Many kids (and adults) have spent an hour or two daydreaming about the idea of going to a magic school. Something is fascinating about the idea of stepping into another world, learning spell casting and potion making, and going into battle against magical creatures and deadly enemies.
If players are looking to attend an academy overflowing with spells, wands, and mystery, then there are alternatives to Hogwarts. Whether players are looking for a cozy indie game with beautiful pixel art or want to step into the role of managing a magic university, here are some alternatives to Harry Potter games that they should check out.
Magic schools qualify, too, so a game doesn't need to label its academy as "wizarding" to be considered.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
The Sims 4: Realm of Magic
Welcome To Glimmerbrook!
The Sims has a rich history of magical beings: from werewolves to mermaids to ghosts, fantastical elements are a popular choice with Simmers. The Sims 4: Realm of Magic is a Game Pack, so it isn't part of the vanilla content, nor is it a full-blown expansion pack. Still, it has more content than a Stuff Pack, which usually consists of CAS and Build/Buy Items.
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The Sims 4: Realm of Magic introduces the neighborhood of Glimmerbrook. Sims can read classic teachings and be tutored by experts, allowing them to become a Spellcaster. This can have a significant impact on the game, as Sims can get up to all sorts of mischief using their new skills (making Sims fall in love, turning other Sims into objects, or even causing random fights between neighbors). They can even learn to summon their own familiar, which protects them from harm. It's a fun change from regular career progression/family/buying a bigger house cycle of Sims gameplay!
Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Head To The College Of Winterhold And Study In The Magical Arts
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Skyrim is the kind of game players can get lost in forever, but if they want a magical school experience, they need to head to Winterhold. Located in the north, it's an (unsurprisingly) cold and snowy city with the famous College of Winterhold. Players must pass a test to join the College by demonstrating a spell.
Once players are in, they can learn spells from the Hall of Countenance. Teachers have their own particular interests, so players can pick and choose the kind of spells they want to learn (with more spells becoming available as the player reaches higher levels). Reaching Winterhold is a journey worth undertaking.
Mana Khemia (Both Games)
Enrol At An Alchemy School
Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis
- Released
- April 1, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Gust
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
An offshoot of Atelier, Mana Khemia and its sequel are two cult classics from the PS2 era, and they are definitely worth checking out if you are mostly familiar with the mainline series. These games revolve specifically around alchemy, a unique discipline that is relatively different than most other video game wizarding schools. The concept almost toes the line between magic and science, but crafting alchemy potions isn't that different than creating and using spells.
Mana Khemia is devoted to its school life, and players get to attend class, take exams, and complete assignments. Although not completely devoid of larger stakes, these games lean into slice-of-life elements as well, just like the Atelier games.
Academagia: The Making Of Mages
Live (and Read) Your Magical Dream Life
- Developer(s)
- Black Chicken Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation, Indie Games, Adventure, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC
Academagia: The Making of Mages is an RPG set in the Academy of Magic. As new students, players will have the opportunity to learn new skills and get to know the other characters (there are over 80 students to interact with!). They will attend classes, enter competitions, and encounter random events. It's the kind of game where the player's choices can have a tangible impact on the outcome of the story, and it's packed with content: there are over 100 adventures to play.
Academagia is a great example of excellent world-building. There's rich lore to uncover here, which makes exploring the Academy of Magic an exciting prospect. The UI is delightfully retro but will involve a bit of note-taking (and a lot of reading). If players love choose-your-own-adventure stories and visual novels, chances are they'll enjoy getting lost in this world for a while.
For all its positives, there are a couple of things that make Academagia a hard sell. Firstly, the game is very text-heavy and takes a long time to get going, with a pretty steep learning curve. Secondly, the campaign currently only covers the first year, with the second (and third/fourth/fifth) yet to debut.
Little Witch Academia: Chamber Of Time
Harry Potter Isn't The Only Famous Magic School Franchise With Video Games
Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time (based on the anime franchise by Yoh Yoshinari) features the Luna Nova Magic Academy, a prestigious school for witches. In the anime, students learn various magical skills, including astrology, numerology, alchemy, and broomstick flying.
