Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a computer and video game that was released concurrently with the film release ofHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in2004. It is the third game release in theHarry Potter series and was based onJ. K. Rowling's novel,Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Versions[]

Three different versions of this game were released for different gaming platforms:

• Computer version (PC) by KnowWonder
• 6th gen home console version (PS2, Xbox, GameCube) by EA UK
• 6th gen portable console version (GBA) by Griptonite Games

Game plot[]

Harry Potter learns that a dangerous man,Sirius Black, has escaped fromAzkaban and is allegedly after him. With his best friendsRon Weasley andHermione Granger, Harry learns and masters the spells and skills needed to confront Black. However, the reality of the crime that Black was accused of, the murder of thirteen people twelve years prior, becomes clear as the real murderer,Peter Pettigrew, is discovered to be in hiding atHogwarts, disguised as Ron's pet rat,Scabbers. Together with ProfessorRemus Lupin and Black, Harry, Ron, and Hermione unmask Pettigrew, only to have him escape. Using Hermione'sTime-Turner, Harry and Hermione go back in time and rescue theHippogriffBuckbeak and use him to rescue Sirius Black and from the terrible fate of aDementor's Kiss. As in the first fight, A Dementor grabs Harry and raises his face to the Dementor's hood, but as it was attempting to perform a kiss, the future version of Harry conjures a Patronus and starts a second fight.

Game features[]

The game includes a Trailer from the Film, Wizard duels, a Gallery and more. Also, on the PS2 version, the player can use an Eyetoy toy camera that allows the player to play mini games by moving the character's arms and body. Such games include catching a snitch or catching wizard cards. The PC version allows access to theBean Bonus Room for collecting more sweets.

Characters[]

Playable[]

A novelty for the Harry Potter game series is the fact that Ron and Hermione are fully playable as well. You cannot play one character through the whole game. Instead, you switch at different parts to another character. In the console versions, you can switch at will, but some characters will be unavailable at times. In the PC version of the game, switching occurs automatically.

In the PC version, every character has access to the spellsLumos,Alohomora,Rictusempra,Spongify, andDepulso, while in the console versions, the only two universal spells areFlipendo andExpelliarmus.

• Harry Potter: The only game character who can jump across chasms. He's the fastest runner and he alone has access to theMarauder's Map. Harry hasCarpe Retractum as an exclusive spell in the console versions,Glacius in the PC version, andExpecto Patronum in both. Harry is one of the two playable characters that can rideHippogriffs, the other being Hermione. Completing theFamous Wizard Card setsWizards andQuidditch will boost Harry's health permanently.
  • Voice:Tom Attenborough (English),Nick Seidensticker (German),Jonasz Tołopiło (Polish) Max Di Benedetto (Italian), Niels Petterson (Swedish)
• Ron Weasley: The sneaker of the gang - he can open secret passages and search bookshelves for items, as well as using Stink Bombs and Stink Pellets, but he has the smallest spell arsenal. In the PC version, his only exclusive spell isCarpe Retractum, while in the console version, he only hasLumos Duo. Ron is the only playable character that cannot ride aHippogriff. Completing theFamous Wizard Card setsDragonsandClassicalBeasts will boost Ron's health permanently.
  • Voice:Gregg Chillin (English),Jesse Grimm (German),Allan Hyde (Danish),Marcin Łabno (Polish), Claudio Ridolfo (Italian), Jesper Adefelt (Swedish)
• Hermione Granger: The last character to join. She has the highest base power of her spells and has the greatest spell arsenal, as well as the ability to crawl into tight spaces, but she is the slowest runner. In console and PC versions alike, she hasDraconifors as an exclusive spell. In the PC version, her exclusive spells list also includesLapifors, while the console version list includesGlacius,Reparo andSnufflifors instead. Hermione is also one of two playable characters that can rideHippogriffs, the other being Harry. Completing theFamous Wizard Card setsWitches andHags will boost Hermione's health permanently.
  • Voice:Harper Marshall (English), Tosawi Piovani (Italian), Jasmine Heikura (Swedish)
• Buckbeak: Buckbeak is Hagrid's pet Hippogriff. Only playable when Harry or Hermione is flying him.
• Hedwig: Hedwig is Harry's pet snowy owl. She can be used when Harry gives her aOwl Treat, but this is exclusive to console versions.

