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Batman Board Games: Gotham City Chronicles, Monopoly, Chess and More

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The batman board game list has more variety than you might expect. It covers 11 licensed Batman board games, from miniature games and quick card games to Monopoly and chess. Each entry lists players, time, age and the Batman version it draws on.

  • 11 games
  • 2012 to 2020
  • 1 to 6+ players
  • 2 classic editions

To the Batcave! The games are sorted by comics, cartoons and films.

Batman tabletop games draw from the comics, the Animated Series and recent films. That mix puts the same hero in a one-versus-many miniatures game, a 20-minute card game and a chess set. For more heroes, the superhero board games hub puts Batman alongside the rest.

Fancy playing the villain? Gotham City Chronicles lets one player lead the bad guys.

Choosing a Batman board game to start with

Its publisher lists Batman Fluxx as out of print.

  • Co-op with the Animated Series

    Batman: The Animated Series: Gotham City Under Siege

    A cooperative dice game for 1-5 players, with four acts based on first-season episodes of Batman: The Animated Series.

    Difficulty
    Time to explainabout 15 min
    Player experience
    Geek Level6 / 10Has a favorite side character
    How we rate

  • Miniatures campaign night

    Batman: Gotham City Chronicles

    One player runs the villains while 1-3 others team up as heroes. Games take 60-90 minutes with 2-4 players, ages 14+.

    Difficulty
    Time to explainabout 40 min
    Player experience
    Geek Level8 / 10Argues about the extended cut
    How we rate

  • Quick card game

    Love Letter: Batman

    A 20-minute Love Letter retheme for 2-4 players. The cards are villains who escaped Arkham Asylum.

    Difficulty
    Time to explainabout 3 min
    Player experience
    Geek Level3 / 10Knows the main characters
    How we rate

For a quick guide to complexity, the 14+ games are heavier, while Love Letter, Fluxx, and Cluedo are lighter. IDW wound down its games line, and Batman Fluxx is out of print, so older titles may take some hunting. For a Gotham-themed classic, see Batman Monopoly.

Batman board games, card games and chess sets

DC Deck-Building features Batman, though the game covers the wider DC universe.

Showing all 11

Main games

Batman: Gotham City Chronicles

  • 2018
  • 2-4 players
  • 60-90 minutes
  • Ages 14+

The big Batman miniatures board game. One player controls the villains while the others play Batman and his allies, mission by mission.

How it plays

One player runs the villains while the others team up as heroes. Spend energy on abilities, then use different kinds of dice for checks. Each scenario's missions move the story along.

The film or show connection

This game draws on the Batman comics universe, not a film or TV show. Its scenarios, heroes and villains come from Gotham City.

Difficulty
Time to explainabout 40 min
Player experience
Geek Level8 / 10Argues about the extended cut
How we rate

Type strategy board game

  • miniatures
  • one vs many
  • comics
Publisher
Monolith Board Games
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Editions and expansions

  • Season 2
  • Season 3, with the Gotham in Flames expansion (2022 Kickstarter)

Source 1 (monolithedition.com) Source 2 (nerdist.com) Source 3 (comicbook.com)

Batman: The Animated Series: Gotham City Under Siege

  • 2018
  • 1-5 players

A cooperative dice-allocation game, and one of two Batman: The Animated Series board games from IDW. The game unfolds across four acts.

How it plays

Each round, roll your remaining dice and place them on story cards, act cards, or character cards. They stay put until objectives are resolved. Neglect the city and everyone loses. Wounded heroes flip their character sheet to its weaker side.

The film or show connection

The story cards draw from the first season of Batman: The Animated Series.

