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- Best overall: Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4)
- Best budget: Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4)
- Best premium: Square Enix Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (PlayStation 4)
- Aspyr Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft (Nintendo Switch): Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the strongest single-game pick for players who want exploration, stealth and all seven challenge tombs.
- Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition starts Lara Croft’s survivor trilogy and offers the best entry point for newcomers.
- Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration connects the two games with a larger crafting and survival focus.
- Tomb Raider I-III Remastered and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered suit fans who want Lara Croft’s classic adventures.
Choosing between Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition comes down to the kind of Lara Croft adventure you want. The first game launches the survivor trilogy with a high-pressure origin story. Shadow shifts the focus toward exploration, stealth and elaborate tombs. Both are strong Black Friday 2026 targets for players building a console or PC library.
I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback across modern and classic Tomb Raider releases. This guide covers the main trilogy, platform editions and remastered classics, with clear picks for different play styles. Here's the bottom line: start with Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition for Lara’s story, or choose Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition for a more exploration-led adventure.
How We Picked
- Compared story position, core gameplay focus and the kind of player each release suits.
- Checked platform and edition details, including included DLC and remastered game counts.
- Prioritized releases with distinct strengths instead of treating every Tomb Raider game as interchangeable.
- Reviewed publisher specifications, owner feedback and edition contents to clarify what each product includes.
- Selected options across the survivor trilogy and classic collections for different budgets, platforms and tastes.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Platform | Players | Included games or challenge tombs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4) | New players and Lara’s origin story | PlayStation 4 | 1 | 1 campaign |
| Square Enix Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (PlayStation 4) | Survival-focused middle chapter | PlayStation 4 | 1 | 1 campaign plus extra content |
| Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4) | Tomb exploration and stealth | PlayStation 4 | 1 | 7 challenge tombs |
| Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One) | Xbox players starting the trilogy | Xbox One | 1 | 1 campaign |
| Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One) | Xbox players seeking tombs and stealth | Xbox One | 1 | 7 challenge tombs |
| Aspyr Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft (Nintendo Switch) | Portable classic adventures | Nintendo Switch | 1 | 3 games |
| Aspyr Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered (Nintendo Switch) | Portable classic-series continuation | Nintendo Switch | 1 | 3 games |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4)
The Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4) is the best origin-story pick for newcomers, with 1-player survival action that introduces Lara Croft’s modern trilogy.
Best for: New players who want Lara’s origin story
- Platform
- PlayStation 4
- Players
- 1
- Core campaign
- 1
- Begins the survivor trilogy
- Balances combat, exploration and survival
- Accessible starting point for new players
- Less focused on elaborate tomb puzzles than Shadow
Is the Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4) is a strong Black Friday 2026 pick for players who want Lara Croft’s origin story, a focused single-player campaign and a clear starting point for the survivor trilogy.
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#2
Square Enix Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (PlayStation 4)
The Square Enix Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (PlayStation 4) is the best middle-chapter pick for survival fans, with 1-player exploration and a broad bundle of additional content.
Best for: Players who want the trilogy’s survival-focused middle chapter
- Platform
- PlayStation 4
- Players
- 1
- Campaigns
- 1 main campaign
- Edition
- 20 Year Celebration
- Fills the story gap between Tomb Raider and Shadow
- Adds extra modes and story content
- Strong crafting and survival systems
- Story has the most impact after playing the first game
Is the Square Enix Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (PlayStation 4) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Square Enix Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (PlayStation 4) is a good choice for players who want the trilogy in order, survival-focused exploration and a special edition that collects substantial extra content.
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#3 · Top pick
Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4)
The Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4) is the best exploration pick for stealth-minded players, with 7 challenge tombs included across its added content.
Best for: Tomb puzzles, stealth and exploration
- Platform
- PlayStation 4
- Players
- 1
- Included challenge tombs
- 7
- Edition
- Definitive Edition
- Strongest tomb exploration in the survivor trilogy
- Includes the game’s major DLC content
- Stealth offers an alternative to direct combat
- Story works best after the first two trilogy games
Is the Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4) is a worthwhile pick for players who value tomb puzzles, stealth and exploration, with 7 challenge tombs adding substantial variety beyond the main campaign.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#4
Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One)
The Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One) is the best Xbox entry point for new players, with 1-player action that sets up Lara Croft’s survivor trilogy.
