Tomb Raider: Anniversary Hits PS5 and PS4

The legendary Tomb Raider: Anniversary, the polished retelling of the original 1996 adventure, is about to leap onto PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. The buzz grew when Trophy lists popped up on Sony’s servers, hinting the title will drop soon, likely as part of PlayStation Plus Premium’s retro catalog. For anyone who’s guided Lara through iconic cliffs and breathtaking caverns, this upgrade is pure nostalgia. Soon, one of the series’ crown jewels will be playable on the newest consoles, inviting both veterans and newcomers to rediscover classic tomb raiding.

The Legacy of Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Released back in 2007 as part of the series’ tenth birthday celebration, Tomb Raider: Anniversary rewrote the franchise roadmap. Crystal Dynamics and Buzz Monkey Software took the original story and supercharged it, using the same advanced engine seen in Tomb Raider: Legend. The team preserved every iconic jump, twist, and puzzle, then polished every corner with next-gen animations, high-resolution textures, and tighter controls. The revamped journey centers on Lara Croft’s relentless hunt for the Scion of Atlantis, dragging players through crumbling tombs, shimmering oceans, and battle after battle with both thieves and ancient spirits .

The first Tomb Raider was revolutionary for 1996, setting the blueprint for action-adventure joyrides. Still, its old-school controls and pixelated visuals can throw today’s players off. Tomb Raider: Anniversary fixes that by tightening the controls, introducing slick moves like grabbing ledges, swinging on ropes, and revamping the combat for quick, responsive strikes. Restored, yet the game still packs those brain-teasing puzzles and spine-chilling level designs that won our hearts years ago.

What to Expect on PS5 and PS4

When Tomb Raider: Anniversary drops on PS5 and PS4, you won’t find a full overhaul, but an emulation of the beloved PS2 classic. Players should gear up for the exact same adventure—no missing levels or shortcuts—now glittering with Trophy support. Expect shiny new achievements for polish-loving players, like finishing levels, sniffing out every artifact, and rocking every outfit. Perfect for those who can’t resist a 100-percent save.

This latest addition continues Sony’s push to bulk up the retro collection for PS Plus Premium. Just a few months back, the service welcomed Tomb Raider: Legend, and now Anniversary shows up as the natural next chapter. While some players wished for a full remaster like the recent Aspyr Tomb Raider bundles, the emulated edition still hands you the complete game, letting younger gamers discover it the same way many of us did years ago.

Here’s the thing: Anniversary still matters. It’s not merely a trip down memory lane; it proves Tomb Raider’s pull isn’t a fading memory. It blends old-school puzzles and fierce timed traps with a fresh coat of polish. Levels like St. Francis’ Folly and the Lost Valley still win fans with their smart design, and the way the game reshapes the 1996 original shows how classic mechanics can evolve without losing the original magic. If you’ve never leaped off a crumbling ledge in a dash for the next safe block, now’s the perfect time.

Still, the title isn’t without its rough edges. Critics have pointed out that the combat lacks the depth found in newer games, and the controls don’t always respond perfectly. Even with these quirks, Tomb Raider: Anniversary shines by showcasing the core traits that turned Lara Croft into a legend: her cleverness, her toughness, and her unquenchable desire to explore.

The Future of Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider: Anniversary arriving on today’s consoles is part of a bigger revival for the brand. Earlier this year, Amazon revealed a live-action series headlined by Sophie Turner in the title role, with cameras expected to roll in 2026. Meanwhile, chatter is spreading that a fresh Tomb Raider title—possibly tying together favorite moments from the whole saga—could hit in the same year.

Right now, the spotlight is on looking back. Anniversary is now part of the PS Plus Premium library, giving everyone a chance to dive into one of the best-polished games in the saga. Whether you’ve been raiding tombs since the ‘90s or are setting out for the first time, this gripping journey proves that great adventures never really grow old.

How to Access Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Tomb Raider: Anniversary is hitting PlayStation Plus Premium soon, joining the retro catalog so subscribers can dive straight in. If you prefer to own a copy, it’ll also be available for a direct purchase on the PlayStation Store. This remade adventure is a fantastic starting point for anyone curious about Lara Croft’s origins, yet the fresh polish keeps the action feeling relevant and exciting for both newbies and longtime fans alike.

Final Thoughts

Tomb Raider: Anniversary pays loving homage to the original while enhancing it for today’s players. The PS5 and PS4 versions promise that this legendary quest is easily reachable for future gamers, generations down the road. Even as the wider Tomb Raider saga pushes boundaries and explores new frontiers, stepping back into this storied level design and atmosphere proves that Lara Croft is every bit the icon she first became.