Play quidditch like Harry

These are the first images of the latest Harry Potter computer game, which is set to become the must-have toy this Christmas.

Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup is the present every fan will want to find under the tree on 25 December. The game, which allows players to get on a broomstick just like Harry, is launched on 7 November - in anticipation of the Christmas shopping bonanza.

It is the third official Harry Potter computer game but the first with the emphasis on head-to-head competition.

It is set to face intense rivalry from the Lord Of The Rings game, Return Of The King, which is released on the same day, and two other popular games, Fifa 2004 and the new Medal of Honour, which are out a week before.

A spokesman for HMV said: "There is going to be serious competition. But Harry Potter is likely to come out on top because it has a broader appeal. This could be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, of the Christmas titles."

The first two Potter games - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets allowed players to learn spells and tackle the villains created by JK Rowling.

Both topped best-seller charts around the world on their release.

Quidditch World Cup, which was created by Surrey-based EA Games with Rowling's help, is expected to be as successful. A spokeswoman said: "Graphically, this looks great. It will appeal to Harry Potter fans of all ages."

The new images show Harry as he prepares to take on his enemy Draco Malfoy at Quidditch, which is a cross between football and basketball, played in teams of seven, on broomsticks.

Players can choose any one of the four Hogwarts house teams, including Harry's Gryffindor, to triumph in the Hogwarts Cup and win a chance to attend the Quidditch World Cup.