Since Batman: Arkham Asylum (BAA) feels like a mash-up of some great modern games. Sometimes great games take good mechanics from other games that may have been great, mediocre, or even bad. , I wanted to pay tribute to the games that I felt the masterpiece that is Batman: Arkham Asylum borrowed from. Please note that this is my opinion and in no way has been confirmed or denied by the publisher or developer of the greatest Batman game ever!

Condemned (2005) & Condemned 2 (2008)

What BAA borrowed:
The detective parts where you scan an area for evidence.

Why you should check these games out:
These two horror games, though criticized for having horrible endings are quite the ride and packed with many scares. As a detective you are trying to redeem your name in a supernatural world going mad. Each with unique fighting systems the Condemned games are filled with tension and suspense around every corner.

Ethan changes ethnicity between game 1 and 2.

Prince of Persia (2008)

What BAA borrowed:
If Batman starts to fall down an endless pit he is given the option to use his grappling hook to get out of the situation and put him back up onto the last ledge he was standing on.

Why you should check this game out:
The Prince of Persia series was reboot again after the third Sands of Time game. This time out the game was more about rhythm in movement and fighting. Controlling the Prince almost like playing a music game; running across walls and ceilings, with the help of a Princess’ magic to keep from falling to his doom. This game often criticized for holding the player’s hand by preventing death, but I looked at it more as an interesting checkpoint system. The game is full of challenge in mastering the rhythm of the game. If you are able to master the rhythm the flow becomes very artistic and beautiful; instead of having clunky long battles the Prince becomes an acrobat. This game is best enjoyed on a large HD-TV due to the expansive draw-distance of the gorgeous landscape. (There was a huge difference in the beauty of the game between a 32” HDTV and a 52” HDTV.)

This time the prince is a vagabond without a kingdom

Bioshock (2007)

What BAA borrowed:
An ever present voice over the loud speaker system, for BAA it’s the Joker and for Bioshock it’s Andrew Ryan.  Much of the story of Bioshock is told through Audio logs hidden throughout the city; in the same vein there are audio logs throughout Arkham Asylum revealing the stories of some of Batman’s villains.

Why you should check this game out:
Bioshock is one of the reasons you should have an HD console. This demented world of mystery crosses many boundaries of horror, mystery and adventure.  This game will make you wonder what else you have been missing out on in life.

Drugs give powers and the hunger for more drugs.

Assassin’s Creed (2007)

What BAA borrowed:
Battles based around the flow of countering enemies attacks. The rhythmic battles of Assassin’s Creed were improved upon in BAA, making the complex battles easier to pull off.

Why you should check this game out:
You get to kill corrupt leaders as an assassin; need I say more? Though many cry foul of the repetitive tasks in this game, it is still worth a play-through.

Can you take on an army of guards?

Metroid Prime (Series) (2002, 2004, 2007)

What BAA borrowed:
A world broken down into small rooms; each filled with baddies, and puzzles.

Why you should check this game out:
Lucky for you if you own a Wii. These three games were just released as the Metroid Trilogy. These first-person action adventure games put you in the shoes of a bounty hunter exploring a lost world alone. There is no other experience quite like the one that is created in these games that are chock-full of puzzles, upgrades, and lots of space pirates. Yeah, I know. The only thing cooler than space pirates is zombie pirates in space. Unfortunately there aren’t any of those in these games…. Please Nintendo give us some zombie pirates in space!

Yeah.... Space Pirates are cool. Very cool.

The Legend of Zelda (All games since 1998)

What BAA borrowed:
Use the new item you just got against boss to reveal weak point, then lock on and attack weak that weak point with bat-a-rang/sword. Rinse and repeat 3 times.

Why you should check these games out:
The Zelda series is known for incredible level designs, simple controls and complex puzzles. With charming music it’s hard to figure out what’s not to love. Like every video game series everyone has their own favorite.

Serious Link or cute Link take your pick?