Bugs and Patches

If you just started the original PC version of the game, I strongly recommend downloading and installing the official TR3 patch (for Windows 95/98/Me) or the multi patch (for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10) before starting the game. This will prevent some of the more serious bugs. If you're playing the GOG or Steam version, most of the serious bugs in this game have been fixed. In any case, it's a good idea to save the game in different save slots at least a few times each level in case you run into trouble and need to reload an earlier save.

General Issues:

• Directional arrow keys disabled—If you're playing the PC version and suddenly your direction buttons stop working, go into the Tomb Raider III folder and delete the file called 'config.txt'. You'll have to reassign any customized controls and sound/graphics settings the next time you play, but it'll take care of the problem.
  
  If you're not sure how to find the config.txt file, search your hard drive for tomb3.exe (the game program). When it appears in the search results, right-click it and choose "Open Containing Folder" or "Open File Location." The config.txt file should be in the same folder as tomb3.exe.
  
  
• No sound in PC version—Locate the config.txt file as described above. Open it with Notepad or another text editor. Find the line pertaining to SOUND. If it reads "SOUND 0" change it to "SOUND 1" and then save the file and close it. Next time you start the game, you should have audio.
  
  

Location-Specific Bugs:

The bug notes below include a few minor spoilers but nothing that gives away any plot points. For additional details, see the individual level walkthroughs.

• Temple Ruins invisible walls—The official TR3 patch (for Windows 95/98/Me) or the multi patch (for Windows XP/Vista/7/8) should fix this. If you patch the game after you've started playing, your pre-patch savegames may not work. You can download an alternate save here. Possible alternatives for those who can't patch (including PlayStation gamers) are described in the walkthrough.
  
  
• Location loops—After finishing one set of levels and progressing on to the next location, you choose to return to a previous location. After playing on, you find you can't progress to the next area. For the PC version, the patches linked above should fix this looping for India, but may not for the South Pacific or Nevada. If you're stuck in a loop, you can download a save file for the location you need.
  
  For the PlayStation version I suggest you don't return to any level after completing it, at least until you've reached the final location: Antarctica. If you've missed secrets and want the bonus level, either use the cheat for extra secrets, or replay from the beginning.
  
  Alternative for PlayStation: If you finish the India levels and are sent back to level 1, an alternative to replaying the whole section is to reset the PS1 without a memory card. Apparently this contributes to the loop bug, even if you don't load a game from the card. Then start a new game. Use the level-skip cheat to get to the beginning of the Caves of Kaliya level. Then complete that level as normal. (You may want to use the all weapons cheat as well.) Do not skip the final India level or you will be missing a necessary artifact, the Infada stone. Do not save at any point or you may trigger the loop bug. Once you have chosen the next destination, you may insert the memory card and save. (Special thanks to Joe for this tip.)
  
  Location Looping Second Time Through—Several people have written to say that after finishing the game and the bonus level, All Hallows, they started a new game with all weapons only to encounter another type of "loop" bug. Apparently, after India, the game only lets you go to Nevada, then after finishing that zone, you're only able to go to Antarctica. So far I have no solution. For now, you may want to start a completely new game and use the all-weapons cheat instead.
  
  
• Game Returns to Main Menu After India Levels—The most likely reason for this is that you have a demo version of the game that only includes the training level and the four India levels. I've heard of two such abbreviated titles: "Tomb Raider III: Adventures in India" was published by The Learning Company under the "Smart Saver" imprint. (The box is pictured here.) The "Absolute Action Pack" includes "Tomb Raider III: Adventures in India" plus excerpts from two other Eidos titles, Gangsters: Organized Crime and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. Visit MobyGames.com for more info and box art.
  
  
• Coastal Village invisible wall near serpent stone gate—In this level you must find 3 stones and place them in receptacles to open 3 gates. For some people, placing one of the stones in its receptacle then going on to find the other two stones can result in an invisible wall in place of the first gate. Solution: Find all 3 stones before putting them in place.*
  
  
• Aldwych invisible walls—Invisible walls in the maze room after leaving and returning. The original PC patch doesn't fix this. I'm not sure about the Windows XP/Vista/7/8 multi patch. No alternative yet except to download a save file or skip the rest of the level.*
  
  
• ALDWYCH DROPPED DRILL—The drill descends below floor level so you can't get the first Solomon's Key and become stuck in that spot. This bug is caused by missing a particular trigger earlier in the level. I have included notes accompanying the walkthrough, as well as savegames for the PC and Macintosh versions.
  
  
• Lud's Gate SECRET #6 invisible wall—As far as I know, this bug only occurs in the PC/Mac version. So far none of the patches/updates have fixed it. Possible alternatives are described in the walkthrough.
  
  
• Tinnos secret #2 phantom block—The block that enables you to reach the second secret is insubstantial; Lara can walk through it but can't climb on it. This bug is apparently caused by pulling the switch that drops the block (in the Earth Element area) more than once. If you have already done this and don't want to go back to an earlier save, you can get around it using the corner bug. See the walkthrough and Useful Bugs pages for details.
  
  
• Tinnos missing Oceanic Masks—In this level it's possible to enter several of the element-themed side areas and exit again without actually picking up the artifacts you came for. There is no way to re-enter these areas once you've explored them. If you are missing any of these four masks, you will not be able to complete the level. Possible solutions are described in the walkthrough.

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