"Chronological Guide to Playing Tomb Raider Games"

Tomb Raider boasts a storied history, with Lara Croft exploring ruins and tombs worldwide, overcoming every obstacle in her path. Her journey has cemented her status as one of the most iconic video game protagonists. As we eagerly await a new Tomb Raider game in development at Crystal Dynamics, we've compiled a chronological list of all Tomb Raider games. This guide is perfect for fans looking to start or restart their adventure from the very beginning.

**Jump to**:

• 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. These are divided into three distinct timelines, each with unique plotlines and variations on Lara Croft and her companions. Out of these, 14 have been released for home consoles, with 6 also available on handheld portable consoles and another 6 on mobile devices. Standalone titles like 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 suggest starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. This game kicks off the "Survivor" trilogy and sets the stage for Lara's latest series of adventures, culminating with Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018.

Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

Embarking on a chronological journey through the Tomb Raider series means 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 sees Lara hired by businesswoman Jacquelin Natla to locate the Scion of Atlantis. After collecting all three fragments of the Scion from around the world, Lara is betrayed by Natla and must battle her 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 Madame Paveau, a long-dead sorceress, can use it to resurrect and dominate the world.

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

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

Lara pursues the Dagger of Xian, a magical weapon with the power to transform its wielder into a dragon. She must race against cult leader Marco Bartoli, who seeks the dagger for its transformative abilities.

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

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

In her quest for the Infada Stone, one of four ancient artifacts, Lara confronts Dr. Willard, who plans to use the stones to accelerate human evolution. Lara must collect the remaining artifacts to prevent global mutation.

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

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

Exploring a tomb in Egypt, Lara unwittingly releases the god of chaos, Set. With Cairo under threat, she teams up with Semerkhet to summon Horus, the only hope to 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 uncertain ending of The Last Revelation, Lara's friends recount her past adventures, from the catacombs of Rome to a haunted island, highlighting her extensive travels and skills. Is she truly gone?

**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 ventures through Paris and Prague to clear her name. She crosses paths with 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 original 1996 game, Lara again searches for the Scion of Atlantis. This version features redesigned puzzles and physics, shifting from item collection to environmental challenges.

**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 game reboots and reimagines Lara's origins as she races 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 part of the Legend trilogy, Lara searches for Mjolnir, the key to Helheim. Her journey takes her through various ruins and mythological realms, culminating in a confrontation with 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 grittier reboot follows Lara's first expedition to Yamatai, which goes disastrously wrong, stranding her on a hostile island. She must stop the Solarii Brotherhood and the ritual to choose a successor to the Sun Queen.

**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 the paramilitary group Trinity. Her quest uncovers the truth about the Deathless Ones, the supposed immortal guardians of Kitezh.

**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, Lara races through the Americas to find Paititi before a Mayan apocalypse destroys the world. She faces the monstrous Yaaxii and Trinity's relentless pursuit.

**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 craving nostalgia, Aspyr released remastered collections for current-gen consoles. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered hit the shelves in early 2024, followed by Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered in February.

Crystal Dynamics has confirmed a new Tomb Raider game is in the works, set to use Unreal Engine 5 and published by Amazon Games. While details are scarce, Crystal Dynamics hinted on Twitter that this new title will continue Lara Croft’s saga, possibly extending the Survivor trilogy that ended with Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018.

Beyond gaming, Netflix launched the animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft in October, which has already been renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, Amazon's planned series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as writer and executive producer appears to have been shelved.