Metacritic Games

Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup (Xbox)

Take to the air in the first game that allows players to fully experience the magical speed, power, and competition of Quidditch, the favorite sport of witches and wizards, in the Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup game. For the first time, gamers will experience the full complexity and exciting challenge of Quidditch, which involves two teams of seven players who fly on broomsticks, playing four balls simultaneously. Players will control every position on their team, including three Chasers who try to score with the Quaffle, two Beaters who control the dangerous Bludgers, the Keeper who protects the goal, and the Seeker who chases the elusive Golden Snitch that must be caught to end the match. [Electronic Arts]

Electronic Arts
Sports
Players: 2
E (Everyone)
Developer: Electronic Arts
Released October 28, 2003

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

69 / 100

Critic Reviews

82	GameBiz Unfortunately, it can grow a little bit repetitive and is a bit too easy.
80	GMR Magazine The highest compliment we can give EA's portrayal of JK Rowling's magic-infused faux sport is that it's so much fun (for fans and nonfans alike) that it makes us wish Quidditch were actually real.
79	Official Xbox Magazine There is still plenty of variety in gameplay and the AI makes for a more than decent opponent. [Dec 2003, p.92]
74	Gamer.tv Quidditch World Cup's strengths take a little while to unlock, but if you're a fan you should get your money's worth.
72	IGN The brutally fast sensation of speed in the books and movies has also been reduced noticeably in the game, which is also discouraging.
72	Electronic Gaming Monthly The snazzy visuals will initially draw you in, but you'll stick around for the instinctive, responsive gameplay. [Dec 2003, p.201]
70	Xbox Nation Magazine It's surprisingly solid, providing definitively that it's possible to take a fictional sport and bring it to digital life. [Mar 2004, p.82]
70	Yahoo! Games One part hockey, one part soccer and one part pure fantasy, Quidditch World Cup may not have the draw or the depth of Madden, but it is still plenty of fun to play.
65	1UP It's all a bit dull, gameplay-wise, until you can trudge through at least one season of shutouts. The good news is that presentation-wise, Quidditch World Cup sparkles.
65	GameSpot A decent first effort at simulating the chosen sport of wizards, it falls short of its promise primarily because of sluggish controls and shallow gameplay.
64	Team Xbox If the game was a little more difficult and the players weren't limited to one controllable plane, then I would say take a serious look at this one.
60	TotalGames.net It feels less than the sum of it's parts, and though we respect the fact it's aimed mainly at kids, Quidditch's magic seems to be little more than a couple of fast hand movements and a burst of dry ice.
60	Ferrago Ultimately though the shallow game play means that this is one present that, unlike the puppy, is just for Christmas.
50	Game Revolution It surprises with its cool references and attention to detail, but loses a lot of luster in attempting to appeal to a wee audience.

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