Harry Potter Video Games

The Harry Potter video games are a series of electronic games based on J.K. Rowling's novels and their corresponding film adaptations. Spanning numerous platforms and genres since 2001, these games primarily allow players to step into the role of Harry Potter and experience his adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and beyond. The core series of games was developed and published primarily by Electronic Arts (EA) and closely followed the narrative of each book and film. Later titles and spin-offs have been handled by other companies, including Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Traveller's Tales (for the LEGO series). While these games offer an interactive way to explore the Wizarding World, they are considered licensed adaptations and are not part of the official story canon. They frequently introduce new spells, characters, and expanded locations for gameplay purposes.

The main series consists of eight core titles, each corresponding to a film adaptation. The gameplay evolved significantly over the decade, from puzzle-platformers to open-world adventures and cover-based shooters.

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
  • Also released as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States. This first entry established the basic formula of exploring Hogwarts Castle, attending classes to learn new `spells`, solving puzzles, and engaging in light combat. It is notable for introducing the non-canon spell `Flipendo`. (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
  • This sequel expanded on the first game with a more freely explorable Hogwarts, a Duelling Club, and the ability to fly a broomstick around the castle grounds. The story follows Harry Potter's second year as he uncovers the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets. (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
  • A significant change in gameplay, this title allowed players to control not only Harry Potter but also `Ron Weasley` and `Hermione Granger`, switching between them to utilize their unique abilities to solve puzzles. It also introduced the ability to ride Buckbeak the `Hippogriff`. (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
  • This entry departed from the exploration-based gameplay of its predecessors, focusing instead on a more linear, action-oriented experience. Players could team up with Ron and Hermione in co-op gameplay to tackle levels based on key events from the book, such as the Triwizard Tournament. (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
  • Marking a return to open-world design, this game featured a fully explorable, seamless recreation of Hogwarts Castle. The primary gameplay revolved around recruiting members for Dumbledore's Army by completing tasks for students around the school and using the 'spell-casting' feature of the Wii remote and other motion controllers. (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
  • Building upon the open-world design of its predecessor, this game added a focus on Potions brewing, Duelling, and playing Quidditch. The plot follows Harry's sixth year as he explores the past of Lord Voldemort with Albus Dumbledore. (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
  • A dramatic shift in tone and gameplay, this title abandoned the Hogwarts setting and became a third-person action-adventure shooter. Players use `spells` as offensive weapons to fight Death Eaters and other dark creatures while searching for Voldemort's `Horcruxes`. (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
  • Continuing the action-oriented style of Part 1, the final game in the series focuses on the Battle of Hogwarts, with players taking on the roles of multiple characters to defend the castle and ultimately defeat Lord Voldemort. (video game)

Across the series, several core gameplay mechanics are consistently featured, though their implementation varies.

• Exploration: Many of the games feature a detailed and interactive `Hogwarts Castle` and its grounds, including locations like the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid's Hut, and the Quidditch Pitch. Players are often rewarded for exploring with collectibles.
• Spell-Casting: Learning and using `spells` is central to the experience. Players attend classes in `Charms` or `Defence Against the Dark Arts` to learn new incantations, which are then used to solve puzzles, defend against `Dark Arts`, and interact with the environment.
• Mini-Games: Activities from the books are often represented as mini-games, such as brewing `Potions` by following complex instructions, flying in Quidditch matches, or tending to magical plants in `Herbology`.
• Collectibles: To encourage exploration, games often include collectible items. The most famous are the Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and the Famous Witches and Wizards Cards, which were first mentioned in the books but vastly expanded upon in the games.

Beyond the main series, several popular spin-off games have been released.

• Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup (2003): A sports game dedicated entirely to the wizarding sport of `Quidditch`. Players could compete as any of the Hogwarts House teams or various international teams. (video game)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1–4 (2010) & Years 5–7 (2011): These titles from Traveller's Tales retell the entire saga with the characteristic humour and brick-building gameplay of the LEGO video game franchise. (video game)
• Hogwarts Legacy (2023): An open-world, action role-playing game set in the Wizarding World during the late 1800s, long before the events of the original series. (video game)
• Mobile Games: Various mobile titles have been released, including `Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery`, `Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells`, and the now-discontinued augmented reality game `Harry Potter: Wizards Unite`. (video game)

The video games are licensed products that adapt the source material and are not considered part of the primary canon established by the seven novels. To create engaging gameplay, developers often added content, took creative liberties with the plot, and invented new magical elements.

• Spells: The most famous non-canon element is the spell `Flipendo`, a Knockback Jinx that appears in nearly all the early EA games as a basic offensive and puzzle-solving spell. It does not appear in the books or films. (video game)
• Creatures and Obstacles: The games are populated with a wider variety of hostile creatures than seen in the books to serve as gameplay challenges. These include creatures like `Gytrash` as well as an abundance of aggressive `gnomes` and fire crabs. (video game)
• Expanded Lore: Collectible items like the Famous Witches and Wizards Cards feature dozens of characters who are not mentioned in the original novels, creating an expanded, albeit non-canon, list of historical figures in the Wizarding World. (video game)