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Start with Tomb Raider (2013) if you want a contemporary, cinematic origin story and a clear path into the next two games. Choose Tomb Raider I–III Remastered if you would rather meet the original Lara through the first three exploration-and-puzzle adventures. Those are the two strongest entry points; neither requires you to play every previous release.
The modern story route is Tomb Raider (2013) (often sold as Definitive Edition), then Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The classic route begins with I–III Remastered. Anniversary is a separate reimagining of the first adventure, while the Switch Lara Croft Collection contains spin-offs rather than the mainline starting point.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider (2013) / Definitive Edition | New players who want modern action and a cinematic origin | First chapter of the Survivor trilogy | Edition and storefront availability vary | Oct 30, 2026 |
| Tomb Raider I–III Remastered | Players seeking the original Lara, exploration and classic puzzles | Three original adventures with modernized and original-style presentation options | Modern systems; physical editions announced for Nintendo Switch and PS5 | Oct 30, 2026 |
| Tomb Raider I–VI Remastered | Players who want the largest early-series library immediately | All six early mainline games | Check the current collection listing for your system | Oct 30, 2026 |
| Tomb Raider: Anniversary | Players who want a different interpretation of Lara’s first adventure | Reimagining of the original game, not the 2013 reboot | PlayStation availability announced; regional storefronts vary | Oct 30, 2026 |
| The Lara Croft Collection | Switch owners who want co-op-oriented spin-offs | Spin-off collection, not the chronological beginning of the mainline series | Nintendo Switch | Oct 30, 2026 |
Where should I start with Tomb Raider?
For most first-time players, begin with Tomb Raider (2013). It introduces Lara Croft’s transformation into an adventurer using modern controls, cinematic presentation and a self-contained origin story. If you finish it and want the continuing arc, move directly to Rise of the Tomb Raider and then Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
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This is a preference decision, not a mandatory release-order exercise. You can begin with either route and understand what you are playing.
A useful way to decide is to imagine what you want from your first few sessions. If you want to follow a story-led campaign and learn who this version of Lara is, pick the 2013 game. If you want to explore at your own pace, work out where to go, and see how the series began, pick the original trilogy remaster. Neither choice obliges you to buy the other collection afterward.
What is the right order for the modern Tomb Raider story?
The straightforward Survivor-trilogy order is Tomb Raider (2013) → Rise of the Tomb Raider → Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Tomb Raider’s official beginner guide says, "If you would prefer to play in the chronological order of Lara Croft’s adventures, begin with the Survivor trilogy." That is guidance about chronology, not a requirement for every newcomer.
1. Tomb Raider (2013)
This is Lara’s modern origin. The game follows her first major expedition and establishes the tone, relationships and survival skills that the next two entries develop. It is the best fit if you want a guided campaign, frequent cinematic set pieces and contemporary third-person action before committing to a longer trilogy.
Definitive Edition is an edition of this same first game, not a fourth installment. When a storefront presents both names, compare the edition details for your platform rather than treating them as separate chapters.
2. Rise of the Tomb Raider
Rise continues the Survivor interpretation of Lara after the events of the 2013 game. It is the natural next purchase if you want the same continuity, rather than a side story or a retelling of the classic games.
3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Shadow completes the Survivor trilogy’s central arc. Playing the three games in order gives you the clearest progression of Lara’s character and motivations, although the first game remains a valid stopping point if you only want an origin story.
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You do not have to plan a three-game purchase before trying the first one. Starting with the 2013 game is enough to see whether its story, action and presentation suit you; Rise and Shadow are the next steps if you want that continuity. The order matters most if you care about following Lara’s development, rather than simply sampling different Tomb Raider styles.
Should I start with the original games instead?
Start with Tomb Raider I–III Remastered when exploration and puzzle-platforming matter more to you than modern cinematic pacing. It is the direct route to the first three classic adventures on current systems and offers presentation and control choices intended to make those games more approachable.
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What the remaster changes
The collection lets you move between a modernized visual presentation and the original-style look, with control options that accommodate different preferences. Those options improve access to the older games without changing their underlying spaces, traps, puzzles or deliberate movement.
Players who are sensitive to classic control conventions or save behavior should open the options menu for their chosen platform before starting a long session. The exact controls and available settings can differ by platform. A later challenge-mode update exists, but beginners do not need to use that mode to understand the trilogy.
What the classic route feels like
The original trilogy expects you to read a room, identify a route and make careful jumps rather than follow a constant stream of waypoints. Combat is part of the formula, but searching and traversal are usually the reason to choose this route. If you prefer immediate feedback, frequent checkpoints and a strongly directed story, the 2013 game will be a gentler introduction.
