"Tomb Raider Games: Play in Chronological Order Guide"

Lara Croft's adventures in the Tomb Raider series have captivated gamers worldwide, as she fearlessly explores ancient ruins and overcomes numerous challenges. Her journey has cemented her status as one of the most iconic figures in video game history. With Crystal Dynamics currently developing a new installment, fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Lara's saga. To help enthusiasts embark on or revisit her adventures, we've compiled a chronological list of all Tomb Raider games, ensuring you can start your journey 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 boasts a total of 20 games, spread across three distinct timelines. Each timeline offers unique plotlines and variations on Lara Croft and her companions. Out of these, 14 games were released for home consoles, 6 supported handheld devices, and another 6 were available 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 not included in our chronological 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 sets the stage for Lara's recent adventures and culminates with the 2018 release, Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

Embarking on a chronological journey through the Tomb Raider games 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 is commissioned by Jacquelin Natla to retrieve the Scion of Atlantis. After collecting all three fragments scattered globally, 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)

Exclusive to 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)

In this installment, Lara hunts the Dagger of Xian, a weapon with the power to transform its wielder into a dragon, which is also sought by the cult leader Marco Bartoli.

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

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

Lara's mission is to find the Infada Stone, one of four meteorite-crafted artifacts. She must stop Dr. Willard from using these 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 Set while exploring a tomb. She must then summon Horus to combat the chaos unleashed on 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 exploits, from Roman catacombs to haunted islands, celebrating 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 her mentor Werner Von Croy's murder, Lara navigates Paris and Prague to clear her name, with Kurtis Trent, the last Lux Veritatis survivor, shadowing her.

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, this game revisits Lara's quest for the Scion of Atlantis, featuring revamped puzzles and physics-based 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 find 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 part of the Legend trilogy, Lara seeks Mjolnir, the key to Helheim, confronting Natla once more amidst 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 wrong, stranding her on an island where she must stop the Solarii Brotherhood's 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 ventures into Siberia to find the lost city of Kitezh, battling Trinity and uncovering the mythic 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, Lara explores 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 those nostalgic for the original games, Aspyr has released remastered collections for current-gen consoles. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered launched in early 2024, followed by Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered in February.

Crystal Dynamics is actively developing a new Tomb Raider game, confirmed to utilize Unreal Engine 5 and be published by Amazon Games. While details are sparse, the studio has hinted on Twitter that this new adventure will continue Lara Croft's saga, possibly extending the Survivor trilogy beyond Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Beyond gaming, Netflix premiered the animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft in October, which has already been greenlit for a second season. Meanwhile, Amazon's planned series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as writer and executive producer appears to have been shelved.