The relationship between Wario and microgames has been consolidated for some time. Analyzing the publishing history of Nintendo's chubby mascot, it is precisely the approach to the genre that has decreed its true success among the general public, while with platform games ours has achieved indisputable successes, but also some half-steps.
From that WarioWare Inc: Minigame Mania, released in 2003 on the Game Boy Advance, has certainly passed a lot of water under the bridge, but the ingredients that made the brand successful have remained substantially unchanged. Bizarre characters, frenetic pace, a fascinating and sometimes inexplicable predisposition to kitsch.
If Mario is the immaculate hero, perpetually determined and even endowed with his own elegance, Wario is characterized by his greed, his rudeness and his carelessness. If Mario Party is a rigorous and timely reinterpretation of the duck game, WarioWare is pure anarchy, indiscriminate chaos, fun (almost) without rules.
On Switch the saga has already been seen in operation in 2021, with Get it!, a chapter that, despite once again changing the cards on the table, managed to close the gap, in creative terms, suffered with the WiiU and 3DS generations.
WarioWare: Move!, in this sense, is yet another confirmation of the genius of the Intelligent Systems developers, once more comfortable when it comes to transforming the Joy-Cons into the brushes with which they outlined the contours of the party game of the year, a title that You'll love it. You will undoubtedly get more out of it during the Christmas holidays, when your house will be filled with friends and family. In our review we tell you why, if you loved the past chapters of the saga, you will also be delighted with the new arrival.
a matter of style
For those who have never played a title in the series, WarioWare: Move It! is nothing more than one minigame collection Usable both alone and in the company of three other friends. Although, if you think about it, it would be more correct to talk about "microgames", since each of these takes place in a matter of seconds and most of the time requires a single movement to be completed successfully.
As in the past, this time too there is a kind of plot to justify the progressive and frenetic administration of these tests, a useful path both to embellish the production on the content front - with intermediate scenes capable of provoking laughter from time to time - and to present the different positions that must be taken with joy . With, necessary to pass the different games.
The premises, evidently, border on madness and see the good Wario winning a trip to a tropical island, in a resort equipped with all the necessary amenities. And what would a trip be without good company? Along with him, in fact, all the other faces known to saga experts participate in the party: from Mona to 9-Volt, passing through Orbulon and, obviously, Jimmy T.
Each of them is linked to a different (mini)plot that acts as an introductory hair to the tests that make up the level packs, each linked to very specific poses that must be assumed with the Joy-Cons now securely attached to the hands, not now. None of these stories really managed to stand out for the brilliance of the writing, let's be clear, but between effective jokes and sketches worthy of any Looney Tunes-style cartoon, they at least manage to introduce the atmosphere of total hilarity which can be felt in the real minigames.
In short, it matters little if the Joy-Con are treated here as stones endowed with supernatural powers; if Wario becomes entangled with a local deity who rules his people with the power of his voice; if his companions will face local beasts and will be forced against his will to participate in motorboat races. What is truly effective is the absolute e Total coherence of the strange and surreal context. which permeates all aspects of production, plot and graphic style, first and foremost.
The characters that alternate on the screen, each drawn with thick strokes, monochromatic surfaces and animations reduced to a minimum, in the mini-games give way to a multitude of styles and color combinations that find the common denominator in instilling a fun and subtle user displeasure. Almost grotesquely stylized themes, caricatured and almost sinister characters, settings occupied by objects that are sometimes disturbing, sometimes completely out of place, everything is the result of a very careful study with the sole objective of disorienting, disconcerting and even disconcerting.
As in the rest of the chapters of the saga with a strong party game component, also in WarioWare: Move It! The graphics and sound of the minigames are subordinated to the imperative of create hilarity not only in those who play, but also in those who observe the unfortunate person in question making uncomfortable movements, in singular contexts, witnessing a dialogue, alienating and at the same time comic, between the user and everything that is beyond the screen.
In this sense, Intelligent Systems acted showing great experience and knowledge of the facts, also and above all referring to WarioWare: Smooth Moves, one of the most successful episodes of the saga. Newbies will be surprised to see how the high trash quotient of the minigames works like a charm. The most experienced will immediately feel at home, remembering the many games that were enjoyed in the days of Nintendo Wii and DS.
