TOMB RAIDER MARKS 30 YEARS SINCE ITS ORIGINAL UK RELEASE ON SEGA SATURN
[ 24 October 2026 ]
Today marks thirty years since the original Tomb Raider was released in the United Kingdom on Thursday, 24 October 1996, introducing British archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft to video game audiences. Developed by Derby-based Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive, the game made its UK debut on the Sega Saturn before appearing on Sony PlayStation, Windows PC and Apple Mac.
The UK launch date is supported by an advertisement published in the Daily Mirror on 24 October 1996, announcing the game's availability that day. A release listing in Computer and Video Games magazine provides further confirmation. Although some subsequent records, including earlier reporting by Tomb Raider Chronicles, cited 25 October, these original publications from 1996 establish 24 October as the UK release date.
The first Tomb Raider follows Lara Croft after she is commissioned by Jacqueline Natla, head of Natla Technologies, to recover a section of an ancient artefact known as the Atlantean Scion. The assignment takes Lara through Peru, Greece and Egypt before culminating in Atlantis, where she uncovers the purpose of the artefact and Natla's involvement in its history.
Across fifteen levels, Tomb Raider combines third-person exploration, environmental puzzles, platforming and combat. Players navigate underground chambers, archaeological sites, temples and other structures while avoiding traps, solving puzzles and confronting enemies. Lara's available movements include climbing, jumping, swimming and interacting with objects to reach previously inaccessible areas.
The original game featured a musical score composed by Nathan McCree, who continued his involvement with the series through Tomb Raider II and Tomb Raider III.
Core Design subsequently developed Tomb Raider II in 1997, Tomb Raider III in 1998, Tomb Raider The Last Revelation in 1999, Tomb Raider Chronicles in 2000 and Tomb Raider The Angel of Darkness in 2003. These releases expanded Lara Croft's adventures through additional locations, characters, gameplay mechanics and storylines.
Development of the mainline series subsequently passed to Crystal Dynamics, beginning with Tomb Raider Legend in 2006. The studio revisited Lara's first adventure with Tomb Raider Anniversary in 2007, followed by Tomb Raider Underworld in 2008.
A separate interpretation of Lara Croft's origins began with Tomb Raider in 2013 and continued through Rise of the Tomb Raider in 2015 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018. These three releases form the Survivor Trilogy.
The series also expanded beyond its mainline releases through spin-off titles, including Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris and Lara Croft GO, alongside adaptations for handheld consoles and mobile platforms.
More recently, the original Core Design titles returned through Tomb Raider I-III Remastered in 2024 and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered in 2025. Together, the two collections brought the first six mainline games to contemporary gaming platforms.
Beyond video games, Lara Croft has appeared in three live-action motion pictures. The first film, Lara Croft Tomb Raider, was released in 2001 and starred Angelina Jolie as the British adventurer. Its story follows Lara's search for an artefact connected to an ancient society known as the Illuminati.
Jolie returned in Lara Croft Tomb Raider The Cradle of Life in 2003. The sequel follows Lara's investigation into an artefact associated with the mythical Pandora's Box.
A third film, Tomb Raider, was released in 2018, starring Alicia Vikander as a younger Lara Croft investigating the disappearance of her father. Directed by Roar Uthaug, the film presents a separate interpretation of the character's origins.
The franchise has also been adapted for television and animation. Re\Visioned, released in 2007, presented a series of animated interpretations of Lara Croft. Tomb Raider The Legend of Lara Croft premiered on Netflix in October 2024, with Hayley Atwell providing the voice of Lara Croft. A second and final season followed in December 2025.
A further live-action Tomb Raider television series is in development for Amazon Prime Video, with Sophie Turner cast as Lara Croft. Created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the production features a cast that includes Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Celia Imrie and Bill Paterson. Filming began in January 2026, and a release date has not been announced.
Lara Croft's adventures have also appeared in comics and graphic novels. Top Cow began publishing a Tomb Raider comic series in 1999, extending the character's adventures through illustrated stories involving archaeological expeditions, ancient artefacts and additional characters. The publishing programme included the Tomb Raider series, Tomb Raider Journeys and other individual stories.
