Game Details
Price
  • $40
Available on
Genre
More details

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban--The Console Versions (PlayStation 2, Xbox)

common sense media says

Challenging action-adventure game for Potter fans.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this game is based on the movie version of the third book in the Harry Potter series, and the themes are darker than in the previous games. When trying to decide between the console and PC versions, know that the console version is harder to play, more intense in its confrontations with magical creatures, and more challenging in its gameplay. Parents of younger children should gauge their ability to handle thee creepy, wraith-like Dementors.

Educational value: The puzzles challenge you to think, and the game play requires good hand-eye coordination.
Positive messages: Conquering fear is a huge theme here. Cooperation between friends, love, bravery, and loyalty are always major themes in the series. So is the idea of making good choices. Diverse cast and strong female characters, but all major characters are white.
Violence: You will battle fantasy monsters by casting spells with your wand.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: This is part of the Harry Potter franchise that started with the books and has expanded into video games, movies, toys, and collectibles.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban--The Console Versions

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the Harry Potter series and how true this game is to both the book and the movie. Do you like that you have to switch between Harry, Hermione, and Ron to solve puzzles?

  • How does it feel when you're attacked by several magical creatures at once?

  • Do you prefer playing this game or reading the book?

What's the story?

What's the story?

The three console versions of HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN for Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2 are basically the same, but they differ from the PC game. The console version is more complicated because players control when they switch among the three main characters (Harry, Ron, and Hermione). Players must figure out when each character's unique capabilities should be used. Harry is best at climbing and jumping, Ron's special talents allow him to find hidden things like secret passageways, and Hermione has more spells at her disposal, and she can fit into places the bigger boys can't.

The console version offers extra bonus activities not found in the PC version: Players can participate in Dueling Club, race owls, and fly on a Hippogriff. With the PlayStation 2 version, kids can also unlock six separate games that utilize the Sony's Eye Toy, a video camera that allows kids' images to be placed in the game.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The console game's tasks are more challenging than those in the PC game, and less obvious in their solutions. The puzzle aspects have multiple steps and the magical creatures are more vicious. In the PC version, you only deal with one kind of creature at a time but in the console games you can have several types of magical creatures causing chaos at the same time. At times, figuring out how to manage the creatures can be baffling and the pace of the game feels intense.

The graphics in the console versions, while good, are not nearly as detailed as those on the PC. Nor do they offer the 360-degree camera views in the PC game. The exciting and intense console version is perfect for the kid who loves Harry Potter, but our teenage testers found the console game frustrating when they spent hours searching for the way out of a room. They enjoyed both but thought the PC version was more fun.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: PlayStation 2, Xbox
Not available online
Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: Electronic Arts
Released on: June 8, 2004
Price: 40
ESRB Rating: E

This review was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
 
 

Review It

 

Review Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban--The Console Versions





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

janie.johnston
teen, 17 years old
 
Good game
Yet another brach of Harry Potter Mania!!

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you play Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban--The Console Versions?


Already played it? What do you think?

 

About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age