Microgame

Microgames are simple minigames appearing in the WarioWare series, and its spiritual predecessor Mario Artist: Polygon Studio.

Mostly created by the fictional company WarioWare, Inc., these games have extremely stripped-down gameplay. Microgames are generally less than 5 seconds long, which is even shorter, and makes the gameplay simpler than the minigames found elsewhere, such as in the Mario Party series. Gameplay in all WarioWare games is distinct from most other games, as they involve the player trying to beat the microgames as soon as possible. Most games present instructions in the form of a verb and quickly drop the player into the situation where they must perform said verb.

All microgames are strung together in a random order within different "stages," each hosted by a different character. After the player is presented with a quick one or two word instruction (such as "Eat!" or "Rub!"), the microgame appears and the player has to complete the game according to the instruction. The microgames usually have only one task to complete; for instance, the player may be presented with a scene from The Legend of Zelda and have to move Link to a cave entrance using the directional buttons before time runs out, or they may have to drive a car, avoiding oncoming traffic. If the player does not successfully complete the microgame, they will lose a life.

Microgames come in three main types, classified by the condition required to clear them. Some games require the player to accomplish a task within a limited amount of time. If they do the action presented, a plays to signify the game's completion; this is usually heard just before the timer runs out and may continue through the return to the score screen. Other games require the player to instead survive so that something does not happen before the timer runs out, with the sound bite playing after the score screen returns. Finally, there are boss microgames, which always occur at a set point in a stage; these are usually more challenging, have no time limit, and give chances back upon successful clearing. They are also required to be cleared to pass a channel for the first time. After the fulfillment of the task(s) presented, the sound bite plays, the score screen returns, and on repeated plays, if the player has less than four lives, one will be restored. When the "Level Up" message is shown, the microgames will raise in difficulty.

Additionally, the WarioWare series features several deviations from the normal classifications of microgames. There are some microgames which last twice as long to fit either their brain-stretching contents or the difficulty of completion even at regular speed; multiplayer microgames, which are used to determine who goes first in a multiplayer game or to settle a tie; and several microgames that require a complete lack of input to complete.

The unit of time for all microgames is. A standard microgame is 8 beats long (4 seconds, at normal speed), while microgames in the IQ genre, hosted by Orbulon, last 16 beats (8 seconds); the latter length is also used for the occasional microgame here-and-there in later games. Fronk microgames are only 4 beats (2 seconds) long and the WarioWatch has a timer for the whole stage rather than each individual microgame. In most games, the starts out relatively slow and then increases as the player completes microgames. The average length of a microgame has been suggested by Nintendo to be five seconds, when in reality it is only four. As more microgames are played, the game will show a "Speed Up!" message which signifies the increase in the microgames' speed.

To show the time left to complete a microgame, a small "bomb" appears at the bottom of the screen. The fuse and a countdown timer show the amount of time left to complete the microgame. When time runs out, the bomb explodes and the microgame ends. The fuse burns faster when the BPM increases. Some microgames are intrinsically harder than others, and an increased BPM (increased speed) will make any microgame more difficult to complete than the same microgame at a slower BPM. This is usually reflected in the microgames' "passing scores"—the score one must reach while playing a microgame in the practice modes to obtain credit for "clearing" it (Smooth Moves, D.I.Y. and Game & Wario lack this feature, however, as do the exclusive multiplayer microgames from Mega Party Game$!).

Except in D.I.Y., each microgame is featured in three difficulty levels. Level 1 games present the given task in an easier way, while Level 3 games present it in a much harder way. Not all modes of all WarioWare games actually show a color to denote the current level, but most modes start with Level 1 games, progressing to Level 2 upon a "Level Up" (usually achieved after passing a boss microgame), then to Level 3 in similar fashion. Once Level 3 is reached, sequential "Level Up"s will typically be replaced by "Speed Up"s (an increase in BPM).

In Game & Wario, 22 microgames appear in 9-Volt's "Gamer" minigame, two of which (Gold Digger and Sole Man) return from Mega Microgame$!

WarioWare: Get It Together! introduces the mechanic of controlling various characters in the WarioWare series within the microgames and using their unique abilities to beat them. Some microgames will also be changed depending on the character.

Outside of the WarioWare series, microgames are used in the WarioWare, Inc. stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. If a player wins the microgame, they are rewarded with item effects, including growing (Super Mushrooms) and becoming invincible (Super Stars).