The original Top Cow material has subsequently been collected in hardcover editions, including Tomb Raider Archives and Tomb Raider Colossal Collection, providing access to stories and artwork from the earlier publishing period.
Dark Horse Comics later published stories associated with the Survivor era, including a Tomb Raider series written by Gail Simone that followed the events of the 2013 game. Subsequent publications included stories written by Mariko Tamaki, Tomb Raider Survivor's Crusade and Tomb Raider Inferno, alongside collected editions of the individual comic series.
In 2026, Dark Horse published Tomb Raider Sacred Artifacts, a four-issue series written by Casey Gilly with artwork by Antonio Di Caprio. The story follows Lara Croft after a fire at Croft Manor and a subsequent confrontation involving an artefact connected to her previous adventures.
A separate comic-book crossover, G.I. Joe A Real American Hero Tomb Raider, began publication in October 2026. Written by Kyle Higgins with artwork by Elena Casagrande, the limited series follows Lara Croft to Cobra Island, where she works alongside members of G.I. Joe during an expedition to recover a concealed treasure.
Tomb Raider has also participated in collaborations with other video game franchises. Lara Croft has appeared through crossover content in titles including Fortnite, Call of Duty, Brawlhalla, Rainbow Six Siege, Dead by Daylight and World of Tanks. These collaborations have included playable character appearances, character outfits, themed equipment and other in-game content.
Further crossovers have involved Magic The Gathering, which featured Tomb Raider-themed Secret Lair cards, and PowerWash Simulator, which introduced downloadable content based on Croft Manor. The Tomb Raider Chronicles crossover archive documents additional collaborations involving games such as Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Naraka Bladepoint, Fall Guys, State of Survival and Pinball FX.
Merchandise associated with Tomb Raider has developed across several product categories since the original game's release. Licensed products have included action figures, statues, clothing, accessories, books, collectables, gaming peripherals and promotional items. Companies represented in the merchandise archive include Weta Workshop, Dark Horse Direct, Gaming Heads, Sideshow Collectibles, Funko, Iron Studios and Numskull.
The range has also included Lara Croft figures based on individual games, replica accessories, Royal Mail collectable stamps featuring Tomb Raider, and a Mattel Barbie produced in connection with the 2018 motion picture. These products reference different versions of Lara Croft and elements of the series' thirty-year history.
For the thirtieth anniversary in 2026, Crystal Dynamics has coordinated a programme of commemorative products and collaborations. Announced items include Lara Croft figures from Funko, TUBBZ collectables from Numskull Designs, gaming controllers from 8BitDo and a Croft Manor brick-building set from Fanbrix. Hasbro has also introduced a Lara Croft figure associated with the G.I. Joe collaboration.
Additional anniversary merchandise includes clothing and accessories from Insert Coin, Fulllife and Shark Robot, a Lara Croft backpack from Loungefly, and Croft-branded glasses from GUNNAR Optiks. The programme also includes commissioned artwork and other products referencing characters, environments and visual designs from different periods of Tomb Raider.
Anniversary activities have also taken place in Derby, where Core Design created the original game. Pickford's House is hosting an exhibition featuring development materials and memorabilia associated with the series. Additional activities include retro gaming events, discussions involving former developers and programmes examining the history of Tomb Raider.
The anniversary precedes two forthcoming Tomb Raider games. Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis, developed by Flying Wild Hog in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics, is scheduled for release on 12 February 2027. The project revisits the events of the 1996 adventure with revised gameplay systems, additional narrative content and environments developed using Unreal Engine 5.
Tomb Raider Catalyst, the next mainline instalment, is being developed by Crystal Dynamics, Flying Wild Hog and Eidos Montreal. Originally announced for release in 2027, the game has subsequently been linked to a possible 2028 launch following comments from an Amazon Games executive, although a revised release date has not been formally confirmed.
Thirty years after its original UK release, Tomb Raider has expanded from a single video game developed by Core Design into a franchise encompassing mainline games, remastered collections, spin-offs, feature films, television productions, comics, crossovers and licensed merchandise.
The Tomb Raider Chronicles website documents this history through its archives of game information, screenshots, artwork, music, video footage, publishing material and development records. The original Tomb Raider archive also contains design documents dating from 1994 to 1996, historical promotional material, manuals and other resources associated with Lara Croft's first adventure.
