Rarest Batman Games That Are Hard to Find

Rarest Batman Games That Are Hard to Find

Highlights

  • The Batman: Villains of Gotham City featured motion controls that were not very responsive, making gameplay repetitive.
  • The Dark Knight Rises offered an open-world Gotham city experience on mobile devices, though no longer purchasable.
  • Batman: Arkham Underworld, a top-down mobile strategy game, was discontinued in 2017, making it a rare Batman game relic.

As a long-time Batman fan who has grown up with the Dark Knight across different eras and mediums, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about these three forgotten games. Each one holds a unique place in my heart, showcasing different aspects of Gotham City and its denizens that we rarely get to see.


Occasionally, some of the top-notch Batman video games might not be widely recognized by fans. Given Batman’s and DC Comics’ popularity, it’s not astonishing to discover lesser-known Batman games or niche titles that showcase the Dark Knight on various gaming platforms. Ranging from PS1, mobile devices, and even handheld spin-offs, there are some hard-to-find Batman games that are scarce in the market.

Not all Batman video games are available for purchase, and both console and computer gamers may struggle to find a fresh dose of Batman action. However, this assortment of scarcely found Batman games could become intriguing collector’s items if fans manage to acquire them due to their rarity.

7 The Batman: Villains of Gotham City

Become The Batman With Motion Controls That Aren’t The Most Responsive

  • Released: December 14, 2005
  • Developers: Thinkway
  • System: Plug-N-Play

In the early 2000s, one of the more obscure and specialized Batman games available was “The Batman: Villains of Gotham City.” This game was designed exclusively for the Interactive M.A.G. library and included a unique gaming system with an integrated unit and motion sensor wireless gauntlets as gimmick controls. However, these gauntlet controls didn’t function particularly smoothly.

As a child of the ’90s who grew up watching The Batman animated series, I remember receiving this game as a gift and being utterly disappointed. The gameplay was simple, with players swinging punches at the TV screen to activate Batman’s attacks, which felt unresponsive and repetitive. The villain stood in the distance, offering little challenge. However, for young kids who loved Batman, it was still a novelty to pretend to be the Caped Crusader. Despite my initial disappointment, I can understand why some children might have enjoyed this game as a fun gimmick. But for me, it was not the Batman experience I had hoped for.

6 The Dark Knight Rises

Explore An Open-World Gotham On Mobile Devices Inside Cristopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy

  • Released: July 20, 2012
  • Developers: Gameloft
  • Systems: iOS, Android

Drawing inspiration from Christopher Nolan’s film “The Dark Knight Rises,” the associated mobile game offered a thrilling prospect for mobile gamers. Although the graphics, gameplay, and narrative weren’t as immersive as console games, Gameloft managed to meet the expectations of mobile gaming in 2012. Players could assume the roles of Batman or Catwoman across eight levels within an expansive open-city Gotham.

In this mobile game called “The Dark Knight Rises“, players encountered numerous challenges and exciting levels set in Gotham, with an open-world design that offered a thrilling experience. They could glide, roam around using the Bat and Bat-Pod, and fight criminals by simply tapping the screen. While it was an excellent mobile game, unfortunately, it is no longer available for purchase on smartphones.

5 Batman: Arkham Underworld

Become The New Mob Boss Of Arkham City With Top-Down Strategy Mechanics

  • Released: July 14, 2016
  • Developers: Turbine
  • Systems: iOS, Android

Although the Batman Arkham series primarily appears on consoles, a lesser-known spin-off titled Batman: Arkham Underworld surfaced in the mobile market. This game offers a loosely connected narrative to the events of Batman: Arkham City, allowing players to immerse themselves in the excitement of Gotham’s most notorious criminals such as Killer Croc, Harley Quinn, and Two-Face.

In this game, I found myself stepping into the shoes of a criminal overlord, building my stronghold and expanding my influence as I aimed to conquer the underworld. There was nothing morally questionable about this mobile dungeon-crawler, and for a mobile title, it showed a commendable commitment to its audience. Sadly, the game was withdrawn in 2017, making it another hard-to-find relic in the world of Batman games, now missing from both the App Store and Play Store.

4 The Batman: The Cobblebot Caper

Cartoon Network’s Macromedia Flash Game Involving A Classic Beat ‘Em Up

  • Released: 2004
  • Developers: Cartoon Network
  • Systems: PC

Previously, Cartoonnetwork.com functioned as a vast collection of Toonami games created using Macromedia Flash, enabling users to engage with their beloved shows at no cost. A simple web browser compatible with Flash was all that was required. One such game was “The Batman: The Cobblebot Caper“, where players joined Batman in his mission through the streets of Gotham City to take down Penguin’s gangs and ultimately capture the mastermind himself.

The details regarding The Cobblebot Caper were not extensive, and because it was available free of charge, anyone could give it a try. It was a Flash game with restricted controls and possibilities, but its removal from the Cartoon Network site signified that it was no longer accessible, permanently. Unofficially, however, fans archived it online to continue experiencing it.

3 Gotham City Imposters

Free-to-Play PvP Shooter Involving Gotham’s Wildest Citizens

An unconventional free-to-play game called “Gotham City Imposters” featured teams of Batman’s allies squaring off against the Junior Jokerz. This game was remarkably chaotic, boasting some innovative concepts for a multiplayer competition. Teams of eccentric adversaries would engage in combat across various Gotham landscapes, each with unique customizations and an array of weapons. It’s interesting to note that this now defunct F2P title was created by Monolith Productions, the same team that is currently developing a high-profile AAA game starring Wonder Woman.

In terms of comedic shooter games, Gotham City Imposters had the chance to stand out as one of the best. There’s a lot of fondness for this game, and it’s refreshing to remember a time when not all games demanded high mobility or relied heavily on competitive matchmaking based on skill levels.

2 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker

Beat Up Neo-Gotham’s Bad Guys In An Early 3D Environment

  • Released: January 19, 2001
  • Developers: Kemco
  • Systems: PlayStation, Nintendo 64

In the vein of games popular during the PlayStation 1 era, “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” was based on an animated movie of the same title. The game puts you in control of Terry McGinnis, who dons the futuristic Batsuit, and faces off against the Jokerz, as well as the seemingly indestructible menace that is the Clown Prince of Crime, the Joker. Since it’s a PlayStation 1 game, players should not anticipate revolutionary features or graphics.

In multiple phases and offering a variety of thrilling combinations to select from, both offensively and defensively, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker established the basis for how Batman would maneuver and engage in combat in subsequent games, despite being a lesser-known 3D game from the early era of video gaming.

1 Batman: Arkham City Lockdown

A Retelling Of Batman: Arkham City For Mobile Devices, With Swipe Controls And New Characters

  • Released: December 7, 2011
  • Developers: NetherRealm Studios
  • Systems: iOS, Android

In a new take on the storyline of “Batman: Arkham City”, the mobile game adaptation named “Batman: Arkham City Lockdown“, brings back the legendary characters from the Rocksteady game. However, it introduces a unique twist: as villains break free from Arkham Asylum, Batman embarks on a mission to arrest his most sinister adversaries within the boundaries of Arkham City. Spanning over 6 levels, players engage in combat by tapping and swiping on the touch screen to execute punches, kicks, and evasive maneuvers against their enemies.

2011 saw a variety of devices and enhancements tailored for the mobile gaming industry, one standout title among them being particularly mysterious. This isn’t solely due to its unavailability for players today, but also because it was created by NetherRealm Studios, known for their work on Mortal Kombat and Injustice, who couldn’t resist sneaking in an Easter egg fight featuring the character Kano.

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2024-08-22 11:34