Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the title of a series ofaction-adventure games released in 2002 for multiple platforms. Based onJ. K. Rowling’s novel and thefilm adaptation, the games were published byElectronic Arts but developed by different studios for each system. Versions were released for thePlayStation 2,Xbox,GameCube,Game Boy Advance,Game Boy Color,Windows, andmacOS. Although they share the same name and source material, the individual releases differ substantially in design, including unique gameplay mechanics, level layouts, and features.
The game's core gameplay is straightforward. Taking control of Harry, the player exploresHogwarts castle and grounds. Throughout the course of the game, the player will encounter events that tie into the storyline of the second book.[2] Filling the gaps between these events are various classes, where the player will learn how to fly a broomstick and learn new spells for combating bosses, among other things. Each new spell is accompanied by a challenge, which the player must get through in a certain amount of time to complete that class period. During the later parts of the game, the player will face challenges which are not time-limited and are not related to learning spells. These challenges are all based on events from the book, for example, travelling into the Forbidden Forest and gathering ingredients for a potion Hermione is making.[3]
ThePlayStation version of the game is a sequel to theHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone game and was also developed by Argonaut Games. It retains many elements and graphics from its predecessor but with some places in Hogwarts being modified as well as new mini-games that are introduced as the storyline progresses. Most of the new spells learned from attending classes are upgrades from the previous game.
Developed byEA UK andEurocom, theGameCube,PlayStation 2 andXbox versions of the game allow the player to access a broom and enter free-flight mode.[2] While the PlayStation 2 version allows the player to land anywhere they want, in the Xbox and GameCube version the landing zones are limited. In the GameCube version, there is an exclusive feature involving GC–GBA connectivity that allows a secret room to be opened when the two versions are connected.
The Microsoft Windows and Mac version of the game was developed byKnowWonder and Westlake Interactive.[3] The game features the same graphics and character design as thePhilosopher's Stone (PC).[3] It retains some of the spells learned in the previous game and involves the player learning new spells by attending more classes at Hogwarts.
In the United States,The Chamber of Secrets'Game Boy Advance version sold 970,000 copies and earned $25 million by August 2006. During the period between January 2000 and August 2006, it was the 18th highest-selling game launched for theGame Boy Advance,Nintendo DS orPlayStation Portable in that country.[42]
By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version ofChamber of Secrets had sold 700,000 copies and earned $28 million in the United States.Next Generation ranked it as the 89th highest-selling game launched for thePlayStation 2,Xbox orGameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined console sales of theHarry Potter line reached 3 million units in the United States by July 2006.[43] The PlayStation 2 version also received a "Platinum" sales award from theEntertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[44] indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[45] The game sold 9 million copies by 2003[46] and generated $500 million in revenue.[47]
