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The 10 Best Harry Potter Games (Ranked)
What are the best Harry Potter games?
Harry Potter is one of the biggest franchises in the world, so, of course, there are video games that take place in its universe.
While there are many games to choose from, not all of them have been able to capture the magic like others.
Today, we’re looking at the Harry Potter games that have gone above and beyond transporting fans into the wizarding world!
The 10 Best Harry Potter Games
To create this list, we’ve considered the content of each game, as well as overall popularity and sales data.
This has allowed us to pinpoint which games in the series are worth playing above all the rest.
With that said, here’s our list of the 10 best Harry Potter games:
10. Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
Based on the film of the same name, this Harry Potter game was released in 2007 for numerous consoles.
While it largely follows the same story as the movie, it also introduces a new sandbox style of exploration.
In Order of the Phoenix, players can explore Hogwarts and use spells to interact with objects to earn discovery points.
Discovery points are needed to increase the power of your spells, as well as earn behind-the-scenes trophies.
There is also dueling that can be done against Slytherins in certain areas throughout the castle.
Upon its release, Order of the Phoenix became one the best PS2 games ever created, thanks to its engaging gameplay.
Although it’s far from a perfect game, there is a lot for fans of the series to love making it a must-play.
9. Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
Released in 2009, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is based on the film but expands on it greatly.
Like Order of the Phoenix, this game features a lot of exploration but many more activities.
In this game, players can still take part in duels, but also potion making, Quidditch, and different classes.
There are also 150 shields you can collect throughout the castle that can be found by using a variety of spells.
As one of the best Nintendo Wii games of all time, this game also makes use of the Wii remote.
For instance, players have to mix potions, control their brooms while flying, or sling spells in duels using special motions.
While some parts of the game do feel a bit repetitive, overall, it is a very fun and enjoyable experience.
8. Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
Up next, we have the Quidditch World Cup, a sports action game that was released in 2003 for the PS2 and Xbox.
The Hogwarts Quidditch team roasters are based on those in Prisoner of Azkaban, with Lee Jordan returning as the commentator.
However, there are also international matches with players not previously mentioned.
During Hogwarts matches, players can compete for any of the House teams as a Chaser.
The main goal is to try and score as many goals as possible using a variety of abilities.
Abilities can be earned by completing a number of challenges that focus on different aspects of the sport.
Players can also take part in the Quidditch World Cup, which features gameplay similar to Hogwarts matches.
While there are no challenges, there are teams from several countries to choose from.
The biggest difference here is that players can choose different difficulty levels by selecting brooms to use.
Easier than playing real-life Quidditch but just as fun, this is one of the best Harry Potter games ever made!
7. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
Based on the 2004 film of the game name, this Harry Potter game largely follows the same plot as the movie.
However, things kick off on the Hogwarts Express, ignoring the events that happen on Privet Drive.
While the main story events are fairly linear, once you’re at Hogwarts, there is also a lot of side content to explore.
Boasting one of the biggest open maps of all the games, you can freely wander through most of the grounds around the castle.
Players can even ride Buckbeak, the hippogriff, collect a ton of items, and learn many new spells.
Additionally, different versions of this game were created for various platforms, with a couple of minor differences.
For instance, as one of the best GBA games of all time, this game is played like a traditional RPG.
The GBA version also starts players off at the Leaky Cauldron, as opposed to the Hogwarts Express.
Meanwhile, the PS2 version features unique minigames that use the EyeToy, a webcam designed for the console.
Although it is a fairly predictable game if you know the film or book, that hardly takes away from the fun of playing through it!
6. Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells is the first and only mobile game on our list, and it allows you to jump into the Wizarding World on the go.
Developed by Zynga, best known for games like Farmville, Puzzles & Spells is played like Bejeweled or Candy Crush.
It is a match-three game that includes candies from the series, such as chocolate frogs.
Featuring characters from all of the films, the game begins with the Philosopher’s Stone and progresses from there.
Players will have to navigate through numerous puzzles, unlocking helpful spells with level-ups.
This game also allows you to create a custom avatar, join any Hogwarts House, and choose whatever wand you want.
The best thing about Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells is that it is addictive but absolutely free to play.
Although it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, we absolutely love killing time with this game!
5. Book of Spells
Book of Spells was released in 2012, and it is one of the most unique Harry Potter games ever made.
An augmented reality game, Book of Spells is played using the PlayStation Move controller and the PlayStation Eye.
