We might be enormous Harry Potter fans, but we’re pretty sure magic (almost definitely) isn’t real, which is too bad, because we’ll never know what it’s like to face down a Dark Wizard armed with only our guts and a wand. But thanks to an ingenuous now toy we can still learn how to accurately cast spells and train for Dumbledore’s Army, with JAKKS Pacific’s all new Wizard Training Wands, which evaluate your magic skills in real time.
We came across these new interactive toys at Gizmodo, and we can’t believe no one pitched the idea to Warner Bros. before now, because they really are brilliant. They’ll let you use Harry, Voldemort, or Dumbledore’s (Elder) wand, all equipped with motion sensors like the kind used in smartphones. That allows them to track if you are correctly “casting” the 11 programmed spells with accurate wrist and arm movements. A series of lights and sound will tell you if you got a passing grade. The spells are all Hogwarts school-age appropriate though (since these are designed for kids, even though that won’t stop us from getting them), which means none of the Unforgivable Curses are included.
In addition to training mode you can also try Spell Practice, where you and a friend race to get a spell right, Dumbledore’s Army mode, described as a magical take on Rock, Paper, Scissors, and the most competitive sounding game, Wizard Tag, where you try to out duel your foe by draining their wand’s “power” by casting spells on them. So basically a playable form of Harry Potter laser tag, a sentence that makes us tear up.
I think a lot of us owe Neville Longbottom an apology for laughing at his poor magic skills during his early Hogwarts years, because I just practiced the hand movements for all of these with my replica Elder Wand, and my arm hurts. It’s not as easy as it looks; you really need to practice to get them right. So sorry Neville.
The three Wizard Training Wands are sold separately, and they will decrease your Gringott’s account by $25. But can you really put a price tag on being ready if the Death Eaters ever return? You know, just in case magic is real.
Which curse are you most excited to learn? Portkey into our comments below and let us know.
SUMMON MOREÂ HARRY POTTERÂ MAGIC!
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- This town hosted a Harry Potter festival.
- Check out these awesome color-changing Harry Potter sorting candles.
Images: JAKKS Pacific
