Remastering old games is a bit like archaeology, isn’t it? Well, Lara Croft fans are going to party like it’s the 1990s. One of the most iconic video game franchises of all time is set to make a grand return with the official Tomb Raider I-III Remastered trilogy.
While Lara Croft has made recent appearances in Call of Duty, Magic: The Gathering, and Fortnite as the crossover plague keeps infecting IPs, fans have been clamoring for a new solo game. Although there is an Unreal Engine 5 project in development at Crystal Dynamics, with Amazon as the publishing partner, the release of Tomb Raider 12 is still far off.
In the meantime, fans can indulge in the early adventures of Lara Croft through arguably her three best-ever games with the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered trilogy. This release promises to bring back the glory days of Lara’s epic adventures on PS1, now revamped for PS5, PC, Xbox, and the Nintendo Switch.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is almost here! 🦖
🌍 Check out our handy guide to when you can start your globetrotting adventure on Feb. 14. pic.twitter.com/0U2QjIpc9B
— Tomb Raider (@tombraider) February 12, 2024
Lara Croft’s inaugural game, released in October 1996, holds a special place in gaming history as one of the most iconic PS1 titles, alongside classics like Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and Final Fantasy 7. That first Tomb Raider game often makes it into lists of the greatest PS1 games of all time.
The calendar and time zone release for the release of the Tomb Raider remastered trilogy was posted on the official Lara Croft X (formerly Twitter, also careful googling that at work!) account. The calendar also lists the timing for each online store where the collection will be available, as follows:
United States
- 10 PM PT on February 13th, 2024 (PC – Steam)
- 12 AM PT on February 14th, 2024 (PlayStation, Xbox)
- 12 AM ET on February 14th, 2024 (PlayStation, Xbox)
- 1 AM ET on February 14th, 2024 (PC – Steam)
- 9 AM PT on February 14th, 2024 (Epic Games store, Nintendo Switch)
- 12 PM ET on February 14th, 2024 (Epic Games store, Nintendo Switch)
United Kingdom
- 12 AM GMT on February 14th, 2024 (PlayStation, Xbox)
- 6 AM GMT on February 14th, 2024 (PC – Steam)
- 5 PM GMT on February 14th, 2024 (Epic Games store, Nintendo Switch)
Players eager to embark on Lara’s remastered adventures can preload the package starting February 12th for PS4 and PS5. On that note, PS5 users are advised to download the PS4 version to enjoy platinum trophies, a feature curiously absent in the PS5 package.
Furthermore, unlike many recent game releases, the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered trilogy comes without additional pre-order bonuses beyond a discount. All players, regardless of when they make their purchase, will receive all included content.
Some notable features of the remaster, highlighted on the PlayStation Blog, include enhanced visuals, the option to switch between modern and classic tank controls, over 200 unlockable trophies, and the inclusion of all iconic costumes, complemented by a photo mode.
The trilogy’s release date is set for February 14, a significant day in the TR fandom, as it coincides with Lara Croft’s canonical birthday. Classic Lara Croft was born on February 14th, 1968, creating a unique connection with Legend Lara (1977) and Survivor Lara (1992), all sharing Valentine’s Day as their birthdate. Interestingly, Tomb Raider 12 is rumored to be unifying the timelines between the Original, Legend, and Survivor series.
The Tomb Raider I-III Remastered trilogy lets veteran players relive the glory days of the past while letting new Lara Croft fans experience how it was like playing with the older controls and features. The question remains: Can the Tomb Raider franchise bounce back from its slump?
