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Lord of the Rings: War in the North 6 Oct 2026, 15:15

Lord of the Rings: War in the North gets physical PS5 release in 2026

Lord of the Rings: War in the North gets physical PS5 release in 2026

Lord of the Rings: War in the North gets a physical PS5 release with Legacy Edition. Standard and Deluxe editions cost $49.99 and $79.99.

  • The release includes a Legacy Edition and will also come in Standard and Deluxe versions, priced at $49.99 and $79.99.
  • Pre-orders run from October 2, 2026 to December 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET; the physical editions have also been announced for Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2.

What happened

Lord of the Rings: War in the North, the 2011 action RPG, is getting a new physical release for PlayStation 5. The announcement is for a disc release and follows the game’s digital return earlier in 2026. In the coverage, the new release is tied to a Legacy Edition, bringing the game back in an improved form.

The physical release includes the Legacy Edition, which is described in the coverage as a polished and enhanced version of the original. Standard and Deluxe editions have also been announced, with suggested retail prices of $49.99 for Standard and $79.99 for Deluxe. The source also notes that the physical release is not only coming to PS5, but also to Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2.

According to the source, the pre-order period begins on October 2, 2026 and runs through December 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. That makes the announcement concrete in timing, but the source does not say in the provided text when the physical copies will actually ship or hit stores. What is clear is that the pre-order window stays open for more than two months.

War in the North’s return comes after a difficult history. The game was reportedly removed from some digital storefronts in 2018, with licensing issues cited as a possible reason. In August 2026, the game returned digitally with a new publisher, according to the source, and the physical announcement followed. The source also says the digital re-release received positive user reviews, showing that the game drew renewed attention after years away.

Aspyr is mentioned in the coverage in connection with the Legacy Edition, while Limited Run Games is linked to the physical release. The source does not specify which publisher handled the digital re-release in August 2026, but the combination of a digital comeback and a physical release shows the title being reissued in multiple ways in a short span of time.

Timeline

  • 2011 — Lord of the Rings: War in the North originally launches as an action RPG.

  • 2018 — The game is reportedly removed from some digital storefronts, with licensing issues cited as a possible cause.

  • August 2026 — The game returns digitally with a new publisher and reportedly receives positive user reviews.

  • October 2, 2026 — Pre-orders open for the physical editions on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

  • December 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET — The pre-order period ends, according to the source.

  • 2026 — The physical release is announced with Standard and Deluxe editions alongside the Legacy Edition.

Background

War in the North is an action RPG set in the Lord of the Rings franchise. The game launched in 2011 and later went through a period where it was not widely available digitally. According to the source, the title disappeared from some digital storefronts in 2018, with licensing issues cited as a possible explanation. That makes its 2026 return notable, since the game reappeared on digital platforms after a long absence.

The source describes the version that returned in 2026 as a Legacy Edition. It is presented as a polished and enhanced version of the original. That detail matters because the physical release does not appear to be a simple reprint of the old game, but a separate edition being positioned as its own release. The coverage links Aspyr to this Legacy Edition, while Limited Run Games is named in connection with the physical distribution.

The pricing structure is also clear. The Standard Edition costs $49.99 and the Deluxe Edition costs $79.99. The source does not provide a full contents list for the Deluxe version in the supplied text, but it does confirm that both editions exist alongside the Legacy Edition. That means the release is being offered in multiple physical variants, which is common for limited or collector-style releases.

Timing is another important part of the announcement. The digital return reportedly happened in August 2026, followed by the physical release announcement. Pre-orders begin on October 2, 2026 and run until December 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The source does not mention an exact ship date or release date for the physical copies themselves, so only the pre-order window is confirmed.

The physical release is also not limited to one platform. In addition to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 are also mentioned. That makes the release broader than a PS5-only reissue and suggests the publisher is targeting multiple current systems at once. The source names Limited Run Games in connection with the physical release, but does not specify which company handled the digital re-release in August 2026.

Sources

  • Gamerant: announcement of the physical PS5 release and pricing information for War in the North.