Put yourself in Harry Potter's shoes
By Jinny Gudmundsen
Gannett News Service
After seeing the new film, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," your child probably doesn't want to remain a Muggle.
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For those of you unfamiliar with the world of Harry Potter, a Muggle is a nonmagical person. Because it's a little tricky to actually find Train Platform 9fl, where children board the Hogwarts Express to attend the illustrious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, your best bet may be to purchase one of the four new Harry Potter video games. With any one of these games, your child can become Harry Potter — the most famous wizard-child ever.
In the Sony PlayStation version of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," the young wizard meets Hogwarts' headmaster, Dumbledore.
Sharing the same name as J.K. Rowling's book and the new movie, four separate "Harry Potter" games are now available — one for the PC, one for PlayStation, one for Game Boy Advance and one for Game Boy Color.
Each was purposely developed to exploit the "strengths of each specific platform," according to David Lee, product manager of Electronic Arts, the company behind the games.
As a parent, how do you decide which, if any, to buy? Having played each, here's the skinny.
The PC game: Killer graphics
After studying the PC platform, Electronic Arts concluded that its strength is its ability to create "beautiful graphics." Consequently, David Lee said, "we made the graphics the centerpiece."
After a short introductory slide show that sets up the story, players arrive and explore the renowned Hogwarts, attend classes to learn spells by tracing patterns with their mouse and talk to more than 20 characters from J.K. Rowling's world.
Part of becoming a wizard is learning to fly, so players "kick off" and practice flying until they are good enough to play for Gryffindor, the dormitory or "house" to which Harry is assigned. The 3-D Quidditch matches, set high in a special stadium in the sky, are wondrous to behold and even more fun to win. Players have to learn how to navigate in 3-D.
The game play requires kids to use logic to figure out how to move within the complex hallways, moving stairways and relocating classrooms. They must figure out which learned spells to use to overcome challenges.
This PC version is more complex and sophisticated than the other games and is perfect for children who want to take the time to submerse themselves in the world of Harry Potter.
PlayStation: Rapid action
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David Lee said the strength of the PlayStation platform is "its ability to deliver rapid action." The setup for the PlayStation version is similar to that found on the PC, with the player exploring Hogwarts as Harry Potter.
Harry learns how to fly.
This platform doesn't shine for incredible graphics; rather it is good at delivering fast action games that require special controllers not normally found on a home computer. So, in this game, Harry Potter zooms through the castle, collecting things (such as Every Flavor Beans and chocolate frogs) and playing mini arcade-type games not found in the PC version.
As in the PC version, this game has many opportunities to fly. Players train for Quidditch by learning to fly through 3-D magic rings that appear in the sky. They must practice so that they can win in a Quidditch match.
Select this title for children who love fast-paced games. If your children are usually in the "run, don't walk" mode, this is the game for them.
Game Boy Advance: Grab the goals
The graphics here are well done, but are simpler 2-D representations in a 3-D world. These simpler graphics actually make this game easier for younger children to navigate, because they only have to think in two dimensions.
The game play is more goal-oriented than in the previously discussed titles. Players strive to accomplish more than 20 separate objectives by using some kind of magic. There is Quidditch in this version, but the view is from top-down, and it isn't as realistic.
Game Boy: Social maze
While not nearly as sophisticated as the previous three games because of the limitations of the platform, this title can hold its own for child interest.
The game is like a giant maze in which kids encounter many characters and magical creatures. There are 120 locations and more than 100 characters to meet. Players collect Famous Witches and Wizards Cards, which are used in different ways within the game. These cards can be traded with others in the game and with friends by connecting two Game Boys with a special cable.
This game has some parallels to Pokemon that children will like. In both games, children collect things and then trade with others for things they don't have. This social interaction is a real plus for young children — they love having to interact with their friends. This version will appeal to children as young as age 6.
The Sorting Hat
While it might have been easier to have had Hogwarts' famous Sorting Hat call out which game would be best for your child, you can decide. For immersive play, go for the PC version. For fast action, choose PlayStation. For immersive portability, choose Game Color Advance, and for social interaction with young friends, choose Game Boy Color. The PC (Windows only) and Game Boy Color games sell for $29.95 each; the PlayStation and Game Boy Advance for $39.95. For more information about the games, go to the EA Games Harry Potter site.
