"Tomb Raider Games: Chronological Play Guide"

Tomb Raider boasts a storied history, with Lara Croft exploring ancient ruins and tombs across the globe. Overcoming every challenge in her path, Lara has cemented her place among the most iconic video game protagonists. With Crystal Dynamics currently developing a new Tomb Raider game, fans can look forward to another thrilling adventure. To help fans start or restart their journey, we've compiled a chronological list of every Tomb Raider game.

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How to play in chronological order
How to play in release order

As of 2025, there are 20 Tomb Raider games, spread across three distinct timelines, each with unique plotlines and variations on Lara and her companions. Of these, 14 were released on home consoles, 6 on handheld devices, and 6 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 excluded from our lists.

Which Tomb Raider Should You Play First?

For newcomers in 2025, we suggest starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. This game kicks off the "Survivor" trilogy, setting the stage for Lara Croft's latest series of adventures, culminating in 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

### Tomb Raider

2See it at AmazonTomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

To embark on a chronological journey through the Tomb Raider series, it's essential to understand that there are three distinct timelines to explore:

• 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 retrieve the Scion of Atlantis. After locating all three fragments 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)

This Game Boy Color exclusive sequel to the original's Game Boy version sends Lara on a quest to find and destroy a mystical sword before the resurrected Madame Paveau can wield it to dominate the world with dark magic.

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

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

In this sequel, Lara pursues the Dagger of Xian, a magical artifact sought by cult leader Marco Bartoli for its power to transform the bearer into a dragon.

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 installment is to recover the Infada Stone, one of four meteorite-crafted artifacts. She must thwart Dr. Willard's plans to use these stones to accelerate human evolution and mutate the planet.

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 unleashes the god of chaos, Set. With Cairo under threat, she teams up with Semerkhet to summon Horus, the only hope to stop Set's 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 reminisce about her past exploits, from Roman catacombs to haunted islands, showcasing her extensive travels and skills. But is Lara 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 her mentor Werner Von Croy's murder, Lara navigates Paris and Prague to clear her name. Along the way, she encounters Kurtis Trent, the last 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, Anniversary revisits Lara's quest for the Scion of Atlantis, with updated puzzles and physics shifting focus 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 reboot reimagines Lara's origins as she races to retrieve the mythical sword 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 chapter of the Legend trilogy sees Lara seeking Mjolnir, the key to Helheim. Her journey takes her through various mythological underworlds, confronting the villainous Natla once more.

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)

In this darker reimagining, Lara's first expedition to find Yamatai goes disastrously wrong, stranding her on a hostile island. She must stop the Solarii Brotherhood cult from completing the Ascension ritual and choosing a new 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's quest leads her to Siberia in search of Kitezh, battling the paramilitary organization Trinity. As both race to uncover Kitezh, Lara encounters the Deathless Ones, legendary guardians who may not be mere myths.

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 sees Lara traversing the Americas to reach Paititi before a Mayan apocalypse unfolds. Facing the Yaaxii and Trinity, Lara races against time to avert disaster.

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 longing for the nostalgia of the early Tomb Raider games, Aspyr released remastered collections for current-gen consoles. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered arrived in early 2024, followed by Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered in February.

Crystal Dynamics is also hard at work on a new Tomb Raider game, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and set to be published by Amazon Games. While details are scarce, the developers have hinted on Twitter that this new title will continue Lara Croft's saga, possibly extending the Survivor trilogy narrative that ended with Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018.

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