Non-playable[]

• Draco Malfoy (voice:Lewis MacLeod): Injured duringCare of Magical Creatures class early in the game, he is instrumental in having theHippogriffBuckbeak put on trial as a "dangerous animal". In the console version he drinksPolyjuice Potion to turn intoRon and trick Harry to go into the dungeon and pushes Harry into a hole. The real Ron comes and knocks Malfoy out.
• Albus Dumbledore (voice:Benjamin Stone): TheHeadmaster's only role in the game is to tally and reveal House Point totals.
• Minerva McGonagall (voice:Eve Karpf): She functions as theTransfiguration instructor.
• Remus Lupin (voice:Jamie Glover): He functions asDefence Against the Dark Arts instructor.
• Rubeus Hagrid: Teaches Care of Magical Creatures. He helps the playable characters in the game to find out how to get ingredients for potions.
  • Voice:Jonathan Kydd (English),Tessho Genda (Japanese), Pietro Ubaldi (Italian), Allan Svensson (Swedish)
• Filius Flitwick (voice:Allan Corduner): Functions asCharms instructor.
• Severus Snape: ThePotions master.
  • Voice:Allan Corduner (English),Takeshi Aono (Japanese), Claudio Moneta (Italian), Adam Fietz (Swedish)

• Sirius Black: Functions as his role as "The Prisoner of Azkaban," wrongly convicted of the murder of thirteen people and sent toAzkaban; Harry Potter's godfather.
  • Voice:David Robb (English),Shinpachi Tsuji (Japanese)
• Peeves (voice:Chris Crosby): His role is the same as it was in previous games, though he has different colouring (blue skin turns pale yellow, red suit turns blue, and hair becomes grey and has a colonial tassel) and becomes smaller.
• Peter Pettigrew: He has the same role as in the book.
  • Voice:Tom Goodman-Hill (English),Chafurin (Japanese)
• Fred Weasley/George Weasley (voice:Lewis MacLeod): They own a shop when you buy items,Chocolate Frog Cards,Chocolate Frogs,Pumpkin Pasties,Cauldron Cakes andPasswords.
• Andrew Cleveley: A boy who appears near the Great Hall on the last day of term.

Spells[]

Base spells[]

• Alohomora: Used to unlock locked chests and doors.
• Flipendo: Used to knock back opponents, trigger switches and stunmagicalcreatures.
• Depulso: Upgrade ofFlipendo.
• Expelliarmus: Repels offensivespells.
• Glacius: Freezeswater andsalamanders and extinguishesfires.
• Lumos: Emits light from the wand, will reveal hidden entrances.
• Snufflifors: Transforms things into mice. Must be bought fromFred and George Weasley's Shop.
• Rictusempra: Stuns or destroys certain enemies.
• Carpe Retractum: Pulls objects toward the caster or vice versa.
• Riddikulus: Used to fightboggarts, in mini-game only.
• Diffindo: Cuts ropes and tapestries.
• Spongify: Turns tiles into trampolines.
• Wingardium Leviosa: Levitates objects. Revised incharms class.

Exclusive spells[]

Harry[]

• Expecto Patronum: DispelsDementors.

Ron[]

• Lumos Duo: Upgrade ofLumos, can turnhinkypunks solid and forceghouls to retreat.

Hermoine[]

• Draconifors: Transforms things intodragons.
• Lapifors: Transforms things intorabbits.
• Reparo: Fixes broken objects.

NPC Characters[]

• Sternius: Makes the victim sneeze
• Melofors: Encases victim's head in apumpkin and gags them to prevent accurate speech.

Potions[]

Console version[]

• Wiggenweld Potion: Retrieves lost stamina. Ingredients:Dittany,Flobberworm Mucus,Wiggentree Bark andMoly.
• Antidote to Uncommon Poisons: Cures the effects ofdoxy venom. Ingredients:Fire Seeds, PowderedGraphorn Horn,Billywig Stings andChizpurfle Carapaces.
• Girding Potion: Gives player extra endurance, but each character can only use two. Ingredients:Dragonfly thoraxes,Fairy wings,Flying Seahorses andDoxy eggs.

GBA version[]

• Shrinking Solution: Shrinks whatever it touches. Not usable during gameplay. Ingredients:Leech Juice,Shrivelfig, DeadCaterpillar,Rat Spleen andDaisy Roots.
• Anti-Paralysis Potion: Cures paralysis caused by suits of armour or other creatures.
• Pepperup Potion: Retrieves lost Magic Power
• Wiggenweld Potion: Retrieves lost stamina.
• Antidote to Common Poisons: Cures a poisoned drinker.

Creatures[]

