Joker brings the funnies in latest Arkham Asylum trailer
by Dustin Burg 
{ Jan 30th 2009 at 6:00AM } 
It's time for another trip into the out-of-kilter crazy house that is Batman: Arkham Asylum. Though the first teaser and most recent screenshots highlighted the game's moody lighting and dour atmosphere, the latest Breakout Trailer (embedded after the fold) finally gives us a glimpse at the gameplay. Sailing through the air, sneaking through enemy territory and punching goons in the stomach -- yup, that sounds like the Batman we know.
[Thanks, Carl V.]
Gallery: Batman: Arkham Asylum (12/22/08)
[Thanks, Carl V.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Milton @ Jan 30th 2009 6:20AM
Hmm..looks like they are trying to make this a traditional Batman game...not bad.
suicycle.com @ Feb 1st 2009 4:08PM
I agree. There is a certain grittiness here that I find quite appealing.
kojak316 @ Jan 30th 2009 6:34AM
Me thinks they should of gone with the "Killing Joke" Joker, by far the most superior Joker, by this game does get more and more impressive everytime I see it, combat looks good, animation looks good, not sure about the questionable voice acting but im pretty sure ill be getting this on release =)
Ian Murray @ Jan 30th 2009 9:47AM
lolwut.
Looks like someone never watched the animated series.
NoughtSoClever @ Jan 30th 2009 10:21AM
"questionable voice acting"
now THAT is a good joke.
Cash @ Jan 30th 2009 4:30PM
I dunno... I love me some Batman:TAS, but it sounds like Mark Hamill is trying to add a little Heath Ledger Joker into his performance. Either that, or he's getting old and doesn't like going as high pitched as he did in the series.
Kevin Conroy is still knocking it out of the park though... glad he wasn't tempted to go grittier.
Chente916 @ Jan 30th 2009 6:34AM
can't wait...
Palmer @ Jan 30th 2009 6:40AM
Woo! Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy FTW! Though it's weird, in this trailer the voicing sounded a little bit more subdued as opposed to when they were on Batman: TAS.
kojak316 @ Jan 30th 2009 6:45AM
yea but mark hamill is mark hamill, not exactly grade A material, they could of got someone with a bit more depth too them?
tcc3 @ Jan 30th 2009 7:07AM
Are you kidding? Mark Hamil has been the definitive Joker until Heath Ledger redefined the role last year. Nobody does that perfect mix of malice, insanity and humor better.
Do yourself a favor and watch the Animated series. Most people may remember him for a mediocre performance in a cheesy but beloved 70's sci if movie, but his voice acting is top notch.
They could not have done better than Conroy and Hamil.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Jan 30th 2009 7:32AM
Hamill's Joker sounds a bit stale, but Conroy's Batman sounds just like he did ten years ago:
Badass.
SunKing @ Jan 30th 2009 8:05AM
Compared to Heath Ledger, this version of the joker is a bit of a let down. Apart from that, game looks pretty cool.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 30th 2009 8:07AM
Is it just me, or does Hamil sound a bit off?
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 30th 2009 8:15AM
DAMMIT THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE A REPLY!!!
capt_carl @ Jan 30th 2009 8:31AM
I watched Batman: TAS religiously when I was a kid. It's hard to think that was over 15 years ago, it feels like it was yesterday. To me, Conroy and Hamill are the definitive versions of their characters.
Chris @ Jan 30th 2009 12:23PM
I would agree about the voice acting, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil are definitely the right choices for this.
Hamil *does* sound a little off. I think it has to do with his timing, like he's reading his lines too fast. The pitch and intonation are spot on with my memory of TAS and Justice League. It's possible Hamil is just a bit off after 15 years, but my guess is it's just the selection of lines they used for this trailer more than anything.
OMGOMG @ Jan 30th 2009 11:32AM
Wait wait wait. Mark Hamill was in Star Wars?
KiraXD @ Jan 30th 2009 4:11PM
oh man the memories that trailer just invoked.... Batman TAS was(is) my favorite american animation of all time...
in my eyes (ears rather)Kevin and Mark ARE batman and joker... they have been for 15 years... and when i hear their voice... they immediately invoke the imagery of the hero and villain in my brain...
if i saw this game and batmans voice WASNT kevins.... it would just not be the same.
Milton @ Jan 30th 2009 7:26AM
@tcc3 I agree with you about Mark Hamill, but I completely disagree about your Ledger comment. I think Heath Ledger was amazing in TDK but to say he redefined it is completely untrue. I think Mr. Ledger was simply doing Joker in his own way, the best he possibly could. With that being said, this is definitely download or rental worthy, not buy worthy(I've hated Batman games since Batman Forever on the Sega Genesis.)
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jan 30th 2009 7:54AM
So what you're saying is despite only seeing a breif glimpse of the game, you'll gladly steal what the developer is doing but damned it all if you'll actually pay for it.
And then you curse it with previous Batman games which, judging by the ton in this trailer, they're about as far removed from this project as the Sunsoft NES Batman games.
tcc3 @ Jan 30th 2009 8:37AM
I think we agree here. I didn't mean redefine as a slight against Ledger. He definitely went his own way in DK to great effect. It was a unique take on the character, not derivative of Nicholson or Hamill.
