"Tomb Raider Games: Chronological Play Order Guide"

Tomb Raider boasts a storied legacy, with Lara Croft navigating ancient ruins and treacherous tombs across the globe. Defying every obstacle in her path, Lara has solidified her place among the most iconic protagonists in video game history.

With a new Tomb Raider title currently in development at Crystal Dynamics, fans have even more reason to revisit Lara’s legendary adventures. To help both newcomers and longtime fans embark on (or restart) their journey through time and perilous terrain, we’ve compiled a comprehensive chronological list of every mainline Tomb Raider game released up to 2025.

Quick Navigation:

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

As of 2025, there are 20 core Tomb Raider titles. These games span three distinct timelines, each offering its own interpretation of Lara and her world. The series has seen releases across multiple platforms, with 14 titles available on home consoles, 6 on handheld systems, and 6 on mobile devices. Notably, 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 standalone entries and not included in the primary timeline-based lists.

Which Tomb Raider Should You Play First?

For those entering the franchise for the first time in 2025, the recommended starting point is the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. This entry marks the beginning of the modern "Survivor" trilogy, setting the foundation for Lara’s latest cinematic and narrative evolution that culminates in Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018).

### Tomb Raider

2See it at AmazonTomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

Exploring the Tomb Raider series chronologically means navigating through three separate storylines:

1. Original Saga Timeline
2. Legend of Tomb Raider Timeline
3. Survivor Trilogy Timeline

First Timeline – Original Saga

### 1. Tomb Raider (1996)

Lara begins her journey after being hired by the enigmatic Jacquelin Natla to recover the Scion of Atlantis. As she pieces together fragments scattered worldwide, betrayal leads to a climactic showdown with Natla on a volatile island teeming with monstrous threats.

Available on: PlayStation, iOS, Android, Mac OS | IGN Review

2. Tomb Raider: The Curse of the Sword (2001)

Exclusive to the Game Boy Color, this sequel follows Lara as she hunts down a mystical sword to prevent Madame Paveau from rising from the dead and unleashing dark magic upon the world.

Available on: Game Boy Color | IGN Review

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

This time, Lara tracks down the Dagger of Xian, an ancient weapon sought by the cult leader Marco Bartoli. With ambitions of transforming into a dragon, Bartoli becomes one of Lara’s fiercest adversaries yet.

Available on: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN Review

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

Lara embarks on a global search for the Infada Stone, one of four meteorite-born relics. Her mission intensifies when Dr. Willard seeks to use them to accelerate evolution—threatening life as we know it.

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN Review

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

While exploring an Egyptian tomb, Lara accidentally unleashes Set, the god of chaos. With Cairo under siege, she teams up with Semerkhet to summon Horus—the only force capable of stopping Set’s apocalyptic reign.

Available on: PlayStation, Mac OS, PC, Dreamcast | IGN Review

6. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)

Set after the ambiguous ending of The Last Revelation, friends and allies recall Lara’s past exploits—from Rome's catacombs to a haunted island. Each tale reaffirms her unmatched bravery and skill.

Available on: PlayStation, PC, Mac OS, Dreamcast | IGN Review

7. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)

Falsely accused of murdering her mentor, Werner Von Croy, Lara uncovers a conspiracy in Paris and Prague. Pursued by the mysterious Kurtis Trent, Lara must clear her name while uncovering a dark truth buried deep within.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, Mac OS X | IGN Review

Second Timeline – Legend of Tomb Raider

### 1. Tomb Raider Anniversary (2007)

A reimagined version of the original 1996 classic, Anniversary revisits Lara’s quest for the Scion of Atlantis. Enhanced physics and redesigned puzzles modernize the experience while honoring the roots of the franchise.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, Mobile, OS X, PS3 | IGN Review

2. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)

This soft reboot introduces a refreshed origin for Lara as she races against her former friend Amanda Evert to claim the mythical sword Excalibur before it falls into the wrong hands.

Available on: GBA, Gamecube, PC, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360 | IGN Review

3. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

In the final chapter of the Legend trilogy, Lara searches for Mjolnir—the key to Helheim, the Norse underworld. Once again, she faces off against the villainous Natla, who seeks to harness its power for herself.

Available on: Nintendo DS, PS3, Wii, PC, Xbox 360, Mobile, PlayStation 2, OS X | IGN Review

Third Timeline – Survivor Trilogy

### 1. Tomb Raider (2013)

This gritty reboot redefines Lara’s character. Stranded on a hostile island during her first expedition to find Yamatai, she battles the Solarii Brotherhood and prevents the resurrection of the Sun Queen.

Available on: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, OS X, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Linux | IGN Review

2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)

Lara ventures into Siberia to uncover the lost city of Kitezh. Along the way, she clashes with Trinity, a paramilitary group determined to control the secrets of immortality guarded by the Deathless Ones.

Available on: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PS4, macOS, Linux, Stadia | IGN Review

3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)

The concluding chapter sees Lara travel to South America in search of Paititi, a city tied to an impending Mayan apocalypse. Battling the Yaaxii and Trinity, Lara must stop the end of the world—or face the consequences.

Available on: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Linux, macOS, Stadia | IGN Review

How to Play ALL the Tomb Raider Games By Release Date

1. Tomb Raider (1996)
2. Tomb Raider II (1997)
3. Tomb Raider III (1998)
4. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
5. Tomb Raider (Game Boy Color, 2000)
6. Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)
7. Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (Game Boy Color, 2001)
8. Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (GBA, 2002)
9. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
10. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
11. Tomb Raider Anniversary (2007)
12. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
13. *Lara Cro