Both great fun. I did TLOTR first, but only because it was released first. It makes no difference in enjoyment. Slightly different graphics and a lot more dwarves in The Hobbit. Some wicked quest challenges in TLOTR, and a lot of collecting in The Hobbit. Sad that there is no Five Armies, but no less a game for that.

Have fun and enjoy many hours in Middle Earth :)

Does not really matter. But overall I think LotR is the better and more complete game - as are the movies. Levels are slightly more interesting and iconic, as there's just a bit more story substance there than in Hobbit, which is a bit overblown imho. So I also would recommend to start with LotR. Just in case you might get bored of collectiong all that stuff necessary to complete somewhere on the way and stop playing. Then you've played the better game... ;)
Also Hobbit launched on a later console generation, so looks better - making going back to LotR after it maybe a bit harder.
Anyway have fun! :)

Originally posted by gps:

Does not really matter. But overall I think LotR is the better and more complete game - as are the movies. Levels are slightly more interesting and iconic, as there's just a bit more story substance there than in Hobbit, which is a bit overblown imho. So I also would recommend to start with LotR. Just in case you might get bored of collectiong all that stuff necessary to complete somewhere on the way and stop playing. Then you've played the better game... ;)
Also Hobbit launched on a later console generation, so looks better - making going back to LotR after it maybe a bit harder.
Anyway have fun! :)

This is a good response. The only thing I would add is this - if the player is interested in following the story timeline chronologically, then start with The Hobbit first. There are references in LOTR (in the movies and in the game) that make sense when you have already seen/played Hobbit first.

LOTR is my favorite Lego game by a large margin. I have no problem starting a new game over and over and have gotten so good I am finishing at 100% within just a few days each time. I've done this at least a dozen times. The Hobbit takes quite a bit longer to 100% and is more challenging, Still a great game though.

LOL, you really are a true fan! :)
And thanks for the feedback. Yes, as you say that's the chronological order. Sadly for the games it leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the story.
Also with all the "My dear Frodo" stuff in the beginning - I think if you're new to the films and have never read the books or anything watching them in chronlogical order actually will leave a lot of those references unexplained. Same with all the Legolas stuff, he's just thrown in there. And if you haven't seen LotR - then who is this guy??? Even more blown up with the totally nonsensical Tauriel character including cringy love triangle, in the end hollow dwarf romance and Athelas member-berry. With stuff like that they basically force you to watch in release order, Unfortunately. I think this is just a bit too much fan service...