Harry Potter Levitating Challenge Game
Mattel
Ages 8 and Up

What It Is

Everyone knows that Harry Potter can do amazing things with his magic wand. And, as the story goes, the wand always matches the wizard. The Harry Potter Levitating Challenge Game lets players see how good they are with a wand as they negotiate the many "magical" tests of this game.

The battery-operated game includes a circular base with a Harry Potter figure (in his wizard robes) in the center. Using any of the different obstacles (you can create more than 200 variations), assemble a course. Then, turn on the game.

To play, a fan in the game base can "levitate" a small foam ball. A lever on the side lets you control the amount of air to determine how high the ball rises on the air. But that’s just the beginning. Turning a large knob, you rotate the fan opening to carry the ball along the course. A "wizard trainer's" voice gives the player instructions as Levitating Challenge is played, encouraging the player and even recording the time it took to complete the course. The challenge is to regulate the air with the lever while you turn the knob to move the ball around the course. Sometimes you have to go up, down, over or through, and there are all kinds of hazards that can knock your ball off the air column–and force you to start again. Think of it as wizard mini-golf, in a way. Different obstacles offer different challenges, so you can make the course very simple to start out then add to the challenge as your "wand skills" improve.

Why It's Fun

Levitating Challenge is a good, old-fashioned skill and action game. Everyone will love taking a turn to see how well they can master the challenges. Essentially this is a three-dimensional maze game that will intrigue players of all ages. The Harry Potter theme of the game adds to the fun by allowing players to pretend to be wizards, but really this is a modern twist on those classic family room skill games that are always good for some fun. (Don’t worry if you don’t know the Harry Potter stories. Just pretending to be a wizard is all you have to know.)

And, don’t be surprised if the adults start challenging each other once the kids go to bed.

Who's Going To Love It

Like much of the Harry Potter merchandise, this game will appeal to both boys and girls. Players will especially love setting ever-harder challenges for one another.

What To Be Aware Of

The game includes six foam balls, so if, like us, you’re likely to lose one under the sofa or have one sucked up in the vacuum cleaner, you’re not out of luck. But that reminds us, you should probably pack everything up in the box because there are lots of little pieces with this game for building the different obstacles. Because of that, keep the game away from children under three years of age.

Levitating Challenge requires 3 "C" batteries (not included).