The iconic Tomb Raider series and its main protagonist, Lara Croft, have been officially enshrined in the Guinness World Records with two new titles. The long-running franchise was recognized for its massive sales success and the widespread popularity of its leading lady.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Tomb Raider secured the record for the best-selling video game franchise with a female lead character in the world. This record encompasses sales from the main installments, spin-off titles, and mobile games, with the total sales figure for the series surpassing 100 million units globally.

Lara Croft herself also earned a separate, impressive record: she is now the video game character to appear on the most magazine covers in the world. This highlights the character’s status as a cultural icon who has transcended the world of gaming and become a staple in pop culture media.

Lara Croft’s Legacy and the Future of the Series

The Tomb Raider series first launched on PC in 1996, introducing players to Lara Croft, a strong and adventurous archaeologist. The franchise has since undergone several reboots and seen various adaptations, including popular films and an upcoming Netflix animated series.

The latest Tomb Raider trilogy, developed by Crystal Dynamics, is known for its focus on realism, intense action, and exploring different environments, all while featuring spectacular combat and supernatural storylines.

Currently, the Tomb Raider intellectual property is under the stewardship of Amazon Games following a major acquisition in 2022. A new installment is reportedly in development using Unreal Engine 5, though further details are still pending.