Everything we've learned about LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight so far

Many exciting games are scheduled to be released in 2026. From the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, to one of the most ambitious superhero titles in the form of Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra. However, the tides changed the moment LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight was announced during Gamescom Opening Night Live. Now, gamers around the world are eager to step into the shoes of the Caped Crusader and fight for the soul of Gotham City.

Make no mistake, this is no ordinary Lego game. This is simultaneously shaping up to be a spiritual successor to the highly acclaimed Batman: Arkham saga while also paying homage to the hero's most iconic stories across movies, comic book pages, and TV series. With that in mind, everyone wants to learn more about TT Games' latest project and, luckily for us, there's a lot to break down. So, without further ado, here's everything we know about LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.

There are seven playable characters (so far)

LEGO games normally allow players to take control over multiple playable characters, and the Caped Crusader's upcoming adventure won't be the exception. Granted, on most occasions, the changes between characters are simply cosmetic. However, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will take things in a different direction.

During an interview with IGN, Jonathan Smith, head of the LEGO Batman development team, revealed that the whole Bat-Family will be playable, with each member having different gadgets and gear:

"We've expanded that focus to then build the Bat-Family, with Jim Gordon, Catwoman, Robin progressing into Nightwing, Batgirl. All of those characters have got their own gadgets, gear, and upgrades as well."

Given how there will be gameplay differences in store, we shouldn't expect the game to have over 100 playable characters, as previous LEGO titles did. However, the seven playable heroes confirmed so far are:

1. Batman
2. Jim Gordon
3. Robin
4. Nightwing
5. Batgirl
6. Catwoman
7. Talia al Ghul

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will have a two-player online co-op mode, but if you like to go solo, then the AI will take over the character you aren't playing as. The best part? You can instantly switch between the two heroes with the press of a button. This means Bruce Wayne will have company when fighting the criminals that threaten Gotham City, and we wouldn't want it any other way.

The Riddler puzzles will be back (along with other mini-games)

For better or worse, there's no denying that the classic Riddler puzzles and trophies from the Batman: Arkham saga have become iconic. Even Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League incorporated them into its gameplay mix. So, it isn't surprising to learn that they will be making a comeback in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.

Of course, the Riddler puzzles won't be the only type of side-missions players will find in the world that TT Games created. A 30-minute gameplay reveal also showcased that there will be detective minigames for Bruce to solve. For instance, one of them involves matching Lego pieces to the atoms of a molecule in order to identify what chemicals the Red Hood is using to poison the city.

Knowing TT Games, there will be plenty of other challenges and gameplay mechanics for players to uncover, and we can't wait to learn what they will be like.

There are many unlockable vehicles, including "all the Batmobiles"

For years, gamers asked Rocksteady to let them ride the Batmobile in the Batman: Arkham franchise. Fortunately, that wish finally became a reality when Arkham Knight was released in 2015. But while some feel this new tool was overused a little too much, there's no denying it added a lot of gameplay variety along the way. Fortunately, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will keep the streak going.

Given that the Caped Crusader's upcoming video game will pay homage to countless different projects, fans began to wonder whether their favorite Batmobile skin would be included or not. Fortunately, TT Games' Jonathan Smith put all our worries to ease by confirming "all the Batmobiles" will be in the game:

"Lego can make anything possible, and we can go wherever we want. We can have 66, we can have 89, we can have the Dodge Charger, it's all there (...) the Tumbler, the Batpod, the Batbike, it's all there. And that's just for Batman. All the playable characters have got their own vehicles as well."

That's right, every single playable character will have exclusive vehicles. For instance, Jim Gordon will be able to spawn a S.W.A.T. armored vehicle, a police car, and a police bike. As if that wasn't enough, we'll also get to ride the Batbike across the "open map" of Gotham — a feature that has only been present in Gotham Knights and no other video game. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will also allow the Caped Crusader to glide through the city, much like in the Arkham games. Is there anything this upcoming title can't do?

