WarioWare (series)

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The Japanese logo

WarioWare, sometimes WarioWare, Inc. and known as Made in Wario (メイド イン ワリオ Meido in Wario) in Japan, is a video game series of party games published by Nintendo and mostly co-developed by Nintendo SPD Group No. 1 and Intelligent Systems. It is focused on very short and simple minigames, more specifically microgames. It was introduced in 2003 and is a spin-off of both Mario Artist: Polygon Studio and a series within the Wario franchise. The concept of WarioWare was first used in the named Mario Artist title. The plot of the WarioWare series centers around its main character, Wario, and his friends who work for his "company", WarioWare, Inc., and develop the microgames.

Overview

WarioWare or spin-off games have been published for every Nintendo system after 2003 except the Nintendo 3DS, and their style varies from system to system, depending on its features (e.g. for Nintendo DS, the games are based on touching the touch screen and blowing into the microphone). Each game consists of microgames (really tiny and simple games like popping balloons or spinning a coin) that are often crazy (like picking a nose). The games might seem simple, but as the player's level goes up, they become more and more challenging. This concept was first used in Mario Artist: Polygon Studio in the so-called Sound Bomber mode, but only with a very small number of microgames. Beneath the microgame stages, all WarioWare titles offer unlockable extra modes and "full" minigames.

Story-wise, the games center on Wario, his company WarioWare, Inc., and his friends in Diamond City who develop microgames for his company, though greedy Wario usually refuses to pay his friends, despite the high success of the games. WarioWare introduced several new characters, who have made small appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series and a surprise guest appearance in Rhythm Heaven Megamix. Most games of the series include short stories in the form of cut scenes dedicated to each of the developers, telling about adventures or the everyday life of them. These cut scenes are split into two parts, the first one can be seen before the developer's respective microgame stage, while the latter part with the ending appears after the player beat the stage.

Games

Main series

Title
Cover, original release and system	Synopsis
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
Template:Releasedate Game Boy Advance	The first installment of the series, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! begins with Wario's starting a video game company called WarioWare, Inc., wishing to replicate the success of Pyoro. He stops working after one video game, however, so he hires his friends to make the rest of the game.WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ introduces several characters including Jimmy T., Dribble and Spitz, Mona, 9-Volt, Orbulon, Dr. Crygor, Kat, and Ana. Each have their own story to tell, and each have a unique set of microgames styled on a theme.
WarioWare: Twisted!
Template:Releasedate Gameboy Advance	The microgames of WarioWare, Twisted! take advantage of the Gameboy Advance's tilt sensor and the rumble feature. WarioWare, Twisted! returns the character-specific story segments, and it is the first game that organizes the microgames around the control scheme rather than an aesthetic style. Wario-Man, an alter-ego of Wario, and 18-Volt, a friend of 9-Volt, also make a first appearance. This game has not been released in Europe.
WarioWare: Touched!
Template:Releasedate Nintendo DS	WarioWare: Touched! uses mainly the touchscreen controls of the Nintendo DS. It also introduces a few new characters: Ashley and Red, the Thang Family, Mike. As in WarioWare: Twisted!, each character microgame set is based on certain controls rather than an aesthetic theme (for instance, Mona's microgames involve making slicing movements on the touch screen).
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
Template:Releasedate Wii	As with most previous WarioWare games, WarioWare: Smooth Moves relies on its system's main feature: the Nintendo Wii's motion controls. In the game, the Wii Remote is referred as the Form Baton; there are several positions the Form Baton can assume. WarioWare: Smooth Moves introduces several characters: Young Cricket and Master Mantis; Penny, the granddaughter of Dr. Crygor; Jimmy P., a Jimmy T. lookalike; and Tiny Wario.
WarioWare: D.I.Y.
Template:Releasedate Nintendo DS	WarioWare: D.I.Y. is presently the only WarioWare game that allows players to create their own microgames as well as play some premade microgames with the Super MakerMatic 21.