One minigame crazier than the other
WarioWare: Move! It offers the player two main modes. There History It can be tackled alone or by gifting one of the two Joy-Cons to a friend. As already mentioned, following the exploits of the different characters that have landed on the island, you will have to face a series of mini-games divided according to the way in which the Joy-Cons will be held and the pose you will have to adopt. in front of the screen. Each pose receives a specific name, as well as a stylized image that shows it in general terms, very useful references to assume the correct form and thus be able to better face the next test.
From gripping the Joy-Con like weights, to keeping them resting in your palms, to placing them on a flat surface or holding them up to your cheeks, the developers have certainly indulged themselves, despite the long delay. duration. Time fans will inevitably notice the repetition of certain mechanics already seen in the past.
Fleeting and superficial déjà-vu, however, submerged by brilliance of the evidence that will happen at a frenetic pace. In fact, between one and the other you will have to adopt the correct posture, immediately understand what to do, perform the necessary movements within the time limit, being careful in the meantime not to cause an early end of the game by violating some rule in the game. turn minigame.
The challenges proposed by this episode are more than two hundred, including boss battles that represent slightly more complex and long-lasting tests. Although some are less fun than others, the medium level is really remarkable, considering that, in general, all of them are both understandable and disorienting, at least the first time we face them.
Catch a fish by simulating the movement of the rod reel, block a laser beam by holding a shield, fry some ears of corn by literally letting the Joy-Cons fall into the void (properly tied to the wrists with the strap, of course), or solve Simple mathematical operations indicating the correct result with your fingers, thanks to the intelligent use of the IR camera, are some examples that can be given in an attempt to summarize the type of tests that you will have to face playing WarioWare: Move!. We don't want to exaggerate in the descriptions, at the risk of ruining the surprise, but in terms of variety and ability to surprise we are really close to the top of the saga.
It would all be in vain, of course, without a control system up to the situation. Even from this point of view, the game comes out with almost the best marks. Almost, because from time to time, especially when you have to flip the Joy-Cons, the software runs into some uncertainty. Nothing serious, but there are minigames that will cost you more than expected and not due to lack of reflexes.
For the vast majority of minigames, fortunately, you will not have the slightest problem, especially since to perform a pull, jump from one leaf to another or reach the top of a mountain with quick steps, it is enough to imitate the required gesture.
Wanting to complete the museum, which contains all the mini-games present and the poses capable of giving you an extra life when you finish the allowed attempts to complete a series of levels, WarioWare: Move! It is capable of offering at least ten hours of entertainment. It is not a particularly high longevity, but it goes without saying that Nintendo's production is at its best as a hobby to enjoy in downtime and, above all, together with three other friends.
If History can already be approached with a companion, the option Seafood, as its name suggests, expands the number of participants, offering some specifically designed game modes. Galactic Conquest, for example, allows the winner of the last challenge to roll the dice with the goal of reaching the center of the board. 1, 2, 3... Medusa It forces players to run at breakneck speed in the direction of the fearsome mythological creature, taking great care to complete the mini-games along the way and not move a muscle when the gorgon turns towards them.
Not all of these modes are on the same level, but they accomplish the task of providing context for the individual minigames and giving additional incentive to tackle them. You will probably end up playing with your friends and alone in the mode that you appreciate the most, but also in terms of variety it can be said that the work done by the developers is excellent.
Conclusions
Tested version Nintendo Switch digital delivery Nintendo eShop Price 49.99 € Holygamerz.com 8.0 Readers (18) 7.8 your voteWarioWare: Move! This is another chapter in the saga that you cannot miss, both for lifelong fans and for all those looking for a frenetic, original and bizarre party game at the right level. Already in the single-player mode, Nintendo's production ensures a good dose of variety thanks to the notable number of poses and mini-games proposed, but it is evidently in the multiplayer mode where the entire essence of the game is manifested. With the right friends, you will create many fun and crazy evenings. The most experienced will notice the repetition of certain mini-games and movements to be performed with the Joy-Con, but these are fleeting déjà-vus that do not affect the qualities of a game that presents some slight problems only with certain tests more than necessary. If you are looking for the ideal game for the Christmas holidays to give to friends and family, your search may be over.
PRO
- Crazy and strange art design as always.
- Many mini games
- Fun and original mini-games worldwide
AGAINST
- Some postures challenge the input system.
- Not all multiplayer modes are equally fun
