Background: Mario's arch nemesis and super-bully Wario is back in action and takes his first trip down Game Cube lane in one of the most amusing and incredibly fun games I have had the privilege to play in the last two months. Here's the lowdown: Wario's vast amounts of treasures have been cursed by an evil gem and turned into monsters. Now in order to keep his riches he'll have to pile drive, spin clobber and punch his way through various levels of creature bashing to get the goods back.
Graphics and Game Play: Despite the Nintendo logo on the box, the game was actually programmed by Treasure. They're the development house responsible for legendary games like Gunstar Heroes, Guardian Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, and Ikaruga.
Their programming finesse shines through in Wario Worlds, with amusing puzzles and more moves than a game of this type should have. Wario is an insanely animated character, and Treasure has thrown in a few in-jokes to sweeten the deal. One of which includes Wario being able to suck in his coin collection like Kirby can. Levels are laid out in the now niche "2.5" format. Meaning that while you have full 3D movement, there is a set distance between foreground and background. Otherwise you have the full length of left to right movement throughout the stage. Some may find this a bit limiting, but I am so freaking happy to not have to play ANOTHER 3D action adventure game. In fact, this is how the next Mario game should be done.
Within this linear world you will have many things to contend with., be they creature, puzzle, or item finding. In order to open the boss door, you'll need to collect enough items to put into the doors' lock slots (just like in Treasure's Stretch Panic). Once that task is complete, you either move onto the boss, or stay behind and go for the 100% completion rate and then head into the lair. Boss fights are relatively simple pattern activities, but it's their animation and look that get you smiling. I particularly liked how Wario actually watched bosses climb back up from their fall off a cliff regardless of which way he was facing. You could almost see the smirk on his face…and then some. Level enemies are well drawn and animated, if not just a small bit repetitive. Once you've pile-driven your 1000th creature in the same small area, you want just a little bit more variety. The levels themselves however, are vibrant, full of color and many textures, and the usual insanely high resolution that only the GC can provide.
Music and Sound: Wario is voiced pretty well with what few lines he has, but they do get a tad repetitive. The music though, is so bizarre that it works. A mish mash of strange sounds and musical tones (including Wario's own voice) come together to create some nifty stage tracks. A tad too rambunctious, but it works, and that's all that counts.
Closing: So is Wario World a good game? By game play standards, pretty much; by game length standards…not by a long shot. Most players will be able to whip through this in a day. Two days if you really want to collect all the jewels, as well as the WarioWare GBA demo download. Nintendo fans will jump all over this but Treasure fans and casual game players may just want to rent this one out.
