TOMB RAIDER'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPARKS CONFUSION OVER ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE

[ 30 January 2026 ]

As Tomb Raider approaches its 30th anniversary, a surprising discrepancy has emerged over the game's original UK release date. While Crystal Dynamics, the current developer responsible for maintaining and evolving the franchise, has consistently stated that the seminal adventure title launched on 25 October 1996, archival evidence from the time suggests otherwise.

Copies of the Daily Mirror from October 1996, preserved in the British Newspaper Archive in partnership with the British Library, feature an 'out today' advertisement for Tomb Raider dated 24 October 1996. This is further corroborated by a listing in Computer and Video Games magazine, also marking the game as available on 24 October 1996. These sources indicate that British adventurer Lara Croft first appeared on the Sega Saturn in the United Kingdom a full day earlier than some official records suggest.

While the difference of a single day may seem minor, it carries significance for fans, historians, and the gaming industry. Tomb Raider is widely regarded as one of the most influential video games of the 1990s, shaping the action-adventure genre and establishing Lara Croft as a cultural icon. For a franchise celebrating three decades of exploration, precision in its historical record is essential to honouring its legacy.

Confirming the true release date is important for anniversaries, commemorative editions, and historical retrospectives. Misdating such a milestone could affect celebrations, media coverage, and fan recognition, particularly in the UK, where the game first captured the public imagination.

This discrepancy highlights the broader challenges of documenting video game history, where staggered international releases, marketing campaigns, and inconsistent record-keeping can lead to confusion decades later. Consulting archival sources, such as newspapers and magazines from the period, is crucial in establishing an accurate historical record.

As Tomb Raider marks 30 years since its debut, fans and scholars alike hope for a definitive clarification from Crystal Dynamics. Establishing the exact release date honours not only the game's history but also the cultural impact of Lara Croft, who remains one of gaming's most recognisable figures.

Tomb Raider 30