Who'd have thought that a bizarre mix of super short mini games stuffed with Far Eastern humour would have done well in the UK and the States?
But this series has defied all expectations. Since the release of WarioWare Inc on the GBA and Gamecube it has gone on to shift thousands of consoles around the wold. So much for Resi Evil 4 huh?
So what that they're short and a bit mad? Nintendo coupled puzzling action and the need for lightning fast reflexes and came up with a pot of gold.
It’s no surprise to see Wario Ware on the Wii. But does it use the Wii Remote as well as its elder cousin used the DS' stylus control method?
They say:
Eurogamer: “There's no question that Smooth Moves is a wonderful addition to the Wii at a time of the year when hardly anything else is being released, but we can't deny that we were expecting much more from Nintendo.”
1UP: “The game may be a bit on the short side, taking most gamers around three hours to rip through initially, but it’s packed with a ton of entertaining challenges and crisp, clean, animated shorts.”
Gamespot: “With the Wii just getting established, a game that shows off the range of motions you can accomplish with the Wii Remote is a perfect companion.”
We say:
Our big concern with Smooth Moves is the introduction of the Wii Remote to proceedings. Luckily for us, like the jump to Stylus control, the same glorious gameplay arrives pretty much intact.
Before each mini game you’re instructed to hold the Remote in a particular manner. You'll be doing everything from holding it as if it was a pen through to clasping both hands tight round it as if you were about to start your stint as a professional tug of war, erm, tugger.
There’s no shortage of stuff to get stuck into either. You’re looking at a cool two hundred – yes, count them – two hundred games and loads of characters to inhabit. Select one and you’ll be pushed onto short comedy scenes starring each of them and then on to the games proper.
To say the action is fast paced is an understatement. You’re looking at one swift movement or action to complete each game before you’re propelled to the next – five seconds per game tops. The variety of tasks takes some getting used to, from picking your nose to bouncing a tennis ball and even dropping the Remote within the allotted time.
While you’ll be confused at first, the upside of so many games is there’s little danger of getting bored any time soon. That’s not to say all’s rosy in the garden though. Whoever designed the step by step guides to each game must have had the odd off day as some of them are decidedly ropey.
Expect to lose a fair few lives early on as you scratch your head wondering how to get the damn thing to do what you want it to. That’s if you know what you’re trying to achieve in the first place.
Even with that, the joy of this game is in multiplayer mode and you can have up to twelve separate players on one remote. Seeing your aging Nan squeal as she picks someone’s nose surely has to be one of gaming highest points.
The graphics are pretty swish too boasting sharp clear lines, colourful backdrops and variety of visual styles. No, it’s not quite up there with Zelda, but the message hits home no problem.
When all’s said and done, this latest incarnation of WarioWare doesn’t drop the ball. Though the game isn’t quite as suited to the big screen in your living room as it is to the handheld format, getting the whole family involved brings some of the greatest multiplayer fun since Wii Sports.
Like this? Try these:
Wii Sports – Wii
WarioWare Touched! – DS
WarioWare Inc - GBA
FORMAT REVIEWED
Wii
OTHER FORMATS
None
POSTED...
Thu 18 Jan 2007 at 6:42pm
