Although WarioWare: Move It is one of the strangest gaming experiences I've had in a long time, its addicting gameplay also made it one of the most enjoyable games I've played all year.
Originally launching on the GameBoy Advance over two decades ago, the minigame franchise returns for its twelfth major title on the Nintendo Switch. However, like 2006's WarioWare: Smooth Moves for the Nintendo Wii, WarioWare: Move It asks a lot from players as the game heavily leans on the motion controls of the Joy-Con controllers, which is sometimes to its detriment.
To get things out of the way, WarioWare: Move It requires players to detach their Joy-Cons from their system at all times to play the game. For those that run their console through their TV, this isn't a problem. However, this isn't exactly ideal for players who prefer the portability of the Nintendo Switch. If you fall into the latter category, you will have to get used to setting your tiny Switch screen down on a table or desk while playing the minigame collection. It's not the worst thing ever, but this could be a big caveat for some fans.
Additionally, WarioWare: Move It also has some rather unique requirements that players must fulfill to get through certain minigames in the collection. In the "Trust Tether Sign" pose, you must have the wristband cable attached to your Joy-Con. This is because the microgame has you dropping your Joy-Con in the air and dangling it. If you don't have the strap, you can theoretically get around this by dropping your controllers on a chair or couch. But from my experience, the game often doesn't register these movements correctly using this method, so you really need to have the accessory.
Once you get past those hurdles, WarioWare: Move It is an absolute blast! After winning an all-expenses paid trip to Caresaway Island, Wario begrudgingly invites all of his friends from previous games to a vacation resort. In many ways, WarioWare: Move It plays like a love letter to the niche franchise. Fans of the series will feel right at home as beloved characters such as Mona, Ashley, Crygor, and Penny are all here and incorporated into the story in a really neat way.
For its core gameplay loop, WarioWare: Move It has you navigating around the Caresaway Island map as you unlock new chapters in the story. However, each level is centered around a specific character's point of view as we get to see how they are spending their time at the vacation resort. In every chapter, you are thrown into a series of quick minigames that you must complete to reach the final Boss Stage.
For example, the first level has you taking on Wario, who is being chased through the jungle. As you watch the Nintendo mascot sprint for his life, the game quickly cuts to minigames that range from chopping carrots in a kitchen to playing whack-a-mole with a giant octopus. Because I am a clumsy person, I accidentally threw orange juice into a character's face instead of gently clinking their wine glass in one of the challenges. Oops! If you use up your lives and fail the game, no worries, as WarioWare: Move It! gives you an infinite amount of continues, as long as you are willing to swallow your pride and re-create a goofy "sacred pose" with your Joy-Cons.
Another stage had me joining Mona, who was on a Mermaid Meet and Greet adventure. In each level, the game introduces you to new poses you have to mimic with your Joy-Cons to progress the story. For Mona's segment, I had to hit a baseball, keep my character dry with an umbrella, and use a plunger to get a turtle out of a clogged toilet. Yes, the game gets weird quickly. In the opening stages alone, I had to "de-stock" a character by pulling the stretched garment off her face. Why? Who knows! But it's these bizarre moments that make WarioWare: Move It a joy to play. While it lacks the strategic elements of board games like Mario Party, its frantic and unexpected gameplay is constantly stimulating. I couldn't stop laughing when one of the challenges literally had me creating a Snowman with my butt. Yeah, don't ask.
WarioWare: Move It has two core modes: Story and Party. In Story Mode, you and another player move up and down Caresaway Island, tackling each level's minigame-filled story segment. The campaign can also be played solo. Party Mode, in comparison, gets straight to the action and is just a collection of minigames that up to 4 players can jump into. In this mode, you will not have to watch lengthy cutscenes or deal with the resort story.
While it's to be expected from the series by this point, I was surprised at how tired I got while playing WarioWare: Move It. The game lives up to its name, as it really expects you to use your entire body while utilizing your full surroundings. In one minigame, I almost fell down on the ground after bending backward so my on-screen character would fit under the game's limbo bar. Players with mobility issues may struggle with certain aspects of WarioWare: Move It!, as there are almost no compromises regarding the physical requirements of each minigame.
WarioWare: Move It is an absolute blast to play and is the perfect mix of chaotic gameplay and bizarre humor. However, the game's heavy reliance on motion controls and strict minigame requirements may be a dealbreaker for some players. Ultimately, Nintendo's decision to go all in on the Joy-Con mostly pays off as WarioWare: Move It has some of the series' most innovative and bizarre minigames to date. If you can get past the hurdles, this is one of the best party titles on the Nintendo Switch and is a perfect love letter to the long-running franchise.
WarioWare: Move It will appear on the Nintendo Switch on November 3, 2023.
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