The Hobbit (Windows, Xbox, GameCube, PlayStation 2)

This page details pre-release information and/or media for The Hobbit (Windows, Xbox, GameCube, PlayStation 2).

The Hobbit began development in February 2002. It was released in Europe and America in November 2003.

E3 2002 Trailer#

This is footage of the E3 2002 Trailer, which was only shown behind closed doors. It's dated around a year and a half before release. It has a few differences that can somewhat be seen. Watch on YouTube

• Bilbo's health icon was very different.
• Bilbo uses throwing knives and UI for it is present.
• Sting has a different design.

Pre E3 2003 Trailer#

This is a trailer for the game from around April 2003, seven months before release. It has many glaring differences. Watch on YouTube

• The Health HUD is different and updated.
• Bilbo had to equip weapons and items by using the directional buttons.
• Enemy health bars are different.

E3 2003 Footage#

This is footage of the game from E3 2003 that was found on a Japanese gaming website. This is dated around six months before release. Three levels were playable in this build: the Shire, Mirkwood and Smaug's Lair. Watch on YouTube

• The Courage EXP bar above Bilbo's health isn't present. It's counted and presented by an icon instead.
• Bilbo's health is bright red as opposed to dark red in the final game.
• Press Start to Skip text prompt during cutscenes isn't present.

Early Gameplay Footage#

This is footage from mid-late 2003. It looks very close to the final game but has some noticeable differences. Watch on YouTube

• Bilbo's health HUD is different.
• The sound of opening a chest is different with glowing particles, and walking stick does not appear.
• Bilbo is cannot hold his stick and butter churn at the same time in the final build.
• The Shire hounds are present in this build.
• The background music for Hobbiton appears to be absent?
• The Courage Points meter is different.
• The save pedestal rotates, in the final game is stays still.
• Wolves are different.
• Smaug appears to have no treasure attached to his scales all across his body.