System: Game Boy Advance Genre: Action Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Release date: May 26, 2003 ESRB rating: N/A Players: 1 - 2 simultaneous Memory size: 64 megabits Save: Yes

Overview

"Mega microgames" is right; Wario Ware consists of around 200 minigames, each one lasting no longer than five seconds maximum. From the standard (catch a stick) to the strange (direct finger into nostril), Wario's wares offer a unique, fast-paced gaming experience.

Introduction
Wario is watching TV when he comes across a report on the profitable video game industry. Not one to pass up a way to get rich, Wario recruits a group of friends and forms Wario Ware, Inc.

• Wario
• Jimmy T.
• 9 Volt
• Mona
• Dribble (and Spitz)
• Dr. Crygor
• Orbulon
• Kat (and Ana)

Gameplay
The object of the game is to pass through all the stages, each one hosted by a different character. Each character brings his or her own style to Wario Ware Inc. For example, Jimmy's stage features sports games, Wario's is "standard" games, etc.

During a stage, microgames are thrown at you rapid-fire, the next one beginning almost as soon as the other ends, giving you little time to adjust. When a microgame starts, directions flash on the screen (i.e. "Catch!"), then you have about five seconds to complete the task. A lit bomb on the bottom of the screen represents your time limit -- the wick burns down as the timer ticks down to zero. Pass or fail, it's on to the next microgame. This continues until you reach the boss game, which you replay until you pass it. Keep in mind each time you fail a game or have to replay the boss, it takes away a life, and you only start with four lives.

At certain intervals during a stage, you'll see the "Speed up!" warning, which means the microgames will start to move faster, giving you less time to complete them. This is where things can get pretty hectic, especially in later stages when you're going through 20+ microgames.

In the "Picture Book" mode, you can see all the microgames you've played in each stage. From here, you can go for a high score by trying to clear a microgame as many times as you can. In this mode, the games gradually speed up until they become nigh impossible, dashing all hopes of obtaining 999 points in each game.

5-second Nintendo games
For Nintendo fans, the coolest stage has to be 9 Volt's. Through his stage you will get to play five-second versions of Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Dr. Mario, Mario Clash(!), F-Zero, The Legend of Zelda, Helmet (Game & Watch), and more. Some of his microgames are even simulations of old Nintendo toy products.

Two players on one Game Boy
As you progress through the game, you'll unlock some special minigames. Some of them are two-player contests, designed for simultaneous play on one Game Boy Advance system. These minigames are as simple and fun as the regular "microgames," and the controls are even simpler: Player one uses the L button, and player two uses the R button.

Screenshots

• Title screen
• Cut-scene: "Wario's company"
• The Wario cassette deck
• Speed up!
• "Catch!"
• "Picture Book"
• "[Super Wario] 20 points to clear ..."
• "Stomp!"
• On to Jimmy's stage...
• Five-second SMB
• Five-second Mario Clash
• Two-player game: Chicken Race ("Ready...")