Difficulty
Time to explainabout 15 min
Player experience
Geek Level6 / 10Has a favorite side character
How we rate

Type cooperative game

  • co-op
  • dice
  • Animated Series
Publisher
IDW Games
Designers
Richard Launius, Michael Guigliano
Show detailsHide details

Source 1 (comicbook.com) Source 2 (nerdist.com) Source 3 (cbr.com)

Batman: The Animated Series Adventures: Shadow of the Bat

  • 2020
  • 1-5 players

Batman Shadow of the Bat board game is a separate IDW game from Gotham City Under Siege. It launched on Kickstarter in February 2020 and raised over $1.6 million. IDW wound down its games line in 2021.

How it plays

One to four players take the heroes, moving, attacking, and using special abilities on a board arranged like a scene from the show. In cooperative mode, the heroes face the game together. In competitive mode, a fifth player controls the villains. A thick booklet contains the pre-made adventures.

The film or show connection

The 24 missions draw on Animated Series episodes, pitting Batman, Batgirl, Robin, Commissioner Gordon, and Catwoman against Two-Face, the Penguin, Mr. Freeze, and the Joker.

Difficulty
Time to explainabout 30 min
Player experience
Geek Level9 / 10Reads the wiki for fun
How we rate

Type cooperative game

  • miniatures
  • scenarios
  • Kickstarter
Publisher
IDW Games
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Editions and expansions

  • Arkham Asylum expansion (launched alongside it, adds 13 missions and a Clayface mode)

Source 1 (comingsoon.net) Source 2 (kotaku.com) Source 3 (comicbook.com)

Batman Miniature Game

  • 2012
  • 2 players
  • Ages 14+

A competitive skirmish game from Knight Models, where you field a crew of Gotham miniatures. It launched in 2012. Its designers and play time are not confirmed.

How it plays

Build a crew from the Knight Models Batman range and fight for control of Gotham. The third edition is described as faster, more lethal, and easier to learn than earlier editions. The miniatures come unpainted and need assembly.

The film or show connection

The game began as a skirmish adaptation of the Arkham City video game, and its range now covers many Batman characters. A two-player starter box takes its theme from the film The Batman.

Difficulty
Time to explainabout 45 min
Player experience
Geek Level8 / 10Argues about the extended cut
How we rate

Type miniatures game

  • skirmish
  • two players
  • build your crew
Publisher
Knight Models
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • 3rd Edition with the Back to Gotham starter (2020)
  • The Batman Two-Player Starter Box

Source 1 (gamingtrend.com) Source 2 (comicbook.com) Source 3 (knightmodels.com)

Love Letter: Batman

  • 2015
  • 2-4 players
  • 20 minutes

Batman Love Letter is the small-box option. ComicBook.com noted in 2022 that it was hard to find outside resale sites.

How it plays

On your turn, draw a card and play one of your two, resolving its effect. At the end of the round, the highest card among the survivors wins a yellow Batman victory token.

The film or show connection

This comics-style retheme features captured villains who escaped Arkham Asylum, with the Joker at the top of the pack.

Difficulty
Time to explainabout 3 min
Player experience
Geek Level3 / 10Knows the main characters
How we rate

Type card game

  • quick
  • deduction
  • hard to find
Publisher
AEG
Designers
Seiji Kanai
Show detailsHide details

Source 1 (arstechnica.com) Source 2 (en.wikipedia.org) Source 3 (comicbook.com)

Batman Fluxx

  • 2015
  • 2-6 players
  • 10-30 minutes
  • Ages 8+

The Fluxx card game dressed up in a Batman costume. Looney Labs lists it as out of print and says it has no plans to reprint it.

How it plays

Cards change the rules and the current Goal as you play. Nobody can win while Villains are on the table, so play Batman and his friends to clear them out.

The film or show connection

CBR says the cards are drawn in the style of Batman: The Animated Series, with Batmobiles to collect and villains as Creeper cards.

