Wario World

Infobox VG
title = Wario World


developer = Treasure
publisher = Nintendo
designer = Kouichi Kimura (director)
Hitoshi Yamagami (director)
Takehiro Izushi (producer)
Masato Maegawa (producer)
Satoru Iwata (executive producer)
composer = Norio Hanzawa
Minako Hamano
released = vgrelease|EU=June 20, 2003vgrelease|NA=June 23, 2003vgrelease|JP=May 27, 2004
genre = Platform
modes = Single-player
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=E|OFLCA=G|PEGI=3+
platforms = Nintendo GameCube
media = 1 GameCube game disc
requirements = 10 memory blocks

"Wario World" is a platform game developed by Treasure and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo GameCube. It was released in Europe on June 20, 2003, in North America on June 23, 2003, and in Japan on May 27, 2004. It marks Wario's first starring appearance on a home games console. The game's plot centers around Wario and his quest to regain his treasure and his castle from an evil black jewel.

The game was fairly well-received by reviewers. They praised the gameplay, but criticized the game for being too short. "Wario World" has sold over 142,000 copies in Japan and over 256,000 copies in the United States.cite web|url=http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~hokora/gcrank.html|title=GameCube Best Selling Ranking|publisher=Shrine of Data Sales Database|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20050225220704/www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~hokora/gcrank.html|archivedate= 2005-02-25|date=1997-11-05|accessdate=2007-01-11] In 2004, the game was re-released as a Player's Choice title. [cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/499/499354p1.html|title=Mario Golf, F-Zero Go Bargain-Priced|publisher=IGN|author=IGN Staff|date=2004-03-16|accessdate=2008-02-09]

Gameplay

"Wario World"'s gameplay centers mainly on combating enemies, although it requires some platform navigation similar to "Super Mario 64" and "Super Mario Sunshine". The controls are simple, and are only used to jump, run, dash, perform fighting moves, and use the "Hyper Suction" ability to consume nearby coins. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=6-7] The level designs are platform-based with combat elements, and have an overall linear design. The levels contain trapdoors, which lead to special platforming or puzzle-oriented challenges that are optional. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=18-19] Throughout the game, small forest sprites known as "Spiritelings" give Wario advice if they are rescued from imprisonment. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=12]

During combat, Wario can grab enemies and either spin them around, throw them, or piledrive them into the ground. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=8-9] Enemies drop coins when defeated, and tend to regenerate if the area is left and returned to later. The coins are used to purchase items, such as life-restoring garlic, and to return to life. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=17] If Wario does not have enough money to return to life, the game is over.cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=16] A new feature in "Wario World" are the spherical "glue globes", in which Wario is stuck to if he touches it, allowing the player to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=20] Along the way, Wario can re-collect his lost treasures, which are hidden in treasure chests, and collect pieces of golden Wario statues, which increases Wario's life meter by one half. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=17-18] In order to advance in the game, the player must collect a certain amount of red diamonds in each level. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=13] If the player collects all the treasure in the various levels, minigames from the Game Boy Advance title "" are unlocked, and they can be played by using the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=24]

Plot

"Wario World" takes place on four worlds called Excitement Central, Spooktastic World, Thrillsville, and Sparkle World. Each world consists of two levels and a boss fight. The worlds are reached from a main hub area. The hub area also leads to the Treasure Square where the Huge Treasure Box is placed.

The game begins with Wario enjoying his newly built castle, which is filled with treasures that he has collected from earlier adventures. [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=4] There is, however, an evil black jewel in Wario's treasure collection that awakens and destroys Wario's castle. The jewel transforms his treasure into monsters, and then turns his castle into four different worlds. [Black Jewel: Ooh, free at last! I'm chock-full of power! I think I'll turn all of this greedy sap's jewels into evil spirits! Bwah ha ha ha ha!!! cite video game|title=Wario World |developer=Treasure |publisher=Nintendo |date=2003-06-23 |platform=Nintendo GameCube] [cite book|year=2003|title=Wario World instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo|language=Swedish|pages=4-5] After recovering his treasure from the four worlds, Wario attains the key to the Huge Treasure Box containing the Black Jewel. They engage in a battle, in which Wario is victorious, and is thus awarded with regaining his castle.

