The Shire’s going physical—pre-orders open now for the cosy Hobbit life sim on Switch and PS5.
Fans looking to cozy up in Middle-earth can now pre-order physical editions of Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game, the upcoming slice-of-life sim from Wētā Workshop and Private Division. Revealed today by iam8bit, both standard and exclusive boxed versions are available now for pre-order ahead of the game’s launch on July 29, 2025.
Whether you’re planning to decorate your Hobbit hole in Bywater or simply want to frame a map of the Shire above your fireplace, the physical editions come with some comforting extras. Both the Retail Edition and iam8bit Exclusive Edition include a beautifully illustrated 20” x 16” fold-out map of Bywater. As a bonus, early pre-orders include a digital download of the game’s tranquil soundtrack—perfect for piping through your hobbit hole speakers during second breakfast.
The iam8bit Exclusive Edition also comes with an additional collectible: a charming “book cover” O-sleeve designed to evoke the feeling of flipping through a weathered tome in a Hobbit’s library. All physical versions are priced at $39.99 and are region-free, available for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5.
What’s included:
- Physical game copy (Switch or PS5)
- Fold-out Bywater map (20” x 16”)
- Soundtrack download code (pre-order bonus)
- Exclusive O-sleeve (iam8bit Edition only)
Tales of the Shire invites players to explore life in the Shire through decorating, foraging, fishing, cooking, and befriending fellow Hobbits. Designed to capture the gentle rhythms of daily Hobbit life, the game blends cozy sim mechanics with rich Middle-earth lore and whimsical art direction.










































































