Middle-earth video games do not share a single continuity: some follow the books, some the Peter Jackson films, and some tell original stories. This page places them by the in-universe date of their story.
See also the standalone timeline and the Peter Jackson movie timeline, where the games appear next to the films and series.
Third Age
Released November 2006
Long before the War of the Ring, the Witch-king raises the realm of Angmar and sets out to destroy the divided kingdom of Arnor.
Third Age, 2941
Released November 2003
Play as Bilbo Baggins and follow Thorin's company from Bag End to the Lonely Mountain in this adaptation of Tolkien's novel.
Third Age, 2941
Released December 1982
Type your way from Bag End to Smaug's lair in the classic 1982 text adventure, where Gandalf, Thorin and the goblins live their own lives.
Third Age, 2941
Released April 2014
Bilbo and the dwarves of Thorin's Company set out for the Lonely Mountain in this Lego adaptation of An Unexpected Journey and The Desolation of Smaug.
Third Age
Released September 2014
In the dark era of Sauron's return to Mordor, ranger Talion, bound with the wraith of Celebrimbor, seeks vengeance against the Dark Lord’s forces.
Third Age
Released October 2017
Talion and Celebrimbor forge a new Ring of Power to unite allies and confront the resurgence of Sauron’s dark influence across Middle-earth.
Third Age
Released July 2025
Live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of the Shire. Discover, decorate, and share in this idyllic corner of Middle-earth.
Third Age, 3012 - 3018
Released May 2023
In 500 years, he has experienced things that would break even the toughest beings. But Gollum doesn’t break, he twists, he adapts…
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released September 2002
Based on Tolkien's novel, The Fellowship of the Ring chronicles the journey of Frodo Baggins, a young hobbit from the Shire, as he embarks on a perilous quest to destroy the One Ring.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released April 2007
In Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings Online sees heroes battling Sauron's forces and exploring hidden lore during the War of the Ring.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released October 2012
Frodo, Sam, Gandalf and the rest of the Fellowship are rebuilt brick by brick in this Lego retelling of the film trilogy, from the Shire all the way to Mount Doom.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released January 1990
Lead Frodo and the Fellowship out of the Shire in Interplay's 1990 role-playing adaptation of The Fellowship of the Ring.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released November 2004
Berethor of Gondor and his companions follow in the footsteps of the Fellowship and fight alongside them in the great battles of the War of the Ring.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released September 2010
Sam tells his children the story of Aragorn, the Ranger who became King, in this family-friendly retelling of the film trilogy.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released November 2003
The War of the Ring is fought on every front, from the Iron Hills to Osgiliath, as the free peoples of Middle-earth face the armies of Sauron.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released November 2011
While the Fellowship carries the Ring south, a Ranger, a Dwarf and an Elf fight Sauron's forces in the north to stop his lieutenant Agandaûr.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released October 2002
The Two Towers tells the story of the fractured Fellowship of the Ring as they continue their quest to defeat the Dark Lord Sauron.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released December 2004
Command the armies of Rohan, Gondor, Isengard or Mordor and fight the great battles of the War of the Ring in this real-time strategy game based on the films.
Third Age, 3018 - 3019
Released November 2005
Lead the Fellowship, or the servants of Sauron, through the battles of the War of the Ring in this tactical game for the PSP.
Third Age, 3019
Released January 2009
Fight on the front line of the War of the Ring as the soldiers and heroes of Middle-earth, or switch sides and help Sauron conquer it.
Third Age, 3019
Released February 2006
While the Fellowship heads south, war comes to the north of Middle-earth, where Elves and Dwarves stand against the goblins and the armies of Sauron.
Third Age, 3019
Released November 2003
The fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance as the forces of Gondor and Rohan prepare for their final stand against Sauron’s armies.
Fourth Age
Released October 2023
Return to Moria follows the Dwarves as they embark on a new adventure to reclaim their legendary home of Moria beneath the Misty Mountains.
Among the games listed here, the earliest stories are set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War.
Shadow of War is a direct sequel and continues Talion's story, so playing Shadow of Mordor first is recommended, though not required.
No. They are original stories inspired by Tolkien's world and take many liberties with his lore, so they are placed on the standalone timeline.
Return to Moria is set in the Fourth Age, after the events of The Lord of the Rings, when the Dwarves return to reclaim Moria.
