# Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
**Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets** is a 2002 action-adventure video game based on J.K. Rowling's novel and its film adaptation, released on eight platforms: [Microsoft Windows](https://www.edgepedia.org/microsoft-windows), Mac OS, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and [Game Boy Color](https://www.edgepedia.org/game-boy-color). [Electronic Arts](https://www.edgepedia.org/electronic-arts) published the games on all platforms except macOS, where Aspyr published, and different studios developed each version, producing substantially different games under one title.[1](https://www.harrypotterdatabase.com/video-games/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets-video-game)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release | November 2002; sources give 5 November[1](https://www.harrypotterdatabase.com/video-games/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets-video-game) and 15 November[2](https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_%28video_game%29), the latter the same day as the film's release |
| Platforms | PC, Mac OS, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color[1](https://www.harrypotterdatabase.com/video-games/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets-video-game) |
| Developers | KnowWonder (PC), Eurocom (GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Color), Argonaut (PlayStation), Griptonite Games (Game Boy Advance), EA internal team (PlayStation 2)[2](https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_%28video_game%29) • [3](https://www.mobygames.com/game/142391/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/) |
| Metacritic scores | PlayStation 2: 71; GameCube: 77; Xbox: 77; Game Boy Advance: 76[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/) |
| Series milestone | The PlayStation version was the last Harry Potter game released for the original PlayStation[5](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/gba/562350-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/faqs/70753) |
## One title, several games
The PC, GameCube, Xbox, and PS2 versions are third-person 3D adventures in which players control Harry directly, exploring locations including the Weasley Burrow, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, and Hogwarts and its grounds.[6](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/1100-2884965) • [7](https://ifann.net/wiki/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets) The PlayStation version, developed by Argonaut, takes a different angle, focusing on Harry's quest to win the house cup for Gryffindor.[6](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/1100-2884965) The handheld versions diverge further: the Game Boy Color release is a turn-based RPG,[8](https://as.com/meristation/noticias/he-rejugado-este-juego-clasico-de-harry-potter-y-el-recuerdo-era-mejor-que-la-realidad-n/) while the [Game Boy Advance](https://www.edgepedia.org/game-boy-advance) version uses side-scrolling mechanics with puzzle-solving and simplified combat.[7](https://ifann.net/wiki/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets)
Even the three sixth-generation console versions are not identical. Eurocom developed the GameCube and Xbox versions, but Electronic Arts ported the game to [PlayStation 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-2) internally, and the PS2 version sports noticeable differences while keeping the majority of the game the same.[3](https://www.mobygames.com/game/142391/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/)
## Gameplay
The core console and PC versions center on a magic system in which spellcasting is tied to button combinations or timing-based inputs for spells such as Expelliarmus, Stupefy, and Lumos.[7](https://ifann.net/wiki/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets) Players can ride broomsticks for aerial exploration and mini-games, and interact with characters including Dobby, Lucius Malfoy, and Argus Filch.[7](https://ifann.net/wiki/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets) On the PC, spells are cast contextually: holding the mouse over a spell-able spot prompts casting, a design that lets nearly anything hide a secret.[10](https://www.mycses.ca/_files/ugd/c6bc99_ffd6cd876d8c4d2a94ab2035bf486ac1.pdf)
The story follows Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with free-roaming 3D environments, shopping in [Diagon Alley](https://www.edgepedia.org/diagon-alley), and encounters with characters such as Moaning Myrtle.[3](https://www.mobygames.com/game/142391/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/) • [4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/) Plot details vary by version: in the PC, Mac, and sixth-generation console versions Harry does not break his arm during [Quidditch](https://www.edgepedia.org/quidditch), whereas he does in the book, film, Game Boy Advance, and [PlayStation](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation) versions; and in the PC, Game Boy Color, and PlayStation versions Ron and Lockhart accompany Harry into the Chamber of Secrets, as in the book and film.[2](https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_%28video_game%29) • [11](https://harry-potter-compendium.fandom.com/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_%28video_game%29)
## Development
This was the first [Harry Potter](https://www.edgepedia.org/harry-potter) book adapted for the then next-generation consoles of PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox. Development of those titles was split between EA's internal team on PlayStation 2 and an external team at Eurocom in Derby, UK, working on GameCube and Xbox.[12](https://simonphipps.com/games/hpchamberofsecrets/) According to Simon Phipps, who worked on the game, more than 80 people worked for two years across Eurocom and EA's UK studio.[12](https://simonphipps.com/games/hpchamberofsecrets/)
