With Tales of the Shire’s launch only a little over a month away, developer Weta Workshop should take advantage of one upcoming opportunity. A simulation game based on the Tolkien-verse, specifically focused on the home of the Hobbits, seems obvious. The fact that it’s taken till this year for such a project to happen feels baffling for gamers who are fans of both Lord of the Rings and cozy games. With a large amount of overlap between the two groups, Tales of the Shire needs to be available to as many players as possible at launch.
Fortunately, it seems as though Weta Workshop has kept this in mind, as Tales of the Shire will be available on many platforms. Gamers can purchase the game for PC, the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox Series X/S upon launch. However, consoles that are currently available shouldn’t be the only outlet Weta Workshop keeps its eyes on. If the New Zealand-based developer truly wants Tales of the Shire to be successful, perhaps it should look at arguably the most highly anticipated drop in gaming for 2025.
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Tales of the Shire Should Head to the Nintendo Switch 2
Leaks and news about the Nintendo Switch 2 have been running rampant for years at this point. With a trailer and announcement for the device released back in January, players are now in heated discussions over which Nintendo titles will be available on the platform. The reveal trailer for the Switch 2 confirmed that a new Mario Kart title will be coming to the console, but series like Animal Crossing and Mario Party are still being thrown in the ring.
But gamers shouldn’t forget about third-party games, and Nintendo will almost certainly pull titles from outside the studio at launch. Though Tales of the Shire has no confirmed success yet, as the title has not received its official debut, the name recognition of the Lord of the Rings franchise certainly makes it a contender for the Switch 2. Yet it should be noted that the Switch 2 still has not received a release date, and Tales of the Shire will definitely release prior to Nintendo’s new console.
Press and fan events for the new console solidify that the Nintendo Switch 2’s release date will be after Tales of the Shire’s slated launch on March 25. For example, Nintendo Switch 2 Experiences will be hosted internationally, with dates ranging from early April to early June, and dates for some locations have not yet been announced. Those confirmed dates are past Tales of the Shire’s initial release, but there is another event at which the new indie simulation game could appear.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Would be the Perfect Opportunity for Tales of the Shire
As many members of the gaming community expected, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be the subject of a Nintendo Direct. This stream is scheduled for April 2 at 6 a.m. PST. Nintendo has yet to reveal the exact details of the Direct’s discussion, but on top of the console itself, the stream will likely cover a few of the titles accompanying the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch. This would be the perfect time to announce a few third-party games that will launch with the device, including Tales of the Shire.
As previously mentioned, Tales of the Shire has already been confirmed for the original Nintendo Switch. With the new Nintendo console concretely releasing this year, it only makes sense for Tales of the Shire to be compatible with the Switch 2. After all, while Nintendo has promised it will continue to support the original Switch, sales of the console are declining. It only makes sense for Tales of the Shire to hop on board Nintendo’s newest platform, hopefully at the Switch 2 Direct.
Life Simulation
RPG
Adventure
- Released
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March 25, 2025
- Developer(s)
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Wētā Workshop