Tomb Raider Fan Project makes it a 2D Side Scroller

The original Tomb Raider is a beloved title, and for good reason. It mixes expert platforming, action and a solid story with an all-time face of the franchise in the form of Lara Croft. That's why Croft was voted gaming's most iconic character of all time by the BAFTA Gaming Awards, beating out other contemporaries like Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario.

That original game is still considered a must-play, and now it's getting a unique fan project in the form of a 2D side-scroller.

First spotted by Time Extension, the project, which is a collaboration between Tomb Raider Remastered developers Axel “Delca” Hatté and Trxye, reimagines the timeless game as a side-scroller instead of the 3D action title it's known for.

In total, 11 classic levels will be reinvented in Tomb Raider: Side-Scroller Edition, and the title is set for a release in May 2026. It will also be completely free to play and will be hosted on TRCustoms, a fan site that hosts custom Tomb Raider games created by the Tomb Raider Level Editor.

Several Lara Croft eras sat on modern Lara's arm in Tomb Raider

Family

Happy birthday to the most important game in modern Tomb Raider history

As Tomb Raider tries to reinvent itself, it should pay attention to past successes.

It's not the only Tomb Raider-related project going on, making the past few months extra special for longtime TR fans.

Tomb Raider is on the rise

In addition to this fun little fan project, there is a full remake of the first Tomb Raider in the works titled Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. That title is slated for release in 2026, and while there have been several rounds of layoffs, Crystal Dynamics remains committed to the franchise.

Then there's a brand new title in the form of Tomb Raider: Catalyst. That title is set to release sometime in 2027. In addition to that, there are also live-action Amazon Prime TV shows slated for release in 2027.

So, yes, it's a great time to be a Tomb Raider fan.