Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions delivers the magic — there's just one problem

When Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions was first announced, I was incredibly excited because as much as I loved Hogwarts Legacy, it was missing one key element: Quidditch. For me, it’s the most iconic part of the Wizarding World, and I couldn’t wait to dive into the fast-paced, broomstick action that Quidditch Champions promised.

Developed by Unbroken Studios, Quidditch Champions is the latest multiplayer game that brings the thrill of broomstick action to life. It’s a high-speed, team-based take on Quidditch that adds a whole new layer to the Harry Potter universe.

But as magical as it sounds, there are some bumps. The player-switching mechanic, while ambitious, gets confusing when you’re in the middle of chaotic gameplay. Despite its magical appeal, this confusing control issue might be a dealbreaker for some players looking for a smoother Quidditch simulation.

Regardless, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions remains an engaging game for fans of the Wizarding World. If you're a Harry Potter enthusiast or simply looking for a fresh and fun sports game, read my full Quidditch Champions review to find out why it’s a magical ride worth experiencing… 

 Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions: The Basics

• What is it? Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is a multiplayer game focused on the magical sport of Quidditch. Unlike past Harry Potter titles, this one focuses solely on broomstick-based action. Players can join in competitive Quidditch matches, either against bots or as part of an online team. 
• Who is it for? As you've probably guessed, Quidditch Champions is designed for fans of the Harry Potter universe, especially those who have always wanted to dive deeper into the world of Quidditch. Even if you aren’t a fan, it’s still perfect for players who enjoy competitive multiplayer games and fast-paced action.  
• What's the price?  The standard edition of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions costs $29, with the Deluxe Edition available for $39. This includes the Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor House Packs and 2,000 gold to spend in-game. 
• What games is this similar to?  Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is similar to other fantasy sports games like Mario Strikers: Battle League and Knockout City.

Quidditch Champions is high-flying fun

Before delving straight into your first proper match, you’re tasked with completing several tutorials for each positional role in the game. Harry Potter fans will already know about the four positions: chasers, beaters, keepers and seekers.  

Chasers are the key offensive players in Quidditch, responsible for scoring goals. The most aggressive player is the beater, who plays a crucial defensive role, using a bat to hit bludgers that can knock opposing players off their brooms. The keeper (who feels a bit pointless in this game) is the guardian of the goal hoops, tasked with preventing the opposing team’s chasers from scoring. Now finally we have the seeker, who is responsible for capturing the golden snitch and winning the team a whole bunch of points. 

I spent most time with Qudditich Champions playing as a chaser because it felt the most intuitive. This position has a lot of control over the game since chasers can dash across the field and score. I did find passing to computer-controlled players challenging though, as they don’t always position themselves well, but when you’re in real online matches, everyone knows to spread out and play strategically. The satisfaction of snatching the ball from an opponent is also unmatched, and this single action can turn the game in your favor.

But despite the chaser being the best position, I still had fun smacking people off their brooms as a beater and, occasionally, preventing the other team from scoring as the keeper. However, being the keeper means you have to sit on your broom and wait for the action to come to you, which can lead to long stretches of merely observing the game. 

The real thrill comes when you catch the golden snitch. Quidditch Champions tweaks the traditional rules a bit — catching the snitch won’t automatically win the game for your team. Instead, it earns you 30 points, which can give your team a big advantage without instantly ending the match. To catch the snitch, you fly through golden rings the winged golden ball leaves in its wake, these increase your speed and get you within catching distance. 

Get a magical makeover

One of the standout features of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is the extensive character customization suite that allows you to make your Quidditch player truly your own. I always appreciate a strong set of customization options as it deeply enhances the immersion by allowing me to make my main character look just like me. And in Quidditch Champions, you don’t just create a single avatar, instead, you create the look of your whole team.

There’s also the option to play iconic characters like Sebastian Sallow from Hogwarts Legacy or Ginny Weasley. For other characters, you can buy them on the market page using in-game gold that you earn from progressing through the campaign and winning matches (I just had to buy Hermione Granger, of course).

Customization extends beyond appearance; you can also choose from a variety of emotes and broom trails to express yourself in the heat of the game. Your wand is another personal touch, and selecting one that complements your style only adds to the immersion. Little things like this make Quidditch Champions feel like part of the Harry Potter canon.

As you advance through your Quidditch career, you’ll earn skill points that can be used to refine and enhance your character. Mixing and matching these points will improve stats and unlock special moves, allowing you to develop a playstyle that fits each position. For example, you can boost your tackling skills as a chaser to make it easier to grab the quaffle from the opposing team. This skill tree gives you plenty of room to improve, and performing well in matches comes with the significant upside of further boosting your overall stats. 

Build your dream team

A key aspect of the game is building and improving your team over time. As you progress and improve your players you’ll learn which positions suit you best. For me, I naturally sought to improve the seeker first considering they can win your team 30 points if they catch the snitch, and so I put skill points into the "seeking" skill tree as much as possible. 

However, one downside is that certain positions, like the keeper, can sometimes feel neglected because they’re less involved in the game’s action compared to roles like chasers and seekers. I personally found myself focusing more on upgrading the latter two positions, as their roles were more directly impactful in matches.  As a consequence, my keeper remained relatively feeble making me even less motivated to select this position. 

So, despite the ability to customize and upgrade each position, Quidditch Champions doesn’t always encourage building a balanced team. While experimenting with different strategies is part of the fun, the game doesn't push you toward creating a well-rounded lineup, which could limit your overall experience.

Now let’s talk about the big problem

While Quidditch Champions offers a very fun experience, it does have one significant flaw — the confusing player-switching mechanic. 

During matches, I often found myself accidentally pressing emotes and saying "well done!" instead of switching players, which disrupted the flow of a match. The chaotic nature of Quidditch only compounds the issue, as it makes it really difficult to switch players smoothly when you’re in the heat of the action (and don't want to be knocked off your broom).

I played on the controller because the game recommends it, but the game actually feels more suited to a keyboard. There were times when I was so focused on winning and making plays that switching players became an afterthought. When I did manage to switch, it often took me out of the game as I struggled to reorient myself and figure out where I was on the pitch. 

This disruption is often frustrating and detracts from the otherwise exciting experience, making it challenging to stay engaged during critical moments like scoring a goal or catching the snitch. 

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions: Verdict

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is a must-play for fans of the Wizarding World franchise or anyone in search of a good fantasy sports game. The immersive Quidditch matches, extensive customization options and the thrill of scoring goals or catching the snitch lead to truly magical moments.

Unfortunately, you might spend more time grappling with the confusing player-switching system than catching the golden snitch. It could take you several sessions to become fully accustomed to this poorly implemented aspect. Though, once you’ve been able to adjust, the game delivers plenty of fun and excitement. 

Plus, I have to give credit to the team at Unbroken Studios for making the matches feel authentic. The moment you spawn onto the pitch, the atmosphere is electric. You can hear the crowd cheer, reacting to your every move, while the commentator’s funny, well-timed remarks keep the energy up, even when things aren’t going your way. 

These small details show just how much care the developers put into recreating the magic of Quidditch, and it’s why Harry Potter Quidditch Champions is a must-play for wannabe witches and wizards.