The best games set in the J.R.R. Tolkien "Middle Earth" world 2025
Looking for a really good game set in the Middle-earth world of J.R.R. Tolkien? Then we have just the thing: The list with the best Middle-earth games.
Who was J.R.R. Tolkien?
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (January 3, 1892 - September 2, 1973) was an English writer, poet, philologist and academic, best known as the author of the fantasy works The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful books of the 20th century and is considered a foundational work of modern fantasy literature.
Professor of English at Oxford
From 1925 to 1945, he was professor of English at Pembroke College, Oxford - and from 1945 to 1959 at Merton College, Oxford. Tolkien was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II on March 28, 1972, for his works.
Hobby becomes profession - from storyteller to author
When his children were old enough in the early 1920s, Tolkien began telling them imaginative stories on a regular basis. The disappearance of a toy dog belonging to his second son Michael, for example, led to the story "Roverandom." Then in 1930, he began writing the children's story "The Hobbit." Through connections with a publisher through one of his former students, the book "The Hobbit" was then published in 1937.
Work on Lord of the Rings interrupted by World War 2
The direct follow-up project was "The Lord of the Rings," but due to other tasks, World War II, and several publishing disputes, completion dragged on until 1954. Due to paper prices skyrocketing as a result of the World War, the book was published in 3 volumes. Tolkien always rejected the term "trilogy" - actually the book had 6 parts. An unauthorized pirated printing in the USA then finally triggered the wave of success of the fantasy world Middle-earth.
Middle Earth... what is that?
Middle Earth is the fictional setting of much of J. R. R. Tolkien's works. The term corresponds to Miðgarðr of Norse mythology and describes the world inhabited by man. This is the central continent of the Earth in Tolkien's invented mythological past. Tolkien's most widely read works, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," are set entirely in Middle Earth. "Middle-earth" has come to be used as an umbrella term for Tolkien's legendary works and his fictional view of the world.
Where is Middle Earth located?
Middle Earth is the main continent of Tolkien's Earth "Arda" in an imaginary period of Earth's past with the end of the Third Age about 6,000 years ago. Tolkien's stories about Middle-earth focus mainly on the northwest of the continent. This part of Middle-earth suggests Europe, the northwest of the Old World, with the environs of the Shire being reminiscent of England (more specifically, the West Midlands, with Hobbiton being on the same latitude as Oxford).
Games based on works by other authors:
A lot of games are based on the works of book authors. Just check out our list of games based on authors below.
List of the best board games from the Tolkien world of Middle-earth that you can buy 2025
The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth
More details for The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earthA dark rumor arises from Mordor, and the time has come for the Fellowship to unite once more. Players can choose to defend the free peoples as the Fellowship of the Ring or pursue Frodo and Sam as Sauron, deploying their hordes at enemy city gates. The fate of Middle-earth rests in your hands as you navigate the three chapters of the game, strengthening your skills and gathering resources to achieve one of the victory conditions.
- 2 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Love Letter: The Hobbit – The Battle of the Five Armies
More details for Love Letter: The Hobbit – The Battle of the Five ArmiesPlayers engage in a game of risk, deduction, and luck for 2-4 participants, inspired by the original Love Letter. The deck consists of 17 cards, with unique abilities and rankings that influence gameplay. Players aim to be the last active participant or hold the highest card to earn points, and the first to win 4-7 rounds, depending on the player count, claims victory.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth invites players to immerse themselves in the rich and legendary world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. This fully cooperative, app-supported board game is designed for one to five players, offering a unique blend of adventure, strategy, and storytelling set in the iconic landscapes of Middle-Earth.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth- 1 - 5 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Deluxe Edition is a celebrated two-player board game designed by Reiner Knizia. Set in the rich world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, this game allows players to immerse themselves in the epic struggle between the forces of Sauron and the Free Peoples. Renowned for its blend of strategy, bluffing, and adventure, this deluxe edition elevates the experience with enhanced components and new gameplay elements.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game
More details for The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking GameA cooperative card game spans eighteen chapters that guide players through the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. Each player assumes a different character, such as Frodo, Gandalf, or Pippin, each with specific goals to achieve in order to progress through the chapters. The game features a set of 37 cards, and as players advance, new characters, items, and challenges are introduced.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
War of the Ring: Second Edition
More details for War of the Ring: Second EditionImmerse yourself in the epic struggle for Middle Earth in War of the Ring: Second Edition, a riveting board game that pits the Free Peoples against the formidable Shadow Armies. As the fate of Middle Earth hangs in the balance, players embark on a quest for victory through military conquest or the perilous journey of the Ringbearer.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 150 - 180 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for War of the Ring: Second Edition
Hobbit Tales from the Green Dragon Inn
Players take on the role of Hobbits telling stories over a pint of beer in their favorite Shire tavern. They alternate as narrators, improvising tales using illustrated cards, while others introduce dangers and frightening monsters to twist the narrative. The game supports 2 to 5 players and includes a rule set, game board, adventure and danger cards, coasters, game tokens, and a twelve-sided dice.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Hobbit Tales from the Green Dragon Inn- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is a cooperative adventure game that immerses players in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The game challenges players to complete scenarios using heroes, allies, and a deck of event and attachment cards.
