Control:  
And in order to play the 200+ microgames, you'd think learning all the different control schemes would be near impossible.

But the cool thing about it is that for all these games, players never use more than the D-Pad and the A button.

Some games require you to mash the A button to help Wario eat an apple. Press the D-Pad left and right to help Wario shake the fruit off a tree so he can steal it. Rotate the D-Pad to turn a wheel and raise a flag. Run and jump in a three second, Goomba stomping Mario simulation.

Tons of variety and your thumbs never have to move.

Gameplay:  
Each microgame is separated by a screen that tells you how many you've cleared from the set your in. It also lets you know how close you are to losing all your "lives."

The different sets of games include sports games, Nintendo games, IQ games, and what you might call miscellaneous games.

Think racing sim, a level from Duck Hunt, picking the image that does not belong, and timing it so a finger slides effortlessly into a waiting nose.

Each character in the game offers 25 new games including a boss game that offer a longer challenge, but still require gamers to react fast.

Once seen in the main game, players can practice any of the individual games, with instructions, in a separate mode. Achieve hi-scores on every game and something special awaits.

There are almost as many things to unlock as there are things available from the start.

Multiplayer:
Because the games are simple, two-player games like a hurdle race are played by sharing the Gameboy with another player at the same time.

The multiplayer games are all about timing. Player one uses the L button. Player two uses the R button.

It's a cute idea, so long as you don't mind sitting that close to a friend, especially a friend not afraid to get his big head all up in your face.

Sound:
As the pace of the game increases, and it does, so does the tempo of the music.

The tunes won't stick with you like some of the best game music will, but they do get faster and seemingly louder to help add to the tension.

There are audio clues that remind you the new microgame is about to start, too. So if you rest your head for just a second to ease on the neck strain, the game will make that tone to pull you back in.

In that respect, the music is both functional and effective. Not bad.

OVERALL:
Wario Ware is an innovative game from Nintendo. This is the kind of thing we were promised from the "Nintendo Difference."

It's a great game to play in short bursts and it has enough depth to keep players coming back again and again.

Beat it all and go for the hi-score. There's a lot of fun to be had with Wario Ware.

And that's something you might not expect from a game that lasts five seconds or less.

 

The Lowdown on  Wario Ware, Inc. Aesthetics: Below Average Control: Above Average Gameplay: Awesome Multiplayer: Below Average Sound: Very Good Innovation: 6/6 Lasting Appeal: 5/6 Overall: Very Good! "A Must-Buy"