Lara Croft, Nathan Drake, And 6 Other Great Tomb Raiders

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Released in 1981, *Raiders of the Lost Ark* launched the *Indiana Jones* series and quickly became a sensation. For many kids growing up in the 80s, the iconic theme song was instantly recognizable and a constant companion – they’d hum it while biking, walking, or even building forts.

The popularity of archaeology as a dream job saw a comeback, inspiring a generation who later became game developers. Many of these developers created their own adventurous games, paying tribute to Indiana Jones and his thrilling expeditions. Let’s explore video game characters who have become even more famous for exploring tombs and uncover some great games to play.

Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)

Gaming’s First Crush

Lara Croft is the main character in the *Tomb Raider* series, which first appeared in 1996. Though the series has been reimagined a few times, the most recent three games showcased Lara at her strongest. This version of Lara was younger and more energetic, still learning the skills she needed and willing to get her hands dirty, whether facing corpses in caves or dangerous enemies in the jungle. While the newer games featured fewer traditional tombs, the earlier *Tomb Raider* games were packed with them – from desert ruins to underwater labyrinths. That’s where Lara truly shines, because she’s prepared for any kind of adventure.

Nathan Drake (Uncharted)

Dude Raider

Nathan Drake, often called “Dude Raider,” felt like the male equivalent of Lara Croft. His debut game, *Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune* in 2007, launched a successful new chapter for the game developer Naughty Dog. Unlike typical adventurers, Nathan is also a cunning thief motivated by profit and a desire for recognition. While he appreciates the historical sites he explores, his primary goal isn’t preservation. Instead, he relies on his sharp humor, physical toughness, and a constantly changing group of partners to get the job done.

Mega Man Trigger/Volnutt (Mega Man Legends)

Halcyon Days

Most gamers probably don’t think of *Mega Man Trigger* right away, and that’s okay – it’s a lesser-known title. He’s the main character from the two *Mega Man Legends* games originally released on PlayStation 1. This series is set far in the future, after the advanced world depicted in the *Mega Man X* games has fallen.

Now, people live on scattered islands and depend on Refractor Crystals discovered in ancient tombs all over the globe. The very first mission of the game is clearly inspired by the movie *Raiders of the Lost Ark*. Although Trigger, also known as Volnutt, faces more combat than brain-teasers in these tombs, he’s still incredibly adept at navigating them.

Wario (Wario Land)

Coins Fuel Him

Most Nintendo fans know Wario, one of Mario’s biggest rivals. He first became a playable character in *Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3*. As the *Wario* games continued, collecting treasure became a key focus, especially in *Wario Land 4* for the Game Boy Advance, which really showcased his skills as a treasure hunter. While *Wario Land: Shake It!* still featured plenty of coins, it shifted the focus from exploring tombs to raiding pirate ships. Despite his loud personality, Wario is actually a pretty talented explorer when he wants to be.

Guy Spelunky (Spelunky)

A Brutal Roguelike

Guy is the main character in *Spelunky*, a famously difficult roguelike game. He was intentionally designed to resemble a cartoon version of Indiana Jones, complete with a brown hat and whip. In the original game, he uses this whip to fight enemies while exploring ancient ruins. In the sequel, Guy disappears while exploring ruins on the moon, and his daughter sets out to save him. Though he doesn’t have a developed personality – the game is a small indie title – Guy remains a recognizable adventurer and treasure hunter.

Scrooge McDuck (DuckTales)

Life Is Like An Aeroplane

If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably remember Scrooge McDuck, or Uncle Scrooge as he was known in the popular cartoon *DuckTales*. He was famous for being extremely frugal, but also incredibly wealthy thanks to his adventurous explorations, which were a key part of every episode. Capcom created two *DuckTales* video games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), and each game sent Scrooge on a new treasure hunt, taking him from jungles to even the moon!

Although he wasn’t featured in any action-packed quests in *Kingdom Hearts 3*, that likely marks the last time we’ll see Scrooge in a game outside of his classic cartoon appearances. Despite his age, Scrooge is a famous explorer and more than capable of holding his own against any other adventurer, thanks to his reliable cane.

Shantae (Shantae)

A Half-Genie Hero Who Also Enjoys Adventure

Shantae originally appeared in a Game Boy Color game called *Shantae*. She’s half-genie, so she looks human but can also use magic. Instead of a traditional whip, she fights with her long hair, using it like one. Throughout the games, Shantae explores ancient ruins where she learns new dances that give her special abilities – like transforming into a crab or monkey in *Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution*. While she usually enters these ruins to stop bad guys from damaging them, she also enjoys collecting treasure, making her a true adventurer.

Lemeza Kosugi (La-Mulana)

Another Indiana Lookalike Winner

Lemeza comes from the challenging Metroidvania game *La-Mulana*, and, like Spelunky’s protagonist, he’s inspired by Indiana Jones. *La-Mulana* is known for being incredibly difficult, demanding precise controls and a lot of revisiting old areas. Players have to be careful of everything from enemies to traps. This difficulty explains why Lemeza is considered so tough – he managed to navigate the extensive ruins of the first game all by himself. Interestingly, the sequel features his daughter, mirroring a connection seen in *Spelunky*.

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2025-09-21 13:36