"Tomb Raider: A Chronological Gaming Guide"

The Tomb Raider franchise boasts a storied history, with Lara Croft exploring ancient ruins and tombs worldwide. Overcoming challenges at every turn, Lara has secured her place among the most iconic video game protagonists. As Crystal Dynamics develops a new Tomb Raider game, promising another thrilling adventure for Lara, we've compiled a chronological list of all Tomb Raider games to help fans embark on or revisit their journey from the beginning.

For those eager to delve into the series, we offer guidance on how to play the games in both chronological and release order.

How Many Tomb Raider Games Are There?

As of 2025, there are 20 Tomb Raider games, divided into three distinct timelines, each offering unique storylines and variations on Lara and her companions. Fourteen of these games were released for home consoles, six also supported handheld devices, and six were available on mobile platforms. Stand-alone titles such as Tomb Raider: The Prophecy, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Lara Croft Go, Lara Croft: Relic Run, and Tomb Raider Reloaded are not included in our lists.

Which Tomb Raider Should You Play First?

For newcomers in 2025, we recommend starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot, the first entry in the "Survivor" trilogy. This sets the stage for Lara's recent adventures, culminating in 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

Embarking on a chronological journey through the Tomb Raider series involves navigating three different timelines.

First Timeline - Original Saga

1. Tomb Raider (1996)

Lara's first adventure begins when she is hired by Jacquelin Natla to find the Scion of Atlantis. After collecting its three fragments across the globe, Lara faces betrayal and battles Natla on a monster-filled volcanic island.

Available on: PlayStation, iOS, Android, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider Review

2. Tomb Raider: The Curse of the Sword (2001)

This Game Boy Color exclusive follows Lara as she seeks to destroy a mystical sword before the resurrected Madame Paveau uses it to dominate the world.

Available on: Game Boy Color | IGN’s Curse of the Sword Review

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

Lara hunts the Dagger of Xian, a magical weapon that can transform its owner into a dragon. Her adversary is cult leader Marco Bartoli.

Available on: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider II Review

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

Lara's quest is to find the Infada Stone, one of four meteorite-crafted artifacts. She must stop Dr. Willard from using them to mutate the planet.

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider III Review

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

Exploring an Egyptian tomb, Lara unwittingly frees the god of chaos, Set. She must summon Horus to save Cairo from destruction.

Available on: PlayStation, Mac OS, PC, Dreamcast | IGN’s The Last Revelation Review

6. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)

Following the ambiguous ending of The Last Revelation, Lara's friends share tales of her past adventures, solidifying her reputation as a seasoned explorer.

Available on: PlayStation, PC, Mac OS, Dreamcast | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Chronicles Review

7. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)

Framed for murder, Lara navigates Paris and Prague to clear her name, uncovering secrets with the help of Kurtis Trent.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, Mac OS X | IGN’s Angel of Darkness Review

Second Timeline - Legend of Tomb Raider

1. Tomb Raider Anniversary (2007)

A remake of the 1996 original, this game features Lara's quest for the Scion of Atlantis with updated puzzles and physics.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, Mobile, OS X, PS3 | IGN’s Tomb Raider Anniversary Review

2. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)

A reboot of Lara's origins, she races to find Excalibur before her former friend Amanda Evert.

Available on: GBA, Gamecube, PC, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360 | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Legend Review

3. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

Lara searches for Mjolnir, the key to Helheim, confronting Natla once more in her quest.

Available on: Nintendo DS, PS3, Wii, PC, Xbox 360, Mobile, PlayStation 2, OS X | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Underworld Review

Third Timeline - Survivor Trilogy

1. Tomb Raider (2013)

A grittier Lara Croft faces survival challenges on an isolated island, thwarting the Solarii Brotherhood's Ascension ritual.

Available on: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, OS X, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Linux | IGN’s Tomb Raider (2013) Review

2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)

Lara explores Siberia for the city of Kitezh, clashing with Trinity and uncovering the truth about the Deathless Ones.

Available on: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PS4, macOS, Linux, Stadia | IGN’s Rise of the Tomb Raider Review

3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)

Lara's final adventure in the Survivor Trilogy takes her through the Americas to prevent a Mayan apocalypse.

Available on: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Linux, macOS, Stadia | IGN’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider Review

How to Play ALL the Tomb Raider Games By Release Date

For those interested in experiencing the games in the order they were released:

• Tomb Raider (1996)
• Tomb Raider II (1997)
• Tomb Raider III (1998)
• Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
• Tomb Raider (Game Boy Color, 2000)
• Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)
• Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (Game Boy Color, 2001)
• Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (GBA, 2002)
• Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
• Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
• Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
• Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010)
• Tomb Raider (2013)
• Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (2014)
• Lara Croft: Relic Run (2015)
• Lara Croft Go (2015)
• Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
• Tomb Raider Reloaded (2023)

What’s Next for Tomb Raider?

Fans of the original games can now enjoy remastered collections for current-gen consoles, with Tomb Raider I-III Remastered released in early 2024, followed by Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered in February.

Crystal Dynamics is developing a new Tomb Raider game using Unreal Engine 5, to be published by Amazon Games. While details are sparse, the developers have hinted on Twitter that it will continue Lara Croft’s saga, potentially extending the Survivor trilogy.

Beyond gaming, Netflix's animated series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, premiered in October and has been renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, Amazon's planned series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been shelved.