Best for: Xbox players starting Lara’s modern story
- Platform
- Xbox One
- Players
- 1
- Core campaign
- 1
- Introduces the modern version of Lara Croft
- Mixes combat, traversal and puzzle solving
- Works as the first game in the trilogy
- Tomb puzzles are less developed than in Shadow
Is the Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One) is a solid Black Friday 2026 choice for Xbox players seeking Lara’s origin story and a straightforward way to begin the survivor trilogy.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#5
Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One)
The Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One) is the best Xbox choice for tomb-focused play, with 7 challenge tombs in its expanded edition.
Best for: Xbox players who prioritize exploration and puzzles
- Platform
- Xbox One
- Players
- 1
- Included challenge tombs
- 7
- Edition
- Definitive Edition
- Includes seven challenge tombs
- Stealth and exploration shape the experience
- Definitive Edition includes substantial extra content
- The trilogy’s story reaches its conclusion here
Is the Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Square Enix Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Xbox One) suits Xbox players who want the survivor trilogy’s most exploration-focused entry, with 7 challenge tombs and a stealth-led approach to encounters.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#6
Aspyr Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft (Nintendo Switch)
The Aspyr Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft (Nintendo Switch) is the best portable classic collection for series historians, with 3 remastered adventures in one package.
Best for: Portable play and classic Tomb Raider fans
- Platform
- Nintendo Switch
- Games included
- 3
- Players
- 1
- Collection
- Tomb Raider I-III
- Collects the first 3 classic adventures
- Portable format suits short play sessions
- Offers a different style from the survivor trilogy
- Classic controls and design feel less modern
Is the Aspyr Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft (Nintendo Switch) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Aspyr Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft (Nintendo Switch) is a strong collection for portable play and classic-series fans, bringing 3 early Lara Croft adventures together in one release.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#7
Aspyr Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered (Nintendo Switch)
The Aspyr Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered (Nintendo Switch) is the best portable follow-up for classic-series fans, with 3 more remastered Lara Croft adventures.
Best for: Fans continuing the classic games on Switch
- Platform
- Nintendo Switch
- Games included
- 3
- Players
- 1
- Collection
- Tomb Raider IV-VI
- Adds three classic games to a Switch library
- Follows the first remastered collection
- Offers a longer look at Lara’s classic era
- Best suited to players comfortable with classic design
Is the Aspyr Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered (Nintendo Switch) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Aspyr Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered (Nintendo Switch) is a good Black Friday 2026 option for players who finished the first classic collection and want 3 more Lara Croft adventures in a portable format.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
Tomb Raider Definitive Edition vs Shadow: which game is better?
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the better starting point, while Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the stronger pick for exploration and tomb puzzles. The games serve different roles in Lara Croft’s survivor trilogy, so the best choice depends on whether you want her origin story or her later adventure.
Tomb Raider throws Lara into a survival crisis and builds its action around combat, traversal and learning to stay alive. Shadow places greater emphasis on stealth, environmental puzzles and discovering hidden spaces. Shadow’s Definitive Edition also brings together its major add-on content, including 7 challenge tombs.
For the most complete story experience, play the trilogy in sequence: Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. For one Black Friday 2026 purchase, choose Tomb Raider for story context or Shadow for richer tomb exploration.
Is Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition worth buying?
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is worth choosing for players who want 7 challenge tombs, stealth options and a greater emphasis on exploration. The Definitive Edition gathers the main game and its substantial add-on content, making the package more complete than a base-game-only version.
The adventure follows Lara’s continuing story, so returning players get more from its character arc after the first two survivor-trilogy entries. Newcomers can still enjoy the exploration and action, but the story lands better with that background. Combat remains available, although sneaking and using the environment are central strengths.
Choose Shadow when puzzles, hidden areas and atmospheric exploration matter more than following Lara from the beginning. Players who value story order should start with Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition instead.
What does Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition include?
