17 Years Later, Batman: Arkham Asylum Officially Returns With New Update

Published Sep 22, 2026, 11:34 AM EDT

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

Launching back in 2009 and based on the DC Comics hero, Batman: Arkham Asylum sees the Caped Crusader battle his long-term arch nemesis, the Joker, with the latter initiating an elaborate plot in order to seize control of Arkham Asylum.

As the first entry in the Batman: Arkham franchise by Rocksteady Studios, it was met with critical acclaim, receiving praise for its narrative, atmosphere, and combat, with many reviews calling it "the greatest comic book game of all time."

Now considered one of the greatest video games of all time, and since welcoming multiple equally successful sequels, fans will be pleased to learn that Batman: Arkham Asylum is back after 17 years.

If you have yet to check out the iconic Batman title, Batman: Arkham Asylum is officially now Steam Deck verified, meaning that Valve has officially given it the go ahead, revealing that it is able to be played from start to finish with no reported problems. Now that it has the 'Verified' badge for the Steam Deck, you will think that there would be no issues, but this has not always been the case, so take it with a pinch of salt as you embark on your journey with the hit superhero game.

Additionally, it is Batman: Arkham Asylum's Game of the Year edition that is now available on the Steam Deck, meaning that it has launched alongside four post-launch challenge maps: Crime Alley, Scarecrow Nightmare, Totally Insane, and Nocturnal Hunter.

With the news that Rocksteady may be returning to the Batman: Arkham franchise for a fourth installment following the less-than-successful launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, there has never been a better time to immerse yourself in the series so far.

However, if this does come to fruition, it will be many years away, giving you ample time to catch up on the trilogy, and even play the first game on the Steam Deck if you wish.

As mentioned, Batman: Arkham Asylum is still regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time, and with the 2009 title still sitting at an impressive 8.5 User Score on Metacritic, it seems as though it has stood the test of time.

In an article titled 'What Batman: Arkham Asylum Did Better Than Arkham City' written by our very own Kyle Gratton, he wrote:

Although Batman: Arkham's character designs have aged poorly, the series' environments have not, with both Arkham City and Arkham Knight being steeped in beautiful nighttime atmosphere. Even so, Arkham Asylum's is still so much more effectively concentrated. City traps Batman inside of the mega-prison with all of its inmates, but feels less confined because of its open-air design. What triumphantly began as Joker's incarceration at Arkham quickly turned into a nightmare scenario in Asylum, where Batman is forced to sleuth through the island's various buildings and air vents in a Die Hard-esque set-up. Each gothic asylum structure is intricately designed, offers varying interior aesthetics, and provides a real sense of progression as the player delves into one and conquers the challenges inside.

So, if you want to take this opportunity to catch up on a stunning superhero video game series, look no further than Batman: Arkham Asylum and its shiny new Steam Deck 'Verified' badge.

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