Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)

"A Magical New First Year Adventure"

- Official tagline

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in its original American title) is a video game, based on J.K. Rowling's first book in the Harry Potter series and the film adaptation. It was published by Electronic Arts and released on 15 November, 2001. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, the Nintendo GameCube, Xbox and Mac.

Plot
Harry Potter lived a miserable life with the Dursleys. He didn't know that he was a wizard or the true circumstances of his parent's death. Until Hagrid, a giant man from Hogwarts School found him and introduced him to the wizarding world. Harry became a famous student at Hogwarts and got to be the youngest seeker in a century. Harry, Ron and Hermione found out about a three headed dog guarding a trap door on the third floor and began suspecting Professor Snape who had been interrogating their D. A. D. A. teacher Professor Quirell.

Playable

 * Harry Potter (voiced by Joe Sowerbutts): an eleven year-old wizard who survived Voldemort's wrath as a baby.

Non-playable

 * Hermione Granger (voiced by Emily Robison), Harry's best friend. Hermione sometimes helps Harry find his classes. She is first introduced while Harry goes to Defence Against the Dark Arts class for the first time, (PC/MAC), after being sorted (PS2, Xbox360 and Gamecube), or after your first flying lesson. (PS1)
 * Ron Weasley (voiced by Gregg Chillin), Harry's other best friend. Ron also leads Harry to his classes sometimes. Playable with cheat. He is first introduced after talking to Professor Dumbledore (PC/MAC), before rescuing Hedwig (PS1), or after being sorted. (PS2, Xbox360 and Gamecube)
 * Fred and George Weasley (voiced by Lewis MacLeod), identical twins and Ron's older brothers. Known for their mischief-making capabilities, they teach Harry the basic actions of climbing and jumping in the beginning of the game (PC/MAC). They also trade Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans for Chocolate Frog Cards during the course of the game (PC/MAC).
 * Draco Malfoy (voiced by Lewis MacLeod), Harry's nemesis. Malfoy is usually seen with his cronies, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle.
 * Albus Dumbledore (voiced by Benjamin Stone), The Headmaster of Hogwarts. Dumbledore gives Harry some useful advice during the game.
 * Quirinus Quirrell (voiced by David de Keyser), The Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Quirrell is controlled by Lord Voldemort.
 * Minerva McGonagall (voiced by Ève Karpf), The Transfiguration teacher, Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House.
 * Rolanda Hooch (voiced by Ève Karpf), The Flying teacher and Quidditch referee.
 * Severus Snape (voiced by Allan Corduner), The Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House. Playable with cheat
 * Filius Flitwick (voiced by Allan Corduner), The Charms teacher and Head of Ravenclaw House.
 * Pomona Sprout, The Herbology teacher and Head of Hufflepuff House.
 * Rubeus Hagrid (voiced by Jonathan Kydd), A friendly Half-giant usually found in his Rubeus Hagrid's cabin on the grounds.
 * Argus Filch (voiced by Allan Corduner), The Caretaker of Hogwarts and dislikes the students at Hogwarts.
 * Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat that spies on students and sends for her master.
 * Lord Voldemort, the most evil person in the game. Harry has to defeat him at the end of the game.
 * Peeves (voiced by Chris Crosby), a blue skinned, raven haired, bucktoothed, red-dressed poltergeist who is always causing trouble for either Harry or Filch.
 * Lee Jordan (commentating only, voiced by Tom Attenborough in the PS1 version), is the commentator for Quidditch and is good friends with Fred and George Weasley.
 * Sybill Trelawney, the Divination Professor. On certain game systems, Sybill has written a note on the locked door to the Divination Classroom that reads, "Do Not Disturb, Crystal Gazing," she is never actually seen however.
 * Nearly Headless Nick (voiced by David Coker), is a friendly ghost who's nearly headless and is also the ghost of Gryffindor House.
 * The Grey Lady, daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw and ghost of Ravenclaw House.
 * The Fat Friar, ghost of Hufflepuff.
 * The Bloody Baron, ghost who Peeves fears and a ghost of Slytherin House.