Development

"Wario World" was first shown at E3 2002 as a technical demo. [cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/360/360686p1.html|title=E3 2002: Hands on Wario World|publisher=IGN|author=IGN Staff|date=2002-05-23|accessdate=2008-02-08] At the next E3 in 2003, it was shown with new levels of gameplay polish and tweaking, which the previous E3 demo was lacking. [cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/402/402176p1.html|title=E3 2003: Hands-on Wario World|publisher=IGN|author=Lewis, Cory D.|date=2003-05-14|accessdate=2008-02-09] On August 22, 2002, at Nintendo's Gamer's Summit, "Wario World"'s North American release date was set to November 11, 2002. [cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/368/368611p1.html|title=Wario Gets a Date|publisher=IGN|author=IGN Staff|date=2002-08-22|accessdate=2008-02-09] The game was later going to be released on May 26, 2003, but was further delayed by one month till June 23. [cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/388/388645p1.html|title=F-Zero and Wario Delayed|publisher=IGN|author=IGN Staff|date=2003-03-10|accessdate=2008-02-09]

It was uncertain who was developing "Wario World", until April 22, 2003, when Nintendo of America officially revealed that Treasure, the company behind the successful titles "Gunstar Heroes" and "Ikaruga", was developing the game. [cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/394/394648p1.html|title=Treasure and Wario World|publisher=IGN|author=IGN Staff|date=2003-04-22|accessdate=2008-02-09] After the successful development collaboration Treasure and Nintendo shared with the Nintendo 64 title, "", the two companies wanted to work together again. The R&D1 team wanted to continue their co-development juncture with a 3D installment of the "Wario" franchise. [cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/gameview.php?gameid=160&view=dev|title=Wario World Development Summary|publisher=N-Sider|accessdate=2008-02-09] "Wario World"'s music was composed by Norio Hanzawa and Minako Hamano. [cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/gamecube/data/561231.html|title=Wario World Info|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2008-02-07] Wario was voiced by Charles Martinet, who also voices Mario and Luigi in the "Mario" series. [cite web|url=http://imdb.com/title/tt0324498/fullcredits#cast|title=Full cast and crew for Wario World|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=2008-02-07]

Reception

VG Reviews
1UP = B- [cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3059461&sec=REVIEWS|title=Wario World review|publisher=1UP.com|date=2004-05-29|accessdate=2008-01-19]
EGM = 6.83 out of 10
GSpot = 6.4 out of 10
GSpy = 3 out of 5
IGN = 7.1 out of 10|
MC = 71 out of 100 [cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/warioworld|title=Wario World reviews|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=2008-01-19]
GR = 73% [cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561231.asp|title=Wario World reviews|publisher=Game Rankings|accessdate=2008-01-19] "Wario World" was a commercial success, selling over 142,000 copies in Japan and over 256,000 copies in the United States. In 2004, the game was re-released alongside "" and "F-Zero GX" as part of the Player's Choice line, a selection of games with high sales sold for a reduced price. [cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/499/499354p1.html|title=Mario Golf, F-Zero Go Bargain-Priced|publisher=IGN|author=IGN Staff|date=2004-03-16|accessdate=2008-02-09]

The overall reception of "Wario World" was fairly positive. The UK version of "Play" magazine gave the game a perfect score, and the reviewer commented that "Wario World" "pays off every second [he is] holding the controller, and that, to [him] , is greatness." [citation| date= June 2003 | periodical= Play| publisher= Imagine Publishing |pages= 60] "Nintendo Power" said that the game was "tons of fun." [citation| date= July 2003 | periodical= Nintendo Power| publisher= Future US |pages= 80] "GamePro" stated that "Wario World" "stays addictive by weight of sheer design innovation." [cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/29907.shtml|title=Wario World review|publisher=GamePro|author=Fennecfox|date=2003-06-23|accessdate=2008-02-09] The American-based publication "Game Informer" praised the game for including "droves of awesome boss battles." Matt Casamassina of IGN declared that "Wario World" had "some great control mechanics and inventive level work." [cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/425/425079p1.html|title=Wario World review|publisher=IGN|author=Casamassina, Matt|date=2003-06-19|accessdate=2008-01-19]

"Wario World" also received criticism, mainly because various reviewers found the game was shorter than one would expect for a console title. Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer compared "Wario World" to "Luigi's Mansion", a game also criticized for its length, and said that the game was like "Luigi's Mansion" "all over again." [cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=52365|title=Wario World review|publisher=Eurogamer|author=Bramwell, Tom|date=2003-06-19|accessdate=2008-02-09] GameSpy stated that "Wario World" "offers little above and beyond the standard 3D platform romp, and what is offered turns out to be very short and repetitive." [cite web|url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/wario-world/5950p1.html|title=Wario World review|publisher=GameSpy|author=Williams, Bryn|date=2003-07-25|accessdate=2008-01-19] GameSpot commented that "the final product is too short and simplistic to hold your attention for more than a day." [cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/warioworld/review.html|title=Wario World review|publisher=GameSpot|author=Gerstmann, Jeff|date=2003-07-20|accessdate=2008-01-19]

References

External links

* [http://wario-world.com/ Official "Wario World" website]