There are few games that have come to define a console quite like the Tomb Raider series. In its early years, the Tomb Raider games were inextricably linked to the PlayStation, and their rising popularity perfectly matched the console's increasing prevalence in the gaming world. Lara Croft became one of video games' most iconic heroines, with her pistols and classic braid becoming as memorable as other video game giants' paraphernalia like Link's sword and shield and Mario's red cap. In an industry where female protagonists were few and far between, Tomb Raider helped to carve a niche for strong characters that could also embrace their feminine side, even if there were a few controversies around her perceived sex appeal.