Nintendo wanted to acquire the Harry Potter license to exclusively develop video games based closely on the novels, however, J.K. Rowling, the series' author, declined their pitch. Back when the Harry Potter licence was being auctioned, Nintendo wanted to acquire it, and had their studio Nintendo Software Technology create the concept. However, Nintendo only wanted to produce games, where as the auction also entailed the film adaptation rights.

Nintendo's idea was to create a third person adventure and a quidditch title, with Software Technology split into two teams to develop them. Titles being developed by the studio at the time (Bionic Commando: Elite Forces, Crystalis and Ridge Racer 64) were halted to work on the pitch. Adi Granov, who'd later become a Marvel comic book artist, created concept artwork for the quidditch title. The games would've been released for the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, and future Nintendo consoles.

The art style was similar to the artwork for the Harry Potter novels, but featured a manga/Japanese feel. The license ultimately went to Warner Bros. who would contract EA to develop the games.