WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Written by Jason Young  on January 26, 2007

Review: DudeЕdid I just stick my Wiimote up that guy's nose??

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Famous for its wacky slapstick humor, quick Уmicrogames,Ф and innovative controls, WarioWare has become a staple for Nintendo fans. What other game can you pick up, play for half an hour, and be left totally satisfied? Originating on the Gameboy Advance in 2003, the series has spanned four different Nintendo consoles. This time around, WarioWare is on the Nintendo Wii and it plays absolutely flawlessly. Featuring more than 200 microgames, WarioWare: Smooth Moves will have players jumping, punching, and dancing all night long.

The game's story is relatively simple. Told in a series of episodic adventures, each of the characters has their own unique story that unfolds as the player progresses through each of their levels. Ranging from trivial events such as Wario stealing the form baton (the СWii-mote') to a UFO crashing into Diamond City bringing the balance stone (the Сnunchuck'), the stories don't serve as anything more than pure entertainment.

Where the game shines is its gameplay. As stated above the game features more than 200 different microgames. Each of these presents the player with different ways of using the Wii-mote. Levels typically consist of 15-20 microgames apiece, with introductory panels displayed prior to each event in order to show the player how they'll be using the Wii-mote in the upcoming game.

From your basic remote control position to holding the Wii-mote on top of your nose like an elephant, WarioWare is guaranteed to show people just how cool the Wii really is. While single player mode is relatively short and can be completed in a few hours, the multiplayer mode is the real meat of the game. Supporting up to twelve players with a single Wii-mote and nunchuck is a bonus to those who haven't been able to find any additional controllers. With three-second games there's plenty of action to go around and keep you on your feet.

The microgames are varied in their presentation as typical activities range from hula hooping all the way to completing a short Star Fox 64 level and defeating the boss. Unlocking all of these microgames is no easy chore, as it will more than likely require more than one playthrough. While not all of the games are fun, there are generally more hits than misses.

Graphically, the game is a mixed package. From simplistic crayon drawings to the Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker, the game has a little bit of everything for everyone. The game's animated cut-scenes are visually appealing and look absolutely gorgeous on a 480p TV. While the game is not groundbreaking, it's crystal clear and is one of the more impressive Wii titles in terms of presentation aside from Twilight Princess. The audio is done just as well and varies from jazzy tunes to disco-dancing fever. The game's soundtrack is plain awesome. Although there is a short bit of voice acting in the game, they're done relatively well with your typical Nintendo voice actors providing the bulk of the work.