Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the title of a series of action-adventure games released in 2002 for multiple platforms. Based on J. K. Rowling’s novel and the film adaptation, the games were published by Electronic Arts but developed by different studios for each system. Versions were released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Windows, and macOS. Although they share the same name and source material, the individual releases differ substantially in design, including unique gameplay mechanics, level layouts, and features.
Gameplay
The game's core gameplay is straightforward. Taking control of Harry, the player explores Hogwarts castle and grounds. Throughout the course of the game, the player will encounter events that tie into the storyline of the second book.
| EGM_GBA = 8/10
| EGM_NGC = 7.33/10
| EGM_PS2 = 7.5/10
| GI_PS2 = 6/10
| GamePro_GBA = 3/5
| GamePro_GBC = 3.5/5
| GamePro_NGC = 3.5/5
| GamePro_PS2 = 3/5
| GamePro_XBOX = 3.5/5
| GSpot_GBA = 7/10
| GSpot_NGC = 7.3/10
| GSpot_PS2 = 7.3/10
| GSpot_XBOX = 7.3/10
| GSpy_PC = 3/5
| GameZone_GBA = 7.2/10
| GameZone_NGC = 8.8/10
| GameZone_PC = 7.5/10
| GameZone_PS2 = 9/10
| GameZone_XBOX = 8.8/10
| IGN_GBA = 7.8/10
| IGN_NGC = 8.9/10
| IGN_PC = 8/10
| IGN_PS2 = 8.4/10
| IGN_XBOX = 8.7/10
| NP_GBA = 4/5
| NP_GBC = 3.6/5
| NP_NGC = 4.4/5
| OPM_PS = 3/5
| OPM_PS2 = 3.5/5
| OXM_XBOX = 7.5/10
| PCGUS_PC = 75%
| rev1 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev1_NGC = B+
| MC_NGC = 77/100
| MC_PC = 77/100
| MC_PS =
| MC_PS2 = 71/100
| MC_XBOX = 77/100
The game received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator platform Metacritic.
The Xbox version received a platinum family hits edition for selling over 100,000 copies. The musical score for the game, created by Jeremy Soule, was awarded a BAFTA Games Award for Best Score, Game Music Category. During the 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Chamber of Secrets for "Family Game of the Year", which was ultimately awarded to Mario Party 4.
In the United States, The Chamber of Secrets Game Boy Advance version sold 970,000 copies and earned $25 million by August 2006. During the period between January 2000 and August 2006, it was the 18th highest-selling game launched for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable in that country.
By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of Chamber of Secrets had sold 700,000 copies and earned $28 million in the United States. Next Generation ranked it as the 89th highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined console sales of the Harry Potter line reached 3 million units in the United States by July 2006. The PlayStation 2 version also received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom. The game sold 9 million copies by 2003 and generated $500 million in revenue.