counterbalance to the Arkham series, since they focus more on Bruce Wayne, making them a rather perfect companion series to the action-heavy Arkham saga.

Quote from: Travesty on Fri, 12 Jan  2024, 16:46Yeah, the Telltale games are good, although, I think S1 is way better than S2. They totally rewrote the mythos, so everything feels fresh. It's a must for Batman fans.

Season Two's content with the Joker was pretty intense from what I remember. How he starts out as a close, creepy friend and the way he clings to Bruce so strongly - which makes the decisions you make so consequential. Telltale's Batman would have made for amazing movies, because as Doc said, they focus so singularly on Bruce and his experience as Batman. I remember sitting there experiencing the story and being completely transfixed with what was happening.

Quote from: Travesty on Fri, 12 Jan  2024, 16:46But reading the rest of your post, I had no idea there was a Brave and the Bold game. I'm gonna have to find a way to play that.  :o

I haven't played the Brave and the Bold game either, but I'm going to change that. Vengeance, Rise of Sun Tzu and Batman Begins are also good games if anyone can still play them. Luckily I still have those consoles packed away. Begins plays like an early template for the Arkham games.

Quote from: DocLathropBrown on Sat, 13 Jan  2024, 02:22I couldn't agree more about Arkham Origins--it's a must-play. The best story in the series, mostly because Bruce is young and more emotional. I love Kevin (obviously) but in the Arkham series he was mostly stuck playing the atypical iconoclastic Batman who stays frozen as a character, but in Origins he's quite brusque and has to go on a character arc.

Great minds think alike.

Quote from: Travesty on Fri, 12 Jan  2024, 16:46But reading the rest of your post, I had no idea there was a Brave and the Bold game. I'm gonna have to find a way to play that.  :o

I think it slipped under a lot of fans' radars. It's a fun throwback to the 2D side-scrolling brawler Batman games of the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. There's a small amount of platforming involved, and two-player co-op is available. It's very easy, just like the Lego Batman games, so anyone looking for a challenge should look elsewhere. But fans of the TV show will enjoy it. The cut scenes are fully animated like the series and the original voice cast reprise their roles.

Here's a gameplay trailer.


And here's a specially animated trailer featuring Bat-Mite, Batman and Green Arrow.


Fans of the Brave & the Bold TV show, Pre-Crisis comics and old-school beat 'em ups will get the most out of this game. But anyone looking for something challenging, dark or more open world like the Arkham series will be disappointed. Personally, I had a blast playing it. If you can find a copy, it's worth getting.

Quote from: DocLathropBrown on Sat, 13 Jan  2024, 02:22The Telltale games are a perfect counterbalance to the Arkham series, since they focus more on Bruce Wayne, making them a rather perfect companion series to the action-heavy Arkham saga.

I've just bought the first season of the Telltale series. The Nintendo eShop has it on sale until tomorrow, so I thought I'd get it while the price was reduced. I probably won't play it for a while yet, as I've got some other games to be getting on with first, but I've got it downloaded on my Switch for later in the year. I'm looking forward to it. :)

Quote from: The Dark Knight on Sat, 13 Jan  2024, 05:15I haven't played the Brave and the Bold game either, but I'm going to change that. Vengeance, Rise of Sun Tzu and Batman Begins are also good games if anyone can still play them. Luckily I still have those consoles packed away. Begins plays like an early template for the Arkham games.

I never played the Batman Begins game, but I did watch part of a playthrough on YouTube last year and I was struck by how many elements foreshadowed the Arkham series. Specifically the glider, fear and stealth mechanics. I might try to track down a copy for the PS2 at some point. It looks like a solid game and I like how Bale's Batman voice sounds more subtle than in TDK and TDKR.

Watching someone play through BB made me wonder what the cancelled The Dark Knight game would've been like.

Quote from: Silver Nemesis on Sat, 13 Jan  2024, 19:40I never played the Batman Begins game, but I did watch part of a playthrough on YouTube last year and I was struck by how many elements foreshadowed the Arkham series. Specifically the glider, fear and stealth mechanics. I might try to track down a copy for the PS2 at some point. It looks like a solid game and I like how Bale's Batman voice sounds more subtle than in TDK and TDKR.

Watching someone play through BB made me wonder what the cancelled The Dark Knight game would've been like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTCayY8FDT0

For a game based on a movie it's made with respect and doesn't feel like a lazy cash grab. I think a game on TDK would've been worthwhile (especially if the batpod was playable) and I'm kind of disappointed one didn't eventuate. But at the end of the day its general template was expanded upon by Rocksteady. Begins has its place in the evolution of Batman games and for that I respect it.

Speaking of Arkham Origins again, Matt Reeves managed to capture the atmosphere of the game closely even if he wasn't intending to. A younger, darker Batman who spends the story hunted by the police and also infiltrating/escaping GCPD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfrMDVueQBI

Having recently completed Arkham Asylum and Arkham City back to back, I decided to take a break from the Arkhamverse and play the Telltale series. I just finished the first season. I enjoyed it. I like how the cell-shaded graphical style evokes comic book art, the voice acting's good and I enjoyed the point-and-click gameplay. The detective elements are more involved than in the Arkham series, where you basically just scan clues and follow trails, and the experience simulates what it would feel like to be Bruce Wayne as well as Batman.

On the negative side, I've never been a huge fan of quick time events in games, and there are a lot of them in this series. I also didn't care for the musical score, which I thought was too derivative of the soundtrack from Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy. I'm curious to know just how different the narrative permutations are in relation to player choices. The only way to find that out will be to replay it, I suppose. My rating at the end of the game was 'merciful', which is appropriate since I was trying to play as if I was West's Batman.

The storyline is immersive and has some good twists. I remember people saying that the plot of Matt Reeves' The Batman borrowed heavily from this series, but I didn't realise just how true that was until now. The game presents one of the better screen treatments of Two-Face, and I wouldn't object to Reeves drawing inspiration from the Telltale Dent in a future movie. All in all, a fun experience that's very different from the Arkham series.

Next I'm going to play Arkham Knight.