Tomb Raider has a storied history, with Lara Croft exploring ancient ruins and tombs across the globe. Overcoming countless obstacles, Lara has secured her place among the most iconic video game protagonists. With a new Tomb Raider game in development at Crystal Dynamics, fans eagerly await the next chapter in Lara's adventures. To help newcomers and returning players alike, we've compiled a chronological list of every Tomb Raider game, allowing you to start or restart your journey from the very beginning.
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How to play in chronological order
How to play in release order
How Many Tomb Raider Games Are There?
As of 2025, there are a total of 20 Tomb Raider games, spread across three distinct timelines. These timelines offer different plotlines and variations on Lara and her companions. Out of these, 14 games were released for home consoles, while 6 supported handheld and mobile devices. 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 the lists below.
Which Tomb Raider Should You Play First?
If you're new to the franchise in 2025, we recommend starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. This game kicks off the "Survivor" trilogy, setting the stage for Lara Croft's latest series of expeditions, which culminates in 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
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Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order
Embarking on a chronological journey through the Tomb Raider series involves navigating three separate timelines:
- Original Saga Timeline
- Legend of Tomb Raider Timeline
- Survivor Trilogy Timeline
First Timeline - Original Saga
1. Tomb Raider (1996)
The inaugural Tomb Raider game follows Lara as she is commissioned by Jacquelin Natla to find the Scion of Atlantis. After collecting all three fragments scattered worldwide, Lara is betrayed by Natla and must confront her on a volcanic island teeming with monsters.
Available on: PlayStation, iOS, Android, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider Review
2. Tomb Raider: The Curse of the Sword (2001)
Exclusive to Game Boy Color, this sequel to the original Game Boy Color version sees Lara hunting a mystical sword to prevent the resurrection of Madame Paveau, who aims to conquer the world with dark magic.
Available on: Game Boy Color | IGN’s Curse of the Sword Review
3. Tomb Raider II (1997)
Lara's quest in this game is to find the Dagger of Xian, a magical weapon sought by the cult leader Marco Bartoli, who wants to transform into a dragon using its power.
Available on: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider II Review
4. Tomb Raider III (1998)
Lara's mission in the third mainline game is to locate the Infada Stone, one of four crystalline artifacts created from a meteorite. She must stop Dr. Willard from using the stones to mutate the planet.
Available on: PC, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider III Review
5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
In this installment, Lara inadvertently releases the Egyptian god of chaos, Set, while exploring a tomb. She teams up with Semerkhet to summon Horus and stop Set's destructive rampage.
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 recount her past adventures, including exploring Roman catacombs, a Russian submarine, and a demon-haunted island, celebrating her legacy.
Available on: PlayStation, PC, Mac OS, Dreamcast | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Chronicles Review
7. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
Framed for the murder of her mentor Werner Von Croy, Lara explores Paris and Prague to clear her name and uncover the truth. She is pursued by Kurtis Trent, the last survivor of the Lux Veritatis Society, who harbors a dark secret.
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 sees Lara searching for the Scion of Atlantis once more. It features updated puzzles and physics, shifting from item collection to environmental puzzles.
Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, Mobile, OS X, PS3 | IGN’s Tomb Raider Anniversary Review
2. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
This title reboots Lara's origins as she races worldwide to find Excalibur before her former friend Amanda Evert does.
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)
The final entry in the Legend trilogy, Underworld has Lara searching for Mjolnir, the key to Helheim, while confronting the villainous Natla.
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)
This gritty reboot sees Lara's first expedition to find Yamatai go awry, leaving her stranded on a hostile island. She must stop the Solarii Brotherhood and prevent the 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 in search of the legendary city of Kitezh, clashing with Trinity, a paramilitary organization, and facing 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)
The concluding chapter of the Survivor Trilogy, Shadow has Lara journeying through the Americas to prevent a Mayan apocalypse by finding Paititi, while evading the monstrous Yaaxii and Trinity.
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
- 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?
For fans eager to revisit the classics, Aspyr has released remastered collections for current-gen consoles. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered was 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, set to be published by Amazon Games. While details are sparse, the studio has hinted on Twitter that this game will continue Lara Croft's saga, potentially extending the Survivor trilogy.
Beyond gaming, Netflix debuted the animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft in October, which has been renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, Amazon's planned Tomb Raider series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as writer and executive producer appears to have been canceled.