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition packages the first survivor-trilogy adventure with 1-player action centered on Lara Croft’s origin. The release modernizes the classic series formula with cinematic storytelling, exploration, combat and survival mechanics, creating a clear entry point for new players.
The campaign follows Lara as she learns to survive in a dangerous setting and develops into the adventurer at the center of later games. Players who enjoy the story can continue with Rise of the Tomb Raider and then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The first game also works as a focused standalone adventure.
Choose the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One edition to match your console. Definitive Edition is the safest recommendation for a newcomer who wants the survivor trilogy’s story in order, rather than a collection of older classic games.
Should you buy a Tomb Raider trilogy game or a remastered collection?
The survivor trilogy suits players who want cinematic storytelling and modern action, while the remastered collections suit fans seeking 3 classic adventures in one package. The choice is less about which release is newer and more about which style of Tomb Raider you enjoy.
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider share Lara’s connected modern story. The remastered collections present earlier adventures with classic-era design, a different rhythm and older gameplay conventions. Nintendo Switch versions also make those collections an easy fit for portable play.
Pick the survivor trilogy for character development, cinematic scenes and streamlined action. Pick Tomb Raider I-III Remastered or Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered for a broader archive of classic Lara Croft adventures and a change of pace.
Which Tomb Raider game should you buy on Black Friday 2026?
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the best Black Friday 2026 starting point for newcomers, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the strongest single-game pick for exploration fans. Both offer distinct reasons to join Lara Croft’s modern adventures.
Choose the first game when story order and Lara’s origin matter most. Choose Shadow when stealth, tomb puzzles and added challenge tombs are the priority. Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration suits players who want the middle chapter with extra content and survival-focused play.
Classic-series fans should look at the Nintendo Switch remastered collections. Each includes 3 games, so the right choice depends on which part of Lara’s classic adventures you want to revisit. Match platform and play style before choosing an edition.
Buying Guide
Choose your Tomb Raider era
The survivor trilogy is the right fit for cinematic storytelling and modern action. The remastered collections are for players who enjoy classic game design. Decide which era fits your taste before comparing editions.
Follow the story in order
Start with Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, continue with Rise of the Tomb Raider, then play Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Story order gives Lara’s character arc its full context.
Check the edition contents
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition includes the main game and substantial add-on content, including 7 challenge tombs. Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration also includes additional content beyond its main campaign.
Match the game to your preferred play style
Choose Tomb Raider for its origin story and survival action, Rise for crafting and exploration, or Shadow for stealth and tombs. Classic collections bring a different pace and older design.
Confirm your platform before checkout
The listed survivor-trilogy options are PlayStation 4 or Xbox One releases, while the remastered collections here are Nintendo Switch editions. Match the product name to your console before buying.
FAQ
Is Tomb Raider Definitive Edition better than Shadow of the Tomb Raider?
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is better for newcomers who want Lara Croft’s origin story and the survivor trilogy in order. Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the better fit for stealth, exploration and tomb puzzles, with 7 challenge tombs in its expanded content.
Should I play Tomb Raider before Shadow of the Tomb Raider?
Yes. Play Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition first, then Rise of the Tomb Raider, followed by Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The order builds Lara’s character arc and gives the final game’s story more context, though Shadow still offers exploration and action as a standalone adventure.
What is included in Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition?
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition includes the main game and its major additional content, including 7 challenge tombs. The edition is a strong choice for players who want the exploration-focused entry with its extra tomb challenges gathered into one package.
How many games are in Tomb Raider I-III Remastered?
Aspyr Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft includes 3 classic Tomb Raider games. The Nintendo Switch release suits fans who want several early Lara Croft adventures in one portable collection, with classic gameplay and design rather than the modern survivor-trilogy style.
Which Tomb Raider game is best for beginners?
Square Enix Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the best starting point for beginners because it introduces Lara Croft’s modern story and opens the survivor trilogy. New players can follow it with Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider for the connected story.
Which Tomb Raider game has the most tomb exploration?
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the best choice for players who prioritize tomb exploration. Its expanded edition includes 7 challenge tombs, and its gameplay places more emphasis on stealth, environmental puzzles and discovering hidden areas than the first survivor-trilogy game.