Nintendo has always been known for their off-beat games and need to reinvent themselves in new ways, and have put out many experimental titles. While some of these were doomed to fade away to obscurity like the GameCube title Geist, others managed to become major series in their own right. WarioWare Inc was a game that took Mario’s rival out of the platforming genre and into the world of minigame compilations, which was a transition that confused many at first. The idea of minigames that only lasted a few seconds seemed odd, but there was no need to worry since the Nintendo magic was there and made the experience amazing.
WarioWare’s microgames as they were called, were small but high-quality experiences that gave you an urge to keep playing, especially when you messed up. The games were set up in the perfect way, getting you used to the style of play, increasing the challenge as you went on, and then throwing in new ideas to change things up. Some of these games are simple enough like making sure Wario lands ( pun intended) in the right spot, but some really throw you. There are games that are throwbacks to earlier Nintendo games and classics, sci-fi games, sports games, and more. Some games are IQ tests that give you more time, while others are just bizarre. This mix of games provided a little of everything and were doled out perfectly.
In some ways, Nintendo was ahead of the curve with WarioWare. They predated the retro throwback bandwagon with their throwback microgames, for instance. In addition, playing these games again reminded me of the modern indie game scene, especially party and multiplayer games. It’s easy to see how WarioWare inspired so much of the modern scene and created a legacy. Many games since WarioWare have taken influence from the title, such as Shutshimi, and while some have put their own spin on the genre, none have managed to match the original. While the later games have not been on the level of the first WarioWare titles, the fact remains that the series is one of the most unique Nintendo has to offer and a true masterpiece of game design.
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