Spin-offs

Title
Cover, original release and system	Synopsis
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!
Template:Releasedate Nintendo GameCube	WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$! is the first spin-off of the franchise. It features the same microgames from the first entry while focusing on the multiplayer aspect. There are no plots or story-themed stages, although each character is still associated with a specific theme of microgames. Each character is also associated with one of the many multiplayer modes.
Bird & Beans
Template:Releasedate DSiWare	Known as Pyoro in Europe, the DSiWare game is a remake of the minigame Pyoro and Pyoro 2, both first appearing in WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgame$!. The game, as its remakes, features a bird Pyoro that uses its long tongue to eat beans. Beans can destroy parts of the ground, and Pyoro must avoid getting hit by them. In Pyoro 2, Pyoro spits seeds at the beans instead.
Paper Airplane Chase
Template:Releasedate DSiWare	Paper Airplane Chase is DSiWare game that is a remake of the minigame Paper Plane from WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!. There are three modes unlike in the original minigame: Endless Mode (similar to the original), Time Attack, and Race Mode. In Endless Mode, the paper plane avoids obstacles and gains points. In Time Attack, the paper plane needs to finish the course as quickly as it can. Finally, in Race Mode, two players attempt to race their paper planes.
WarioWare: Snapped!
Template:Releasedate DSiWare	WarioWare: Snapped! uses the built-in camera feature of the Nintendo DSi. The player uses a built-in camera to stand-in for a character in the microgames. The player also uses this camera to win the microgames, including mimicking movements to grab objects, opening the mouth, or catching objects with the head.
Game & Wario
Template:Releasedate Wii U	Game & Wario does not follow the traditional format of the WarioWare games. The typical microgames have been replaced by a set of more elaborate minigames which take advantage of the Nintendo Wii U's Gamepad, although microgames themselves do appear in one minigame. Most characters also undergo a minor redesign, with the different art style of the game.

Secondary game

Title
Image, original release and system	Synopsis
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase
Template:Releasedate WiiWare	WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase is an addon WiiWare game for the Nintendo DS game WarioWare: D.I.Y.. The game allows content from WarioWare: D.I.Y. to be used on the Wii, and it can be played even if the player does not have a copy of WarioWare: D.I.Y.. WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase also contains premade microgames categorized by a WarioWare character.

Crossovers

Title
Cover, original release and system	Synopsis
Rhythm Heaven Megamix
File:Rhythm tengoku the best+.jpg Template:Releasedate Nintendo 3DS	Rhythm Heaven Megamix is the fourth and latest installment of the Rhythm Heaven series, featuring a collection of minigames taken from the past installment along with new content. The game features a challenge set called Wario... Where?, which features the cast of the WarioWare series.

