This has to be the strangest game I’ve ever played on Part of the challenge of playing WarioWare Twisted! is the absolute At first, I didn’t care for the control method at all. It was just too As noted above, the games are often strange and surreal. Each game has its One of the totally cool aspects of this game is the use of the unlockable Speaking of kids, another great feature is the ability to transcend age
the GBA. Not having played the first WarioWare, Inc. for the GBA, I had
no experience with Wario and his quirky assortment of micro-games. That first
game garnered rave reviews for its highly unusual presentation of seemingly
simple little games, strung together in fast-paced, timed challenges. With the
original look and design of many of the games, coupled with unlockable gadgets
and games, the game was a winner. Now, Nintendo has released a second version of
Wario for the GBA (along with a third game, Wario Touched! for the
DS), that incredibly manages to not only capture the magic of the first title
with essentially the same format of fast-paced micro-games, but also add a new
“twist” to the mix by requiring players to use the handheld itself as the
control system by way of an innovative motion sensor in the game cartridge.
ignorance of the player as to what games are coming up, and the rules required
to win. Often, players won’t even know the games have suddenly begun, as they
are often started right after the animated introduction, with no warning. A
player can literally be half-way through a series of game challenges, before
realizing “hey, that’s a real game, not a movie!” Figuring out what’s going on,
and the rules, are part of the fun, though.
different. However, after playing several times, it began to grow on me. Simply
moving the GBA back and forth and around in circles doesn’t seem like a big
deal, but it’s incredible the use the motion sensor is put to in playing the
games. The motion sensor is tied to a rumble feature, which really enhances the
gameplay. It did gross me out in one game, though, where a piece of food is
guided through a stomach and out a rectum, with corresponding vibrating as it
went out the bottom, yuck! One game may require keeping a walking stick figure
upright as he traverses a hilly landscape, another to hit a falling water
droplet. Players will need to disarm approaching samurai warriors, and
“whack-a-mole.” One series of games features 9-Volt, who has a collection of
games based on old Nintendo classics. Some of these are the toughest to figure
out in the entire game, as I never did learn what I was supposed to be doing in
the “Check” game in this section, a game that featured ice hockey players and
what looked like one of those ice-cleaning machines. Maybe if I was familiar
with ice hockey…….
own distinct look and character, ranging from black and white stick figures to
movie-style animations straight from the ’60’s. Some of the humor is just plain
weird in a distinctly Japanese way, but is still recognizably funny. Part of the
fun of playing the tons of games is the thrill of the unknown, as players won’t
know what games are coming up in a particular series until they’re played, and
then the order is always random thereafter. The rules are never explained, and
often a series will have to be played many, many times to be successful. There
is a boss stage at the end of each series, and if lost, players will have to
start over at the beginning of the series, my only real complaint with this
game.
items, a standard feature in many games, true, but one here that is actually
implemented in the manner it should be; it adds new stuff that is fun to play
with, instead of simply offering enhancements to existing material. The
souvenirs are divided up into different categories of music, toys and micro-game
add-ons. The originality and fun is evidenced in toys like a music box, which is
wound by twisting the GBA, to then play a typical music-box tune while the Pizza
motor-bike girl spins on top. Simple, but fun, especially for kids!
groups. Many games claim to be for all ages, but not many truly are. WarioWare Twisted! is for all ages. Kids and adults alike will absolutely
enjoy playing these funky little games, each with its own charm. Replayability
is also a definite plus, as everyone will want to continue playing the games
over again to gain better points and unlock all the goodies. And, the games are
fun to play in and of themselves, besides the goals of finishing them. A true
winner!
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Review Scoring Details for WarioWare Twisted! |
Gameplay: 9.0
This game is a hoot!
At first, I wasn’t sure about the motion sensor style of playing, without using
the directional pad, but as I continued to play, it really grew on me. The games
themselves are all anyone could ask for in terms of variety and uniqueness. The
unlockables are fun and cute, and the replayability factor is high. Really, the
only reasons I didn’t give the gameplay rating a 10 were the lack of a
multi-player mode for any of the games, and the neccessity of having to play
each series over again to beat the boss stage each time, the last which
admittedly may not bother most players.
Graphics: 9.0
I absolutely enjoyed
the range of graphic styles across the games, a hard-to-manage feat considering
the sheer number of games.
Sound: 9.0
The music in most GBA games
leaves me cold, ranging from tolerable to highly annoying. Well, the music here
fits in very well with the varying themes of the games, and the souvenirs are
also tuneful for the most part. Upbeat and snappy, never grating.
Difficulty: Medium
The games range in
difficulty, which is to be expected with 200 micro-games. Some are extremely
easy, some are pretty difficult. However, only a certain number of games have to
be won in each series in order to advance to the boss stage.
Concept: 10
A perfect
presentation!
Multiplayer: N/A
There really
should have been a multi-player option for some of these games.
Overall: 9.5
One of the best games
ever for the GBA, and one which will probably be the best game for the GBA this
year. With the hours of enjoyment available due to the replayability, plus the
wide age range that can play, this is a definite must-have game for everyone’s
library.