Creatures

 * Gnome: Gnomes are annoying little creatures who bite you and steal your Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans. Once they steal them, you can not get them back. They can be easily stunned with the Flipendo knockback jinx.
 * Orange Snail: Orange Snails can burn you if you touch them or their slime trails. Cast Flipendo to stun them.
 * Venomous Tentacula: A nasty plant that can bite Harry if he gets too close. The can be wilted by casting Incendio. In Sprout's garden you meet a lot of Venomous Tentaculas. You haven't learned how to cast Incendio then, so you'll have to dodge them.
 * Doxy: Pixie-like flying beasts who bite when you get too close. Cast Flipendo on them to repel them.
 * Fire Crab: There are only two Fire Crabs in the whole game, in the fire seed level. It can shoot fire out of its backside. Cast Flipendo on it twice to knock it over.
 * Ghost: Nearly Headless Nick has his main role during a level where Harry must avoid Filch and Mrs. Norris. He manages to point Harry the way around the library. The Grey Lady just floats around Hogwarts castle and the Nearly Headless Nick can be talked with, but if you touch the Bloody Baron in the dungeons, you lose stamina. The Baron also indirectly assists you by opening doors when he goes through them. Poltergeist Peeves is causing trouble for Harry and Filch and has to be fought in two Boss fights. The Fat Friar is absent.
 * Troll: There is only one troll in the game. In the same time that Ron casts the Levitation Charm to hit the club to its head Harry has to cast Flipendo to keep the junk the troll throws away from you.
 * Dragon: The dragon Norbert is the only dragon in the game. You have to fetch fire seeds for it.
 * Pig: Hagrid raises pigs in his garden
 * Flobberworm: Cast Flipendo on the symbol to get its mucus
 * Goat: Hagrid grows a goat in his garden.
 * Owl: Harry's owl Hedwig, who brings him messages.
 * Fluffy: Hagrid's three-headed dog. One of the guardians of the Philosopher's Stone. Can be lulled to sleep using the harp.
 * Gargoyle: Cast Lumos on them and a secret area will light up.
 * Devil's Snare: The deadly plant that will kill Ron and Hermione if Harry doesn't cast Incendio on it.
 * Forest Troll: The forest-dwelling trolls can be only found in the Forbidden Forest. Throw the Puffapod at them whenever they standing on the sewer door.

Spells

 * Drone Jinx: Only available with Chocolate Frog Cards combinations; produces loud noise and can scare away or harm opponents.
 * Knockback Jinx: Knocks objects over, stuns magical creatures, pushes Flipendo Blocks, triggers Flipendo Buttons and destroys Spiky Bushes.
 * Unlocking Charm: Unlocks magical locks.
 * Levitation Charm: Levitates things.
 * Fire-Making Spell: Shrivels plants, stuns Venomous Tentaculas and affects Bouncing Bulbs.
 * Verdimillious Charm: Makes invisible platforms appear.
 * Avifors Spell: Turns bird statues into real birds.
 * Wand-Lighting Charm: Pushes walls, fights ghosts or makes shiny platforms appear when used on Gargoyles.
 * Severing Charm: Cuts ropes and chains, stuns Venomous Tentacula and destroys Spiky Bushes.
 * Softening Charm: Makes Spongify pads springy.
 * Vermillious Charm: Shoots sparks.
 * Floating eye curse: Used with the Locking Spell to prevent exploration.
 * Locking Spell: Used with the floating eye curse to prevent exploration.

Locations
Areas seen in Hogwarts:
 * Armoury (GBC version only)
 * Art Classroom (GBC version only)
 * Charms classroom
 * Charms Corridor
 * Classroom 1A (PS2 version only)
 * Classroom 1C (PS2 version only)
 * Classroom 1D (PS2 version only)
 * Classroom 1E (PS2 version only)
 * Classroom 5B (PS2 version only)
 * Classroom 6A
 * Classroom 6B (PS2 version only)
 * Classroom 7A
 * Classroom 7B (PS2 version only)
 * Classroom 7C (PS2 version only)
 * Cuthbert Binns's office (GB version only)
 * Disused seventh floor bathroom
 * Entrance Hall
 * Fat Lady's Corridor
 * Fifth-floor boys' restroom (GBC version only)
 * First-floor empty classroom (I) (GBA version only)
 * First-floor empty classroom (II) (GBA version only)
 * First-floor girls' lavatory
 * Filch's office (GBA version only)
 * Filius Flitwick's office (GBA version only)
 * Forbidden Forest (all but PC version)
 * Gargoyle Gate (PS1 version only)
 * Great Hall (cut scenes and PS1 version only)
 * Gryffindor Tower
 * Gryffindor Tower reading room
 * History of Magic classroom
 * Hogwarts attic (PS1 version only)
 * Hogwarts greenhouses
 * Hogwarts Library
 * Hogwarts Quidditch pitch
 * Hospital wing (cut scenes only)
 * Philosopher's Stone chambers
 * Poppy Pomfrey's office (GBA version only)
 * Middle Courtyard
 * Minerva McGonagall's office
 * Mirror of Erised storage room
 * Muggle Studies Classroom (GBA version only)
 * Music Classroom (GBC version only)
 * Portrait Room (GBA version only)
 * Potions Classroom
 * Potions Classroom adjoining room (PS1 version only)
 * Potions Classroom dungeons (PC version only)
 * Potions basement (GBA version only)
 * Potion-Mixing Room (GBA version only)
 * Quidditch Training Pitch
 * Rubeus Hagrid's cabin
 * Rubeus Hagrid's garden
 * Secret room near the Training Grounds (PC version only)
 * Severus Snape's office (GBA version only)
 * Sixth-floor empty classroom (GBA version only)
 * Temporary Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom
 * Third Floor Corridor
 * Transfiguration classroom
 * Trophy Room (GBC and GBA version only)
 * Wizard Card Collectors' Club room
 * Writing Supplies Room (GB version only)