Difficulty
Time to explainabout 5 min
Player experience
Geek Level3 / 10Knows the main characters
How we rate

Type card game Out of print

  • party
  • changing rules
  • out of print
Publisher
Looney Labs and Cryptozoic Entertainment
Designers
Andrew Looney
Show detailsHide details

Source 1 (looneylabs.com) Source 2 (faq.looneylabs.com) Source 3 (en.wikipedia.org) Source 4 (cbr.com)

DC Comics Deck-Building Game

  • 2012
  • 2-5 players
  • 30-45 minutes
  • Ages 15+

This is a DC-wide game, with Batman among the heroes you can play. The two-player Rivals set, Batman vs. The Joker, puts Batman at the center.

How it plays

Play as Batman, Superman, or another hero. Start with basic combat cards, add stronger ones to your deck, and defeat Super-Villains to collect Victory Points. The player with the most Victory Points wins.

The film or show connection

It’s based on DC Comics, not a specific Batman film or show. Rivals: Batman vs. The Joker is the Batman-focused set.

Difficulty
Time to explainabout 15 min
Player experience
Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
How we rate

Type deck-building game

  • deck-building
  • DC heroes
  • Batman is playable
Publisher
Cryptozoic Entertainment
Designers
Matt Hyra, Ben Stoll
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Rivals: Batman vs. The Joker

Source 1 (cryptozoic.com) Source 2 (cryptozoic.com) Source 3 (cbr.com)

DC Comics Dice Masters

  • 2015
  • 2 players
  • 60+ minutes
  • Ages 14+

A collectible dice-building game for two. Batman appears in the Justice League set, listed by WizKids for April 2015.

How it plays

Build a team of character dice and roll for resources and character results. Then send your characters to attack the other player.

The film or show connection

Based on DC Comics, with no documented film or TV adaptation.

Difficulty
Time to explainabout 20 min
Player experience
Geek Level6 / 10Has a favorite side character
How we rate

Type trading card game

  • dice-building
  • collectible
  • two players
Publisher
WizKids
Designers
Mike Elliott
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • DC Comics Dice Masters: Justice League (April 2015)

Source 1 (wizkids.com) Source 2 (en.wikipedia.org)

Licensed classic editions

Monopoly Batman Edition

    Batman has had a Monopoly edition with Gotham-themed settings. Press coverage confirmed the basics, but we found no publisher page for a newer edition.

    How it plays

    It’s classic Monopoly, with Gotham City buildings to collect as you move around the board.

    The film or show connection

    This edition draws on the wider Batman world rather than a film. CBR describes tokens including Batman, Robin, and the Joker's toy teeth.

    Difficulty
    Time to explainabout 8 min
    Player experience
    Geek Level3 / 10Knows the main characters
    How we rate

    Type licensed classic edition

    • property trading
    • Gotham
    • classic edition
    Show detailsHide details

    Source 1 (cbr.com)

    Cluedo: Batman

    • 2+ players
    • Ages 8+

    A family mystery about a kidnapping. Winning Moves listed it for ages 8+ and 2 or more players. The product page now redirects to the company homepage, so the source is an archived copy.

    How it plays

    Play Batman and visit Gotham locations such as the Docks, the GCPD Rooftop, the Sewer, and Arkham Asylum. Figure out who kidnapped Commissioner Gordon, where he’s held, and which stolen Bat gadget was used.

    The film or show connection

    Batman investigates Commissioner Gordon’s kidnapping across Gotham City. Suspects include Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, the Joker, the Riddler, Catwoman, and the Penguin.

    Difficulty
    Time to explainabout 5 min
    Player experience
    Geek Level3 / 10Knows the main characters
    How we rate

    Type licensed classic edition

    • deduction
    • family
    • Gotham
    Publisher
    Winning Moves
    Show detailsHide details

    Source 1 (web.archive.org)

    Chess sets

    Batman Chess Sets

    • 2 players
    • Ages 7+

    The Noble Collection set is the Batman chess set we could confirm. It includes 32 Batman-themed pieces and a foldable board, and uses standard chess rules.

