Created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm in 1992 forBatman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn was originally going to be a temporary villain and romantic interest for the Joker. As it turned out, the character was well-received and was cemented in DC Comics and Batman comic book canon. Since then, Harley Quinn has appeared in numerous comic books, television shows, movies, and video games. Next up in the video game world for Harley Quinn will be Rocksteady Studios’Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
Exactly as the title suggests, the game will see members of the Suicide Squad attempt to kill members of the Justice League after Superman falls under Brainiac’s mind control. While the game will feature the four playable characters of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark, it will likely be the popular Harley that leads the story. While fans wait forSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueto be released in 2022, it’s a perfect time to look at the history of Harley Quinn’s appearances in various video games.
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The Batman Animated Universe Games
Harley Quinn’s earliest gaming roots go back to adventures inspired byBatman: The Animated Seriesitself. 1994’sThe Adventures of Batman & Robinfeatured the two titular characters fighting different enemies, and Harley was one of them. 2001’sBatman: Chaos in Gothamsaw the Caped Crusader deal with a massive breakout from Arkham Asylum, rounding up inmates like Harley Quinn. In the same year,Batman: Vengeancereally let Harley Quinn shine as a major part of the story, manipulating Batman and other criminals ina plot to overtake Gotham with the Joker.
The last game inspired by theBatmananimated television series is 2003’sBatman: Rise of Sin Tzu. This beat ‘em up game featuresan entirely new antagonist for the Batfamily, but unfortunately Sin Tzu wouldn’t really be used in comics again until 2016. Harley Quinn was only briefly in the game as well, seen in suspended animation in Arkham Asylum by Sin Tzu. For all these appearances of Harley Quinn, Arleen Sorkin voiced the character, reprising the role she originated in the animated shows.
The LEGO DC Games
Traveller’s Tales led the charge on development for eachLEGO Batmangame, as well asLEGO DimensionsandLEGO DC Super-Villains. Since these types of games often featuresdozens of LEGO-transformed characters from their respective franchises, it’s a no-brainer that Harley Quinn would be added as a playable character. Grey Delisle made the sound effects for Harley Quinn in the first game, Laura Bailey voiced her inLEGO Batman 2, and Tara Strong voiced her in the other three games.
The Injustice Games
Set in an alternate universe after Superman is tricked into killing Lois Lane by the Joker,NetherRealm Studios’Injusticeis a fighting gamethat follows several DC Comics characters fighting against Superman’s tyrannical Regime. Harley Quinn is featured in bothInjusticeandInjustice 2, and is a reformed semi-heroine in the latter. She has plenty of moves with her pistol and bat, as well as a Super Move that features her pet hyenas, Bud and Lou. Tara Strong voices the character in theInjusticegames.
The Telltale Batman Series
Telltale Games’Batman: The Enemy Withinis an episodic adventure featuring choices where players can make important decisions, like whether to havethe Joker become a villain or a vigilante. Harley Quinn is one of the antagonists of the story, as she plays a role in stealing a biological weapon called the Lotus Virus during the course of the game. This iteration of the character is voiced by Laura Post.
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Mobile, Online, and Other DC Comics Games
DC Universe Onlinerecently celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the MMO still has a large and dedicated player base. The game featured several iconic DC Comics villains from the get-go, and Harley Quinn also had a focus in the story episode called “Harley’s Heist and Darkseid’s War Factory.” Arleen Sorkin voiced the character at the game’s onset, but it is now being voiced by Jen Brown.
Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventureis a puzzle video game by 5th Cell, and Harley appears briefly to cause some trouble for the player. Interestingly enough, DC Comics tried to dip its hand into the MOBA genre with 2015’sInfinite Crisis, developed by Turbine. Harley Quinn was added as one of the playable champions, and was described as a ranged support. This iteration was again voiced by Tara Strong, but unfortunately the game was shut down less than a year after launch.
The DC Film universe saw the first live-action version of the popular character in 2016’sSuicide Squad, andHarley Quinn will star again in this year’sThe Suicide Squadfilm. Based on events from the first film,Suicide Squad: Special Opswas a first-person mobile game that saw players fight enemies as Harley Quinn, Deadshot, or El Diablo. FourThirtyThree’sDC Unchainedand WB Games San Francisco’sDC Legendsare both gatcha-style mobile RPGs, and Harley Quinn is one of many collectible characters in both of the games.
Of course, the character of Harley Quinn has technically appeared in other games as well. There have beenHarley Quinn skins inFortnite,Mortal Kombat 11, and other games.
The Arkham Games
Saving the most relevant for last, Harley Quinn has appeared throughout theArkhamseries of videogames that began with 2009’sArkham Asylum. TheArkham CityDLC “Harley Quinn’s Revenge” features the character, and there was evena Harley Quinn-focused DLC forArkham Knightwhere players could take control of the anti-hero to rescue Poison Ivy. BothArkham City LockdownandArkham Underworldare mobile spin-off games set in the same universe, and feature Harley in some way.
Plus, sinceSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguetakes place in the Arkhamverse, it’s a bonus thatTara Strong, the voice of Harley Quinn in most of theArkhamgames, will be returning. Harley has an intense journey in the Arkhamverse, from seeing the Joker as Dr. Harleen Quinzel inArkham Originsto trying to take down Superman as part of a villain team inKill the Justice League.It will be interesting to see her story continue in the next game.
Since it will bea while before fans hear Squad: Kill the Justice League, let alone be able to play it, there might be additional Harley Quinn moments that make their way into videogames. For example,Gotham Knightsmay feature Harley as an enemy. Until then, it seems like fans can’t get enough of DC Comics’ Maiden of Mischief.
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