Tomb Raider’s Sega Saturn Origins: Revisiting Core Design’s Iconic Debut Amid PlayStation Anniversary

As the gaming world celebrates the 30th anniversary of PlayStation, many fans are reflecting on the influential milestones that shaped the industry.

Tomb Raider, a franchise synonymous with 3D action-adventure and the rise of Lara Croft, has repeatedly surfaced in discussions about landmark PlayStation titles.

However, it’s a lesser-known fact that Tomb Raider’s journey began not on PlayStation, but rather on Sega’s Saturn—a revealing chapter in video game history that underscores the fluid dynamics of console competition and development strategy. Core Design, the acclaimed UK-based developer, had established its reputation as a dedicated supporter of Sega hardware during the Sega CD era.

When building Tomb Raider, Core Design initially developed the title in parallel for the Sega Saturn, PlayStation 1 (PS1), and PC.

Sega secured a notable six-week window of timed exclusivity for Tomb Raider on the Saturn in Europe, leading to its regional launch on October 25, 1996—about a month ahead of the PlayStation version.

North America saw both versions arrive on the same day, expanding Lara Croft's debut to a transatlantic audience.

In Japan, the Saturn release, retitled ‘Tomb Raiders,’ landed on January 24, 1997, followed by the PlayStation version on February 14 that year. Despite Sega’s initial advantage, the PlayStation quickly emerged as the preeminent platform for Tomb Raider and its sequels.

During a recent interview with Eurogamer, former Sony Interactive Entertainment president Shawn Layden candidly explained his personal disappointment at losing the privilege of hosting Tomb Raider’s Japanese launch exclusively on PlayStation, having worked extensively to introduce Western games to the Japanese market.

Layden noted that, at the time, negotiating with Core Design and its publisher Eidos was a top priority, recalling how close he came to securing Tomb Raider’s PlayStation debut in Japan.

In thoughtful reflection, Layden stated that he often wondered what more he could have done to secure the title for Sony’s platform, noting that he came tantalizingly close to doing so before Sega ultimately clinched the deal. Although the Japanese Saturn version of Tomb Raider initially saw strong sales, Sega’s console would miss out on future sequels as Lara Croft solidified her legacy as a PlayStation icon.

This early period of platform competition highlights not only the agility required by developers like Core Design but also the strategies platform holders deployed to attract landmark titles. As PlayStation’s 30th anniversary draws attention to its influential legacy, revisiting Tomb Raider’s Sega Saturn origins serves as a compelling reminder of gaming’s ever-evolving landscape.

With Core Design’s ambitious development and Eidos’ pioneering publishing efforts, Tomb Raider’s success across multiple platforms set a new standard for 3D action games—and cemented Lara Croft’s enduring status in video game history.

PlayStation Sega Sega Saturn Tomb Raider Saturn Core Design Eidos Sony Interactive Entertainment Shawn Layden Eurogamer