The PC version uses the same Unreal-powered engine as the previous year's Harry Potter PC game, and its low texture detail allowed the game to run on older systems down to 266 MHz Pentium II PCs.[13](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/camp-ea-2002harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets-impressions/1100-2875101/) The Game Boy Advance version, developed alongside the Xbox and GameCube versions, used a completely new engine compared with the previous year's handheld game.[6](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/1100-2884965)
## Reception
Review aggregation on Metacritic put the console versions in generally favorable territory: 71 for PlayStation 2 (16 critic reviews), 77 for GameCube (14 reviews), 77 for Xbox (13 reviews), and 76 for Game Boy Advance (11 reviews), with a user score of 7.6 on PlayStation 2 from 175 ratings.[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/) GameZone scored the PS2 version 90, praising the capture of the characters' looks and voices and environments close to the film's, and IGN scored it 84, calling it a well-done 3D adventure with a fun quest, challenging puzzles, and an intuitive control and magic system.[14](https://www.metacritic.com/game/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/critic-reviews/) [Entertainment Weekly](https://www.edgepedia.org/entertainment-weekly) gave the PS2 version 83, singling out the freedom to fly around the campus on a Nimbus 2000.[14](https://www.metacritic.com/game/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/critic-reviews/) GameSpot's reviews scored the game 7.3 (Good) and 7 across platforms.[15](https://www.gamespot.com/games/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/reviews/) The Game Boy Advance version drew strong notices as well: TotalGames.net scored it 94 and Pocket Games 85, calling it among the best-looking games on the system.[16](https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/critic-reviews)
## Place in the series
The game followed 2001's [Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone](https://www.edgepedia.org/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone) and continued EA's strategy of releasing a game on every active platform alongside each film.[13](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/camp-ea-2002harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets-impressions/1100-2875101/) It was the last Harry Potter game on the original PlayStation; subsequent series entries appeared exclusively on newer consoles.[5](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/gba/562350-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/faqs/70753) With no film release in 2003, EA's next Harry Potter title was Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup, focused on the sport rather than the book storyline.[17](https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/video-game-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/PwFmFvHYAEa1Xg?hl=en)
## References
1. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Video Game, Harry Potter Database](https://www.harrypotterdatabase.com/video-games/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets-video-game)
2. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game), Harry Potter Wiki](https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_%28video_game%29)
3. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), MobyGames](https://www.mobygames.com/game/142391/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/)
4. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/)
5. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Guide and Walkthrough (GBA), Andrew_Testa, GameFAQs](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/gba/562350-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/faqs/70753)
6. [First look: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/1100-2884965)
7. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), iFANN](https://ifann.net/wiki/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets)
8. [He rejugado este juego clásico de Harry Potter, MeriStation (AS.com)](https://as.com/meristation/noticias/he-rejugado-este-juego-clasico-de-harry-potter-y-el-recuerdo-era-mejor-que-la-realidad-n/)
9. [Split into two games forum thread, MobyGames](https://www.mobygames.com/forum/game/7726/thread/226767/split-into-two-games/)
10. [Hogwarts: A History, ranking of the Harry Potter video games (PDF)](https://www.mycses.ca/_files/ugd/c6bc99_ffd6cd876d8c4d2a94ab2035bf486ac1.pdf)
11. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game), The Harry Potter Compendium](https://harry-potter-compendium.fandom.com/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_%28video_game%29)
12. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Simon Phipps](https://simonphipps.com/games/hpchamberofsecrets/)
13. [Camp EA 2002: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets impressions, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/camp-ea-2002harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets-impressions/1100-2875101/)
14. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets critic reviews (PlayStation 2), Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/critic-reviews/)
15. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Reviews, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/games/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/reviews/)
16. [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets critic reviews (Game Boy Advance), Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/critic-reviews)
17. [Video game: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Google Arts & Culture](https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/video-game-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/PwFmFvHYAEa1Xg?hl=en)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Video games and digital play › Digital play culture and society › Games in other media and vice versa › Video games based on films and television*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license