Who would have thought that a game originally launched back in 1996 on the Sega Saturn would go on to become one of the biggest film and game franchises ever? That is exactly what happened with Tomb Raider, and of course, its lead character, Lara Croft. Was the Sega Saturn the best console to launch such an iconic game on? Possibly not, but when Tomb Raider finally made its way to the Playstation, it became a game for the masses.



In a tale of archaeology, with the likes of Egypt, Peru, and Greece being explored, no one would have expected a female lead back in 1996. In fact, such stories were the domain of Indiana Jones, but Lara Croft captured the imagination of millions and remains as popular today as she was 25 years ago.

It wasn’t just Lara Croft who was propelled into the limelight: there was suddenly an interest in all games themed around archaeology and mysteries of old. One game spawned from this interest was the much loved casino slot, Gonzo’s Quest. Brought to us by NetEnt, this game saw the main char-acter and his search for legendary city of gold, El Dorado.

Keeping it fresh

Fighting enemies and solving puzzles can only keep gamers occupied for so long. What kept Tomb Raider and Lara Croft so popular was the fact that developers worked on overdrive to keep producing new titles. Not only was the Tomb Raider game built upon, but Lara Croft also went on to star in titles of her own. Not sure how many titles were put out there? Then take a look at this list to see how quickly new games were released to feed our appetite for all things Croft:

- Tomb Raider - 1996
- Tomb Raider II - 1997
- Tomb Raider III - 1998
- Tomb Raider Last Revelation - 1999
- Tomb Raider Chronicles - 2000
- Tomb Raider Angel of Darkness - 2003


They are just some of the Lara Croft and Tomb Raider games that came our way. The constant re-lease of new games kept Croft at the forefront of gamers' minds.

Lara Croft and casinos

While gamers were busy on their Playstation exploring all that Tomb Raider had to bring to their screens, those who enjoy online casinos were also in for a treat. Lara Croft and Tomb Raider spawned some casino classics. The first Lara Croft slot was developed by Microgaming and hit online casinos back in 2004. The story, the setting, and the ancient symbols all meant that the Tomb Raider franchise would always translate well to a slot game.

It's all about the story

There is probably little doubt that the film of 2001, with Angelina Jolie being cast as Croft, had something to do with just how popular the Tomb Raider franchise became. In truth though, even without the film franchise, Lara Croft was already here to stay. Why? Because we all love a good story. This perhaps goes someway to explaining the longevity of Gonzo’s Quest too: a great story line coupled with amazing graphics make this the perfect online slot.

While consoles, PCs, and casino slots all need great graphics and immersive gameplay, what they also need is a story. With Lara Croft, there is consistency through each of the game titles, and even with the online slots. Players got to know all about Croft, and even her mother, back in 1996. With each new release fans have got to know her that little bit better. 25 years on since the first release, an anniversary edition would be a treat for the army of fans who love all things, Lara Croft.