That difference is worth considering before buying, especially if you have only played recent action-adventure games. The remaster preserves the older games’ deliberate movement and level design; its presentation and control options do not make the underlying adventures identical to modern entries. If classic controls are a concern, check the settings available for your particular platform and try them in a low-risk area before settling into a longer session.
Is Tomb Raider I–VI Remastered a better first purchase?
I–VI Remastered is an expanded alternative, not a prerequisite. It contains all six early games, so it suits players who already know they want a large classic library or who prefer buying one collection instead of starting with a three-game set.
For someone testing whether classic Tomb Raider appeals to them, I–III Remastered is the more focused first step. It begins at the start of the original run and lets you decide whether that design style works for you before adding the later entries.
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IV–VI Remastered covers the later three games. It is a less intuitive first purchase if you do not already own or specifically want the opening trilogy, because it starts after the first three adventures. Do not assume that every listing for I–VI Remastered is a physical product; verify the format and platform on the specific store page.
In other words, the choice is about scope, not a new required order. The six-game collection is for readers who want the broader early-series library at once. The three-game collection is a more contained way to start at the beginning and decide whether you want to continue through the classics. If a store listing does not clearly state whether it is a digital or physical edition, check the product details before purchase rather than inferring the format from the collection’s name.
Is Tomb Raider: Anniversary the first Tomb Raider?
Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a reimagining of Lara’s first adventure. It is neither the original game in the I–III Remastered collection nor the first chapter of the 2013 Survivor trilogy.
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Choose Anniversary when you want the broad outline of the inaugural adventure presented through a later interpretation. Choose I–III Remastered when you want the original game’s design and presentation options. Choose Tomb Raider (2013) when you want the modern origin continuity. Keeping those three choices separate prevents the most common confusion around the word “first.”
PlayStation availability for Anniversary was officially announced, but storefront status can vary by region. Check your local listing before making platform-specific purchase plans.
What is The Lara Croft Collection on Switch?
The Lara Croft Collection is a Nintendo Switch collection of spin-offs. It is a reasonable choice if you want a different, more compact style of Lara Croft game on a portable system, but it is not the chronological beginning of the mainline adventures.
Use it as an alternative route for its own format and cooperative focus, not as a substitute for Tomb Raider (2013) or the original-trilogy remaster. A player who wants Lara’s mainline story should start with one of those two entry points first.
The word “collection” can make it sound like a series catch-up package, so make sure the spin-off distinction matches what you want. It is an option for someone interested in those games and their different format; it is not the first purchase to make if your goal is to follow the mainline story from its beginning.
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Official physical editions of Tomb Raider I–III Remastered were announced for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. That gives collectors a clear physical route for the classic starting point, subject to the stock and region of the listing you are considering.
Tomb Raider Collection 1 is another physical option: it is an Evercade cartridge, so it requires compatible Evercade hardware. It is not interchangeable with a Switch or PS5 copy.
| Physical option | What it contains | Requirement or caution |
|---|---|---|
| I–III Remastered physical edition | The first three classic adventures | Official editions announced for Nintendo Switch and PS5; verify regional stock and format |
| Tomb Raider Collection 1 | Classic-series collection on an Evercade cartridge | Requires compatible Evercade hardware |
An announcement does not prove that a particular US retailer has stock today or that a listing contains the medium you expect. Confirm the platform, cartridge or disc format, edition and seller before ordering. The six-game collection’s official page alone does not establish a physical retail SKU.
There is no single price or retailer recommendation that applies to every buyer: current prices, stock and regional availability need to be checked on the actual listing. If you are shopping for a physical copy, confirm that the listing names the platform you own and explicitly identifies a cartridge or disc. If you want a digital copy, use the store page for your system and check the edition name before you buy. An announcement that a physical version exists is not confirmation that a particular seller has it available.
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The Evercade option also has a hardware requirement that the Switch and PS5 editions do not share: you need compatible Evercade hardware to use its cartridge. That can make it a poor fit if you do not already own that system, even if you want a physical collection. Do not assume an Evercade cartridge will work in a Switch or PlayStation console.
How do I choose between the modern and classic routes?
Use your preferred play style as the deciding factor, then check the platform and format you actually own.
- Pick modern, story-led action: Start with Tomb Raider (2013) or its Definitive Edition. Continue to Rise and Shadow if the origin story works for you.
- Pick original exploration: Start with I–III Remastered. Use its presentation and control options to find a comfortable way to approach the classic design.
- Pick the biggest early library: Buy I–VI Remastered only if having all six games immediately is more important than sampling the opening trilogy first.
