Tomb Raider Games: A Chronological Playthrough Guide

Tomb Raider boasts a storied legacy, with Lara Croft exploring ancient ruins and tombs worldwide, overcoming countless challenges. Her journey has cemented her status as one of the most iconic video game protagonists. As Crystal Dynamics develops a new Tomb Raider game, offering a fresh adventure for Lara, we've compiled a chronological list of every Tomb Raider game. This guide is perfect for those eager to embark on or revisit their spelunking adventures 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, the Tomb Raider series comprises a total of 20 games. These are divided into three distinct timelines, each presenting different storylines and variations of Lara Croft and her companions. Out of these, 14 games are available on home consoles, 6 on handheld consoles, and 6 on mobile devices. Stand-alone 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 excluded from 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 Croft's latest adventures, which continue through to 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

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Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

Exploring the Tomb Raider games chronologically involves navigating through 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 hired by Jacquelin Natla to retrieve the Scion of Atlantis. After collecting all three fragments, Lara faces betrayal and must confront 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)

Exclusively for the Game Boy Color, this sequel sees Lara pursuing a mystical sword to prevent the resurrection of Madame Paveau, who aims to dominate the world with dark magic.

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

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

Lara searches for the Dagger of Xian, a magical weapon sought by cult leader Marco Bartoli for its power to transform the wielder 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 is to locate the Infada Stone, one of four artefacts made from a meteorite, thwarting Dr. Willard's plan to mutate the planet.

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

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

Lara unwittingly releases the Egyptian god of chaos, Set, and must summon Horus to stop the chaos spreading across Cairo.

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, highlighting her travels and skills, amidst speculation about her fate.

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, uncovering secrets with the help of Kurtis Trent, a survivor of the Lux Veritatis Society.

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, Lara again quests for the Scion of Atlantis, but with revamped 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)

In the final installment of the Legend trilogy, Lara seeks Mjolnir, the key to Helheim, while confronting 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)

A grittier Lara Croft embarks on her first expedition to find Yamatai, ending up stranded on a hostile island, battling the Solarii Brotherhood and thwarting 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 Kitezh, clashing with the paramilitary group Trinity and uncovering 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 finds Lara racing through the Americas to prevent a Mayan apocalypse, facing the 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 looking to relive the classic Tomb Raider experience, 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 actively developing a new Tomb Raider game, set to be powered by Unreal Engine 5 and published by Amazon Games. While details are scarce, the game is expected to extend Lara Croft's saga, possibly continuing from the Survivor trilogy concluded 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 been renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, Amazon's planned series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as writer and executive producer has been canceled.