Characters

Main characters

Name
Artwork	Description
Wario
File:Wario ware cheats art.gif	Wario is the CEO of the company. Not content with only the riches he gained over the course of the five previous Wario Land adventures, at the start of the series he views a TV report on video game sales going up, and sees that industry as a potential gold mine for him. So he establishes his gaming enterprise, with the decision to create short microgames as opposed to full-fledged games, for the sole purpose of making a profit for himself. Many of Wario's microgames feature him in some way, often as a player-character or a screen prop. Wario undergoes various transformations throughout the series, such as "Wario-Man," a mock superhero with the ability to fly; the Tiny Wario transformation, carried over from the earlier Wario Land games, which here also multiplies him; and Captain Wario, where compared to that form's previous appearance in Wario: Master of Disguise, Wario wears a different color scheme and a full pirate outfit as opposed to just a hat.
Jimmy T.
File:Jimmy T. WarioWare Mega Party Games.png	Jimmy T. (the "T." standing for "Thang") is a tall, afro-wearing man who is a disco dancing fanatic to the point that he will sometimes dance involuntarily. He is always seen frequenting various hot night spots within Diamond City, such as Club Sugar. At one point, he even had a girlfriend dump him because of his obsession with dancing, claiming that "the rhythm made [him] do it." As the series progressed, Jimmy was given a family, including his parents (Papa T. and Mama T.) and siblings (his brother James and sister Jamie), who also share his love of dancing; and a doppelganger called Jimmy P., whose color scheme is different from his. In Mega Microgame$!, Jimmy's microgames were all based around various sports; in Mega Party Games!, his multiplayer minigame "Survival Fever" instead involved his favorite activity, dancing. Later entries in the series until D.I.Y. gave him and the other developers microgames involving a particular style of gameplay and not a specific visual theme. Additionally, Jimmy and his folks often host levels remixing the games from previous stages.
Mona
	Mona is a high school student who works a number of part-time jobs, which vary from game to game. She is quite adventurous and culturally savvy, and on the negative side, she always seems to be late to wherever she is going. To make up for lost time, Mona often speeds on her scooter and uses the assistance of her animal companions to stop anyone trying to slow her down. Her occupations have included working at a gelato shop, restaurant waitress, pizza delivery girl at the joint called Mona Pizza, bassist, football cheerleader, temple explorer, and photojournalist. She is also revealed to have a crush on Wario, and to like money. A business dog called Joe serves as Mona's boss throughout her various jobs. Many of Mona's microgames involve bizarre twists on everyday activities such as tooth brushing, sawing, and nose picking; in Mega Microgame$! and D.I.Y., these are labeled as "strange" games.
Dribble and Spitz
	Dribble and Spitz are two anthropomorphic animal characters ― the former a bulldog, and the latter a yellow cat ― who work as cabbies. They speak with Bronx accents (Kansai in the original Japanese). The cab they drive was constructed at the Crygor lab, and has the ability to go anywhere, even into outer space. Dribble, despite his burly size, gruff appearance, and being a speed demon, is actually quite calm and friendly. Spitz, though smaller than Dribble, is actually his superior, and is more adept at driving than he. The duo's levels generally involve picking up a passenger that seems supernatural and forgetting to collect the customer's fare. Many of their microgames involve science fiction-based or futuristic themes.
9-Volt
	9-Volt is an elementary school-age Nintendo fanatic, who owns everything ever made by the company. His microgames are all based on Nintendo products, including not only classic hardware and software, but even games and toys that it manufactured before it went into the video game business. In recent entries, he ventured into the 21st century, covering newer products in addition to older ones. So addicted is he to his games that he often stays up to play past bedtime. He also enjoys skateboarding and, to a very trivial extent, baseball.
Orbulon
	Orbulon is an intelligent alien of unknown origin who has difficulty with human language, as evidenced by his frequently replacing common words and terms with more complicated descriptions. He has an IQ of 300, and is 2003 years old. Orbulon first intended to conquer the Earth, but after his spaceship crash-landed onto the planet, he settled into life in Diamond City and ended his mission of conquest. Orbulon's microgames often last longer and require more thinking than those of other developers. Many involve counting and finding objects on screen.
Dr. Crygor
File:Dr. Crygor 2 WarioWare Mega Microgames.png	Dr. Crygor is a quirky scientist who performs wacky and mostly harmless experiments on his private island laboratory in Diamond City. He is 103 years old, and is a cyborg, having various robotic components, though whether they were given him because of aging or a debilitating experiment is unknown. Crygor not only constructed a cryogenic suit for himself, but has also invented various vehicles, the cleaning robot Mike, and a diet machine called the Kelorometer. He has a granddaughter named Penny. In Touched, he accidentally gets caught in his latest invention and is younger and more fit, with red accents to his costume, as well as a full helmet; these changes remain for part of Smooth Moves. Crygor's microgames have involved nonfictional real-world elements, such as people, animals, or food, in both realistic and non-realistic styles.
Kat and Ana
	Kat and Ana are kindergarten-aged ninja twin sisters, easily distinguishable by their differing hair colors (Kat's is pink, Ana's is orange). Kat is more headstrong and dominant, while Ana is timid. Residing in an old-fashioned Japanese-style house in a forest, the two are descended from the Iga ninja clan, and attend Mystical Ninja Elementary as well as Diamond City's own kindergarten. Their names are derived from different portions of the word "Katana," a type of Japanese samurai sword, which is also one of their catchphrases. Kat and Ana adore nature, especially animals and plants, and as such have four pets: Don the Sparrow, Shadow the Dog, Shuriken the Falcon, and Numchuck the Monkey. Because of their aforementioned love of nature, Kat and Ana feature animals, plants, and animals' environments in many of their microgames. They also showcase games that involve drawing objects or lines.
18-Volt
File:18-volt.png	18-Volt is 9-Volt's best friend, who is also a fan of video games. He is an elementary school student like 9-Volt is, despite being considerably larger in size than he. His other defining trait is the boom box he always carries; his loud music gets him into trouble on his first day of school, although he soon finds an admirer in 9-Volt.
Ashley
	Ashley is a young witch-in-training who owns her own mansion, is very emotionless, and hardly ever shows positive facial expressions if at all. She often takes trips to places where she can train in the magic arts. She has a little demon friend named Red, who acts as her loyal assistant and is a shapeshifter. Ashley is largely uninterested in activities unrelated to improving her witchcraft; such tasks/interests are typically relegated to Red, who is her polar opposite and a lot more outgoing and cheerful than she is. Despite Ashley's penchant for dark spells and her huge ego, she is shy and lonely and secretly wants more friends. Nearly none of Ashley's microgames reflect her best interest; many of them tend to have bright and cheery motifs or settings.
Mike
	Mike is a karaoke robot made by Dr. Crygor, named for the pair of microphones attached to the stand on his head (and the primary method of control in his initial set of microgames). Despite being a robot built for karaoke, the slightly mad doctor programs him to be a cleaning robot. Eventually, his programming goes haywire when he blows on a pile of dust. His karaoke programming overrides his systems, compelling him to host a party on a faraway planet and hold a karaoke tournament. Mike is critical of his creator's singing talent, dismissing his voice as ninety-nine percent awful.
Young Cricket
	Young Cricket is a serious martial artist who trains through tough conditions, traveling all over with his sensei, Master Mantis.
Penny
	Penny Crygor is the granddaughter of Dr. Crygor, who admires him and wants to grow up to become a great scientist herself. Penny also has a hidden desire to become a famous singer. She sees her grandfather as an excellent scientist, despite also recognizing his eccentric nature.
Pyoro
	Pyoro is a bird character who appears in almost every game in the series. His name and design are a parody of a mascot used by a Japanese brand of chocolate. Pyoro has his own minigames which can be unlocked by playing every microgame at least once. Pyoro is red and uses his stretchy tongue to dispose of fruits and fend off evil insects that try to destroy his flowers, home, etc., except in Pyoro 2 in the first entry, where he is yellow and spits seeds at the fruits. A fictional video game starring him, when reported about on TV, is Wario's inspiration to found WarioWare, Inc.