    How it plays

    It’s standard chess; only the pieces and board artwork get a Batman makeover.

    The film or show connection

    It draws on the wider Batman franchise, rather than adapting a specific film or show. Batman and Batgirl face the Joker and Harley Quinn.

    Difficulty
    Time to explainabout 15 min
    Player experience
    Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
    How we rate

    Type chess set

    • chess
    • Batman vs Joker
    • display piece
    Publisher
    The Noble Collection
    Show detailsHide details

    Editions and expansions

    • Noble Collection Batman vs The Joker

    Source 1 (noblecollection.co.uk) Source 2 (cbr.com)

    Batman Monopoly, Love Letter and the rest, compared

    Batman games compared by year, players, ages and type
    GameYearPlayersAgesType
    Batman: Gotham City Chronicles20182-414+strategy board game
    Batman: The Animated Series: Gotham City Under Siege20181-5Not listedcooperative game
    Batman: The Animated Series Adventures: Shadow of the Bat20201-5Not listedcooperative game
    Batman Miniature Game2012214+miniatures game
    Love Letter: Batman20152-4Not listedcard game
    Batman Fluxx20152-68+card game
    Monopoly Batman EditionNot listedNot listedNot listedlicensed classic edition
    Cluedo: BatmanNot listed2+8+licensed classic edition
    DC Comics Deck-Building Game20122-515+deck-building game
    DC Comics Dice Masters2015214+trading card game
    Batman Chess SetsNot listed27+chess set

    A Batman tabletop timeline

    Batman tabletop games released from 2012 to now.

    Fancy playing the villain? Gotham City Chronicles lets one player lead the bad guys.

    Three products share the Animated Series look, so they’re easy to mix up: two IDW board games and a Fluxx deck. Batman Shadow of the Bat board game is the miniatures game.

    Batman: The Animated Series board game and the Batman Shadow of the Bat board game

    Two IDW games and one card game share the Animated Series look, but they’re separate products.

    Gotham City Under Siege (2018)

    1-5 players. A four-act cooperative dice game inspired by first-season episodes.

    Shadow of the Bat (2020 Kickstarter)

    1-5 players. A miniatures game with 24 episode-inspired missions, played cooperatively or with one player controlling the villains.

    Batman Fluxx (2015)

    2-6 players, 10-30 minutes. An out-of-print card game with art in the style of the Animated Series.

    For minis, choose between a story and a skirmish. Gotham City Chronicles gives one player the villains and the others the heroes; Knight Models pits two crews against each other. Marvel fans considering a similar choice can compare our Marvel board games.

    IDW wound down its games line in 2021, so check secondhand listings for its Batman games.

    Batman miniatures game: Gotham City Chronicles or Knight Models?

    Two miniatures games take very different paths through Gotham.

    Gotham City Chronicles

    2-4 players. An asymmetric, mission-driven game: one player controls a villain, while the heroes work together. Its first Kickstarter in 2018 raised nearly $2 million in 24 hours against a $500,000 goal.

    Batman Miniature Game

    2 players. This crew skirmish game began in 2012. The 3rd Edition launched in 2020, and a starter box takes its theme from the film The Batman.

    Chess is the oldest game on this page; the licensed set simply gives it a new look. The rules stay the same, with Batman and Joker pieces, so choose based on the piece design, board, and display. The Batman chess set entry above covers the Noble Collection option.

    Batman chess set: the Noble Collection option

    A licensed Batman chess set gives the oldest game on this page a new look.

    • Noble Collection: Batman vs The Joker

      32 silver and gold finished pieces, plus a foldable 18.5-inch comic-inspired board. For ages 7+. Batman and Batgirl face the Joker and Harley Quinn.

    • Standard chess rules

      The pieces feature Batman designs such as the Batmobile and Bat-Signal, but the rules are standard chess.

    Batman board game facts

    Its publisher lists Batman Fluxx as out of print.

