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Time is filled with plenty of “what if” scenarios, and the history of video games is no exception. For example, the Sony PlayStation was originally intended as a CD add-on for Super Nintendo. The entire gaming industry would have been a very different place had that happened! A more recently uncovered example is the fact that Nintendo apparently once made an attempt at getting the rights to the Harry Potter franchise!
According to website Unseen64, Nintendo put in a bid for the adaptation rights to Harry Potter back in 1998, shortly after the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Interestingly enough, this wasn’t just for the purpose of video games. Had the bid been approved, Nintendo would have gotten the Harry Potter film and television rights, as well. Nintendo Software Technologies was put in charge of handling the pitch, and development on Ridge Racer 64 was put on hold for that specific reason.
As part of the pitch, NST proposed both a third-person adventure game based on the books, and a game focused on Quidditch. Artist Adi Granov, best known for his art on Marvel’s Iron Man comics and films, was apparently part of the team doing character designs for the Quidditch title. According to Unseen64’s source, the graphic style became a point of contention between members of NST. Some group members wanted to pursue a style similar to Thomas Taylor’s cover art for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, while some higher-ups wanted more of a Japanese influence.
Ultimately, J. K. Rowling opted to grant the rights to Warner Bros., presumably based on the fact that it had greater experience in television and film. Potter fans can’t complain as they received, arguably, eight strong films as a result. Unfortunately, Harry Potter games have varied in quality over the years, and we’ve yet to see anything truly stellar done with the license, which we very likely would have seen with Nintendo at the helm! It’s fascinating to think how different things might be today!
For more information on the project, click on our source below! And don’t forget to let us know what you think of this news in the comments!
Source: Unseen64
