The First Lord Of The Rings Movie Turned 20 Yesterday And That’s Kind Of Wild

If you’re anything like me, I want to apologize in advance because you’re really about to feel your age:  Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring turned 20 years old yesterday. 

You’d think it was pretty wild. Although I was aware that the film was from a long time ago, it took me 20 years to see its first release in theatres. It’s a classic movie many consider the best in fantasy cinema storytelling. With the film now 20 years old, it was fun to look back at 2001 when “The Fellowship of the Ring” hit the theaters. Which consoles did we play? What was the year’s most important game? These little bits of fun will, as you would expect, feel just as old as the news. The Fellowship of the Ring is 20 years old, so mentally prepare for that. Without further ado…

Peter Jackson first appearance Lord of the RingsIf the movie was released in theaters, chances are you didn’t go to see it. You might be too excited about video games to get out of your Gamecube. The purple Gamecube console from Nintendo arrived in North America on November 18, 2001. This was just one month ago. The Fellowship of the Ring hit theaters. 

Microsoft entered the console market three days prior to the Gamecube’s launch with the brand-new Xbox, on November 15, 2001. This launch game was a huge hit on Xbox. It was called Fusion Frenzy. Fusion Frenzy? Fuzion Frenzy? No! Halo: Combat Evolved is what I am referring to! 

Funny enough, Microsoft thought Fuzion Frenzy would be the launch game and had reserves of Halo: Combat Evolved. (I found out about this in Game InformerVideo Gameography’s latest episode, Episode 62, focuses on the history and evolution of Halo: Combat Evolved. Little did we know that Halo: Combat Evolved would become the foundation for one of the biggest shooter franchises of all time. 

Surreal Software, The Whole Experience and Pocket Studios collaborated on Windows, PlayStation 2 Xbox and Game Boy Advance editions of The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring. The game, which was launched in September 2002, is available for download at Pocket Studios. This would have been the first 3D game. Lord of the RingsWar of the Ring was released in 2003, while The Hobbit and The Hobbit came out in 2003. The Lord of the Rings Online would be released four years later in 2007, and believe it or not, it’s still receiving expansions today – the Fate of Gundabad expansion hit the MMO this year!

Another notable 2001 game is Final Fantasy X. It was a popular entry in the series. Also, Metal Gear Solid 2 and Sons of Liberty. Grand Theft Auto III. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 made the leap to 3D. SSX tricky, arguably one of most outstanding action games ever, was released. Super Smash Bros. Melee also hit Gamecube in 2001, and that’s a game still beloved today – Nintendo even recently announced official tournament support for the 20-year-old fighter.

Oh, how time passes!

Do you remember seeing The Fellowship of the Ring in theaters? Which books, films, music, or games did you enjoy that year? Please share your memories with us in the comments section below.