Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Next Level Gaming

It is by far the best Harry Potter game made to date.

AceGamez

Gamers not used to the Hogwarts world may still be impressed by the novel approach to the gameplay, the magical graphics and the well-balanced learning curve.

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

A genuinely good third-year romp for Harry. Accomplished and absorbing, it's not quite magical but it's certainly no muggle either. [GamesMaster]

Computer and Video Games

If Floo Powder, Dementors and Fizzing Whizbees mean anything to you, get this game as soon as you can. But be warned, the simplicity of it might mean a part exchange within a few days.

Nintendo Power

I especially enjoy the three-character aspect, and the music is absolutely gorgeous. This game is a must-have for Potter fans. [Aug 2004, p.120]

Weekly Famitsu

8 / 8 / 7 / 7 - 30 silver [Vol 811; 2 July 2004]

Nintendojo

It’s depressing from my standpoint and given EA’s efforts with the past three games, it’s hard to see if this series is going anywhere.

Game Over Online

A brainteaser with some action thrown in, Prisoner of Azkaban is similar to games like "The Lost Vikings." Only this time it's 3D and the level of difficulty is a few notches lower to cater to a general audience.

GameCube Europe

It’s a pleasant experience, though. Not as good as Zelda, but the Harry Potter-sauce surely lifts it above average.

Yahoo! Games

The combat difficulty level is forgiving, and the game guides you through the puzzles with helpful clues and hints from the other characters. Less experienced gamers -- who, let's face it, are really the ones the game is aimed at -- will find its light touch very rewarding.

Cheat Code Central

It's not unplayable but it will require more work than necessary to compensate for the shoddy technical flaws.

TotalGames.net

Whilst the team-play system is superbly implemented and the animations have been greatly improved, the game still lacks in originality and any real challenge.

WHAM! Gaming

Fans of the books and films will enjoy the chance to explore the Hogwarts grounds and do things like ride Buckbeak the hippogriff and collect all of the Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, but there's not a lot in this game to appeal to your average Muggle.

Gaming Age

The game is very linear and hopefully one day the EA team will expand this title with a bit more freedom.

1UP

While it's true that things have improved, that doesn't mean it's suddenly a great game. While the downplaying of the storyline does help streamline the game, it also makes your goals seem a little disconnected and random.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

A simple, solid adventure with smart puzzles and high production values, but it leads its junior wizards through every baby step. [Aug 2004, p.101]

Game Informer

I wish I could say that Prisoner of Azkaban was a bold new start for the series. It's not, but this is a significantly better game than either of the previous two entries. [July 2004, p.111]

Ferrago

It ticks a number of very basic and previously-defined boxes with unbending efficiency, throwing in a few commendable moments of surprising fun, drenched in the usual superficial fineries (the visuals, recognisable characters, plotlines, set-pieces, et al) with which many an EA game has plied its trade in the past.

IGN

Feels sloppy, especially on GameCube and PlayStation 2. The framerate is unpredictable. There are control and lock-on issues. There are artificial intelligence oversights. And there are some collision detection problems.

GameSpy

Let the kids have their fun. Just play it a little once the kids have gone to bed.

netjak

The aural aspects are equally uninspiring. While there is nothing wrong with them, they are simply not very impressive at all.

Game Revolution

The Gamecube version of Prisoner of Azkaban features a few mini-games that can be played as bonus activities as well as the ability to hook up a GBA and take care of a pet owl, which is not very fun. Compared to the PS2's EyeToy games, the extras here are pretty thin.