Harry Potter LEGO Hogwarts Board Game 3862 Review - Christmas 2010 Top Games

The LEGO Harry Potter 3862 Hogwarts Board Game was released in July, 2010. It is a board game coupled with the usual LEGO construction bricks toy. This is not a very big board game as it measures only about 11.3 x 2.6 x 10.7 inches. It features 332 pieces and 9 microfigs. Microfigs, if you are not familiar with them, are figures that are smaller than the regular LEGO minifigs.

So this being a licensed game from the movies, is this LEGO set hogwash? Far from it. The good news here is that this game is actually very good and fun to play! This board game is great as Christmas family fun activity, as it is a great way to spend quality time with the children or grand children.

With Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson reprising their roles in "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1", which was released on Nov 19, 2010, in time for Christmas 2010, you will never hear the end of Harry Potter from the children, so you might as well give in and have this on your list of things to buy this Christmas. ;)

This game is not to be confused with LEGO 4842: Hogwart's Castle which, while it is one of the best Harry Potter set ever and fun, is a bigger and more expensive LEGO constructor set.

The great fun in this game is once the children understand some of the basic rules, they are allowed to change them and come up with their own.

The game is a shifting tile puzzle game where you get to move the staircases of Hogwarts castle around the board. It usually lasts about 20 - 40 mins; and can be played with 2-4 players, though it only requires 1 player to build the board.

The main objective of the game is to get each player's students to all the 4 classrooms in the middle of the board, to collect the homework items needed for their homework and then get back to their own House's common room or dorm first. Whoever gets all required color-coded items and return to their House first is the winner of the game.

The game has 16 movable tiles - 12 of which are movable stairs, and the other 4 are classrooms which includes the tower in the center.

The challenge here is that as you move around the board, stairs can shift and rooms can rotate, and have you against a wall. That's because during the game, players take turn shifting staircases, and relocating classrooms to make it difficult for their opponents to win the game.

If it seemed to you that LEGO rules are not clear on certain things, it is because this is a game where you make your own rules. :)

The only clear rule in this game is you make your own rules, so if your 5 year old insists that the game should be played in a certain way, make sure you encourage him to do so. After all, that is HIS game and you are there just to share his fun. You may have bought it for him but it is HIS game now, always remember that! ;)

Making your own rules rather than following the rule book makes this game a great learning tool for young children as they learn strategies, solves problem, and competes, as well as have fun playing the game. All these encourages social interaction which is better than sitting alone surfing in front of the computer. In fact, you - yes, YOU! - should get away from your computer more often and join your children in the game. ;)

Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff House microfigures are the default playable figures in this board game. Another 5 are bonus microfigs - Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy and Albus Dumbledore. It is up to you how you want to integrate them into the game.

If you read the book, or watched the movie, then you know that these bonus microfigs are the series' most well-known characters. Hmm, Harry Potter being sidelined in his own game? Something is not quite right here. Is this poor planning on LEGO's part or are we supposed to help LEGO make up roles for them?

Ah, I remember now! This is a game where we are supposed to make the rules and create new ways of playing! :)

For a licensed game, this game is very affordable for a LEGO set at only $29.99, and the great deal here is that it has LEGO as well Harry Potter - 2 themes which can easily get your child's attention as both LEGO and Harry Potter are about the most coolest thing in the world for a kid.

The LEGO Hogwarts 3862 board game comes in a box that is big enough to store the game board without dismantling the board except for that big center piece and the 4 flags.

Harry Potter is your children's hero as they are growing up before your eyes. If you can't figure out what Christmas or birthday gift to buy for a child - you can't go wrong with Harry Potter. And you also can't go wrong with LEGO. Which is why this is a great gift for children as it combines the best of LEGO and Harry Potter.

This is one of the best board games around, get it! :)

For another LEGO board game, also check out the awesome LEGO Minotaurus 3841 Board Game.