Top 10 DC Games Across Platforms: From Batman: Arkham City To LEGO DC Super-Villains
Are you a DC fan? Have you tried these Top 10 games from the house of DC?
DC Comics characters have made their mark in the gaming world since the early days, with the first appearance being Superman for the Atari 2600 back in 1979 — a mere year after Christopher Reeve's iconic portrayal in cinemas. Since then, the roster of DC games has soared to over 100 titles, with around half of them centred around Batman. Narrowing down the top 10 DC video games from this extensive list is no easy feat.
But, fear not. We've curated a list that you might find intriguing. Dive into these games and see if they captivate your interest as much as they have for many others.
Batman: Arkham City
Developer: Rocksteady Studios | Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U, macOS X, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Batman: Arkham City stands as the pinnacle of DC games. It expanded upon the excellent combat mechanics and eerie atmosphere from its predecessor, Asylum, and expanded them to an entire cityscape. This sequel increased in both size and complexity, yet managed to maintain a close and personal exploration of the Dark Knight's battle against crime. With Gotham City isolated and embroiled in a war among supervillains, the game immerses players in a world filled with suspense and peril at every turn.
Batman: Arkham Knight
Developer: Rocksteady Studios | Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Knight takes the foundations laid by the Asylum sequel and crafts an exceptionally impressive gaming experience, showcasing the finest qualities of what a superhero game can achieve. One of Arkham Knight's strengths lies in its diverse range of boss battles, coupled with its keen sense of when to forgo them altogether, akin to the moment when Joker injected himself with Titan. One of the most gratifying moments in the game could be capturing the villains and personally escorting them back to confinement, observing as the cells gradually fill up.
Injustice 2
Developer: NetherRealm Studios, QLOC | Platform: Android, iOS, PS4, Xbox One, PC
While the prequel showcased impressive elements, Injustice 2 significantly raised the bar with enhanced gameplay mechanics, polished visuals, and a plethora of additional features. The game not only introduced stunning new character designs for DC's iconic heroes and villains but also allowed players to customise these designs to their liking. The roster of playable characters expanded to include beloved favourites like Blue Beetle and Supergirl, formidable opponents such as Darkseid and Atrocitus, and unexpected guest stars like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Hellboy, adding an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay. Each character is authentically portrayed with distinctive flair, and the combat mechanics are remarkably fluid and impactful, surpassing the already impressive foundation set by the first instalment.
Injustice: Gods Among Us
Developer: NetherRealm Studios, High Voltage Software | Platform: PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, PC, iOS, Android, Arcade
Injustice: Gods Among Us combines Mortal Kombat's mechanics with DC's heroes and villains, making for an outstanding fighting game. NetherRealm Studios' previous attempt with Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe hinted at potential, but Injustice fully realises it. The characters are faithfully portrayed in appearance, voice, and moves, with personalised dialogue referencing their comic book origins. The game's standout feature is its gripping story, exploring Superman's descent into darkness.
DC Universe Online
Developer: Dimensional Ink Games | Platform: Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
DC Universe Online is a daring addition to the gaming landscape, boldly venturing into the realm of MMORPGs set in the DC Universe. Since its launch in 2011 alongside an impressive superhero cinematic, the game has continued to evolve, boasting a wealth of content over its decade-long tenure. With an extensive array of character customisation options, hideouts, and gripping stories featuring beloved DC characters, DCUO immerses players in diverse DC locations. It stands as the most comprehensive and vast rendition of the DC Universe in gaming history, offering unparalleled experiences such as teaming up with Wonder Woman, navigating open-world environments with superhuman agility, and tackling formidable raid bosses like Brainiac and Darkseid alongside friends.
Justice League: Heroes
Developer: Snowblind Studios, Sensory Sweep Studios, WayForward | Platform: PS Portable, PS2, Game Boy Advance, Xbox, Nintendo DS
There have been few games featuring the full Justice League lineup, with one notable exception being Justice League: Heroes, which offered a fun experience similar to Marvel Ultimate Alliance. This game brought together DC's top heroes to face significant threats across the multiverse. With a well-balanced difficulty curve, an engaging co-op campaign, and opportunities for lesser-known heroes to shine, Justice League: Heroes provided an enjoyable gaming experience.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Developer: Rocksteady Studios | Platform: PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, macOS X, Nintendo Switch
Batman's introduction in the Arkham series revolutionised the superhero game genre with an unprecedented approach that remains difficult to surpass. The predator stealth segments evoke Christian Bale's portrayal of the Dark Knight in Batman Begins, particularly scenes where he takes out thugs stealthily at the docks. This portrayal, including watching panicked enemies shoot into shadows, is remarkably realistic, capturing the ominous atmosphere of an asylum for the mentally ill.
Batman: The Video Game
Developer: Sunsoft | Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
The NES game titled "Batman: The Video Game" was released in 1989 and loosely follows the storyline of Tim Burton's first Batman movie. However, its difficulty level is notorious, making it challenging for players. The side-scrolling action game features various lesser-known comic book villains like Killer Moth, Electrocutioner, and Firebug before culminating in a showdown with the Joker. Due to its extreme difficulty, many players in its target audience likely never progressed far enough to encounter all the villains.
The Wolf Among Us
Developer: Telltale | Platform: PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox 360, PC, macOS
The Wolf Among Us is a graphic adventure game with a neo-noir mystery-drama theme released in episodic format. It comprises five episodes that were launched between 2013 and 2014. Players take on the role of Bigby Wolf, who serves as the sheriff of Fabletown, a secret society hidden within 1980s New York City and inhabited by a diverse array of mythical characters from fairy tales and folklore. The game's narrative revolves around Bigby's investigation into a series of enigmatic murders, the first of their kind to happen in Fabletown after a prolonged period.
LEGO DC Super-Villains
Developer: TT Games, Feral Interactive | Platform: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, macOS, PC
As implied by the title, the narrative takes a unique approach by centring around the antagonists. Classic DC villains find themselves in the unusual position of defending the world against a nefarious group resembling the Justice League, known as the Justice Syndicate. This premise sets the stage for engaging plot twists and entertaining interactions throughout the storyline. A standout feature of the game is the ability to create your own villainous character, customising every aspect from appearance to abilities, and witnessing your creation seamlessly integrate into the unfolding narrative.