Jcarpio @ Jan 30th 2009 8:49AM
Actually I concede Milton's point. The history of Batman games could deter people from buying the game. A demo and/or collection of reviews would lead to the buy/rent decision.
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jan 30th 2009 9:17AM
But milton said download. He's a fucking thief. And I hope somewhere along the lines he loses HIS job and livelyhood due to selfish pricks like himself.
ZeroCorpse @ Jan 30th 2009 11:34AM
There ARE ways to download a game that aren't stealing, you know. I'm pretty sure the entire PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Arcade are made up of downloadable games.
You made quite a leap, there.
As for the voice-over work: Top notch. I'm glad they went with Conroy and Hamill.
forestofdeath @ Jan 30th 2009 6:08PM
please, show me where i can purchase arkham asylum on XBLA or PSN. -__-
Jeeb @ Jan 30th 2009 7:44AM
Having seen that, I'm more impressed than I was, by a long way. I've been watching this one from the first screen shots and after that trailer, this is actually looking like something worth buying. Also, having Mark Hamill in as the Joker is an absolutely GENIUS move. He may not 'look' like the Joker, but he's definitely got the right voice for it. Now all we have to hope is that the gameplay doesn't ruin it...
zombienutz @ Jan 30th 2009 7:56AM
This game looks better and better every time I see it. Let us hope it plays as well as it is showing.
Comet @ Jan 30th 2009 8:18AM
Looks great but Hamil doesn't sound like he used to. Maybe he was trying something darker?
capt_carl @ Jan 30th 2009 8:22AM
Woo I got credit for it!
But seriously, when I saw this I got goosebumps. It's so awesome hearing Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill back together again.
The Dark Wayne @ Jan 30th 2009 9:06AM
I never get credit for anything Batman related I submit. The death of TDK game and the AA gallery, that was me!
Zanthox @ Jan 30th 2009 8:47AM
Dear Lord, lets this game be good.
Bravo6 @ Jan 30th 2009 8:54AM
Hmmm looks good so far..
DarrenHollywood @ Jan 30th 2009 9:49AM
Your Icon looks like a thong. I like it.
ryan @ Jan 30th 2009 11:57AM
....Don't be getting any ideas you two!
Jerk Face @ Jan 30th 2009 12:01PM
Mr. Hollywood, your website is a delight.
Bravo6 @ Jan 30th 2009 2:57PM
It's not supposed to be a thong, but I'm a photographer, and considering many of my subjects, that's very fitting. Maybe it was a subliminal design choice.
bearmedal @ Jan 30th 2009 9:23AM
Is it just me, or does Mark Hamill sound different than in the cartoon?
capt_carl @ Jan 30th 2009 10:15AM
Yea I think so too. I think he's putting a slightly different spin on the Joker character this time around. Sounds darker, which is suiting for this game.
Felipe @ Jan 30th 2009 9:37AM
Totally getting this game when it comes out. Seems like the best super hero game I've seen.
t_m @ Jan 30th 2009 9:50AM
Given the change in style of this game over the animated series I guess that hamill was going for something a bit darker.
Sounded ok to me, but not so funny ;-)
Tha0racle @ Jan 30th 2009 9:53AM
Looks fantastic , can't wait to play it.
Tha0racle @ Jan 30th 2009 9:56AM
I hope there are a lot of gadgets to play with as well...
Premature ejaculation man @ Jan 30th 2009 10:14AM
The batman looks a little weird to me. Perhaps his proportions?
Nytemare @ Jan 30th 2009 11:10AM
I agree, his facial structure looks a bit awkward. Maybe they'll fix it for the release.
On a side note, I'm so pumped for this game now! I was before, but now I got to see some gameplay!
MaliceMajorE15 @ Jan 30th 2009 10:27AM
it looks really good to me, and i dont normally rate superhero games. conroy and hamil are perfect and will onli further my immersion into the game word
Dralthi @ Jan 30th 2009 10:33AM
So far this game is looking awesome. I can't wait to see some more in-depth gameplay videos. Batman looks badass and Joker, while a little on the anorexic side, looks very sinister even though Heath Ledger's performance has set a new standard for me. Mark Hamil and Kevin Conroy reprising their roles is nothing but awesome! I loved Batman: The Animated Series!
WiNG [XBL&Steam: WiNGSPANTT] from lifeinagame.com @ Jan 30th 2009 10:39AM
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DDD @ Jan 30th 2009 10:57AM
i think it's pretty obvious both Hamill and Conroy made their voices "darker" than their usual cartoon styles to fit this game. prob a good idea. i just love hearing em.
The Dark Wayne @ Jan 30th 2009 11:09AM
did anyone else notice that comissioner gordon was the guy who voiced the hellboy trailers? Also Batman's voice sounds different than the original TAS but is almost exactly the same as in Justice League and Gotham Knight
capt_carl @ Jan 30th 2009 12:11PM
I secretly wished that Bob Hastings was Gordon. It would only fit the Batman: TAS motif even more.