Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup

Quidditch gets the “Madden” treatment.

EA Games’ latest Harry Potter offering has been a long time coming. Ever since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was first released the groundwork was laid for a video game version of the fast-paced, action-packed sport of the magical world, Quidditch.

The game was designed by the same team who worked on the superb “Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets” released last year, and therefore, the same high standards set by that game have been met here. The graphics are outstanding, and the flying engine is excellent.

Just like in all other EA Sports games, there are two modes the player can choose, a quick game, using the international teams (U.S., England, Japan, Bulgaria, just to name a few) or to go through career mode, starting out as a student at Hogwarts, learning the ropes from fellow students in your chosen house. I chose Gryffindor, and therefore was tutored by Harry, Angelina Johnson, Oliver Wood and others. Once the player masters the basics of the sport, they can begin playing competitive matches against the other school houses. Doing well will earn the players points, which they can in turn use to buy faster brooms. Win the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup, and move on to play at the international level, ultimately vieing for the ultimate prize, the Quidditch World Cup.

This game is a lot of fun, and is great to play with friends or against the computer.