You start off as Harry in his first year at Hogwarts, and honestly, it’s a little rough—those staircases keep moving, and Peeves is way more annoying in-game than in the books. The magic feels surprisingly hands-on for a GBA title, though. You’re flicking spells with button combos, sneaking past Filch, and even brewing potions (which is harder than it looks).

Graphics are pixelated but charming—Hagrid’s hut looks exactly how you’d imagine, just tinier. And yeah, you’ll recognize moments from the book, like the troll fight or that weird chess game, but don’t expect a straight retelling. Some bits are cut, and others play out differently. Still, wandering the castle corridors with that chiptune version of the theme? Pure nostalgia.

It’s definitely an older game, so don’t go in expecting modern polish. But if you’ve got a soft spot for early 2000s handheld magic, this one’s a solid time.