New Batman: Arkham Game Collection Revealed, But Origins Isn't Included

Rocksteady Studios' critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham game series will be re-released for a second time as "Batman Arkham Collection." A listing for a physical version of the compilation appeared on Amazon UK, where it is available for pre-order on PS4 and Xbox One, with a September 6 release date attached. Although an official announcement hasn't been made by publisher Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Rocksteady's marketing manager has discussed the collection, indicating it is real.

As detailed in the listing, Batman Arkham Collection includes all three of Rocksteady's games: Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight. It includes a steelbook case, but otherwise the main difference between this collection and the previously released Batman: Return to Arkham collection is that Arkham Knight is included. Origins, however, is left out.

The launch of the collection will also mark the first time that the Earth-2 Dark Knight skin will be available outside of North America. Previously, this was exclusively available to attendees of E3 2015 and through a Mountain Dew promotion. According to Rocksteady's marketing manager, Gaz Deaves, the Earth-2 Dark Knight skin will also be released as a free download for everyone that owns Arkham Knight on PS4 "early next year."

Batman: Arkham Asylum and City were remastered for the Return to Arkham, and it's these versions of the game that will be included in the new Arkham Collection. Knight was released for current-generation consoles, so it has all the bells and whistles that you'd expect from a modern game. Alongside the core games, all post-launch DLC will be included.

Deaves has said that Arkham Knight and its DLC will be included as a download code in the package, which indicates that Asylum and City will be the disc versions. The PS4-exclusive Scarecrow missions and skins will remain as such. The new collection will have the same trophy list on PS4 as the Return to Arkham versions of Asylum and City, and the standalone version of Knight, so there's no opportunity to double up on achievements.

GameSpot's Arkham Asylum review said: "everything about this game--the impressive visuals, stirring soundtrack, superb voice acting, fiendish puzzles, hard-hitting combat--feels like it has been lovingly crafted by a development team that's both knowledgeable and passionate about the source material."

Our Arkham City review was just as glowing: "From the speedy exhilaration of soaring high above the streets to the atmospheric thrill of discovering long-forgotten secrets in the tunnels below Gotham, this is an unforgettable adventure that will keep you coming back to the cape and cowl long after you've seen the credits roll."

In our Arkham Knight review, we said, "Rather than escape the pull of the games that spawned it, The Bat's newest adventure refines the fundamentals; it is a safe but satisfying return to the world's most tormented megalopolis."