In this game, players are able to cast a variety of spells by drawing shapes with the Playstation Move controller.
At the start of the game, you can choose your Hogwarts House and wand or link your Pottermore account to have your choices there reflected.
Book of Spells is designed to mimic the experience of a Hogwarts student learning spells.
What makes this game fun is that it really engages you with the process of casting spells.
The controls also worked extremely well, though it does lack a lot of replayability.
However, for the majority of us, this is as close to attending a class at Hogwarts as we’ll get!
4. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
One of the best Game Boy Color games of all time, this action-adventure game was released in 2002.
Although the core gameplay is fairly linear and players can explore Hogwarts Castle and the grounds freely.
Between the main story that follows the plot of the same movie and book, there are also many activities.
These include various classes you can attend to learn about new spells that can be useful during boss fights.
Every spell has a challenge tied to it that must be completed in order to unlock it.
However, the challenge must be completed during the allotted class time, or else you will have to try again later.
Like Prisoner of Azkaban, there are also some changes between different versions of this game.
For example, players are limited to landing zones when flying on the GameCube and Xbox versions.
By contrast, the PS2 allows players to land anywhere in free-flight mode, while the Game Body Color plays out like a standard RPG.
Having sold 9 million copies across all versions by 2003, Chamber of Secrets remains one of the best Harry Potter games ever made!
3. Lego Harry Potter: Years 5–7
Released in 2011, Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 focuses on the final three books and four films.
The second of two Lego games set in the Harry Potter universe, it is fairly similar to other Lego games.
However, progress is made by learning spells, and each year is split into different chapters.
Players can enjoy free roaming while not completing objectives, and there are 200 characters to collect.
What really makes this game great, though, is its multiplayer, which allows you to be able to play with friends.
The humor added also makes this game incredibly funny, which is a plus since the final years tend to be darker than the first few.
Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 is a game that anyone can pick up and have a good time with.
While other games on this list have waned in popularity over the years, this one remains a fan favorite.
2. Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4
The first game to take the best Harry Potter characters and turn them into Lego figures, this game is a gem.
Based on the Lego Harry Potter toy line and released in 2010, this game covers events up to Goblet of Fire.
Gameplay is similar to other Lego games, and it has an emphasis on exploring, collecting, and puzzle-solving.
Casting spells and potion-making are also big parts of the game, but potions can have interesting side effects if made wrong!
While the storyline is largely unaltered from the movies and books, the inclusion of multiplayer does change things a little bit.
For example, if two people are playing, Hermione will accidentally follow Harry during his first Triwizard task.
Fortunately, thanks to the humor Lego games are known for, changes like this work well and make for some hilarious moments.
Multiplayer works both locally and online, though online support is limited to the PlayStation and Xbox versions of this game.
Easily one of the greatest Harry Potter games of all time, this is a must-play for any Potterhead.
1. Hogwarts Legacy
Taking our number one spot is the newest Wizarding World game, Hogwarts Legacy.
This Harry Potter game is different than all the others on our list, as it takes place way before the events of the books and films.
Set in the 1800s, players can create their own custom Hogwarts students and enroll to embark on a unique adventure.
An action RPG, this game gives players a ton of freedom to explore the magical world, including Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the Forbidden Forest.
Players can choose their houses, tame magical beasts, and learn a ton of spells while trying to unearth an ancient mystery.
Throughout the game, visual changes also take place to mark the passing of seasons, both inside and outside the castle.
As the most recent game in the Harry Potter universe, Hogwarts Legacy is also visually stunning.
While its ultra-plus graphics settings make it look like a movie, even the standard visuals are superb.
It also has a robust character creation mechanic that gives players a lot of freedom to create whomever they want.
Players are also able to establish relationships with other students, who can then become companions.
Although its release stirred up some controversy, it has since sold over 12 million copies and topped numerous gaming charts.
If you love Harry Potter, Hogwarts Legacy is a must-play, and it does a great job of bringing the magic of the Wizarding World to life!
Summary
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the 10 best Harry Potter games as much as we enjoyed the movies and books!
The world of Harry Potter is an international phenomenon, and millions have been captivated by the Wizarding World.
You may not have a Hogwarts letter in real life, but these games are the next best thing!
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best Harry Potter games:
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- Lego Harry Potter: Years 5–7
- Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
- Book of Spells
- Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
- Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
- Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
- Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix