The Hobbit

 GameCube
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 17
  3. Negative: 3 out of 17
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  1. GameZone
    90
    Provides familiar landmarks, stays true to elements of the story and allows players to work through the levels in a way that provides fun and challenge.
  2. XboxAddict
    90
    I liked the fact that the game wasn't overly complex with many different weapons and things like that, so that you were free to concentrate on playing and enjoying the game, the story, the puzzles, and the quests.
  3. Play Magazine
    83
    You find yourself waist-deep in a Zelda-style action/adventure, with a larger emphasis on stealth and platforming. [Oct 2003, p.65]
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  5. TeamXbox
    80
    Involves enough gaming elements to keep the action/adventure or platformer fan busy.
  6. IGN
    75
    Recommended to hardcore Tolkien fans or to younger players after a fun adventure. That said, the game has a long way to go to take on Link in battle.
  7. Yahoo!
    70
    A fine place to start for younger gamers. In that respect, the puzzles, side quests and overall presentation are just about right.
  8. GameSpot
    65
    Tolkien fans may enjoy the game's presentation of Middle-earth lore, but The Hobbit tends to rely too heavily on derivative, uninspired gameplay for it to stand up on its own.
  9. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    62
    Isn't a terrible game, but its sketchy camera, imprecise controls, and lackluster combat relegate it to the realm of the terribly average to me. [Jan 2004, p.124]
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  10. Cheat Code Central
    60
    The gameplay is unoriginal and not recommended for gamers with considerable experience.
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  11. GameBiz
    60
    The Hobbit basically consists of this: Jump here, Shimmy there, Climb up here, and Whack this thing. That’s The Hobbit. If it didn’t have the Lord of the Rings storyline backing it up, we’d be struggling to call it a game.
  12. Official Xbox Magazine
    59
    The second major problem is that the game is unbalanced. [Jan 2004, p.63]
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  13. Xbox Nation Magazine
    50
    You realize that Bilbo Baggins' dash maneuver (a sort of pole-vault jump) is faster than running, so you go through the whole game pole-vaulting like a ninny. [Mar 2004, p.98]
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  14. Eurogamer
    50
    What we're left with really is a Saturday morning cartoon retelling of the tale, with none of the memorable dialogue, very little actual exposition, too much brainless padding and key events reshaped to fit the brief.
  15. 1UP
    50
    In short, it's your typical platformer -- with all the good and bad connotations that term holds...It's just not very engaging.
  16. netjak
    40
    Aside from a weak combat system and poorly designed jumping puzzles, the game is just a tedious scavenger hunt that usually feels more like work than entertainment.
    All this publication's reviews
  17. Game Revolution
    33
    It straddles the line between little kid game and hard platformer in such a way that I don’t think anyone will like it. I guess The Hobbit makes these strange concessions to game-play to make it a friendlier game, but it’s still frustrating as hell.
  18. GMR Magazine
    30
    If you play only one game set in Middle-earth this year, don't make it this one.

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best GameCube Game of 2003
58
#58 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
55
#55 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. KameYojimbo
    Apr 20, 2021
    9
    "The Hobbit" (for GameCube) is, in my estimation, the best game adaption of any of Tolkien's works. I enjoyed "Shadow of Mordor" the EA hack"The Hobbit" (for GameCube) is, in my estimation, the best game adaption of any of Tolkien's works. I enjoyed "Shadow of Mordor" the EA hack and slash games, the Lego adaptions and several games in-between but if, like me, you feel that the adventure genre most faithfully captures the spirit of Tolkien's Middle Earth stories than I feel you will agree that this game by developer "Inevitable Entertainment" is the best interactive window into the author's mythos that has yet been created.

    The game draws most heavily from Nintendo's "The Legend of Zelda" and "Super Mario Bros." series for inspiration in it's gameplay while remaining appropriately faithful to the story presented in the 1937 Novel of the same name. Exploration and platforming are combined in good measure with puzzle solving and stealth as well as a hefty dose of swashbuckling hack and slash action to complete the concoction. The resulting mix of gameplay elements does a good job keeping the game entertaining from start to finish but it's the faithfulness to the story combined with the immersive music and smartly crafted level design which combine to push this game into truly memorable territory.

    Ultimately the best compliment that I can award to "The Hobbit" on GameCube is that after seeing the story through to the end it is now a game that I would like to keep in order to replay at some point. The art style, which may seem off-putting to some at the start, helps to convey the whimsical nature of Middle Earth and is likely to grow on most players by the end. And it is at the end that I think a true appreciation is formed for this underappreciated game. Those familiar with Tolkien will get a game that truly works to transport them to Middle Earth to experience that fantastical world through the interactive medium of video games and those unfamiliar will be introduced to one of the most wonderful fantasy world's ever created in a way that does enough justice to the source material to encourage a look at the books. If either kind of player is at all like the author of this review, they will find a gem of a game worth revisiting.    … Full Review »
  2. kevinhooks
    Jan 20, 2013
    8
    The video game based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien really captures the world he imagined. The graphics (I would say) are very stylized, whichThe video game based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien really captures the world he imagined. The graphics (I would say) are very stylized, which works in a fantasy game such as this. Sure, the game uses a lot of elements from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time", but these mechanics actually work to it's advantage. This a very underrated game, in my opinion, and should have at least another look by gamers (and critics).… Full Review »
  3. Helmore
    Apr 5, 2012
    10
    An all around fun game with great music. Sneaking, action, puzzles the game has it all. Graphics aren't amazing but the art style is great,An all around fun game with great music. Sneaking, action, puzzles the game has it all. Graphics aren't amazing but the art style is great, the gameplay is fun and refreshing. A must have in my books.… Full Review »
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