Classic PS1 Tomb Raider vs Remastered: which version should you play?
Compare original PlayStation-era Tomb Raider games with the I–III and IV–VI Remastered collections.
Scope: Classic Core Design games and current remastered collections
Quick answer
Choose the remasters if you want the original levels with easier access on current hardware, optional modern presentation and quality-of-life features. Choose original PS1 releases for their period-specific visuals, controls and platform behavior. The remasters preserve the classic adventures but are not identical software packages.
What the remastered collections include
Tomb Raider I–III Remastered contains the first three games and their expansion levels. Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered contains The Last Revelation, Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness. Together, they cover the six Core Design main games currently grouped as the Classic era.
| Choice | Best reason to choose it | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Original PS1-era versions | Period-specific presentation and hardware behavior | Older hardware/store access and version-specific controls |
| I–III Remastered | First three adventures, expansions, graphics toggle and current platforms | Some modern features and patches differ from original releases |
| IV–VI Remastered | Next three Core Design games in one current collection | Angel of Darkness remains structurally different from I–V |
Graphics, controls and quality-of-life changes
I–III allows on-the-fly switching between original and enhanced graphics and offers tank or modern control schemes. Official updates have improved modern controls and added features including controller quick-save/reload hotkeys and an outfit selector. IV–VI likewise offers classic and modern controls, with special handling for Angel of Darkness.
Which version should you play?
Most first-time players on current hardware should start with I–III Remastered because it keeps the original level structure while offering choices for presentation and control. Choose the original releases if reproducing the historical console experience matters more. Neither choice changes which continuity the stories belong to.
Sources
Official Tomb Raider pages anchor current facts. Historical and continuity details are cross-checked against cited references, and different versions of Lara are kept separate.