- Pick a reimagined first adventure: Choose Anniversary, while remembering that it is a separate interpretation rather than either mainline starting point.
- Pick portable spin-offs: Choose The Lara Croft Collection on Switch, with “spin-off” in mind when you set expectations.
- Pick a physical copy: Verify the exact listing. Switch and PS5 physical editions of I–III Remastered were announced; an Evercade cartridge needs Evercade hardware.
Before choosing, check these practical details in order: which game route you want, whether that edition is listed for a system you own, and whether the listing is digital or physical. Then compare the precise edition names rather than assuming that two similarly named listings contain the same game or format. There is no need to buy every collection to get started, and an unverified price or stock claim should not be the deciding factor.
What should I know about controls, saves and difficulty?
The classic and Survivor games use different design assumptions. The remastered originals retain the careful positioning and traversal rhythm of their source games, while the 2013 trilogy uses a more contemporary action-adventure structure. Neither route is automatically “correct”; the right choice depends on whether you want to learn classic movement or follow a modern campaign.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchBefore beginning I–III Remastered, review the control and presentation toggles and test the save behavior in a low-risk area. Readers accustomed to frequent modern checkpoints should allow extra time for the classic approach. If that sounds frustrating, start with Tomb Raider (2013) and return to the remaster after you know what kind of challenge you enjoy.
Do not assume that every player will prefer the same control option. The collection offers choices, but the available settings can vary with platform; checking the options on your own system is more useful than expecting one universal setup. The challenge-mode update is an optional feature, not a required way to learn the games. A new player can start with the classic adventures themselves and leave that mode aside.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are the announced new Tomb Raider games playable today?
No. Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst are announced future games, not entry points available to play at the October 30, 2026 cutoff used for this guide.
A reveal date and a later preorder announcement are different kinds of information. A later announcement should take precedence when describing a prospective plan, but a preorder announcement must not be converted into a claim that the game is playable now. Choose from the released games and collections above if you want to start today.
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How we picked these entry points
The recommendations use five practical criteria:
- Story structure: whether the game starts a clear modern continuity, presents the original adventures or reimagines them.
- Design style: contemporary action and cinematic pacing versus classic exploration and puzzle-platforming.
- Scope: one first game, a three-game trilogy, a six-game collection or a spin-off set.
- Control and save expectations: whether a new player is likely to want modern options or classic conventions.
- Access and format: the systems and physical editions identified in official announcements, without assuming a particular retailer has stock.
The franchise has passed a dated milestone of more than 100 million games sold, according to Tomb Raider in 2024. That figure describes a published franchise milestone, not a measured October 2026 total, and it does not determine which game is best for a particular newcomer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play the classic Tomb Raider games before the Survivor trilogy?
No. The Survivor trilogy was designed as its own chronological route and begins with Lara’s modern origin. The classic games provide historical context and a different design style, but they are not prerequisites for understanding the 2013, Rise and Shadow storyline.
Does Definitive Edition add a new chapter after Tomb Raider (2013)?
No. Definitive Edition is an edition of the 2013 game, with edition-specific presentation and included content depending on the platform listing. It does not change the trilogy order or become a fourth mainline entry.
Which Tomb Raider collection is best for a short trial of the classics?
I–III Remastered is the most focused trial because it starts with the first three original adventures. I–VI Remastered is better reserved for players who already know they want six early games at once.
Can I play Tomb Raider: Anniversary as the official canon beginning?
Treat Anniversary as a reimagining of the first adventure rather than a replacement for either the original game or the Survivor reboot. It is best chosen for its particular interpretation, not because it is the only approved starting point.
What order should I play the Survivor trilogy in?
Play Tomb Raider (2013), then Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. That is the straightforward chronological story order. Definitive Edition is an edition of the first game, not a separate installment.
Can I buy Tomb Raider I–III Remastered as a physical game?
Official physical editions were announced for Nintendo Switch and PS5. Check your region’s current listing for stock, seller, platform and whether the product is actually a cartridge or disc. Tomb Raider Collection 1 is an Evercade cartridge and requires compatible Evercade hardware.
Are Legacy of Atlantis or Catalyst available to play now?
No. At the October 30, 2026 cutoff for this guide, both are announced future games, not released entry points. Choose from the existing games and collections if you want to play today.
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The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Start with Tomb Raider (2013) for a modern origin and a clear story route through Rise and Shadow. Start with I–III Remastered to explore the original adventures and classic puzzle-platforming. Treat Anniversary as a reimagining, I–VI Remastered as a larger collection rather than a prerequisite, and the Switch Lara Croft Collection as spin-offs. For a physical purchase, verify the exact platform, format, regional stock and seller before ordering.
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