J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings remains incredibly popular, and a new official artwork featuring Gandalf is proof of that. Fans have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of years, including the releases of The Hunt for Gollum and season 3 of Rings of Power. Plus, Warhorse Studios, known for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, is working on a new Middle-earth game. While there have been several Lord of the Rings games in the last ten years, most haven’t been very good, with Return to Moria being a rare highlight. Surprisingly, Gandalf—one of the most powerful wizards in fiction—hasn’t appeared in many video games recently.
We’ve seen many fantastic Lord of the Rings games over the years, and some even let you play as Gandalf! While fans are hoping for news on a new Shadow of Mordor or a Gollum remake, let’s revisit some classic games and remember the power of playing as the incredibly strong wizard, Gandalf.
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Action Mage Gandalf: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Gandalf The White, The One Wizard Army
Let’s start with a really popular recommendation: EA’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Return of the King games. Unlike many games based on movies, these were genuinely good and are a must-play for any fan. On home consoles, you can play as Gandalf in The Return of the King – he’s one of eight playable characters. The game, released in 2003, often feels like a fast-paced action game where you control a powerful wizard capable of turning the course of any battle.
If you’re looking to experience the epic battle of Minas Tirith like Gandalf the White, The Return of the King is a great place to start, and it’s still enjoyable today. I’m usually hesitant to recommend older games that aren’t top-tier, as they’re often best left as fond memories. However, I recently replayed both The Two Towers and The Return of the King and was surprised by how well they’ve held up. They definitely show their age, but they remain consistently fun to play.
The Grand Strategy Wizard: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth 2
Gandalf The White, One Wizard In An Army
Excluding games on phones, The Battle for Middle-earth 2 released in 2006 was the last official strategy game based on The Lord of the Rings, which is disappointing given how well the franchise lends itself to the genre. Thankfully, War of the Ring and the two Battle for Middle-earth games remain excellent and enjoyable for fans of both The Lord of the Rings and real-time strategy games.
While the older games are also great, The Battle for Middle-earth 2 is a fantastic place to start if you’re interested in a detailed strategy experience based on The Lord of the Rings. In this game, Gandalf is a powerful hero you can command for the Men of the West, but you’ll have to earn him first. Before you can use Gandalf, you’ll lead large armies in the northern battles of the War of the Ring.
Gandalf’s Co-Op Sandbox Stroll: LEGO The Lord of the Rings
A Charming, Lighthearted Lord of the Rings Story
The LEGO games continue to be popular, especially with the success of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. While some older titles like LEGO The Lord of the Rings show their age, it remains a standout, particularly when compared to other movie-based LEGO games. It’s packed with content and playable characters, and it surprisingly does a great job of retelling the Lord of the Rings story while still maintaining the classic LEGO humor.
If you’re looking for a cooperative experience, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King offers a straightforward, story-driven mode for two players. The LEGO game, on the other hand, is more open-ended and focuses on fun and exploration in a family-friendly Middle-earth. While I personally enjoy the co-op in Return of the King more, the LEGO game does it well and is easily available on Steam, unlike some older games from EA that are no longer for sale.
RPG Guest Star Gandalf: The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age
What If LOTR Became Final Fantasy?
Let’s go way back! I apologize if a lot of these games are hard to find – they’re mostly from the early 2000s. But with a little searching (especially at used game stores), you can still track them down. The most unusual one, The Third Age, is a turn-based RPG inspired by The Lord of the Rings and takes a lot of cues from classic Japanese RPGs like Final Fantasy.
This campaign centers around a new group of adventurers on their own journey, which happens at the same time as the main story. The famous wizard makes occasional appearances, and because he’s not often playable or featured prominently in the original books and films, each time you control him feels significant and fits well with the source material.
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2026-05-26 14:05