This guide is about the earliest Tolkien games. Being a Tolkien collector AND a computer games fan, this is an area I am particularly interested in.
See also the other pages for later Tolkien games.
These pages only include games where there was a commercial element and as such something physical to collect, it does not include and freeware or public domain games which had no commercial product.
These main page do not include games with a very tenuous link to Tolkien i.e a name only. Please see the Additional page for details on some of those
This is not a strict chronological list and does not include a lot of foreign variations.
Retro computer gaming is very big on the Internet and there are a lot of resources and information. A lot of the sites are for specific systems e.g Atari, Spectrum etc so you have to hunt about for specific games, however the specific sites do then have a lot of details.
The Moby Games site is very good for general computer games.
This site has some good details and reviews.
Lord of the Rings
1981
Kansas
UK Cassette Case
(white cassette) 
(white cassette - blue with ref, red)
TRS-80
Unlicensed
Arguably the first commercial game based on Tolkien although unlicensed (other games had minor Tolkien references i.e names etc).
Shadowfax
1982
Postern
VIC 20, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, BBC B
Big box packaging
Spanish
distributed by Indescamp
Reviews
Computer and Video Games issue 13 November 1982
Advert
Vicsoft Starter Pack Manual
Personal Computer Games - Summer 1983
Hobbit
1982
Melbourne House (UK) \ Addison-Wesley (US)
VIC 20, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, BBC B, MSX, Oric, Apple
The is the biggie. It is iconic in the computer games world, groundbreaking in its use of graphics in an adventure game and it was a huge seller. Along with the follow up, Lord of the Rings, it did a lot to boost people's interest in Tolkien in the 80's.
This site has great detail about the game
This is an interesting article about the history leading to the Melbourne house computer games
This video is a brilliant retrospective of this game
UK Cassette Boxed
The boxes for these are plain black, however the instructions books are different:
alternative Spectrum packaging
UK Cassette Case
C64 cassette variations (blue, green with Pavloda)
(white cassette)
BBC cassette variations (red, black v2.0)
Spectrum cassette variations (black cassette - blue with ref, dark blue)
(white cassette - blue with ref, red)
Amstrad cassette variations (book copyright, no book copyright)
Oric
MSX
Disk
The US version was released by Addison-Wesley
US original packaging
Commodore 64, Apple II, IBM
US re-release packaging
Commodore 64, Apple II, IBM, Macintosh
competition
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseek.cgi?regexp=^Fuddo+%26+Slam$&pub=^Zenobi+Software$&loadpics=1
Interface Collection
ZX Spectrum
Player guide
UK Promo Pin
US Promo Pin
2.25”
Magazines
See link for full list:
Sinclair User issue 12 (March 1983)
ZX Computing April/May 1983 - 3 page review
Sinclair User August 1983 - map
Your Computer October 1983 - Ad
Learning with Adventure Programs Book
featuring The Hobbit game
Moria
1984
Severn Software
ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Oric-1
There is not much detail about regarding this game.
Hairy Toes Series
Consisting of Bored of the Rings and The Boggit.
Bored of the Rings
1985
Delta 4 (CRL/SilverSoft)
Amstrad, Commodore, Spectrum, BBC
The first of various parody games. This one parodying Lord of the Rings.
disk
Early release packaging
Instructions
Sinclair User issue 40
Crash issue 18
Computer & Video Games issue 50 December 1985
Adventure Supplement
poster
Adverts (done as a cartoon)
In various magazines
Here is a video of the game.
Your Sinclair Bored of the Rings 3 Parts
Bored of the Rings was published in 3 parts on Your Sinclair issues 84, 85 and 86 cover tapes.
Part 1 was on issue 84, December 1992
Part 2 was on issue 85, January 1993
Part 3 was on issue 86, February 1993
The Boggit: Bored Too
1986
Delta 4 (CRL)
Amstrad, Commodore, Spectrum
A follow up to Bored of the Rings, parodying the Hobbit.
Spectrum +3 disk
ZZAP (September 1986)
ZX Computing (October 1986)
Computer & Video Games April 1987
Map and solution
Adverts (done as a cartoon)
In various magazines
Your Sinclair Boggit 3 Parts
The Boggit was published in 3 parts on Your Sinclair issues 90 and 91 cover tapes.
Part 1 was on issue 90, June 1993
Parts 2 and 3 were on issue 91, July 1993
Red Hot Hits 30 - Compilation
C64, Amstrad
Includes The Boggit
10 Computer Hits: Volume 5 - Compilation
Amstrad only
Includes The Boggit - only on the Amstrad version
Tolkien Series
Adventures written by John Wilson ‘The Balrog’.
Not released USA a compilation under this name.
An Everyday tale of a Seeker of Gold
1986
ZX Spectrum
It is by Zenobi Software and is for the ZX Spectrum.
This is an unofficial parody game based on the Hobbit. The names of the characters have all been changed, Bulbo Biggun the Boggit, the wizard Grand Alf, Gullem and Smog the dragon.
It is a text based adventure.
These are some insert scans:
Another site, Everyday Ganing lists it under games written by John Wilson.
World of Spectrum has some more details including a very uninspiring case.
It also has details of the sequels.
Bulbo and the Lizard-King
1987
ZX Spectrum
Came on the Smash Tape 29 free cassette with Your Sinclair magazine no 49, January 1990.
Fuddo and Slam
1988
ZX Spectrum
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseek.cgi?regexp=^Fuddo+%26+Slam$&pub=^Zenobi+Software$&loadpics=1
Review in Your Sinclair February 1988
Balrogian Trilogy
All three of the above games were available as a trilogy.
Retarded Creatures and Caverns
1989
ZX Spectrum
Is the 4th in the Tolkien series
A Parody of Lord of the Rings
It was not included with the Balrogian Trilogy but was included in the Balrogs Big Four and Numero Dos compilations.
Reviews, Your Sinclair Issue 45, Sept 1989
Game on cover disc, Your Sinclair Issue 83, Nov 1992
The Magnificent 7
Balrog Series
Another Adventures written by John Wilson ‘The Balrog’.
Less Tolkien specific, however the Balrog from the Tolkien Series is the main character.
Behind Closed Door
Behind Closed Door 2: The Sequel
Behind Closed Door 3: Revenge of the Ants
Behind Closed Door 4: Balrog's Day Out
Behind Closed Door 3: Revenge of the Ants
Behind Closed Door 4: Balrog's Day Out
The Balrog and the Cat
1988
ZX Spectrum
Is another game in the Balrog/Tolkien series, although this one is not so directly Tolkien based but does feature Bulbo, Fuddo and Slam along with various other Tolkien references and jokes.
Review in Your Sinclair issue 39, March 1989
Lord of the Rings: Journey to Rivendell
Atari 2600
Prototype only
I know it was never published but this is very interesting. A real rarity.
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