    • Gotham City Chronicles raised nearly $2 million in its first 24 hours on Kickstarter in 2018, against a $500,000 goal.

      Source 1 (nerdist.com)

    • Batman Fluxx is out of print, and Looney Labs says a reprint is unlikely. Nobody can win while Villains are on the table.

      Source 1 (faq.looneylabs.com)

    • In 2021, IDW said it was winding down IDW Games while completing its Batman: The Animated Series line.

      Source 1 (comicbook.com)

    • ComicBook.com reports that the Shadow of the Bat Kickstarter raised over $1.6 million.

      Source 1 (comicbook.com)

    • Knight Models launched the Batman Miniature Game in 2012, adapting the Arkham City video game into a skirmish game.

      Source 1 (gamingtrend.com)

    • The DC Comics Deck-Building Game runs on the Cerberus engine. Its Batman vs. The Joker Rivals set is for two players.

      Source 1 (cryptozoic.com)

    Batman board game questions

    What is the Batman Shadow of the Bat board game?

    Batman: The Animated Series Adventures: Shadow of the Bat is an IDW miniatures game for 1-5 players, with 24 episode-inspired missions. It launched on Kickstarter in 2020 and is separate from Gotham City Under Siege.

    Is there a Batman The Animated Series board game?

    Yes. IDW made two: Batman: The Animated Series: Gotham City Under Siege (2018), a cooperative dice game, and Batman: The Animated Series Adventures: Shadow of the Bat, a miniatures game launched on Kickstarter in 2020. Batman Fluxx also features Animated Series art.

    Is there a Batman Monopoly game?

    Yes. Monopoly Batman is a Gotham-themed edition. CBR describes tokens including Batman, Robin, and the Joker's toy teeth. We found no publisher page confirming details of a newer edition.

    Are there any Batman card games?

    There are several. Batman Fluxx is out of print, and Love Letter: Batman was hard to find in 2022. The DC Comics Deck-Building Game and DC Comics Dice Masters also feature Batman as a playable character.

    Is Batman Fluxx still in print?

    No. Looney Labs lists Batman Fluxx as out of print and says it has no plans to reprint it.

    How do you play Batman Love Letter?

    It follows the 20-minute Love Letter format for 2-4 players. Draw a card, play one of the two cards in your hand, then resolve it. The highest surviving card wins a Batman victory token.

    Which Batman miniatures game should I pick?

    It depends on your group. Batman: Gotham City Chronicles suits 2-4 players who enjoy one-versus-many missions. Knight Models' Batman Miniature Game is a two-player crew skirmish.

    Is there a Batman chess set?

    Yes. The Noble Collection sells a Batman vs The Joker set with 32 silver and gold finished pieces and a foldable board.

    DC Deck-Building features Batman, though the game covers the wider DC universe.

    Fancy playing the villain? Gotham City Chronicles lets one player lead the bad guys.

    Sources

    1. Monolith: Batman: Gotham City Chronicles monolithedition.com
    2. Nerdist: Gotham City Chronicles on Kickstarter nerdist.com
    3. ComicBook.com: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3 comicbook.com
    4. ComicBook.com: Gotham City Under Siege announcement comicbook.com
    5. Nerdist: Gotham City Under Siege hands-on nerdist.com
    6. ComingSoon.net: Shadow of the Bat on Kickstarter comingsoon.net
    7. ComicBook.com: IDW exits tabletop games comicbook.com
    8. Gaming Trend: Batman Miniature Game gamingtrend.com
    9. Ars Technica: the many faces of Love Letter arstechnica.com
    10. Looney Labs: Batman Fluxx looneylabs.com
    11. Cryptozoic: DC Deck-Building Game cryptozoic.com
    12. WizKids: DC Dice Masters Justice League wizkids.com
    13. Noble Collection: Batman vs Joker chess set noblecollection.co.uk
    14. CBR: 10 Batman Board Games, Ranked cbr.com