Back in 1995, Sony launched themselves into the world of videogame entertainment with the release of a 32bit console called the PlayStation. One of the first games to showcase the new machine (although it came out on Sega's rival machine the Saturn a month earlier) was Core Design's revolutionary Tomb Raider.

This third-person puzzle/adventure game, starring the soon-to-be-famous Ms Lara Croft, was a triumph of technology and game design. The levels were massive, the puzzles ingenious and the PlayStation powerful enough to make it all look absolutely stunning. Although it was novel to have control of a large-breasted woman in a game, and some argue that part of the game's appeal was having that very ability, we at Future Gamer believe the Tomb Raider phenomenon was pretty much entirely due to the fact that the game was simply an incredibly addictive and enjoyable experience.

Core soon came to realise they had a hit on their hands and a sequel was quickly planned and set in motion. Though TR2 was a good game in itself, many consumers were dismayed to find it wasn't a great change from the original game. Still, it sold in great numbers and spawned an equally successful TR3. Tomb Raider 4 is currently in development, and though Core are playing their cards close to their chest, word reaches us that the development team are looking more to the original's puzzle/adventure nature than the sequels' action orientation.

Future Gamer salute that original game though, and we're pleased to welcome it into our Great Videogames Through The Ages Hall of Fame.