The Tomb Raider series has a storied history, with Lara Croft exploring ruins and tombs across the globe. Overcoming numerous challenges, Lara has become one of the most iconic video game protagonists. With a new Tomb Raider game currently in development at Crystal Dynamics, fans can look forward to another thrilling adventure. To help newcomers and veterans alike, we've compiled a chronological list of every Tomb Raider game, enabling players to start or restart their journey from the 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, spread across three distinct timelines, each offering unique plotlines and perspectives on Lara Croft and her companions. Fourteen of these games were released for home consoles, six for handheld portable consoles, and six for 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 excluded from these lists.
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, which continues through to the latest mainline entry, 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 games 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's hired by Jacquelin Natla to recover the Scion of Atlantis. After collecting all three fragments of the Scion around the world, 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 sees Lara on a mission to locate and destroy a mystical sword before the undead Madame Paveau can use it to resurrect and dominate the world with her dark magic.
Available on: Game Boy Color | IGN’s Curse of the Sword Review
3. Tomb Raider II (1997)
Lara hunts for the Dagger of Xian, a magical weapon capable of transforming its owner into a dragon. She must outpace cult leader Marco Bartoli, who seeks the dagger for its transformative power.
Available on: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider II Review
4. Tomb Raider III (1998)
In this third installment, Lara searches for the Infada Stone, one of four meteorite-crafted artefacts. She must thwart Dr. Willard's plan to use these stones to accelerate evolution and mutate the planet.
Available on: PC, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider III Review
5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
While exploring a tomb in Egypt, Lara inadvertently releases the god of chaos, Set. Assisted by Semerkhet, she must summon Horus to stop Set's destructive forces from devastating Cairo.
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, from Rome's catacombs to a haunted island, solidifying her reputation as a well-traveled adventurer.
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 investigates in Paris and Prague to clear her name. She crosses paths with 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 original 1996 game, Lara again seeks the Scion of Atlantis. This version features redesigned puzzles and physics, shifting focus 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 reboot reimagines Lara's origins as she searches for the mythical sword Excalibur, racing against 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)
The final game in the Legend trilogy, Lara seeks Mjolnir, the key to Helheim. She explores various ruins and confronts 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 gritty reboot, Lara's first expedition to find Yamatai goes awry, leaving her stranded on a hostile island. She must stop the Solarii Brotherhood's Ascension ritual and prevent a successor from being chosen for 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 ventures into Siberia to find the legendary city of Kitezh, clashing with the paramilitary organization Trinity. Will the Deathless Ones, Kitezh's immortal guardians, prove to be more than just a myth?
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 racing through the Americas to find Paititi and prevent a Mayan apocalypse. Facing the Yaaxii and Trinity, she must act before it's too late.
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 those eager to relive the classic Tomb Raider experiences, 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 currently developing a new Tomb Raider game, set to be powered by Unreal Engine 5 and published by Amazon Games. While details are sparse, Crystal Dynamics has indicated via 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, Amazon's planned series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as writer and executive producer appears to have been canceled.
