Tomb Raider Turns 30 and Crystal Dynamics Is Throwing a Brand Collab Party
- Crystal Dynamics lines up a stacked list of partners for Tomb Raider’s 30th anniversary
- Apparel, collectibles, hardware and more are on deck throughout 2026
- Legacy of Atlantis aims to bring Lara Croft back in a big way later this year
Lara Croft is officially 30 years old and Crystal Dynamics is celebrating the only way that makes sense, by licensing her out to just about everyone with a logo and a creative streak. To mark three decades of tomb raiding, the studio has announced a wide slate of brand partnerships that will roll out across 2026, covering everything from gaming hardware and fashion to collectibles and trading cards.
The celebration honors a franchise that debuted in 1996 and never really left the spotlight. Over the years, Tomb Raider has expanded into sequels, films, animation, TV and of course merchandise, all while keeping Lara Croft firmly cemented as one of gaming’s most recognizable characters. Crystal Dynamics is leaning into that legacy hard, aiming to make 2026 a year long victory lap.
In the announcement, Crystal Dynamics framed the anniversary as a celebration of the character’s staying power, saying the partnerships are meant to “honor the legacy of everyone’s favorite acrobatic archaeologist.”
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Games Are Still the Main Event
Amid all the collaborations, Crystal Dynamics made it clear that games remain central to the celebration. Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis is scheduled to launch later in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The project is described as a reimagining of Lara Croft’s original genre defining adventure and is being developed in collaboration with Amazon Game Studios and Flying Wild Hog.
Aspyr also plays a key role in the anniversary year, having recently released Tomb Raider I VI Remastered on all platforms, along with Tomb Raider Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Those releases help bridge Tomb Raider’s past and present, keeping the classic era accessible while the franchise gears up for its next chapter.
A Who’s Who of Tomb Raider Brand Partners
Crystal Dynamics did not go small with this partner list. The lineup includes gaming hardware maker 8BitDo, publisher Aspyr, apparel brands like Fulllife and Loungefly, collectibles giants Funko and Dark Horse, and even eyewear specialists GUNNAR Optiks. If it can be worn, displayed, collected, or stuck on a shelf, there is probably a Lara Croft version coming.
Collectibles look to be a major focus. Dark Horse is continuing its relationship with the franchise following Tomb Raider: The Sacred Artifacts, while Upper Deck is joining the mix with trading cards. Tubbz is also getting in on the fun with a new 30th Anniversary Lara Croft duck, because of course that exists.
The official Tomb Raider Gear Store will also be busy all year, with new products planned to celebrate the anniversary. Add in partners like Iconiq Studios, FiGGYZ, Shark Robot and futuristic footwear brand Syntilay, and the result is a merch flood that spans styles, price points and fandom niches.
A Franchise Built to Last
Crystal Dynamics enters the anniversary year with plenty of history behind it. Founded in 1992, the studio has worked on franchises like Gex and Legacy of Kain, while steering Tomb Raider into a global powerhouse with around 100 million units sold to date. The studio describes itself as laying the groundwork for the next generation of technologically ambitious projects.
Tomb Raider as a franchise has grown into a massive cultural presence. The series includes more than 20 games, is loved by over 160 million people worldwide according to a 2022 survey, and has inspired blockbuster films and reboots. Lara Croft herself has been recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s 15 Most Influential Video Game Characters of All Time.
With a packed slate of partners, a TV show in the works, a major new game on the way, and a year long celebration planned, Tomb Raider’s 30th anniversary feels less like a nostalgic look back and more like a reminder that Lara Croft is still very much in the business of raiding tombs and stealing the spotlight.
