Lego Harry Potter: Years 1–4

Lego Harry Potter's gameplay is similar to that of most previous Lego video games, with an emphasis on collecting, exploring, and solving puzzles. Casting spells is an integral part of the gameplay, with a wide range of spells available for unlocking as the player progresses. As there are many spells available in the game, the player can use the spell wheel to select the spell. Potion-making is another integral feature; potions can help the player complete levels or, if created incorrectly, have adverse side effects such as turning the player into a frog.[6]

Changes to the mechanics of previous games include 'Student in Peril' missions, which are a group of challenges to help a student, and Polyjuice Potion, which allows players to temporarily change one of the player's characters into any other mini-figure unlocked.[7] A major change is to the hub system. Diagon Alley serves as a hub for purchasing unlockable extras, The Leaky Cauldron works as a hub for returning to previous levels, while Hogwarts acts as a constantly evolving massive hub with the unlockable characters found by picking up their hidden portraits.[8] [9]

The bigger areas in Hogwarts have led developer Traveller's Tales to improve the overall level design. Also included is another bonus level that allows players to customize the level similar to Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues. If the player is lost in-game, they can follow a trail of Ghost Studs to the next level. These do not count towards the stud total, but will guide the player to the next section of the level. However one of the collectible 'red bricks', found in the courtyard next to Herbology, gets the player an 'extra' that makes the ghost studs worth 1,000 each.[10][11]

The central hub is Diagon Alley and its entrance through the Leaky Cauldron. Players can access a room at the second floor of the building to watch cutscenes from the game, as well as using a notice board with pictures from where the player can play completed levels again.[12] Diagon Alley serves as a series of stores where the player is able to buy characters or change a number of customizable ones, spells, and bricks that have a varying range of uses, such as changing the player's wand to a carrot, or making the player invincible.[13] Players are also able to visit Gringotts or Borgin and Burkes in order to play extra levels. There are 167 characters purchasable in the game.[14]

The game covers a wide range of characters of the first four parts, from notable ones like Albus Dumbledore, and Severus Snape, to others like Viktor Krum in shark form or the Trolley Witch from the Hogwarts Express.[15]

The storyline is substantially unaltered from the movies, with slight changes to allow consistent two-player mode throughout the game.

Hogsmeade village in the game.

News of the game's existence was leaked in March 2009,[19] although rumours had been circulating since late 2008.[20] Warner Bros. officially confirmed the game in June 2009 with an estimated release of 2010.[21][22][23]

A teaser trailer was released on the day of the game's official announcement[24][25] followed by four individually released vignettes, beginning in December 2009. Each vignette focussed on one of the first four years featured in the game.[26][27][28][29] A new trailer was released to coincide with the game's launch.[30] All six trailers are available on the official website.[23][31] A demo of the game was made available to download from PlayStation Network, Xbox Live and PC in June 2010.

The game received generally positive reviews. Video Game review aggregator website GameRankings scored the game at 81%, with media review aggregator website Metacritic scoring slightly lower at 80%.[32][33] The Official Nintendo Magazine gave the Wii and Nintendo DS version 80%, saying that it was "one of the best Harry Potter games ever", however it lacked originality compared to previous Lego video games.[38] GameSpot gave the console versions an 8/10, complimenting the "large amount of secrets and charm", and disagreed with the Nintendo Magazine, saying it was both "easily the best Harry Potter game to date", and "one of the finest Lego adventures to date".[36]

IGN praised the game giving it an 8.5 out of 10, complimenting the new additions to the game, while the PSP version of the game received a 7.0.[37] Greg Miller from IGN said the game had a "general sense of a great LEGO game paired with a great series really makes this game a standout."[37] IGN editor Nicole Tanner awarded it "Best Mindless Fun", at the publisher's "favorite games of 2010 list".[40]

A sequel, covering the stories of the final three books and four movies in the series, Lego Harry Potter: Years 5–7, was released in 2011 by Warner Bros.[41]

• Official site (archived)