"Tomb Raider: A Chronological Gaming Guide"

Tomb Raider has carved a storied history, with Lara Croft exploring ancient ruins and tombs across the globe. Overcoming any and all obstacles, Lara has secured her place among the most iconic video game protagonists. As a new Tomb Raider game is in development at Crystal Dynamics, promising another thrilling Lara Croft adventure, we've compiled a chronological list of every Tomb Raider game. This guide will help both newcomers and seasoned fans to embark on or revisit their spelunking journey from the very beginning.

Jump to:

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

As of 2025, there are a total of 20 Tomb Raider games, spread across three distinct timelines. Each timeline presents unique plotlines and a fresh take on Lara Croft and her companions.

• 14 of these games were released for home consoles.
• 6 games also supported handheld portable consoles.
• 6 titles were available on mobile devices.

Note that 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 these lists.

Which Tomb Raider Should You Play First?

For those new to the franchise in 2025, starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot is highly recommended. It's the first entry in the "Survivor" trilogy, setting the stage for Lara Croft's latest series of expeditions, which concludes with 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

### Tomb Raider

2See it at AmazonTomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

For those wishing to experience the entire saga in chronological order, it's essential to understand that there are three separate 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 hired by businesswoman Jacquelin Natla to locate the mysterious 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's Game Boy Color version sees Lara tracking down a mystical sword to prevent the long-dead Madame Paveau from resurrecting and using her dark magic to dominate the world.

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

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

Lara embarks on a quest for the Dagger of Xian, a magical weapon once wielded by Chinese Emperors. She must outrace cult leader Marco Bartoli, who seeks the dagger's power to transform into a dragon.

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

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

In the third installment of the original saga, Lara searches for the Infada Stone, one of four crystalline artifacts from a meteorite. She must thwart Dr. Willard's plan to use these artifacts 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)

Lara unwittingly releases the Egyptian god of chaos, Set, while exploring a tomb in Egypt. As Set unleashes havoc on Cairo, Lara, with the help of Semerkhet, strives to summon Horus to stop this world-ending threat.

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 the catacombs of Rome to a Russian submarine and a haunted island, these tales highlight Lara's extensive travels and skills.

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 journeys through Paris and Prague to clear her name. She encounters 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, Lara once again seeks the Scion of Atlantis. This version features redesigned puzzles and physics, shifting from item collection to physics-based puzzles and 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)

A reboot and reimagining of Lara's origins, this game follows her race across the globe to find the mythical sword Excalibur before her former friend Amanda Evert can claim it.

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 searches for Mjolnir, the key to Helheim. Exploring various ruins and mythological underworlds, she 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)

This grittier take on Lara Croft begins with her first expedition to find Yamatai, which goes awry, stranding her on a hostile island. She battles the Solarii Brotherhood cult to stop the Ascension ritual and thwart 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 while clashing with the paramilitary organization Trinity. As they race to uncover Kitezh, the mythical Deathless Ones may prove to be more than mere legend.

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 journeys through the Americas to reach Paititi before a Mayan apocalypse. Facing the Yaaxii and Trinity, she races against time to save the world.

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?

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

Outside of gaming, Netflix debuted its 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.