Harry Potter und der Orden des Phönix (Nintendo DS Games)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix bursts onto the Mac, with the first in a number of Mac releases from Electronic Arts.

Beautifully created environment, open non-linear gaming, good fun

System specs preclude many early Intel Macs, insufficiently compelling, hard drive space hog

It's not the most taxing plot, but if you like the books you'll enjoy the adventure, and the existing challenges are just compelling enough to bring out your stubborn 'got to beat a challenge' streak. Overall, this is a rich and rewarding adventure. No...

Watered-down witch's brew.

Spellcasting gestures feel fun. Detailed world and authentic voice acting add polish.

Errand-running and chores bore. Magical combat is chaotic and hard to control. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) not in the voice cast. Intel Macs only - the game doesn't work with PowerPC Macs.

The game's dialogue uses much of the original cast, although Daniel Radcliffe (who plays Harry) is absent. These voices and the sharp graphics transport fans to Hogwarts. But for the rest of us, it feels like summer school.