In Mario Party Advance, the term "microgame" can be applied to any small challenge given in that game's quests. As such, the microgames there may vary widely in style, purpose, and simplicity; completing a microgame typically rewards the player with a Gaddget.

Microgame themes
Microgames in the WarioWare series are typically assigned to stages based on a specific theme. WarioWare Inc.'s employees will usually create microgames around themes that they find interesting, and nearly all of them have signature themes that they follow in multiple titles.

Most stages in Twisted!, Touched! and Smooth Moves are themed around variations of the title's main control scheme. These titles were released early into the lifespan of their respective hardware, and were intended to show the new gimmicks off. Despite this, these titles retain themes listed in italics below, with multiple control variations.

Officially named microgame themes include:


 * Intro Games: These microgames are generally simple, meant to introduce the game's mechanics. This is one of Wario's two signature themes, and typically involve him in some way.
 * Sports: Microgames themed around various activities recognized as sports in the real world. This is Jimmy T's signature theme, though is is also used by Dr. Crygor and Young Cricket and Master Mantis in WarioWare Gold.
 * Fantasy (Sci-Fi prior to WarioWare Gold): Microgames with fantasy and/or sci-fi elements like magic, space, ninjas, and robots, or are generally unrealistic. The signature theme for Dribble and Spitz, though Ashley and Orbulon also use the theme in Gold.
 * That's Life (Strange prior to WarioWare Gold): These microgames commonly depict normal everyday things, sometimes in a strange manner. This is Mona's signature theme, though Gold also gives this theme to Penny and Kat and Ana.
 * Nintendo: Microgames based on games and products developed by Nintendo. Every title has a handful of games based on the Mario franchise. It is the signature theme for 9-Volt, 18-Volt, and 5-Volt.
 * IQ: Microgames with extended timers. Microgames of this nature typically involve making the player think (hence the name) or objectives that take longer to complete. This is Orbulon's signature theme. Starting in Touched!, this theme has dissipated and microgames of this nature can be found in nearly every set (though a dedicated set still appears in D.I.Y.).
 * Reality: Microgames containing partially animated photos. Despite the name, these microgames are not necessarily more realistic than others. This theme only appears in Mega Microgame$! and Mega Party Game$!, where it is hosted by Dr. Crygor.
 * Nature: Microgames themed around animals and (usually) plants. The signature theme for Kat and Ana.
 * Pop-Up: These microgames only appear in Twisted! and Gold, and have particularly short time limits. This is the signature theme for Fronk, and, like Wario's games, always involves his kind.
 * Mic: Exclusive to Touched! and Gold, these microgames involve blowing into the microphone on the Nintendo DS/3DS. It is Mike's signature theme.
 * Food: Microgames themed around various food items and related things. This is Ashley's signature theme.
 * High Tech: Microgames themed around modern and futuristic technology. It is Dr. Crygor's theme in Get It Together!, replacing the Reality theme.
 * Culture: These microgames are themed around landmarks, cultural items and traditions from around the real world. It is Orbulon's theme in Get It Together!, replacing the IQ theme.
 * Anything Goes (All Good in WarioWare: Smooth Moves): Wario's second signature theme also involves him in every microgame; otherwise, they have nothing in common. These microgames usually insert Wario into one of the other themes, and are meant to be the most challenging of all. In later games, this set is listed under an alternate form or copy of Wario, though the original is the one who developed them.

Lists of microgames

 * WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! and Mega Party Game$! - 213 microgames
 * WarioWare: Twisted! - 223 microgames
 * WarioWare: Touched! - 192 microgames (1 returning, 1 Japanese-only, 1 international-only)
 * WarioWare: Smooth Moves - 205 microgames
 * WarioWare: Snapped! - 20 microgames
 * WarioWare: D.I.Y. - 116 microgames (2 returning, 2 Japanese-only, 2 international-only)
 * WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase - 78 microgames (2 Japanese-only, 2 international-only)
 * WarioWare: D.I.Y./D.I.Y. Showcase downloadable microgames - 153 microgames (101 Weekly Games, 52 Big Name Games)
 * Game & Wario - 22 microgames (2 returning)
 * WarioWare Gold - 316 microgames (262 returning)
 * WarioWare: Get It Together! - 222 microgames (4 returning)