The Batman: Arkham series contains some of the most beloved video games based on comic books ever made, but they are unfortunately not thoroughly represented in the Xbox Game Pass library. There are four mainline games in the series - three from Rocksteady Studios and a prequel from WB Games Montréal - and only one can be found on Game Pass. Rocksteady's upcoming Suicide Squad is the Batman: Arkham follow-up, but many might still be interested in playing the celebrated games centered on the Caped Crusader.
For those actively subscribed to Game Pass, Batman: Arkham Knight is available to play through the service as of the time this was written. Unfortunately, this seems to be the only game in the series that Microsoft is currently offering through its popular subscription, with all three of its predecessors - Arkham Asylum, City, and Origins - nowhere to be found. Additionally, Arkham Knight appears to only be available through Game Pass for Xbox, and is not included in Game Pass for PC.
This is a good deal comparatively, since buying Arkham Knight from another digital storefront is an extra purchase, but it's odd that the last game in the series is the only one on Game Pass. Arkham Asylum seems like the obvious choice to get people enticed, or at least the series' Christmas-time video game prequel, Arkham Origins. Rocksteady, or more likely the publisher, WB Games Interactive Entertainment, must be content with the current sales trends for the Batman: Arkham Collection, because that seems like it would be the most likely candidate for a Game Pass release of years old games.
Game Pass' Batman: Arkham Offerings Are Disappointing
Xbox Game Pass is such an incredible service, letting people play so many games for a relatively low price, but it's surprising to see so few games from the Batman: Arkham series available on it. Getting to play Xbox console exclusives day one on Game Pass is probably the biggest perk to being a subscriber, but the service is perfect for games like Arkham. Putting the series' latest entry on Game Pass for Xbox only is truly a strange move, since most people interested will likely want to start from the beginning.
It's also unfortunate that it happens to be the worst game in the Batman: Arkham series, though that doesn't necessarily make it bad. Some sequels can be played independently from their predecessors, but Arkham Knight heavily relies on the games that came before. Add in tedious Batmobile segments and convoluted collectibles like the game's Riddler Trophies, and Arkham Knight is perhaps the last game in the series that should be offered on Game Pass alone. Most who have been interested enough to purchase the Batman: Arkham series have already done so, making Xbox Game Pass' singular title from the series feel a bit unnecessary.