How to Play the Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

Tomb Raider boasts a storied history, with Lara Croft exploring ancient ruins and tombs across the globe. Overcoming every obstacle in her path, Lara has cemented her status as 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 Lara Croft adventure. To help newcomers or returning players, we've compiled a chronological list of every Tomb Raider game, allowing you to start (or restart) your journey from the very beginning.

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

How Many Tomb Raider Games Are There?

As of 2025, there are 20 Tomb Raider games, spread across three distinct timelines, each offering unique plotlines and variations on Lara and her companions. Fourteen of these games are available on home consoles, with six also supporting handheld devices, and another six on mobile platforms. Standalone 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, we suggest beginning with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. This game kicks off the "Survivor" trilogy, setting the stage for Lara Croft's latest series of expeditions, culminating in 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 series involves navigating three different 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 businesswoman Jacqueline Natla to locate the mysterious Scion of Atlantis. After gathering 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)

A Game Boy Color exclusive sequel, this game sees Lara hunting a mystical sword to prevent the resurrection of the long-dead Madame Paveau, who aims to use dark magic to 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 that can transform its owner into a dragon. Her adversary is the cult leader Marco Bartoli, who seeks the dagger's power for himself.

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 ancient artefacts crafted from a meteorite. She must stop the nefarious Dr. Willard from using these artefacts to mutate the planet.

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

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

Lara inadvertently releases the Egyptian god of chaos, Set, while exploring a tomb in Egypt. She must then summon the god Horus to stop Set's havoc in 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 exploring Roman catacombs to battling demonic forces on a haunted island, cementing her legacy.

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 travels through Paris and Prague to clear her name and unravel the mystery. 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 1996 original, Lara once again searches for the Scion of Atlantis, with updated puzzles and physics that shift the focus to environmental interactions.

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 globally to find the mythical sword 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)

The final game in the Legend trilogy, Lara searches for Mjolnir, the key to Helheim. She confronts the villainous Natla once more across various mythological ruins.

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 gritty reboot sees Lara's first expedition to Yamatai go awry, stranding her on a hostile island where she must stop the Solarii Brotherhood from completing their 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 ventures into Siberia to uncover the legendary city of Kitezh while clashing with the paramilitary group Trinity. Will the Deathless Ones prove to be more than 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, Lara races through the Americas to prevent a Mayan apocalypse, facing the monstrous Yaaxii and Trinity along the way.

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 of the original games, Aspyr has released remastered collections for current-gen consoles. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered was launched in early 2024, followed by Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered in February.

Crystal Dynamics is also developing a new Tomb Raider game, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and set to be published by Amazon Games. While details are sparse, Crystal Dynamics has hinted on Twitter that this new adventure will continue Lara Croft’s saga, potentially extending the Survivor trilogy.

Beyond gaming, Netflix premiered 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.