Platform	Wii
	Genre	Minigames
	Publisher	Nintendo
	Rating	8 / 10
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Introduction

Warioware: Smooth Moves is the latest game in the Warioware series. It, like the many games before it, sees the player taking part in a seemingly never-ending onslaught of rapid fire minigames, each with a very simple task to complete before the timer reaches zero.

In the previous titles, Warioware games have been used to show off new features of a console, such as Warioware: Twisted for the GBA which used a built-in sensor to allow the user to turn the console to interact with the game, and Warioware: Touched for Nintendo DS, which used the touch screen and microphone as the main methods of game interactivity.

Story

In this game, you take turns visiting people and helping them with their tricky situation by completing a number of minigames. Each character ingame has a different set of minigames available, and to unlock them all you will need to return to each person again after completing the story mode.

Gameplay and Controls

This title uses the Wii remote as the method of input, using both the controller’s pointing and motion sensing abilities to maximum effect. The way in which this game works is that the player is first shown a way to hold the ‘form-baton’, the ingame name given to the Wii-remote, and then is instructed to achieve something in a minigame.

There are many ways of holding the controller which the game uses, ranging from ‘Remote’ where the player holds the controller like a remote control for a tv set, to ‘The Big Cheese’ where the player holds the controller by their waist with their hands on their hips and their chest sticking out, giving the impression they are a ‘Big Cheese’.

Each method is used randomly, sometimes according to level, to allow the player to accomplish a task during a minigame. An example of a task might be holding the controller in the ‘Big Cheese’ position, make the little man on the screen hula a donut around his waist.

Graphics and Sound

Bizarre as it might sound, each minigame uses a number of different artistic and graphical styles to present the task to the player, including scenes out of popular Nintendo games (such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing and many others), random images of varying craziness, cartoons and high end original graphics. The main part of the game has a very cartoon-like style, which could easily be compared to some animations made in Macromedia Flash the internet is littered with.

The music in this game is one of the main features I like, as the further you progress in the level, the faster the catchy tunes play, and the less time you have to complete each minigame. Each minigame also has it’s own music and sounds effects, ranging from the strange to music and sounds found in the previously mentioned Nintendo titles.

Multiplayer

Although multiplayer is not a selectable option from the beginning, after completing the story mode once, and learning all of the various ‘form-baton’ holding methods along the way, a multiplayer option is unlocked. Depending on which multiplayer method is selected, a 12 player multiplay game is possible.

There are 4 types of multiplayer gaming within Warioware: Smooth Moves, each uses only one controller which is passed around the various players when it is their turn. Each type of multiplayer game still uses the minigame system, but is presented in different ways to determine the winner. The multiplayer games also feature the Mii system so it is easier to know whose go is next due to their likeness appearing ingame.

Highs and Lows

High Points:

• Very easy to play, although some of the controller holding methods are difficult to master
• Great use of the Wii-remotes many features
• 12 player multiplayer with 1 controller
• Lots of minigames and play-modes to keep you going

Low Points:

• Single player is not half as fun as playing with someone else
• Multiplayer needed unlocking before it is available

Conclusion

Overall I would recommend this game to any Wii owner, due to its amazing fun-factor and great multiplayer opportunities. Once you get over some of the laugh-out-loud scenarios and bizarre tasks, you will realise that Warioware: Smooth Moves has a great formula which will keep you going back for more. Also, the great use of the Wii-remote lends this game to new Wii owners, and those who are still not sure about the console’s controller, and really shows off what it is capable of.

Score: 8/10