It?s party time, with the new addition to the successful Gamecube game, Warioware, inc.
If you're new to gaming and/or don?t mind making a fool of yourself, this one is for you?
On from the Gamecube:
Anyone who can remember the Gamecube version Warioware, inc; if you?re like me for the first hour of gaming you felt like you were in a bad dream. I genuinely believe I wouldn?t have picked this up again if it wasn?t for my friends showing such enthusiasm.
You are subjected to hundreds of lightning fast mini-games ranging from the bizarre to the down-right ridiculous. Pretty much all the games were laugh-out-loud funny and required quick thinking but the selling point for Warioware, inc was the fact that it was the perfect multiplayer party game. (I?m sure we weren?t the only people shocked to realise it was 4am by the time we stopped playing and went home).
What?s the difference?
Obviously, the main difference with the new Wii addition, Warioware: Smooth Moves is the controls. Last time round on the Gamecube you were limited to a control pad, whereas now you?ve got a Wii-mote, and boy have Nintendo used it to it?s potential! (More on that later).
Apart from that though, this game sticks to what it?s good at: Lots of funny mini-games and a great multiplayer. So, a word of warning... If you hated the Gamecube version, a rethink on your purchase may be in order.
As you boot up this game up for the first time, you?ll only be provided with one option; single player. There are about 20 levels each with a mini plot, which contain around 15 mini-games and a boss each. Each time you complete a level another is unlocked. The most ridiculous thing though, is that you must complete single player levels in order to unlock the multiplayer, and for a game that thrives on it?s multiplayer this is nigh on insane! Also, you will have to play on one type of multiplayer game before you can play another. Bonkers!!
For those of you who?ve not come across Warioware before, each mini-game lasts about 5 seconds and the purpose is simple: To follow the on-screen instruction be it whacking something, successfully picking the nose on screen, winning a race, pumping up a balloon, making the champagne bottle fizz, unlocking a door etc, etc! This may sound rather dull, but with the limited time, the fantastic animation and great sounds it?s a total blast!
101 ways to use a Wii-mote:
The main purpose of the single player is to familiarise you with all the different control methods and with good reason, as there are quite a few! The fun is in the discovery, but they range from holding the Wii-mote like it?s a Mohawk hairdo to simply putting it face down on the floor and preparing to pick it up. Each control method is introduced by an erotic sounding voice and some amusing double-entendres. Rest assured, anyone else in the room watching you play will get a good laugh and for at least the first 5 minutes you will feel like a prize pillock. But that?s all part of what makes this game fun; party atmosphere! As mentioned before you must complete a level to unlock the next however to ?finish? the single player shouldn?t take more than about 2 hours of gaming. Hark! I hear you cry, however this game is all about friends: and if you?ve not got any, move calmly and quietly away from this game!
Hey good looking?
We?ve all heard it before. ?The Wii?s graphics don?t look as good as? this or that; fair enough, there aren?t the details when compared to other next generation consoles but the cartoon graphics in Warioware: Smooth Moves are nice and silky. They flow faultlessly on your screen and as this type of game goes, you wouldn?t want anything more.
Party piece:
Hurray for multiplayer I here you cry! And Warioware: Smooth Moves doesn?t disappoint with the opportunity to have 21 players involved (albeit sharing a single remote)!
Just take a moment to imagine: 21 people in a room, squashed in front of a single television and sharing a single Wii-mote. You don?t know who will have to play the next mini-game as it?s not done in order so when you do, there will be hands grabbing from everywhere. Once the right player up has the Wii-mote, they won?t know how they need to hold the Wii-mote until the last minute? Then, enjoy watch them flapping their arms up and down like a madman ? all for a single reason: not to be the loser!
There are other multiplayer games too, like 4 player darts (a nice way to have a rest after all the jumping, shouting and laughing you?ll be doing previously) and a great 2 player game which utilises the Nunchuck.
Wii-mote crushing irritations:
Warioware: Smooth Moves does have a couple of irritations but really, if you?re like me, if you?re not told about them you won?t notice them:
You can?t skip the introduction movies for each level, you have to unlock multiplayer and in the multiplayer game darts, you have to share a single remote. Apart from this though, any complaints you?ve previously heard about this game, put simply, are rubbish.
To be, or not to be?
Here?s my simple checklist to help you decide whether you wish ?to be? one with Warioware: Smooth Moves:
Do you have friends?
Do you enjoy parties?
Would you laugh, shout and stamp about in order to win?
Do you, or do you know someone who panics under pressure?
Answer yes twice or more and you won?t do better than to get this game. Whether you?re 10 or 100, Warioware: Smooth Moves is the essence of what the Wii is about. Gaming fun for anyone with a pulse.
The scores:
Multiplayer 10/10 ? Welcome to the selling point. Crack out a bottle or two and invite everyone!
Controls 10/10 - A close second to the multiplayer. Show?s the Wii-motes real potential
Gameplay 8/10 ? Loses points as you?ve got to unlock multiplayer by playing the single player game. However that?s good practice for new-comers
Graphics 10/10 ? I?m sure I?ll have my critics on this, but you couldn?t honestly need more.
Lifespan 8/10 ? This is one you?ll be able to reach back for again and again. Single player is limited though.
  
Reviewed by: BenCubed |
