With October just a stone’s throw away, the Dark Knight prepares to cast his shadow over Nintendo Switch. As unveiled by both Rocksteady Studios and Nintendo, the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Trilogy is coming to the Switch on October 13.
With a dash of nostalgia, gamers will get to don the iconic black cape and cowl once again, this time while prowling the streets.
Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham series is celebrated for revolutionizing superhero action games across three entries over the past decade. The trilogy starts with something “smaller” in scale, Arkham Asylum, a metroidvania beat-’em-up that’s set within the infamous institution’s grim walls. This immersive narrative sees the Dark Knight going toe to toe with his usual menacing ensemble of foes, ranging from the ever-unpredictable Joker to the likes of Harley Quinn and Bane. The next is Arkham City, serving fans an expanded chunk of Gotham, metamorphosed into a sprawling prison. Here, players grapple with classic antagonists including Mr. Freeze, Two-Face, and The Penguin. The trilogy culminates with Arkham Knight, amping up the gameplay with the introduction of a drivable, transformable Batmobile. It’s a grand, emphatic curtain call to Rocksteady’s narrative.
Beyond the core stories, this bundle isn’t shy on content. Fans will be pleased to hear that all previously released DLCs for these games will accompany the main titles.
Arkham Asylum and Arkham City come with their own share of extras such as costumes, challenge levels, and episodes, with Robin shining in one. But it’s Arkham Knight that saw Rocksteady truly flexing their post-launch muscles. From all the cosmetic upgrades to post-launch storylines featuring Batman’s entanglement with an array of supervillains and challenges galore, this title pulls all stops. Highlighting these add-ons are the riveting Batmobile races, nodding to various Batman eras.
Turn Me Up Games, renowned for their work on titles like It Takes Two and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2 on the Switch, are the brains behind this port.
There’s a mix of excitement and skepticism regarding the performance of the games on the Nintendo Switch, especially Arkham Knight, a title known for its graphical demands and optimization, or the lack thereof. Given the Switch’s hardware profile, it remains to be seen how the game translates onto the hybrid console.
For those leaning towards a tangible copy, a word of caution: the physical release of the Batman: Arkham Trilogy will be exclusive to Arkham Asylum on the cartridge. Both Arkham City and Arkham Knight will require individual downloads, as per the accompanying codes.
In a world increasingly dominated by online narratives, an array of reactions and speculations, often ill-informed, have surfaced post this announcement. While rumors run rampant, it’s crucial to approach this release with a clear understanding, emphasizing Rocksteady’s commitment to delivering a quality gaming experience.
The trilogy’s announcement tweet captured attention not just for its content but its captivating artwork, hinting at the revamped visual appeal players can anticipate.
October is an eventful month for gamers, with titles like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, and Detective Pikachu Returns gracing the console. Yet, the Arkham Trilogy stands apart, promising an intricate blend of action, stealth, and narrative depth.
If nothing else, this release will likely keep fans engaged as they await the studio’s forthcoming title, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. Initially slated for a 2022 release, it has been rescheduled to February post some gameplay reception hiccups.
