Core Design released Tomb Raider in late 1996 on the Saturn, PlayStation and PC. It introduced Lara Croft, an archaeologist hired by Jacqueline Natla to recover pieces of an artifact called the Scion, which leads her through Peru, Greece, Egypt and finally a lost Atlantean site. Its block-based level design was the key idea: every jump and ledge is measured in grid squares, so careful players learn how many steps a gap takes and plan accordingly.
Most of the game is quiet exploration, puzzle solving and acrobatics, broken up by wolves, bears, raptors and the occasional rival human. The console versions limit saving to crystals placed throughout each level, which makes long stretches tense. The Saturn release is generally considered a little rougher than the PlayStation one in lighting and transparency effects, but the levels and gameplay are the same.
Tips for Tomb Raider
Walk to an edge with the walk button held, and Lara will stop at the brink; from there, one hop back gives the right run-up for a long jump.
Don't spend save crystals or medi-packs right away; long levels are easier when you keep a reserve for the hard section ahead.
Push and pull blocks to find hidden alcoves.
How to Play Tomb Raider
Click Play Now to launch Tomb Raider directly in your browser — no downloads or plugins needed. Arrows steer Lara with tank-style turning, while jumping, the action button (grab, use, fire) and drawing pistols sit on Z, X and C. A held shoulder button (Q or W) makes her walk; the options screen shows the exact layout. You can also connect a USB or Bluetooth gamepad for a more authentic feel.
Save states let you save your progress at any point. Create a free account to sync saves across devices. Press F11 for fullscreen mode.
To play Tomb Raider, simply hit the "Play Now" button on this page. The game loads instantly in your browser using an embedded emulator — no plugins, downloads, or setup required.
Is Tomb Raider free to play?
Absolutely! Tomb Raider is 100% free on RetroVault.GG. No subscriptions, no hidden fees — just open the page and play.
What console is Tomb Raider for?
Tomb Raider was originally released for the Sega Saturn. On RetroVault.GG, you can play it online in your browser without needing the original console.
What genre is Tomb Raider?
Tomb Raider is a action, adventure game. It was made for the Sega Saturn.
Can I play Tomb Raider on my phone?
Yes, RetroVault.GG works on mobile browsers. Visit the game page on your phone or tablet and tap Play Now to start playing Tomb Raider.