Product Overview
- Product Name: The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
- New or Used: Used
- In Box or Loose: Loose
- Overall Condition: Good
- Save Battery Status*: Not Applicable – Does Not Use Battery
- Notes: Overall in good condition with average cosmetic wear.
Photos show actual product for sale — no stock images used.
What's Included
- Game Boy Advance Cartridge: Yes
- Manual / Instructions: No
- Cartridge Case / Dust Cover: N/A
- Original Retail Box: No
- Extras:
Game Description
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King delivers the epic finale of Tolkien’s legendary saga in handheld form on the Game Boy Advance. Developed by Griptonite Games, this version transforms the climactic battles of Middle-earth into a side-scrolling action-adventure experience. Players take command of iconic heroes such as Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, and Frodo, each with unique attacks and abilities, as they fight through orc armies and perilous landscapes on their way to Mount Doom.
Rather than directly mimicking its console counterpart, the GBA edition was crafted as a distinct, fast-paced action game with RPG-inspired elements. Characters gain experience and improve their abilities, while levels are filled with enemies, hazards, and branching paths that encourage replayability. From the siege of Minas Tirith to the desperate journey across Mordor, the game captures the intensity of the film while adapting it into a portable-friendly format that feels both faithful and fresh.
For fans and collectors, Return of the King on GBA stands as one of the strongest licensed action titles on the system, blending tight gameplay with cinematic storytelling. Its status as part of one of the most celebrated film trilogies of all time ensures enduring appeal, while its RPG-style character growth sets it apart from typical movie tie-ins, making it a prized cartridge in the GBA library.
Gameplay Features
- Play as Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Frodo, and other iconic heroes
- Side-scrolling action-adventure design tailored for the GBA’s strengths
- Gain experience and upgrade abilities to customize each character’s playstyle
- Battle through epic locations including Minas Tirith, Pelennor Fields, and Mordor
- Faithful retelling of the film’s story condensed into portable form
- A standout GBA adaptation praised for its gameplay depth and replay value
Historical Trivia or Fun Fact
Released in 2003, The Return of the King was part of Electronic Arts’ critically acclaimed run of Lord of the Rings adaptations. While the console editions offered cinematic hack-and-slash gameplay, the GBA version leaned into a mix of brawler mechanics and RPG-style progression, earning praise for its depth and polish compared to most movie tie-ins of the time.
Collectors regard the GBA release as one of the most impressive licensed games on the handheld. Alongside The Two Towers, it stands as a high point in EA’s handling of the franchise and remains a must-own for fans of both Tolkien’s world and well-executed portable action titles.
Additional Details
- Variant: Standard Release
- Genre: Action Adventure
- Year Released: 2003
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Developer: Griptonite Games
- ESRB Rating: T - Teen
- UPC: 014633145144
- SKU: 2316
- Format: Nintendo Game Boy Advance / GBA Cartridge
- Platform: Nintendo Game Boy Advance System / GBA Console
- Region: NTSC (North America, Canada)
Important Information
- Game Boy Advance cartridges also play on: Game Boy Advance SP, Game Boy Micro, and Nintendo DS/DS Lite systems with a Game Boy Advance cartridge slot (not DSi or later).
- *Save battery (if present) has been tested or replaced and is verified working at the time of listing.
- Photos show the exact item for sale — we never use stock images for used games.
- All used items are cleaned, tested, and 100% guaranteed to work.
- Backed by Retro Game Fan’s 60-day warranty.
Shop Retro Video Games by Top Publishers
