WarioWare Inc.: Mega Micro Game$ is a fast-paced, crazy game that asks players to play out each minigame with spur-of-the-moment reflexes. I like to think of the basic design as if someone took Mario Party, removed the board game aspect, took whatever was left and introduced it to crack cocaine. A zany experimental game that surprisingly works, WarioWare was Nintendo’s way to reinvent Mario’s rival.
Almost every character in the game is new, and each hosts a different kind of minigame collection. 9-Volt, a hardcore Nintendo fanboy, pays homage to old NES titles with minigames based on Mario, Metroid, and Punch-Out. Afro-sporting Jimmy challenges players to various sports games, including curling, hammer toss, and swimming. Each game increases speed three times per round with each character in the main story mode and includes a time limit-free ‘boss’ minigame. There are nine main story levels in total, with various side levels that offer greater challenge by restraining the player to a single life or playing through each boss fight in sequence.
The characters in the game help Wario in his dream to create his own video game company. The story is told through the various cutscenes played before and after each level. As each character has a different theme for their minigames, the levels tend to follow a similar pattern. Kat and Ana’s dojo parodies old Japanese action movies and anime. Orbulon’s story focuses on his rescue by alien rabbit-people, and is set onboard a spaceship. Each segment of the game is quirky, creative, and a little random. The game isn’t meant to be taken seriously, but I still commend it for being one of the most creative titles released for the GBA.
Going back and playing through each level a second time can unlock games that are free of time constraints. Pyoro puts players in control of a bird, catching bugs with their tongue to gain points. There is even a mock-up of Dr. Mario titled Dr. Wario. Cutscenes are also viewable after completing each level – not the most exciting inclusion, but good for a few laughs.
Wario Ware Inc.: Mega Microgame$ has spawned various sequels across each of Nintendo’s recent systems since its initial release on the GBA. While the Gamecube Wario Ware was simply a multiplayer port of the original, Wario Ware: Touched and Wario Ware: Smooth Moves offered some intriguing gameplay concepts for their respective systems. Still, the original was arguably the best of the series. Its cartoon art style, catchy soundtrack, and colorful host of characters rounded out the incredibly addictive handheld title, and gave Wario a successful game of his own.
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