The Batman: Arkham series is arguably one of the most influential superhero video game series of all time. The first entry, Batman: Arkham Asylum, was released in 2009 to critical acclaim. Since then, the series has spawned several games, an animated film, multiple comic books, novels, and a remaster of the original games.
The series was praised for its combat mechanics, stealth gameplay, voice acting, and overall narrative. The developers of Marvel's Spider-Man cited Arkham as an inspiration for the game. Many heroes in Marvel's catalog would benefit from a video game inspired by the Batman: Arkham series.
10 Daredevil Shares Some Similarities With Batman As A Hero
Daredevil shares quite a few similarities to Batman as a character. Both were affected by the killings of their parents, which led them to fight crime. Daredevil is a street-level hero who takes on more earthly criminals rather than intergalactic threats that the Avengers would handle.
Applying Batman: Arkham's combat system to Daredevil would prove to be a seamless fit. Popularity for Daredevil is at an all-time high, between the Netflix series and Charlie Cox returning to the role in the MCU with Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk. So developing a darker, gritter game feels like a no-brainer.
9 Moon Knight Is Often Called Marvel's Batman
Moon Knight is often cited as Marvel's answer to Batman. Marc Spector is a former mercenary who becomes Moon Knight after crossing paths with the moon god Khonshu. A brilliant detective who relies on high-tech gadgets, wealth, and fighting skills to carry out his crusade, the similarity to Batman is quite apparent.
Dropping Moon Knight into a thrilling mystery game, tasking players to piece together a mystery compounded by Spector's dissociative identity disorder is an intriguing prospect. Much of the gameplay would be similar to Batman's and would not require such reinvention based on Moon Knight.
8 The Punisher Could Tell A Gritty Story Of Revenge
The Punisher has had a long history in Marvel ethos. Frank Castle watched in horror as the mob killed his wife and two children. As a result, he took up the mantle of The Punisher and used lethal force not only for revenge but also to fight for justice.
A Punisher game can flip the Batman: Arkham formula on its head and include lethal force, something Batman famously is against. The game could also be developed for mature audiences, as the character would be hampered by anything less than an M-rating.
7 Ghost Rider Could Incorporate His Motorcycle Like Arkham Knight Did For The Batmobile
Motorcyclist Johnny Blaze gives his soul to the Devil in order to save his father, becoming the anti-hero Ghost Rider. Since then, there have been five characters who have taken up the mantle over the years. Ghost Rider is another character with a dark past that would fit the mold of Batman: Arkham.
One of Ghost Rider's signature elements is his motorcycle. While the use of the Batmobile was criticized in Batman: Arkham Knight, if a Ghost Rider game were to find a healthy mix between combat and traversing an open world with the motorcycle, it would fit the character better. The use of the Batcycle in the upcoming Gotham Knights game could serve as inspiration.
6 Jessica Jones' Setting Could Tie To A Larger Universe
Jessica Jones' popularity skyrocketed after the Krysten Ritter-led Netflix series of the same name. Jessica Jones runs her own private eye agency, Alias Investigations, in New York City. Having a game take place in New York City opens up the possibility for a ton of crossovers.
Batman: Arkham made it clear that the story was about Batman, but there were ties to a larger world. This was reinforced by the Bat-family, mentions of other heroes, and even the architecture of Gotham City. A Jessica Jones title could go the same route, crossing paths with Daredevil, Luke Cage, Spider-Man, and more in order to solve a case she is working on.
5 Venom Could Lead His Own Batman: Arkham Asylum Story
Venom has been a popular anti-hero since his first appearance as a Spider-Man villain in 1984. Eddie Brock bonds with a symbiote previously attached to Spider-Man and becomes Venom. Sharing similar powers as Spider-Man, he eventually becomes an anti-hero and has even teamed up with the web-slinger on occasion.
A video game adaptation of the famous Maximum Carnage could be immensely popular. It could share a similar set-up to Batman: Arkham Asylum, as Venom fights his primary nemesis Carnage, and Spider-Man could play a minor role. Such a game would have the potential to be a franchise starter.
4 Heroes For Hire Could Have Plenty Of Crossovers In An Open World
Taking a page out of Batman: Arkham Knight's ability for Batman to team up with other members of the Batfamily in combat, Heroes for Hire, would be an interesting game to pursue. Luke Cage and Danny Rand, the Iron Fist, form Heroes for Hire in order to earn money for whoever needs the help of superheroes.
The prospect of a Heroes for Hire game could have several crossovers. Like Daredevil, Spider-Man, and Jessica Jones, Heroes for Hire is based out of New York City. Making it an open-world game like Batman: Arkham Knight can see the heroes crossing paths with others while being hired for various jobs.
3 Marvel's Wolverine Has The Potential To Build On The Foundations Of Batman: Arkham
Wolverine is one of the most popular Marvel superheroes of all time. The last great video game he was in was X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which is ironic considering how subpar the movie was. Marvel's Wolverine, set in the same continuity as Marvel's Spider-Man, will release on Playstation 5 in 2023.
Since Marvel's Wolverine was developed by Insomniac Games, who said that Batman inspired Marvel's Spider-Man was inspired by Arkham, fans can expect a similar formula but with the violence turned up to 11.
2 An Open-World Deadpool Game Could Lead To Mayhem
Deadpool is one of the more unique heroes in all of Marvel. Wade Wilson, an ex-mercenary, can self-heal, similar to Wolverine. Nicknamed "the Merc with a Mouth," he constantly tells jokes, and his signature trait is breaking the fourth wall to address viewers.
The possibilities are endless for an open-world Deadpool game. It can keep the Batman: Arkham formula while adding a Deadpool twist to it: addressing the gamer themselves. Deadpool can proceed to make fun of superhero games. Imagine playing Batman: Arkham but with humorous commentary.
1 Hawkeye Could See A Similar Team-Up Scenario To Batman And Robin
Hawkeye has become increasingly prominent in pop culture since his inclusion in the MCU. Clint Barton is a master archer who has been a member of the Avengers and the West Coast Avengers. He trained a protégé, Kate Bishop, to take the mantle of Hawkeye as well.
A team-up game with Clint Barton and Kate Bishop has tons of potential. The archers taking on stealth missions could bring a unique spin to the groundwork that Batman: Arkham had made so popular. The ability to switch between the characters at will while each having their own skill sets would help differentiate it from Batman: Arkham.