i got this game for my b day and it was not the best game ever but it was pritty good. kids under 8 wont really understand the game and plus the game is inaproprete for there age. but if your child is 9 this is a good game for them to play with some iffy content. if your child is older than that then this game is ON for them.
Tools for this page
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
(2009, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated E10+, Play it on: Mac/Windows, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Dark themes handled with a light touch in this 6th game.
In this game kids can: battle others, become a hero, improve hand-eye coordination, live vicariously, play multiplayer games, solve puzzles
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
-
Ease of play:
-
Role models:
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
Parents need to know that this visually-exciting action adventure game is based on the movie and book of the same name. While the themes in J.K. Rowling's sixth book in the Harry Potter series are darker and more mature than those in the earlier books, this video game does not focus that much on those themes. While kids will fight the Death Eaters at the end of the game, those fights don't seem that frightening because they have been practicing dueling with other kids at Hogwarts throughout the game. Kids will see Harry being kissed. And while the video cutscenes at the end of the game show a main character being hit with a magic spell that causes him to go over the edge of the Astronomy Tower, it happens quickly and then the story moves on.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about why all things Harry Potter are so popular?
- How can game creators suck you into the game? Is it by presenting an emotionally charged story line? Or do they hook you by presenting fun activities to do. What happened here?
- Is this game different from the book? From the movie? In what way?
More on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
What’s the Story?
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE is the sixth Harry Potter game produced by Electronic Arts. This time around, Electronic Arts provides kids with the ability to openly explore a beautifully rendered Hogwarts castle and grounds. The retelling of the story of J.K. Rowling's sixth Harry Potter book is shown through video cutscenes that are triggered by the accomplishment of various tasks. As Harry, you will attend class, help others, practice making potions, go to Quidditch practice and play in matches, and practice dueling. The game culminates with your fighting some Death Eaters. Throughout your castle explorations, you will find Crests to collect which unlock new and bonus content, including the ability to duel with a friend.
Close
Is It Any Good?
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a good game for kids and casual gamers who are fans of Harry Potter. Because it is an easy game and relatively short (about 8-10 hours in the story mode), it is not a good fit for video game enthusiasts. Because the story is compacted, it might not make sense to those who have not read the source book or seen the movie on which it is based. It is not as deep as previous games; in this one you will basically be brewing potions, dueling using magic, and flying during Quidditch.
What the game does well is provide realistic animations of all of the actors from the movie – you can even see emotion on the characters' faces. And many of the actors have lent their voice talents to the game including Rupert Grint as Ron and Bonnie Wright as Ginny. The wizard dueling is easier than in earlier games because the controls are more responsive (especially on the Wii) and you can now move Harry while he is casting magic spells. Likewise, the navigation is easier because you always have an option of calling up Nearly Headless Nick (a ghost) to lead you through the castle. We also found that flying on a broomstick had improved from previous games.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 6/30/2009, price $29-$50, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes)
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes)
Our Members Say
See all 8 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
ok game
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Easy to play
its a good game if you are trying to get them all
I liked this game there was some stuff in it that could have been twecked i like the dolling the only thing i didn't like about this game was the story stops just like the movie dose
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Easy to play
Great Game
Dark themes handled with a light touch in this 6th game.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
Fun, but to easy and short
This game was super easy and took me two hours to beat. It was fun but there was not enough included in the game to make it last long enough. Most of the game was where you were watching videos such as when ron was poisened you didn't have to go looking for a bezoar insted it just showed it happening. It would have been a quest in the pc game. I'm not say ing this game isn't fun i am just saying if you want a longer experence i would recomend the computer game and iknow they are longer.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Easy to play
Not to bad of a game
This was a fun game to my friends brother he loved it! Though he commented that there could be a little more game play
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 50% | of parents say it's too violent |
Do you play it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
Lists for kids who love movies
Best Games Based on Movies
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban--The Console Versions
- LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
- See all 10 titles we recommend
