A long time ago, before the mighty Xbox hit our shores, EA released a game based on the first Harry Potter movie, The Philosopher's Stone. But with the third film not due out until the summer, Christmas wouldn't have been the same without a Harry Potter adventure to walk through. Sure, we had Quidditch World Cup to tinker around with, but it wasn't a brand new adventure.

So EA re-released this Potter game for the current generation of consoles, but thankfully the publishing giant has included a few new areas to explore to your wizard heart's content. Essentially the game is the same as the PSone version. The graphics have been given a major overhaul as you can see, but some areas of the insanely large Hogwarts are easily identifiable as PSone graphics on crack, as huge triangles line the sky and courtyard of the grounds.

Saying that, the attention to detail is very impressive. At one point or another you'll come across the major landmarks of the first film, all represented in glorious Xbox Technicolor (and 5.1 surround sound if you have it). The Great Staircase shifts and moves just like it does in the film, Hagrid hides away on the edge of the Forbidden Forest and each classroom has been fitted out with virtual props from the film.

As Potter you get to play through the story of the first book and movie right up to the showdown with You Know Who. The action begins by throwing you head first into Dragon Alley, where you have to choose your wand of mass destruction. Then it's off to a little training course that teaches you all the basics of being a trainee wizard. Potter can cast spells (obviously), tiptoe along tight ledges, crawl through little cracks in the wall and speak with almost every one of the inhabitants of Hogwarts.

But one area where good things go quickly bad is that the likeness of all the famed characters from the film are too poor in the game. Strange considering how EA got it so right with its games based on the Lord Of The Rings movies. Even the voices are way off the mark.

The gameplay is nice and simple and there are plenty of side quests to keep you busy between lessons. Hidden throughout the game world are numerous treasure chests that contain various goodies as well as trading cards. These cards give you vital information on the creatures and monsters of Harry's world. All the little goodies you collect throughout the game are kept in a nifty inventory accessible from the pause menu. Here you'll also find a list of completed and on-going objectives, so it's easy to keep tabs on what a wizard's supposed to do next. The Philosopher's Stone is a huge game but EA has done everything possible to make things simple to follow.

1. Looks better thanks to Xbox
2. New areas to explore!

1. A little daunting for beginners
2. Poor likeness to film characters

Power
Makes the PSone game look as ugly as... err, a PSone game. Looks extra special on Xbox.

Style
Hogwarts Castle and grounds are done well but characters look nothing lke in the films.

Immersion
There's more for you to see and do than even Harry had to deal with in the film.

Lifespan
It's a big game that'l keep you going, but only until the third movie comes out.

Summary
Solid remake of the original Potter game that'll appeal to the Harry hardcore only. Muggles need not apply.