• Bundimun: Shoots green "acid" which hurts a player if stepped on. Jumping on them will give a player Pumpkin Pasties.
• Dementors
• Doxies: Blue flying creatures that attempt to bite and poison the player. Their eggs are used in certain potions.
• Fairies: Wings are used in certain potions. To get the wings, first knock down the fairies withFlipendo, then freeze them withGlacius.
• Fire Salamanders: They breathe fire unless they are frozen. They can be defeated by putting out the fire they came from and putting out the fire from the salamanders themself.
• Flying books: They bite, but they can be destroyed through casting spells, or turned into mice for bonus points, Bertie Bott's Beans, or Famous Wizards Cards.
• Ghouls: Generally harmless, but will attack if the player casts a spell or gets too close to them. Can be repelled with light of theLumos Duo charm.
• Hinkypunks: Creatures that stand on one leg, look as if made of smoke and carry a lantern. They may shoot at a player.
• Hippogriff: Generally harmless unless a character does not bow to it. (Home console versions)
• The Monster Book of Monsters: Larger than flying books, they bite and shoot pages. They are immune to Snufflifors and are only hurt when hit in the mouth. Pages must be targeted with Rictusempra in the PC version. In console versions, it can be knocked down withFlipendo or the pages can be fired back at the book withExpelliarmus.
• Pixies: They shoot electric blue orbs at the player.
• Red Caps: They throw stink pellets and knock players over.
• Troll: Very strong and guard hallways. They are attracted with dungbombs.
• Charmed skeleton: They throw bones at players. Defeat them withRictusempra.
• Fire crabs: They Shoot Fire out of their backsides.

Items[]

• Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans: Found all overHogwarts and can be used to buy things from Fred and George's shop.
• Chocolate Frogs: They restore a character's health. (Everyone in PC version)
• Cauldron Cakes: Used for trading at Fred and George's shop and are worth the most out of all the tradable items. They also restore health.
• Dungbombs: Ron can use them to distract trolls.
• Folio Bruti Pages: Collect pages to make a book about magical creatures.
• Folio Universitas: Shows the content of a player's Wizard Card collection.
• Owl Treats: BribeHedwig with these for favours.
• Pumpkin Pasties: Worth more than beans at Fred and George's shop.
• Stink Pellets: Used in Fred and George's game to get Wizard Cards, and byRed Caps.
• Chocolate Frog Cards: Pentagonal-shaped cards with famous wizards and witches on them. Collect them all for rewards.
• Statues: If Hermione can find all nine statues around Hogwarts, Fred and George will give her three chapters toThe Dark Forces: A Guide to Self Protection, getting one chapter for every three statues after talking to Fred and George (note: you have to go back to the shop and take it off the shelf to get each chapter) Each chapter increases your ability to cast spells (Home console versions).

Behind the scenes[]

• The game begins with Harry, Ron and Hermione on the Hogwarts Express, entirely omittingAunt Marge inflating, theKnight Bus, and theLeaky Cauldron, however in the GBA version the Knight Bus is mentioned and the Leaky Cauldron is the starting point.
• The GBA version of the game reprises the same RPG format of thefirsttwoGame Boy Colour games.
• Although in the film (at the request of directorAlfonso Cuarón) the Hogwarts students are only occasionally seen in their school uniforms, this is the only game adaptation in which the they are shown in a full uniform (in the previous games they wore everyday clothes underneath their wizards' robes, and in the subsequent games they wear their grey jumpers and house-coloured neckties but no robes).
  • Additionally, due to an oversight by the game developers, all of the non-Gryffindor students (with the exceptions ofMalfoy,Crabbe, andGoyle) wear the red and gold Gryffindor ties.
• It is impossible to lose the House Cup in the home console versions (PS2/GameCube/Xbox), likely due to how ironically difficult it would be to lose the cup unlike thepriortwo games if the stealth sections were played through well enough.
• In the console versions, Harry, Hermione and Ron's wand tips leak out sparkles with colours respectively tied to them (akin to Harry's wand in some versions of the prior two games):
  • Harry: Green (likely in reference to his mother's eyes; same asPhilosopher's Stone on PS2/Xbox/GameCube whereasChamber of Secrets on Xbox and GameCube made it blue instead).
  • Hermione: Pink
  • Ron: Light-brown
  • These same colours were reused for the icons on any charm-able target in the controlled-respective-character's proximity in the PC/console-version fourth game.
• Also in the console versions, Ron reuses the same exact full-on running animation as Harry's in the prior two latest-general console version games (as Harry himself and miscellaneous characters get a brand new sprinting animation).
  • All characters aside from certain staff reuse theChamber of Secrets originating run animation in the PC version.
• Also in the console version, there's a photograph ofAngelina Johnson playingQuidditch from thefirst film on the dormitory wall.

Mistakes[]

• On the Marauder's Map level on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions, if the player is caught by Snape, the latter will just continuously cough and splutter.
• Throwing Dungbombs at certain characters occasionally causes them to either say dialogue belonging to other characters or that were removed from the game. For example, throwing Dungbombs at Snape causes him to start saying Sir Cadogan's dialogue. Throwing Dungbombs at Parvati Patil causes her to talk about owl racing which she won't say if spoken to via normal means. These are not "Easter Eggs" as it is in fact a glitch in the game.
  • Certain non-English languages fix the previously mentioned mistakes, though Snape does have proper English quotes.
• In a few cutscenes, the Fat Lady and Glanmore Peaks in their respective portraits will be closer to their frames.
  • Also during the cutscene where the Trio let Neville into the Common Room, the Fat Lady's picture goes out of the frame.

External links[]

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban at theInternet Movie Database