Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup

 GameCube
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
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  1. GMR Magazine
    80
    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.
  2. GamePro
    80
    The intended audience will love Quidditch World Cup, if only because it expands on the Potter novels' rich mythology. It’s fun, and as a fantasy-sports game, it flies - but not as high as it could.
  3. Nintendo Power
    76
    Some of the game's intricacies are a tad complex, but it's easy to understand the basics. [Jan 2004, p.159]
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  5. Gamer.tv
    74
    Quidditch World Cup's strengths take a little while to unlock, but if you're a fan you should get your money's worth.
  6. IGN
    72
    The good news is that EA's interactive take plays well and looks sharp. The bad news is that it is neither as frantic-fast nor as unrestricted as Quidditch is in the books and movies, which is sure to disappoint the Potter hardcore.
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    The snazzy visuals will initially draw you in, but you'll stick around for the instinctive, responsive gameplay. [Dec 2003, p.201]
  8. Yahoo!
    70
    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.
  9. GameNow
    67
    Building energy for certain basic moves, such as boosting and sending a Bludger, takes too long, which keeps the general gameplay pretty basic for much of the game. [Dec 2003, p.74]
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  10. GameSpot
    65
    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.
  11. 1UP
    65
    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.
  12. GameCube Europe
    65
    The lack of depth doesn’t ruin the game, but only younger sports lovers and dedicated Harry Potter fans will appreciate this.
  13. Games Radar
    62
    We've made up better games involving elastic bands and office chairs. A treat for Quidditch lovers but proper sports fans'd be better off with basketball. [NGC]
  14. Ferrago
    60
    Ultimately though the shallow game play means that this is one present that, unlike the puppy, is just for Christmas.
  15. Nintendojo
    54
    Dissatisfying and a pale comparison to how good this game could have been if it were designed to play like a fantasy sports simulation. Granted, there is an oxymoron inherent to a fantasy simulation, but as it stands Quidditch World Cup merely feels like a semi-responsive movie. A slow, semi-responsive movie.
  16. Game Revolution
    50
    It surprises with its cool references and attention to detail, but loses a lot of luster in attempting to appeal to a wee audience.
  17. Gamestyle
    30
    An extremely large turkey. And one that any Potter fan would do well to avoid, even if it means waiting a tad longer for the next "proper" game to follow Chamber of Secrets.

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best GameCube Game of 2003
48
#48 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
57
#57 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. MetaBones
    Apr 6, 2023
    8
    If ever you could make an EA sports game from Quidditch, this is it. I don't have too much complaints about the game as a whole except for aIf ever you could make an EA sports game from Quidditch, this is it. I don't have too much complaints about the game as a whole except for a few mechanical changes that could've made the actual gameplay a bit more complex and rewarding but considering the target audience, it's hard to be too critical.

    The game is simply just super fun through and through. It's got great gameplay as any of the 4 major Hogwarts house teams and once you get into the World Cup series with different countries, that's where the real fun begins.

    I would've liked to see a more fleshed-out experience with power-ups, stats, and other extra features but again, with the target audience in mind, it's hard to be too critical.

    I honestly think this is one of the best Harry Potter video games available and totally worth playing. It's especially great for kids of course but it really is just super fun.    … Full Review »
  2. spencerplewe
    Sep 14, 2022
    7
    With its own fun version of playing Quidditch, now dedicated to its own whole game, and the fun World building of the international WizardingWith its own fun version of playing Quidditch, now dedicated to its own whole game, and the fun World building of the international Wizarding world, this is the first console Harry Potter game that I actually do believe achieved what it set out to do, if you can endure the sheer repetitive nature of playing match after match with no change in strategy.… Full Review »
  3. JaredC.
    Aug 27, 2007
    0
    Its addicting and fun, but I lost interest of it two days after I bought the game, it got so pointless with nothing great happening with no Its addicting and fun, but I lost interest of it two days after I bought the game, it got so pointless with nothing great happening with no storyline but playing Quiditch and winning.… Full Review »
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