On This Page: Tomb Raider Legend for Nintendo DS Tomb Raider Legend for Game Boy Advance Tomb Raider: The Prophecy for Game Boy Advance Tomb Raider: The Nightmare Stone & Curse of the Sword for GBC

Along with its big brothers and sisters on the PC and various console systems, Tomb Raider Legend is also available on the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance (below). The DS and GBA games are necessarily shorter and have different controls, but both follow the same basic storyline as the original Legend.

The graphics in the Nintendo DS version are quite nice, and it does a fairly decent job of using the system's potential. The controls are fairly straightforward and comfortable, and Lara can explore almost every inch of her environment. The touch screen is used primarily for inventory management and keeping track of your in-game accomplishments, but there are a few cool features: Some underwater sequences split the action between the two screens, with the surface of the water just above the hinge. Combat also takes place on both screens. Once Lara acquires a target, it appears on the touch screen. You can then tap wildly with the stylus to shoot the enemy, or make quick-kill headshots using targeted taps. The touch screen and microphone are also used for "excavating" certain artifacts by swiping or tapping with the stylus or blowing into the mic.

As in the original Legend, you collect bronze, silver and gold rewards in each level. After beating the game, you can use these rewards to purchase "extras" like cheat codes, concept art, character models, and mini-games, most of which involve the stylus and touch screen. You can also trade items with friends using the DS's wireless communication feature.

For complete reviews, check out sites like Gamespot, CNet and Pocket Gamer.

Tomb Raider Legend Nintendo DS Walkthrough

Intro & Controls · Croft Manor
Bolivia · Peru · Japan · Ghana · Kazakhstan
England · Nepal · Bolivia Redux

Click the thumbnail below to view larger screenshots.

In my opinion, the GBA version of Legend isn't a bad game but it isn't great. It tries to follow the basic Legend storyline but without the long, detailed cinematics, the complex plot is unintelligible. So unless you've played another version of the game, you'll have no idea what's going on. The cut scenes are handled well visually—with nicely illustrated panels showing the action, as shown below—but the printed dialogue is limited so you never quite get the gist of what's happening.

The graphics and gameplay are just OK. The controls are fairly responsive, and there are some fun and challenging bits. But there are also a few spots where the poorly rendered backgrounds make it almost impossible to figure out what's a passageway, what's a ledge or switch, etc. Overall, I'd say go for the Nintendo DS version if you have a choice. For complete reviews, check out sites like Gamespot and IGN.

Tomb Raider Legend Game Boy Advance Walkthrough

Intro & Controls · Croft Manor
Bolivia · Peru · Japan · Ghana · Kazakhstan
England · Nepal · Bolivia Redux

Click any of the thumbnail images below to see full-sized GBA screenshots.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Prophecy for Game Boy Advance includes some traditional Tomb-Raider elements, like running, climbing, jumping, puzzle solving, switch pulling and two-pistol combat. But unlike the previous, side-scrolling GBC adventures, this game has an overhead perspective that allows players to move Lara more freely in her environment. The storyline involves a mysterious cult's attempts to awaken its spiritual leader and precipitate Armageddon.

I, personally, was not as impressed by this game as by the previous titles for Game Boy color (below). But for those who need their Lara fix, even on the go, it's worth a few bucks and a few hours. Along with the screenshots below, you can find more info and media at IGN Pocket and Gamezone.

Lara Croft's first adventures on the small screen were Tomb Raider: The Nightmare Stone and Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword for Game Boy Color.

Storyline: In the first Tomb Raider GBC game, Lara goes to South America in search of the legendary Nightmare Stone, reputed to be the magical prison an evil god. She explores ancient ruins; dodges enemies like scorpions, snakes, mummies and skeletons; solves puzzles involving keys, switches and pressure pads; avoids traps, including deadly spikes, crumbling floors and searing lava—in short, everything you'd expect from a Tomb Raider adventure. . . only smaller. The game includes 14 levels (each with multiple maps) on five different types of terrain.

In the sequel, Curse of the Sword, Lara must face a sinister New Orleans-based cult in order to learn the secrets of a mysterious sword and save her own soul from its curse. There are nine puzzle- and trap-filled levels, each with multiple maps to explore.

At the time it was released, Daily Radar said the game had "the best visuals the Game Boy has ever seen, bar none." Personally, I'm amazed at how well the designers have captured the "gestalt" of Tomb Raider using the smaller format.

Screenshots from each game are included below. (The first and third screenshots in each group below are from the high-color non-animated cut scenes.) For additional screenshots and movies showing actual gameplay, visit Pocket IGN.

Tomb Raider: The Nightmare Stone Screenshots

Tomb Raider: The Nightmare Stone Walkthrough

Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword Screenshots

Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword Walkthrough