PlayStation · 1996
Tomb Raider
A 1996 PlayStation action-adventure that built its identity around Lara Croft and puzzle-driven exploration.
- Publisher
- Eidos Interactive
- Format
- CD
- Genre
- Action-Adventure
- Released
- 1996
01
Overview
Developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive, the game follows Lara Croft through a series of archaeological sites and tombs. It blends third-person platforming, timed puzzles, and environmental traps into a single continuous campaign. The original release shipped on CD and established the core loop that later entries expanded on.
02
Why it matters
It introduced Lara Croft as a recognizable game protagonist and helped define the action-adventure template for the era. Its mix of exploration, puzzle design, and checkpoint-based progression became a reference point for subsequent PlayStation titles.
03
The physical edition
A typical complete copy includes the game CD, an instruction booklet, and the printed packaging; some regional printings also carried a separate warranty card or bonus leaflet. Edition-specific inserts, cover art, and booklet language vary by region and printer, so verify the specific copy before assuming it matches another.
04
Playing it today
The game runs natively on original PlayStation hardware and on most PS1 emulators; save states and memory-card saves both work well for the checkpoint structure. Graphics and audio are fully intact on disc, but the original camera controls may feel dated to modern players.