Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)

"The Dementors Are Coming..."

- Official tagline

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a computer and video game that was released concurrently with the film release of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in 2004. It is the third game release in the Harry Potter Harry Potter series and was based on J. K. Rowling's novel Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Game Plot
Harry Potter learns that a dangerous man, Sirius Black, has escaped from Azkaban and is allegedly after him. With his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione 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 in the disguise of Ron's pet rat, Scabbers. Together with Professor Remus Lupin and Black, Harry, Ron, and Hermione unmask Pettigrew, only to have him escape. Using Hermione's Time-Turner, Harry and Hermione go back in time and rescue Buckbeak and use him to rescue Sirius Black and himself from the terrible fate of a Dementor'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.

Playable Characters
A novelty for the Harry Potter game series is the fact that Ron and Hermione are playable as well. You cannot play one character through the whole game. Instead, you automatically get switched 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, every character has access to the spells Lumos, Alohomora, Rictusempra, Spongify, and Depulso, while in the console versions, the only two universal spells are Flipendo and Expelliarmus.


 * Harry Potter (voice:Tom Attenborough and Harry Robinson (English version), Nick Seidensticker (German version), Jonasz Tołpoiło (Polish version)): Harry is the only game character who can jump across chasms, he's the fastest runner and he alone has access to the Marauder's Map. Harry has Carpe Retractum as an exclusive spell in the console versions, Glacius in the PC version, and Expecto Patronum in both. Harry is one of the two playable characters that can ride Hippogriffs, the other being Hermione. Completing the Famous Wizard Card sets Wizards and Quidditch will boost Harry's health permanently.
 * Ron Weasley (voice:Greg Chillin (English version), Jesse Grimm (German version), Allan Hyde (Danish version), Marcin Łabno (Polish version): Ron is the sneaker of the gang - he can open secret passages andBlack_still_at_Large.jpg on the Daily Prophet headline in 1993.]] 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 is Carpe Retractum, while in the console version, he only has Lumos Duo. Ron is the only playable character that cannot ride Hippogriff. Completing the Famous Wizard Card sets Dragons and Classical Beasts will boost Ron's health permanently.
 * Hermione Granger (voice:Harper Marshall (English version), Johanna C. Neuhold (German version): Hermione is 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 has Draconifors as an exclusive spell. In the PC version, her exclusive spells list also includes Lapifors, while the console version list includes Glacius, Reparo and Snufflifors instead. Hermione is also one of two playable characters that can ride Hippogriffs, the other is being Harry. Completing the Famous Wizard Card sets Witches and Hags will boost Hermione's health permanently.
 * 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 a Owl Treat, but this is exclusive to console versions.

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 the Bean Bonus Room for collecting more sweets.

Non-playable characters (NPC)

 * Draco Malfoy (voice:Lewis MacLeod): Injured during Care of Magical Creatures class early in the game, he is instrumental in having the Hippogriff Buckbeak put on trial as a "dangerous animal". In the console version he drinks Polyjuice Potion to turn into Ron 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): The Headmaster's only role in the game is to tally and reveal House Point totals.
 * Minerva McGonagall (voice:Eve Karpf): She functions as the Transfiguration instructor.
 * Remus Lupin (voice:Jamie Glover): He functions as Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor.
 * Rubeus Hagrid (voice:Jonathan Kydd (English version), Tessho Genda (Japanese version)): Teaches Care of Magical Creatures. He helps the playable characters in the game to find out how to get ingredients for potions.
 * Filius Flitwick (voice:Allan Corduner): Functions as Charms instructor.
 * Severus Snape (voice:Allan Corduner (English version), Takeshi Aono (Japanese version)): The Potions master.
 * Sirius Black (voice:David Robb (English version), Shinpachi Tsuji (Japanese version)): Functions as his role as "The Prisoner of Azkaban," wrongly convicted of the murder of thirteen people and sent to Azkaban; Harry Potter's godfather.
 * 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 (voice:Tom Goodman-Hill (English version), Chafurin (Japanese version) ): He has the same role as in the book.
 * Fred Weasley/George Weasley (voice:Lewis MacLeod): They own a shop when you buy items, Chocolate Frog Cards, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes and Passwords.
 * Andrew Cleveley: A boy who appears near the Great Hall on the last day of term.