Chamber of Time is a side-scrolling action game with RPG elements. Players can discover hidden secrets at the Academy, while battling their way through a series of dungeons, finding treasure, and getting stronger along the way. It's pretty wholesome, and it's a nice setting for fans of the anime to explore.
Chamber of Time isn't a great game by any stretch of the imagination, and you arguably need to be a fan of Little Witch Academia to get anything out of it.
Ikenfell
A Cute Turn-Based RPG All About Magic Students
- Developer(s)
- Happy Ray Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Indie
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS
Ikenfell is an adorable game about a group of students learning magic. Players will join a magic school, and the possibilities are endless for exploration: there are hundreds of artifacts and secrets to discover. It's a turn-based tactical RPG with some interesting timing mechanics, and each spell has its own timing to learn. It involves a lot of practice, but it's super satisfying to defeat enemies with expertly-timed spells.
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It has a retro pixel-art style, an excellent soundtrack, and some interesting characters to get to know. If players enjoyed games like the Earthbound/Mother series and Undertale, they'd probably enjoy this one. And a bonus fact: Ikenfell has many LGBTQ+ characters that are depicted with sensitivity.
Spellcaster University
Run Your Very Own Magic School
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
Spellcaster University is an interesting entry, as it allows players not to join a magic school but to run one instead. As the director, it's the player's job to manage a budget, find the best teachers, and set the tone for the university. Players can train druids and shamans if they want a peaceful life, or they can go into demonology and necromancy to train students in black magic.
Players will use magic decks to create their school. The decks available will depend on the direction players take (for example, the Nature deck will give players access to magical creatures, while the Deck of Light will unlock useful healing cards). Managing a magic university is a fun task, and Spellcaster University will appeal to Two Point players.
Two Point Campus – Spiffinmoore
Yeah, Of Course, Two Point Campus Also Has A Magic School
- Developer(s)
- Two Point Studios
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Speaking of Two Point, the franchise's school-based entry unsurprisingly lets players take charge of a magic school, as long as they earn it. Spiffinmoore is the fifth campus unlocked in Two Point Campus, and it is straight-up a wizard school. You will need to earn a one-star rating in the first four campuses to unlock Spiffinmoore, and this school is arguably one of the hardest. As always, players need to improve the campus's level while earning cash and keeping students happy, which is easier said than done.
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Spiffinmoore is very clearly inspired by Harry Potter, with a British design that screams Hogwarts. While this level is a relatively small part of the overall package, Two Point Campus is such an all-around great game that it can be recommended to just about anybody.
Final Fantasy 8
Balamb Garden Isn't Hogwarts, But It Teaches Magic
Okay, it's not technically just a wizarding school, but Balamb Garden deserves a spot here. Technically a training academy for wannabe SeeDs, students learn the art of combat and magic, including how to summon GFs (Guardian Forces). It's a very cool place to hang out, if occasionally quite dangerous.
Balamb Garden is a fun place to explore, sharpen magic skills, and engage others in the occasional card game. Later in the game, players discover much more to Balamb Garden than meets the eye. Although FFVIII is 24 years old, it holds up, and it's well worth playing.
Special mention to Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which is also set in a military school that could pass for a magic academy.
Upcoming Game: Witchbrook
You Will (Hopefully) Soon Get To Enroll In A New Magic Academy
- Developer(s)
- Chucklefish, Robotality
- Genre(s)
- Life Simulation, Farming, Casual
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
The much-anticipated indie RPG Witchbrook has been in the works for quite a long time, but a release seems to be on the horizon and might finally happen in 2026. Many players are excited about it, though, and for a good reason! Witchbrook is the ideal game for Stardew Valley and Starbound fans: it will have gorgeous pixel art, a sweet storyline, and interesting characters to get to know.
In Witchbrook, players will move to Witchbrook College in the seaside town of Mossport. Players can learn spells, brew potions, fly on a broomstick, forage for ingredients, and generally learn how to practice the magical arts. They can also make friends with the locals and settle into Mossport. It looks like a cozy, magical experience, and it's worth keeping an eye out for it this year.
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Even though Harry Potter games tend to be extremely hit-or-miss, a few releases capture the magic of the books, movies, and the overall universe.