Other recurring characters

• Ken the Reporter
• Manager Joe
• Mona's Animals
• Fronks
• Alien Bunnies
• 5-Volt
• The Dinosaurs
• Thang Family
• Shadow the Dog
• Sal Out
• Shuriken the Falcon

Creative talents

Goro Abe, a key developer of the series.

The original WarioWare was developed by Nintendo R&D1, the department that created Wario and developed the Wario Land series. Starting with Mega Party Games, the games were developed with assistance from long-time collaborator Intelligent Systems. Following R&D1's dissolution, the series would be taken over by its successor, Nintendo SPD1.

The original WarioWare was developed by several new Nintendo staff who had previously worked on Wario Land 4, and it shared its director (Hirofumi Matsuoka), who would leave Nintendo following the completion of the game. Goro Abe, a programmer and designer on the original game, would be promoted to Director position for Mega Party Games and assume this role for all subsequent games with the exception of Snapped!. Artist Ko Takeuchi designed the series' cast and Wario's biker costume with supervision from Wario's original creator, Hiroji Kiyotake. R&D1 veteran and manager Yoshio Sakamoto acted as a producer starting with Twisted!.

WarioWare share several developers with the Rhythm Heaven series. The two series have similar structure, aesthetics, and sense of humor.

Trivia

• A stage based on the WarioWare corporation is featured in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
  • Wario in his WarioWare outfit is seen in Wario Factory Court in Mario Power Tennis.
• All the European game covers of WarioWare are yellow, except for WarioWare, Inc.: Minigame Mania. Other regions have a different cover color for each game.