Ranking All Indiana Jones Games Before Indy’s Bethesda Debut

As Bethesda’s Indiana Jones title looms on the horizon, let’s have a look at all the preceding Indiana Jones games and rank them from worst to best

Indiana Jones has been a pop culture icon for decades. While most of us are familiar with the movies, the adventurous exploits of this archaeologist have also been brought to life in various video games. To date, there have been no fewer than 18 Indiana Jones games (not considering the Young Indiana Jones games), and the highly anticipated game from Bethesda will mark the 19th installment in the franchise.

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— Bethesda (@bethesda) January 12, 2021

As we eagerly await the first gameplay reveal of Bethesda’s Indiana Jones games at the Xbox Developer Direct 2024, let’s reflect on the previous Indy games and rank them from the least to the most impressive.

All Indiana Jones Games Ranked: From Worst to Best

This ranking unveils every Indiana Jones game from the least convincing to the absolute best, covering a diverse range of platforms, including mobile devices, arcade machines, and iconic vintage consoles like Atari and PlayStation 2.

18. Indiana Jones and His Desktop Adventures (1996)

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, Classic Mac OS
• Developer: Lucasfilm Games LLC

Credit: Lucas Film Games

Indiana Jones and His Desktop Adventures lacks a central narrative. The randomly generated adventures create an excessively minimalist feel. Despite the absence of significant issues, the game fails to captivate, making it uninviting for a revisit.

17. Indiana Jones and the Lost Puzzles (2009)

• Platforms: Mobile
• Developer: Universomo

Indiana Jones and the Lost Puzzles is another game that feels nothing like the adrenaline rush Indiana Jones films give us. Instead of embarking on quests for mysterious artifacts or engaging in intense confrontations with Nazis, this game portrays Indy hopping around on colored blocks to keep the ceiling from collapsing. Yes, that’s all you need to do throughout the game!

16. Indiana Jones in Revenge of the Ancients (1987)

• Platforms: Apple II, Macintosh, and MS-DOS
• Developer: Angelsoft

Credit: Mindscape

This is a tricky game to review, as it provides certain players the gratification of envisioning the story through its text-based content. It feels like you are reading a well-written Indiana Jones novel, but as a game, this doesn’t sound much fun in 2024.

15. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

• Platforms: Mobile
• Developer: Universomo

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a mobile adventure game based on a film widely considered the worst in the Indiana Jones series. Beyond the poor source material, the game suffers from repetitive gameplay and unintuitive controls, which diminish its appeal further.

14. Indiana Jones in the Lost Kingdom (1984)

• Platforms: Commodore 64
• Developer: Minescape

Credit: Minescape

While this game disappoints in both its narrative and visuals, it manages to offer a more enjoyable gaming experience compared to any of the previously mentioned Indiana Jones games. Specific gameplay elements prevent it from claiming the title of the worst Indy game of all time.

13. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1982)

• Platform: Atari 2600
• Developer: Atari Inc.

Raiders of the Lost Ark is loosely based on the 1981 film. You will be searching for the Noah’s Lost Ark, just like in the movies, but Instead of Nazis, you will be fighting against cloaked thieves. The game's complexity makes it a captivating endeavor, but the unconventional graphics may be off-putting for many.

12. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis: The Action Game (1992)

• Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, PC DOS, Sinclair ZX Spectrum
• Developer: Lucas Arts

Credit: Lucas Arts

This version is a less remembered cousin of the cherished “Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.” While the plot remains the same, the game focuses more on the action, like punching and swinging in ropes, rather than testing players with confusing puzzles.

11. Indiana Jones and the Staff Of Kings (2009)

• Platforms: Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii
• Developers: Artificial Mind and Movement, Amaze Entertainment (PSP)

The Staff of Kings may not deliver groundbreaking gameplay, but its varied playstyles offer plenty to enjoy. Lackluster controls hold the game back, however, and make it a mid-tier Indiana Jones game despite its captivating level designs and nods to classic point-and-click adventures.

10. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Action Game (1989)

• Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, C64, DOS, Game Boy, Game Gear, MSX, Genesis, Master System, NES, ZX Spectrum
• Developers: Tiertex Design Studios, NMS Software (NES, Game Boy)

Credit: US Gold

This is another Indiana Jones game that comes in multiple versions, and once again, we feel that the Action Edition is inferior. The graphics and controls fall short compared to the other games, and the overall quality of the experience diminishes with level progression.

9. Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine (1999)

• Developers: LucasArts, Factor 5 (N64)
• Publishers: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color

Debuting in 1999, this marked the series' initial foray into 3D, featuring captivating gameplay and numerous puzzles. Unfolding across an impressive 17 levels, the game departed from the usual World War II Nazi adversaries, placing Indiana Jones in a Cold War setting for a unique narrative twist.

8. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1985)

• Developers: Atari Games
• Platforms: Arcade, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum

Credit: Atari Games

Celebrated as an arcade classic, this game distinguishes itself with authentic voiceovers from Harrison Ford and includes John Williams' iconic score. As the first Indiana Jones game to successfully emulate the feel of an Indiana Jones film, it continues to be held in high regard today.

7. LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (2009)

• Developer: Traveller's Tales
• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, Mac OS X

The second LEGO Indiana Jones game guided players through all the movies other than the recently released Dial of Destiny, which came out 14 years after the game’s release. Despite its enjoyable gameplay, it felt a bit too reminiscent of the first game.

6. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure (1989)

• Developer: Lucasfilm Games
• Platforms: MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari ST, Mac, FM Towns, CDTV

Credit: Lucasfilm Games

The Graphic Edition suffers some of the control woes of the Action Edition, but it boasts significant improvement in visuals. It also introduced enjoyable gameplay additions, such as the IQ point system, to solidify its position as one of the best Indiana Jones video games ever.

5. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1991)

• Developer: Taito
• Platforms: Nintendo Entertainment System

Released two years after the Graphic and Action Edition, this NES exclusive received widespread acclaim for flawlessly translating the movie's action sequences into the game. The title also included bitmapped pictures of the cast.

4. Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures (1994)

• Developers: Factor 5, LucasArts
• Platforms: Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Credit: LucasArts

As the title implies, Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures faithfully recreates the most memorable scenes from the original trilogy. Although the graphics may not be groundbreaking, the game is a highly enjoyable SNES experience.

3. Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb (2003)

• Developer: The Collective
• Platforms: Xbox, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, OS X

Emperor’s Tomb is considered the best Indiana Jones game in the post-2000 era, excluding the LEGO iterations. At its release, it set the standard for the most authentic portrayal of Indy in a video game, adeptly capturing the style and tone of the movies.

2. LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (2008)

• Developers: Traveller's Tales, TT Fusion (DS)
• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360, Mac OS X

Credit: LucasArts

LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures masterfully combines the playful tone of Traveller's Tales games with the iconic moments and levels of Indiana Jones. The LEGO humor harmonizes well with the charm of Indiana Jones, and the music is executed with finesse. The interactive combat adds to the fun.

1. Indiana Jones and the Fate Of Atlantis (1992)

• Developer: LucasArts
• Platforms: Amiga, DOS, Macintosh, FM Towns, Wii, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, separate from its Action Game iteration, undeniably claims the top spot as the best Indiana Jones video game released till now. Its well-crafted and engaging story pairs seamlessly with uncomplicated yet enjoyable gameplay. This point-and-click adventure weaves a tapestry of intricate puzzles that test your mettle, all set against a backdrop of witty dialogue that crackles with charm.