Introduction:

Wario World, Wario's first try into 3-D Console gaming. I have never been a big fan of Wario, since he is just on the handheld systems, and I don't play them that often. But when I heard this was going to be a 3-D platform game, I had some hopes. I was hoping that it would be a variation on the 3-D Super Mario Games. Well, this game might be a slight variation, but it is a truly a great start for Wario in this world we call 3-D.

Story:

 There was once an evil gem that was hidden away many years ago. Hidden for obvious reasons, it's EVIL! Well, a greedy treasure hunter (I wonder who that is) found the gem and brought it back to his castle. But the gem is evil, so it has stolen ALL of Wario's treasure, and unleashed some bad guys. It is now up to Wario to get his treasure back.

Gameplay:

The gameplay in this game is very new and old. You will start out in a main area, this is just like in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. Well, from there you will enter a mini-world, where you will fight enemies and solve some puzzles. The second you enter the 1st mini-world you will notice something that is very different than Super Mario 64 and Sunshine, you are going across the screen. It's like a 3-D sidescroller. So you start in your journey and encounter enemies, you would expect Wario to have more of a fighting style, then a jump on the enemy style, such as Mario has. And Wario does, he can jump, but you will mainly punch your enemies. You will learn some other moves as you go along, but they originate from the good old punch. Such as when you punch and enemy and knock it out, you can pick it up and give them a pile driver or swing them around. In each mini-world you will have to find these red gems. You will find them by entering trap doors, you will do a ground pound on top of them to enter, Once you enter you will be in a little area. There you will have to solve little puzzles and do some jumping. I found this part of the game very fun, you have to think a little as well as be very quick and steady with the controller. There is another little area style beside this one, one that does not involve thinking. It reminds me of those areas on Super Mario Sunshine where you would have to go across a crazy space of moving blocks. This little area is fun as well. In fact the best part of the entire game are these little areas. Well, after you beat a couple of mini-worlds you will battle a monster. This game is basically what I have said so far. But it does progress and give some very interesting action style. There are many different areas. I have to mention that there is basically no camera adjusting in this game, there will be some points in the game where it will let you slightly move the camera, but not smooth like in Sunshine. This game was kind of fun, it gave for some fun action and a little thinking. It was good enough to keep me entertained until the very end. This game links up with the Gameboy Advance. I don't have the Matching Wario Gameboy Advance game to test this out, but there appears to be a lot to unlock for your Gameboy Advance game. This Wario World seems to be a very good start to Wario as a 3-D platform game, I think a couple more modifications and the sequel (if it gets one) will be VERY good indeed. But that doesn't mean this game isn't good, it is good. I think this is definitely worth a play.

I give the gameplay: 6.5/10

Graphics:

The graphics are very good. Wario looks very good, just how you want him to look. The enemies are very unique and the environment is done well. Such as when your in the 1st mini-world you will see some very good looking trees, the leaves on the trees will stand out.

I give the graphics: 7/10

Sound:

The sound is great. Wario's voice is perfect, it couldn't get better. The Sound FX are very good, the great sounds you would expect Nintendo to put in a Wario game. Gotta love Wario's voice.

I give the sound: 8/10

Replayability:

The replayability is ok. I beat this game and I probably would beat it again, in lets say . . . . 5 years. Once you beat it, it isn't a game you would want to play every day. But 3-D platform games are like that, fun while you play but not much replayability for a few years.

I give the replayability: 6/10

Challenge:

The Challenge is good. I was actually surprised by how hard this game can get. After the first mini-world you are expecting a fairly easy game, but after a few more mini-worlds the game can get a little hard.

I give the challenge: 6.5/10

Value:

The value is ok I guess. I would suggest renting this game, you could probably beat this game in 7 days, if it is a 7 day rental at your local video store. But, If I saw it for $20 I would definitely buy it. It just didn't blow me away enough to pay out $60 or even $40.

Overall:

Overall this game is kind of fun. The graphics and sound are very good. The challenge of the game just might surprise you. The gameplay is very good. Just what I wanted to see for the 1st 3-D Wario game. The game is basically a 3-D sidescroller. It has a little bit of a puzzle element, but mainly a fun action style. I would definitely suggest renting this game, it does give for a fun play.

I give Wario World: 6.5/10

Conclusion:

This game is a great start for Wario in the 3-D gaming world. It is just what a wanted to see. A fun action style. I didn't expect the little areas which some had a thinking style, that was a great surprise. I would like to see a lot more of that if this game gets a sequel, which I think it should, it's on the right track. I think everyone should give this game a play, they might be surprised by how fun this game actually is.

Written By: Joey Anderson

Date Written: June 9th, 2004