Middle-earth Expands on Switch 2: Aspyr Unveils New Lord of the Rings Re-Releases

Aspyr Media has officially expanded its Lord of the Rings re-release initiative to Nintendo’s next-generation console, announcing on September 22 that Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor’s Game of the Year edition and Middle-earth: Shadow of War’s definitive edition are arriving on Switch 2. The publisher timed the reveal to coincide with the shared birthday of the saga’s two most beloved hobbits, Frodo and Bilbo, and packaged both titles into a single “Middle-earth: Shadow Bundle” slated for a September 30 launch at $70. The announcement marks a notable milestone in Aspyr’s ongoing effort to bring beloved Middle-earth titles to new platforms, even as the broader franchise teeters amid studio closures and ambitious new development.

The bundle, which Aspyr is calling the “Middle-earth: Shadow Bundle,” bundles the two critically acclaimed stealth-action games into one package. Both entries in the series are widely regarded as some of the most acclaimed titles in the franchise, praised for their innovative Nemesis System that made every orc and enemy feel distinct and adaptive. The Shadow Bundle will debut on September 30 for $70, though Warner Bros. has offered a limited-time discount, reducing the price to $35 through October 6 at 2:59 AM ET. This pricing strategy is designed to encourage early adoption on the still-fresh Switch 2 hardware while rewarding early buyers.

A Bundle Built on DLC-Rich Content

While Aspyr did not detail any technical specifications for the Switch 2 versions, the publisher confirmed that both games will include a substantial range of extra content drawn from each title’s DLC model. Buyers can expect access to story missions, character skins, weapons, and gear sets across the two games. This approach ensures that the re-releases deliver more than a barebones port, offering fans a fuller experience on the new console.

We’re on a mission to re-release more The Lord of the Rings games, and now the latest titles have been revealed.

Aspyr Media

The inclusion of this bonus content reflects a broader industry trend of bundling DLC with re-releases to add value for returning players. Given the Switch 2’s position as a next-generation platform, these enhanced editions are likely to serve as a benchmark for how the console handles enhanced ports and backward-compatible content.

Following a Pattern of Middle-earth Revivals

Aspyr’s Shadow Bundle builds directly on the momentum of its first Lord of the Rings re-release, the Legacy Edition of 2011’s The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, which launched in August. At that time, Aspyr signaled its intention to re-release even more older Lord of the Rings games, and the Shadow Bundle appears to be the next chapter in that plan.

The Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War titles were originally developed by Monolith Productions, a studio that earned widespread acclaim for its innovative gameplay and cinematic presentation. Fans had long expressed interest in a third entry in the series, but Warner Bros. Games shuttered Monolith Productions in 2025, leaving the franchise’s future uncertain. This closure has added a layer of poignancy to the re-release effort, as the games are being revived under the care of a different publisher.

Looking Ahead

Beyond these re-releases, the Lord of the Rings franchise is set to expand with brand-new entries. Warner Bros. has confirmed a “deeply immersive” RPG from Kingdom Come: Deliverance developer Warhorse Studios, with Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics also reportedly working on its own installment. These new projects suggest that Middle-earth remains a vibrant creative space, even as the franchise navigates significant organizational changes.

Outside of the games, Warner Bros. recently released promotional photos from the next Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum, showing Elijah Wood once again dressed in costume as Frodo. The movie is scheduled to release in December 2027, further cementing the franchise’s continued cultural relevance. As Aspyr continues to bring classic Middle-earth titles to new platforms, the combination of re-releases and fresh development points to an exciting, if uncertain, future for the beloved saga.