The Harry Potter series casts magic in bookstores and cineplexes, sending fans into frenzies on opening-day releases. So don't be surprised to see the local game retailer filled with bespectacled kids wearing pointy hats with stars and moons all over them. Electronic Arts today announced that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is now in stores.

　　The game was developed by EAUK for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, DS, Game Boy Advance, and PC. A PSP version is currently being brewed and will be "coming soon."

　　Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is based on the book and movie of the same name, and for the first time, the video game adaptation abandons the cartoonish characters of previous Harry Potter games to instead include the likenesses of the film actors. Harry is selected to join the Triwizard Tournament and encounters all sorts of obstacles featured in the film, including a fire-breathing dragon and a duel with the evil Lord Voldemort.

　　The junior wizard's friends aren't left out of the action, and for the first time in the series, gamers' friends won't be either. Cooperative play for up to three players lets buddies play as Harry, Ron, and Hermione simultaneously.

　　Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older, and it sells for $39.99 on the Xbox, PS2, and GameCube, $34.99 on the DS, and $29.99 on the PC and GBA. For more info, check out GameSpot's recent hands-on with the game, or come back later this week for a full review.