Gotham will be a big playground, with different areas to unlock and Bat Mite running shops

Who doesn't love to explore a big, intricate, and detailed map in a video game? Fortunately, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will attempt to deliver on this promise. But while the current trend is to put players in a huge map that's completely open from the get-go, DC's upcoming project will lock some areas behind story progression, as revealed by TT Games' Jonathan Smith:

"We've got missions that take place in Gotham and around Gotham, and you'll be free then to explore and discover the secrets of that city as you play through the story. You'll start on Tricorner Island (...) and as you then progress, you'll go into the huge South Island."

So what can players expect from this version of Gotham City? Well, it has been revealed that Bat Mite will be running shops to sell new suits, vehicles, and even upgrades for gadgets and the Batcave. Furthermore, we'll also find many Easter Eggs and comic book references:

"Every shop front, every billboard is a reference from something from the lore or a joke"

As you can see in the video above, this version of Gotham will be fully populated. Traffic and pedestrians will add an extra touch of life to the city—something that was unfortunately missing during the Batman: Arkham days. Besides, if Jonathan's words are anything to go by, it seems we might be able to explore other cities "around Gotham" as well. But we shouldn't get our hopes too high about watching other DC heroes. After all, it has been confirmed that Superman won't appear in the game, as the team wants to focus solely on Batman (which isn't bad, by any means).

The game will have Arkham-like gameplay mechanics with different difficulty options

The Batman: Arkham franchise is undoubtedly missed by fans worldwide (so much so that Rocksteady is rumored to be working on another single-player Batman title). TT Games recognized this and decided to honor the gameplay mechanics that truly "made us feel" like the Caped Crusader in the first place.

The free-flow combat system is back, with Batman being able to perform takedowns once again. Furthermore, you'll be able to use many iconic gadgets to get the upper hand in the most dire of situations, including explosive gel, Batarangs, and the Batclaw.

As if that wasn't enough, the reveal trailer of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight also suggested that the detective vision will make a comeback. And the cherry on top of the cake? We'll be able to use the Batclaw to gain speed and altitude to perform a continued glide throughout the rooftops of Gotham City, much like it happened in the Batman: Arkham franchise (as you can see in the video above).

TT Games also added three difficulty options in their upcoming game:

1. Classic
2. Caped Crusader
3. Dark Knight

As their names indicate, these options are equivalent to easy, normal, and hard. Difficulty settings are a first for any LEGO video game, so regardless of whether you're looking for a challenging experience or just want to have a good, non-complicated time, Legacy of the Dark Knight will have you covered.

A single story that takes inspiration from the many eras of the Dark Knight

LEGO games oftentimes adapt the exact events of a series of movies, with a few slight creative differences along the way. However, Legacy of the Dark Knight will be completely different in this regard, as it will feature a single, original narrative inspired by the character's most iconic movies, TV series, comic books, and even video games:

"You start losing your parents, filled with fear. You train with the League of Shadows, you return to Gotham City, you take up this vigilante stance, and over years, you expand your Batcave, develop new technology, meet new allies — that's the essential, definitive Batman story."

For instance, players will be able to explore Ace Chemicals and fight against the Red Hood much like it happened during the Tim Burton movies. However, once "Jack Napier" drops into the vat of chemicals and turns into the Joker, the story will pull from the Christopher Nolan films and the director's portrayal of those characters.

It's one single continuous narrative, but it will be made from bits and pieces from different Batman stories. It's an ambitious undertaking, but one that could be nothing short of memorable if done right.

There are 100 different suits to collect

Last, but certainly not least, there will be one hundred different suits for players to collect across all the playable characters in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Fortunately, we got a glimpse behind the curtain and learned that the game will include many iconic Batsuits, such as:

1. The Brave and the Bold
2. Golden Age
3. Matt Reeves' The Batman
4. The Dark Knight
5. Rainbow Batman
6. 1966 TV Batsuit

Each suit will have a description, along with the details of its first appearance (regardless of whether that was on the big screen or comic book pages). This will seemingly apply to the other playable characters as well, though it remains to be seen which costumes will be available for them.

All things considered, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is shaping up to be a very ambitious project filled with references to our favorite Batman stories and with gameplay mechanics that are more in-depth than those found in any other TT game. With that in mind, 2026 can't come soon enough for us to experience everything this highly anticipated adventure has to offer.