Spells
If a Gameshark is used, Ron has a patronus symbol. However, it does not do anything. Interestingly, when the player attempts to use it, the spell resembles Lumos Duo.
 * Alohomora: Unlocks chests and opens secret areas. Not available in the PS2 console.
 * Flipendo: Knocks opponents back, triggers switches and stuns some creatures. All PCs can use this.
 * Depulso: Upgrade of Flipendo. Not available in the PS2 console.
 * Expelliarmus: Repells offensive spells. All PCs can use this.
 * Glacius: Freezes water and salamanders, and extinguishes fires. This spell is learned from D.A.D.A. class in the console versions, or Charms class in the PC version. Only Hermione can use this on the consoles, though only Harry can in the PC game version.
 * Draconifors: Transforms dragon statues into real dragons that the player may control. This spell is learned from Transfiguration class or on the Fourth Floor After Harry's Expecto Patronum Challenge. Only Hermione can use this spell.
 * Lapifors: Transforms rabbit statues into real rabbits. This spell is learned from Transfiguration class. Only Hermione can use this spell in the computer game version.
 * Lumos: Emits light from wand, will reveal a collection of bubbles (usually in a wall) that you can walk through. Not available in the PS2 console.
 * Lumos Duo: Emits light from a wand, causes Hinkypunks to turn solid, and forces ghouls to retreat. Only Ron can use this spell. Only in the console version.
 * Reparo: Fixes broken objects. Only Hermione can use this spell. Only in the Consoles.
 * Snufflifors: Hermione can use this spell to turn books into mice. This must be bought from Fred and George's shop. All Consoles can use this.
 * Rictusempra: Stuns or destroys certain enemies. Not available in the PS2 console.
 * Carpe Retractum: Pulls objects toward the caster, or the caster toward the object. This spell is learned from Charms class in the console versions, or D.A.D.A. class in the PC version. Only Harry can use this spell in the Consoles, although Ron also can in the PC game version.
 * Expecto Patronum: Dispels Dementors. Only Harry can use this spell.

In the dueling mini-game, the opponents are able to cast Histedius, Melofors and Steleus. Histedius works like Flipendo. Melofors puts a pumpkin on your head. Steleus makes you sneeze about four times. (note: At the beginning of the game, during a cut-scene, Malfoy casts a spell at Ron and Harry. This spell is supposed to be Histedius, but his incantation is "Rictusempra." It is unknown if the spell is Rictusempra or Histedius.)

Console version

 * Wiggenweld Potion: Retrieves lost stamina. Ingredients: Dittany, Flobberworm Mucus, Wiggentree Bark and Moly.
 * Antidote to Uncommon Poisons: Cures doxy poison. Ingredients: Fire Seeds, Powdered Graphorn Horn, Billywig Stings and Chizpurfle Carapaces.
 * Girding Potion: Gives player extra endurance. Ingredients: Dragonfly thoraxes, Fairy wings, Flying Seahorses and Doxy eggs.

GBA version

 * Shrinking Solution: Shrinks whatever it touches. Not usable during gameplay. Ingredients: Leech Juice, Shrivelfig, Dead Caterpillar, Rat Spleen and Daisy 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 the player from poison.

Creatures

 * Bundimun: Shoot 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 with Flipendo, then freeze them with Glacius.
 * 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 attacking, or turned into mice for bonus points, Bertie Bott's Beans, or Famous Wizards Cards.
 * Ghouls: Generally harmless, but throw objects around.
 * 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. (PS2 Version)
 * 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 with Flipendo or the pages can be fired back at the book with Expelliarmus.
 * Pixies: They shoot electric blue orbs at the player.
 * Red Caps: They throw stink pellets and knock players over.
 * Trolls: Very strong and guard hallways. They are attracted with dungbombs.
 * Charmed Skeleton: They throw bones at players. Defeat them with Rictusempra.
 * Fire crabs: They Shoot Fire out of their backsides.

Items

 * Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans: Found all over Hogwarts and can be used to buy things from Fred and George's shop.
 * Chocolate Frogs: They increase a player's health.
 * Cauldron Cakes: Used for trading at Fred and George's shop and are worth the most out of all the tradable items. They also give players 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: Bribe Hedwig with these for favours.
 * Pumpkin Pasties: Worth more than beans at Fred and George's shop.Aunt Marge
 * Stink Pellets: Used in Fred and George's game to get wizard cards.
 * 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 3 chapters to The 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 (PS2).

Behind the scenes

 * The game begins with Harry, Ron and Hermione on the Hogwarts Express, entirely omitting Aunt Marge blowing up, the Knight Bus, and the Leaky Cauldron.
 * Harry's appeance in the game is vastly different than that in the film. He has longer hair like he did in the previous book and speaks differently too.