Ethan Crossfield 
Players waiting for more content in Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight have a firm date to mark. The Joker and Harley Quinn DLC launches September 18, adding both villains as playable characters, a new story level, and additional Mayhem Mode content. Every version of the game will also receive the free Absolute difficulty update that day, while the Switch 2 edition arrives alongside the expansion.
What changes with the Joker and Harley Quinn DLC?
The expansion gives the Joker and Harley Quinn a dedicated playable chapter centered on an Arkham Asylum breakout and the chaos that follows in Gotham City. The pair will also be available in Mayhem Mode, where players race through the city, destroy landmarks, complete objectives, and battle Task Force X members. The mode is timed: each run requires players to return to Amusement Mile before Batman and Robin catch them. The opposing roster includes Deathstroke, Killer Croc, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, King Shark, Polka-Dot Man, and Katana.
Who gets the new content?
The DLC is included with the game's deluxe edition. Owners of the base game can upgrade for $24.99. The pack also adds Joker-themed suits for all seven playable characters from the main game, including Batman's Bat Who Laughs costume. That gives existing players more than two new characters to use, although the expansion's biggest additions remain the villain-focused story level and the Mayhem Mode scenarios.
What happens on September 18?
The paid expansion and the free Absolute difficulty update launch on the same day. Absolute will sit above Dark Knight as the game's toughest setting and will be available across all versions, so players do not need to purchase the deluxe edition to try it. The Switch 2 version also releases on September 18, making the date relevant to both returning players and people waiting for the new platform edition.
What players should know
- Joker and Harley Quinn become playable on September 18.
- The DLC includes a dedicated Arkham Asylum level and new Mayhem Mode content.
- The deluxe edition includes the expansion, while the base-game upgrade costs $24.99.
- All seven base-game playable characters receive Joker-inspired suits.
- Absolute difficulty is a free update for every version and exceeds Dark Knight in difficulty.
- The Switch 2 version launches on the same day as the DLC and update.
Expert View
This update addresses two clear needs for the game: more villain-focused content and a tougher challenge for experienced players. The new characters and timed Mayhem Mode runs should provide a reason to return, while the free Absolute setting ensures the difficulty upgrade is not locked behind the paid expansion. Players mainly interested in story content will need to weigh the $24.99 upgrade, but those seeking a harder endgame or more ways to use the existing roster have a stronger reason to follow the September 18 launch.