Nominated for 8 awards.
More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game- 1 - 2 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set
To truly appreciate a story, one must sometimes return to its beginning. The revised core set offers an ideal opportunity for new players to dive into this classic living card game. It includes campaign mode cards, new blessing and burden mechanics, and full support for up to four players right in the core box.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game
Sauron's shadow has fallen over Middle-earth, and the One Ring must be destroyed. Players cooperate to help beloved characters travel from the Shire to the fires of Mordor while avoiding Sauron's eye. The game features eight chapters with unique puzzles and challenges that advance the story, allowing for solo or family play for a customizable adventure experience.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 160 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Monopoly: The Lord of The Rings Edition
More details for Monopoly: The Lord of The Rings EditionProtect the lands of Middle-earth from the armies of Mordor in this Monopoly edition inspired by the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Players can control the Ring to gain special powers, but the longer they hold it, the more dangerous it becomes. The player who possesses the Ring also moves a Ringwraith along a path towards Mount Doom, and if they lose or give away the Ring, the Tracker returns to the start.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom
More details for The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount DoomPlayers follow Frodo on his perilous journey to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, supported by familiar companions who protect him from dangers. They collectively guide this group through various iconic locations from the beloved novels while avoiding the Nazgul and ensuring Frodo stays hopeful. The game features a unique dice mechanism that influences character movement and introduces threats and encounters through decisions made before and after rolling. Successful collaboration is essential for achieving their goal.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 50 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Der Hobbit: Smaugs Einöde
The unexpected journey of the Hobbits continues. In Mirkwood, Bilbo and his companions face treacherous spiders and must escape from hostile Wood Elves, but their greatest threat is the dragon Smaug, who relentlessly attacks them. Players must cooperate to reach the Lonely Mountain and succeed in the game.
🔥 Deal: 10% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Der Hobbit: Smaugs Einöde- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Lord of the Rings
Players move from the Shire to Mount Doom, aiming to be the first hobbit to free the world from the dark ruler Sauron. Along the way, they encounter allies who will guide them and enemies who may hinder their progress. The game also features a more advanced version where hobbits are discovered and stopped with the use of the Palantir as they approach Mordor.
Nominated for 1 award.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2003
More details for Lord of the Rings- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Deck-Building Game
More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Deck-Building GamePlayers take on the role of iconic heroes from "The Lord of the Rings," such as Frodo, Gandalf, and Aragorn, battling against the dark powers of Sauron. Starting with a basic ten-card deck, they draw five cards each round to purchase stronger cards from a central stack, aiming to build an optimized deck. The objective is to accumulate the most victory points by the end of the game, with each card contributing to the total, particularly the formidable "Arch-Enemy" cards.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Lord of the Rings: Journey to Mordor
More details for The Lord of the Rings: Journey to MordorSauron threatens to plunge Middle-earth into eternal darkness in his quest for the One Ring. Frodo Baggins and his friends from the Shire must carry the Ring to Mordor and destroy it in Mount Doom. Players make decisions with each roll of the dice in their race to reach Mount Doom, aided by Gandalf and the Fellowship while being hindered by orcs and pursued by Ringwraiths.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth
More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-EarthPlayers fight alongside Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, and other companions against the enemies of Mordor. Three enemy cards are always laid out on the table, representing a battle for Middle-earth. Players collect companion cards to match the symbols on the enemy cards and send their groups into battle to win them.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Deck-Building Game
More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Deck-Building GamePlayers take on the role of iconic heroes from the "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," such as Frodo, Legolas, and Aragorn, as they combat the dark forces of Sauron. Each hero has a unique card that only they can use and starts with a simple deck. By acquiring new cards, players aim to build a powerful deck while striving to defeat Sauron's minions and ultimately bring the One Ring to Mount Doom to destroy it.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Two-Player Limited Edition Starter
More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Two-Player Limited Edition StarterA cooperative game for 1 or 2 players, participants control a group of adventurers aiming to overcome dangerous quests in Middle-earth. Players must work together to defeat scenarios controlled by the game. The limited edition two-player starter box includes two pre-built player decks featuring previously released cards, along with two new heroes and updated graphics. It also contains two unique scenarios and the necessary threat trackers and tokens for gameplay.