Platforms
The first four versions of the game were released in 2001 by EA for the PC, MAC, Game Boy Colour, Game Boy Advance, and the PlayStation. The PC version was ported to the Mac by Aspyr in 2002. Another version, for GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox, was released in 2003.

Debug mode
Debug mode can be accessed in the PC/MAC version of the game as it is built on the Unreal Engine. It includes things like ghost mode, fly mode, and others.

Save Game
In the various versions of the game Save Game books appear throughout the game at various places such as the Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts Castle Hagrid's Hut etc. They help the player to save the progress so that the player won't have to restart the game from the beginning.

Controlling of game
In the PS1 version of the game various manuals appear throughout the game on how to control the game, in the shape of blue books.

Trivia

 * Peeves does not appear in the film, but is battled on a regular basis in this game. In the GameCube, Xbox, and PS2 versions he only appears in a cutscene, but is never battled.
 * In the PC/MAC version, the Forbidden Forest part is not included.
 * In the film and book, Harry's broomstick is jinxed in the first Quidditch match. In the PC/MAC and PS1 version, both Quidditch matches have no Jinxed brooms or accidents. In the PS2/Gamecube/Xbox version, the Slytherin match is played on a jinxed broom.
 * In the book, Quirrell summons ropes to tie Harry by snapping his fingers. In the film, Quirrell snaps his fingers to make fire surround the area. In the PC/MAC version, Quirrell moves his hands to conjure fire around the area. But in the PS1 version, Quirrell does not make fire surround the area, but green ropes do tie themselves around Harry at times. And in all the video games, Voldemort is the final boss.
 * In the PC and PlayStation versions of the game, Norbert seems to appear early in the game, unlike in the book and movie where he appears nearly at the end of the story.
 * Norbert is omitted in the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo Gamecube and Game Boy Advance versions of the game.
 * Originally Reparo, Verdimillious and an unnamed spell were to appear in the PC/MAC Version of the game. Also Incendio and Wingardium Leviosa were to have more uses.
 * The Dursleys were to appear in the PC/MAC Version of the game because they have their model files still in the game.
 * Harry constantly fights Draco on a daily basis. Though, in the book and movie, Harry doesn't fight Draco at all until Year 2.
 * In the GBA version of the game, Harry gets caught by Professor Snape instead of Filch, and Harry's detention in the forest isn't the same as the book or movie.
 * In the GBA version of the game, Harry uses Flipendo on the Troll and it falls in a hole in the girls bathroom. In the book and the mvie, Ron used the Levitation Charm on the troll's club to bash the troll's head with it.
 * However, in later parts of the game during the detention in the forest, it's possible to use the said charm on the trolls despite there being no gaps to push them in (using it on them causes them to smack their own heads and if cast on them five times they will fall over and remain out cold).
 * In the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of the game the Quidditch Match against Slytherin is at the last match of the year rather than the first.
 * In the PC, PS1 and PlayStation version of the game, Harry gets trapped in the dungeons during Potions class.
 * In the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube versions of the game, Harry goes alone in the Forbidden Forest.
 * The GBC Version of the game has a glitch during the part where you need to find ingredients for Snape. One of them is supposed to be found by examining a tapestry in Snape's office. However, if you get the other ingredient first, the one in Snape's office will never appear and you will be forced to restart the game.
 * In the beginning of the PC/MAC Version of the game, Dumbledore, when greeting Harry Potter in the beginning of the game, tells him about a story about finding a room with a lot of toilet pots, and the next time he found lots of fire tortoises. This was actually taken from a brief conversation Dumbledore had with one of the ministry officials during the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
 * The GBA version of the game is unusual for a sprite-based game in that it has non-ambidextrous sprites for one of its characters; Harry himself has a separate set of left and right sprites to show that he always holds his wand in his right hand.