While watching the caped crusader escape from the art gallery, Jack Nicholson as the Joker once asked from just where does Batman get "those wonderful toys." According to Christopher Nolan, the majority came from Lucius Fox. In reality, you'd be hard pressed to find a man or store with a line launcher, smoke bombs, or grapnel gun. Well, there is one store, but traditionally it's in the business of constantly offering magazine subscriptions or lousy trade in deals for your older video games. Of course, that store in question is Game Stop, who's offering a "working" grapnel gun replica of the one used by the dark knight.
For the cost of $35, the spring loaded, motorized replica from the upcoming game is all yours, leaving you free to shoot all two hooks into your dry wall, no doubt shattering the hooks to pieces. Am I a bit cynical? No doubt. Will I buy it...probably, because I do love me some Batman. The batarang from the first Arkham game is proudly displayed in my office atop Superman's cape and a black lantern ring. Sure, I complain a bit about GameStop as a retailer, but I do enjoy the rare occasion when they offer things like things. Kind of like that hidden blade they were selling for Assassin's Creed III.
While the grapnel gun won't actually be available until November, you can pre-order yours now from GameStop's website if you're paranoid about them flying off store shelves. Once you do manage to hold one in your sweaty fingers, just make sure you don't go trying to climb actual buildings.
The gun is based off the one that Bats will use to zip around Gotham city in the upcoming prequel Batman: Arkham Origins.
The game stars a younger, not as experienced Batman we've seen in past Arkham games. The criminal Black Mask is offering a boatload of cash to whoever can kill the caped crusader. A number of hired killers are on the hunt, though not all have been revealed just yet. Batman is armed with more than just his grapnel gun and batarangs. He's actually carrying a few new toys thrown in for good measure, all to help him pummel thugs throughout a Gotham city that's almost double the size of the one seen in Arkham City. Classic villains from Batman's lengthy rouges gallery are set to appear, like Penguin, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Scarecrow, Bane, and the Joker. A few other villains will also be appear to make their video game debut, such as Black Mask, and the recently announced Copperhead. More will no doubt follow.
Batman: Arkham Origins launches Oct. 25 on Windows PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U.
