|
|
Game Information
|
Preview
|
Review |
Screenshots
|
Forum |
»WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$
"More random than a second quest dungeon entrance."
Wario is greedy. Always has been, always will be. But even he isn’t
oblivious to the times; after several quests to get rich the old
fashioned way (collecting coins and treasures while being transfigured
by enemies), Wario has found a new way to make money: game design.
After seeing a fictional (well, kind of, you’ll see what I mean) GBA
game called Pyoro making big bucks, Wario decides to make his own video
game. And it’s… indescribable. I am not exaggerating when I call this
series the most bizarre that Nintendo has ever produced.
WarioWare is a collection of two hundred plus microgames. Microgames
are ultra fast gameplay snippets lasting about five seconds each. In
the normal gameplay mode, you are presented with one microgame after
another, fired at you with just second in between. You have a set
number of “misses” you are allowed, and if you use up all of them, the
game ends. There are also “boss” games, although not all of them
actually feature combat, that last longer then the normal microgames
and restore a hitpoint if you successfully complete them. The
microgames you get as you play are random, although they are divided
into different themes, with each theme/stage having a different set of
microgames that can appear as well as its unique boss. Most of the
themes are cosmetic, such as space, reality, and even classic Nintendo,
but they all have their own games.
When you first play the game, you go into story mode. Story mode has
you progressing through each set of microgames, all of which have a
specific character trying to do a task or deal with a problem, and you
help them by completing microgames. After reaching and completing a
boss game, that character’s stage is cleared. There are nine different
stages as well as some compilation ones, but they can be easily beaten
in a few minutes. Going through story mode is fun, but over extremely
fast. Thankfully, story mode isn’t the meat of the game. The game is
really a high score game, where you try to complete as many microgames
in a row as you can. Trying to top your high scores is very addicting,
and the gameplay is solid. Although the core gameplay of the microgames
is similar in many, the fast pace makes graphical alterations and small
gameplay changes affect the gameplay experience.
The graphics in WarioWare are what makes it so bizarre. Cutting roast
beef, counting octopus aliens, and beating Mario in rock paper scissors
are just a few of the bizarre scenarios for the microgames. The
graphics are very good for GBA, covering a wide range of styles
(several old NES games have their graphical style recreated completely
for their microgames) and themes. The graphics are amusing in their
surreal themes, and some have impressive 3D effects. The music is
catchy and also has unique touches, such as voice samples to signify
success or failure in certain microgames. Like the graphics, you can
find snippets of classic Nintendo themes in the music at points.
WarioWare is very strong in replay value. You can replay any set of
microgames whenever you want once you finish the story mode, and there
are remixes (hard, easy, fast, boss only) of them that are unlockable.
In addition to playing for high scores, which is the meat of the
replay, you can play individual microgames over and over to reach a set
goal. This isn’t nearly as fun as the normal random microgames, but it
adds length to mastering the game and unlocks several secrets. The
secret games are a much more enjoyable side to the microgames. You can
unlock complete versions of retro Nintendo games modified to have Wario
in them (not Mario or Zelda or anything, but high score based
games/mini-games), as well as extended versions of some of the
microgames.
WarioWare is a truly unique series, and the original is still my
favorite. You can’t really get a feel for what WarioWare is like until
you play it, but once you do you’ll be hooked. The game absolutely
excels at replay value, and will keep you playing for a long time.
There’s always something new to do, and even without the special
control styles of its sequels, the original WarioWare is just as
intriguing and special. A game perfectly suited for portable play
sessions, anyone who doesn’t already own it should buy WarioWare and
let the addiction set in.
Article by: KI Simpson
Posted on: Oct. 7th, 2006 |
|
|
|
Review Recap |
| Gameplay |
| So simple, but so compelling. You won’t want to stop, and there’s always something new to do.
|
 |
|
|
Graphics |
| Probably the most varied of any GBA game, and some of them push the system to its limits. |
|
|
|
Sound |
| Catchy and varied to suit the themes, won’t leave as big an impression as the graphics, but still more the adequate.
|
 |
|
|
Replay Value |
| The replay in this game is gargantuan, there is so much to do and always a way to do better. |
 |
|
|
Comments |
|
November 21, 2006 |
metriodslayer |
|
im thinking of getting the game. i hope you guys are right.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