- 1 - 2 Players
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Two-Player Limited Edition Starter
The Lord of the Rings Labyrinth
More details for The Lord of the Rings LabyrinthAs part of the Ravensburger Labyrinth series, this is a retheming of the classic Master Labyrinth set in the world of The Lord of the Rings. Players navigate a game board featuring a map of Middle-earth, encountering cards and pieces depicting scenes from the films. Experience the magic of the series as walls move mysteriously, allowing for exciting adventures in this enchanting labyrinth.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings Labyrinth
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a cooperative board game that immerses players in the epic journey of the Fellowship as they strive to destroy the One Ring and thwart the dark powers of Sauron. Each player assumes the role of a Hobbit from the Fellowship, each with unique abilities that contribute to the team's success.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2001
More details for The Lord of the Rings- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Deck-Building Game
More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Deck-Building GamePlayers take on the role of Frodo, Legolas, Aragorn, or their brave allies to fight against the dark lord Sauron. Starting with only basic combat maneuvers, they gradually add more powerful cards to their deck to defeat Sauron's deadly forces on their way to Mount Doom. This game can be played alone or combined with another, introducing a new "Wall of Helm's Deep" deck that heightens the challenge as the battle intensifies.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
More details for The Hobbit: The Desolation of SmaugPlayers join Bilbo Baggins and his 13 dwarf companions on an adventure through Mirkwood Forest and Laketown to the gold-filled caverns of Lonely Mountain. They encounter spiders, elves, orcs, and ultimately the dragon Smaug himself. With new elements like "The Dragon's Path" and "The Dwarves' Escape from the Barrel," the game offers fresh twists and challenges, allowing for intense gameplay whether played solo or combined with its predecessor.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Deck-Building Game
More details for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Deck-Building GamePlayers take on the role of a member of the company on a perilous journey to the Lonely Mountain. Each player starts with a personal deck of ten basic cards and draws five cards each turn to acquire more powerful cards. The aim is to develop a finely-tuned deck while facing various foes and acquiring loot to gain victory points.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
Yahtzee
Yahtzee is a well-known and beloved classic dice game that involves both luck and strategy. The game is straightforward but offers engaging gameplay as players try to score in various categories using five dice.
🔥 Deal: 52% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Yahtzee- 2 - 10 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Battle of Five Armies
The Battle of Five Armies is a strategically rich board game that transports players to the climactic scene from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. This game brings to life the epic confrontation where the forces of the Elvenking, Dwarves, and Men ally against the menacing armies of Wolves, Goblins, and Bats, under the leadership of Bolg. Key characters like Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins, and potentially even the Eagles and Beorn, play crucial roles in this battle for the fate of Middle-earth.
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for The Battle of Five Armies- 2 Players
- 90 - 240 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
Exit: The Game – The Lord of the Rings: Shadows over Middle-earth
Hurry, Hobbits, as a threat looms in Mordor, where shadows lurk. Frodo and his companions set out to save Middle-earth, and their fate, along with that of the free world, lies in the hands of the players who must aid them. Players embark on a mission from the powerful wizard Gandalf, solving tricky magical puzzles and supporting the Fellowship against Nazgûl, orcs, and other dark foes.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Exit: The Game – The Lord of the Rings: Shadows over Middle-earth- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Party
More details for The Hobbit: An Unexpected PartyStumpy knives, bent forks, broken bottles, and burnt corks are what Bilbo Baggins despises! In this fast-paced, action-based tabletop game for 2 to 4 players, you take on the role of dwarves causing chaos at Bag End while singing lines from "The Things Bilbo Hates." The game ends when all 15 lines are sung or when Thorin arrives, and the player with the most points wins by stirring Bilbo's curiosity without crossing the line. Enjoy an hour inside Bag End and host your own unexpected party!
- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Das Kartenspiel
More details for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Das KartenspielPlayers embark on an adventurous journey through Middle-earth alongside the hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his companions. To successfully collect gems at each location, they need a mix of strategy and luck with the cards. However, as the journey progresses, it becomes increasingly important to stay aware of their actions.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Hobbit: Enchanted Gold
More details for The Hobbit: Enchanted GoldBilbo and the dwarves set out to defeat Smaug, but the journey to the dragon's lair is fraught with dangers! Players earn gems by skillfully playing their cards and can defeat their opponents with combinations of different colored gems, paving the way to Smaug. The player who defeats the most opponents and earns the most victory points wins.
- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
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