Gaming icon Lara Croft has cemented her legendary status once again, securing two new Guinness World Records titles in the brand-new Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition 2026. Nearly three decades after her debut, the Tomb Raider heroine continues to dominate both gaming history and global pop culture.
Two Historic New Records
Lara Croft has officially been recognised as:
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The best-selling videogame heroine
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The videogame character with the most magazine covers
Since her first appearance in Tomb Raider back in 1996, the franchise has sold over 100 million units, securing Lara’s place as the best-selling female protagonist in gaming history. Her cultural impact extends far beyond the console: Lara has featured on over 2,300 magazine covers, including TIME, Newsweek, The Face, and even previous editions of the Guinness World Records books.
A Lasting Cultural Legacy
Known for her resilience, intelligence, and adventurous spirit, Lara Croft has inspired everything from films and novels to global cosplay communities. Her evolution across gaming generations is legendary—starting as a character made from just 230 polygons in the original Tomb Raider, rising to 300 polygons in Tomb Raider III, and reaching a staggering 120,000 polygons in more recent instalments such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
Crystal Dynamics Head of Studio, Scott Amos, emphasised Lara’s long-standing influence:
“She’s been aspirational and inspirational for nearly three decades… These achievements remind us of her enduring cultural impact and passionate global fanbase.”
Alice Bell, Editor of Guinness World Records, added:
“She’s a true gaming icon… Long may Lara’s adventurous spirit reign!”
Top Three Gaming Character of All Time
The Gamer’s Edition 2026 also ranks the Top 100 Gaming Characters, with Lara Croft smashing her way into the top three. The heroic countess receives a special four-page illustrated tribute exploring her history, fandom, record-breaking achievements, and hidden Tomb Raider trivia.
You can learn more about the history of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider franchise via the official site: Tomb Raider
More Records Beyond Gaming
Lara’s achievements aren’t limited to the digital world. She also holds titles for:
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Most official real-life stand-ins for a videogame character (models used as her real-world avatar)
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First Oscar-winning actor to star in a videogame adaptation, thanks to Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight’s roles in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001).
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More on this in the film’s profile: IMDb – Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Inside Gamer’s Edition 2026
The 2026 edition features contributions from gaming experts and covers a wide range of topics, including:
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The Top 10 rarest and coolest outfits in Fortnite
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The rise of Cosy Gaming
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A spotlight on kids’ favourite platform Roblox
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The voice actors behind iconic gaming heroes
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A behind-the-scenes look at Super Nintendo World, the world’s first Nintendo theme park
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Explore more: Super Nintendo World
Get the Book
Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition 2026 (RRP £12.99) is available now both in stores and online, with discounts widely available.
Find out more here: Guinness World Records – Gamer’s Edition
