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Nintendo of America attempted to win the rights to make Harry Potter video games way back in 1998, just as JK Rowling’s literary phenomenon was taking off.
Reports from Unseen64 claim that Nintendo Software Technology, an internal team within the platform holder’s American branch, developed the pitch in the hopes of securing the rights to produce all adaptations for the book series. The deal would have potentially prevented the creation of the blockbuster Warner Bros movies.
The pitch even caused Nintendo management to cease work on three other titles – Ridge Racer 64, Bionic Commando and Crystalis – according to one former artists of the studio. NST began working on two pitches: one for a third-person adventure, and another for a Quidditch game.
The artist adds that Nintendo even pushed for the game to be designed with a more Manga-like or Japanese visual style, despite quotes from JK Rowling about keeping any adaptations strictly British.
The pitch was eventually turned down in favour of media companies that could offer adaptations in more sectors, such as TV and film, rather than just gaming.
Cue Daniel Radcliffe et al…
