We've seen this Quidditch lark described as magical. Unfortunately for young Potter and his wizard pals, the home console versions must have had some kind of evil spell cast upon them. Shabby is an adjective that springs to mind. Well, the encouraging news is that Quidditch World Cup may have found its ideal home in the GBA. Granted, it's pretty much the same game experience, but - and we're going out on a limb here - it just makes more sense on the handheld. Sometimes graphical limitations can work in a game's favour.
Quidditch is a sport for witches and wizards that involves flying around on broomsticks, chasing four balls at the same time. This being the case, you'll be glad to know that you can control all seven players on your team - three Chasers who try to score with the Quaffle ball; two Beaters who try to control the Bludgers (sounds a little like 'bludgeon'. You'll soon find out why); the Seeker in search of the Golden Snitch; and the Goalkeeper, who umm keeps goal and is your last line of defence. Think football, but airborne, and you're close to the spirit of Quidditch.
EA has managed to cram a lot into such a small cartridge. Each team - from England, France, Australia, Japan and beyond - has a unique uniform, their own style of Quidditch stadia, and different levels of skills and strengths. The World Cup mode is the main part of the experience: choose a team and enter the competition in the hope of making it all the way through to the final. Only your skills, strategy and getting lucky and finding the Golden Snitch can help you through.
So, we repeat: Think football, but airborne, and you're close to the spirit of Quidditch. Think Game Boy Advance, and you get the best version of Quidditch World Cup, no contest.