Metareview - WarioWare: Smooth Moves
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jan 16th 2007 at 3:15AM }
Smooth Moves is certainly no 'Game of the Year,' but it's hard to imagine a Wii owner who won't be adding this game to the collection. It's almost a necessity, as it unlocks all of the wonderful, albeit odd, potentials of Wii's technology. WarioWare is a madcap tutorial tool.It's unfortunate, as Eurogamer seems to allude below, that Smooth Moves has been billed to be more than what it is (a series of microgames). This is Wii's first significant title of 2007; and Smooth Moves will have to carry the associated burden for months to come. As such, the game will surely lead to disappointment for some. Still, there's no denying that WarioWare is capable of offering the premiere Wii experience.
- GameSpot (91/100) - "The game comprises more than 200 "microgames" ... But because this is a Wii, and not a DS, the range of these games has greatly expanded ... In a technical sense, some of WarioWare looks like absolute garbage. But that's only because there's such a huge variety of very deliberate visual styles ... this is a fantastic-looking game, especially in 480p ... it's also a terrifically charming, funny, and nefariously addictive game that you can play alone. But it gets even better when you have a crowd on hand to witness the weirdness with you."
- IGN (82/100) - "What really makes WarioWare: Smooth Moves a great introductory title is the sheer amount of style that went into the game ... and the crisp look of Smooth Moves leaves the GameCube version [Mega Party Game$] in the dust ... this version wraps the games up in a more entertaining, stylized, and polished way ... Smooth Moves still has a few downsides that up the learning curve substantially ... the game will make use of the Wii's IR sensor ... [so] it can be a hassle to have a mini-game failed because the Wii-mote wasn't technically pointing at the TV like it should have been ... It's not perfect, it isn't the best in the series, but WarioWare: Smooth Moves is an essential piece of the Wii collection, as it's as much fun ripping through it in single player adventures as it is to shove the controller off on unsuspecting houseguests or non-gamers months and years down the road."
- EuroGamer (70/100) - "[What] differentiates Smooth Moves from the existing WarioWare titles is that it grants players a degree of prior explanation to the various control 'poses' you must adopt ... And once you've familiarised yourself with all 19 forms in rapid succession, the game becomes less about being introduced to new control systems, and, thankfully, more about the hilarity involved in engaging with all 200 microgames ... Just like the GameCube version [Mega Party Game$], though, there's not a huge amount of mileage to be had out of playing it in single-player mode ... you'll romp through them in a couple of hours ... As with all the WarioWare games to date, the stylised visuals are about as deliberately simplistic as any game out there, but nevertheless have a huge amount of charm despite the familiarity ... If there's one overriding criticism, though, it's the feeling that the game's building up to something, but that something never really arrives ... we can't deny that we were expecting much more from Nintendo. The way the game utilises the controller is beautiful and - as ever - the humour superb, yet it's a game short on long-term appeal because it never really dares to test players. Much like Touched! [DS], its focus appears to be more of a snappy technology demonstration than of providing a lasting challenge, and it's puzzling why Nintendo and Intelligent Systems couldn't have delivered on both counts."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ross @ Jan 16th 2007 3:40AM
Tried it - hoped for real gaming goodness - just not seeing the legs with this one either. I still remain looking for something beyond Zelda (and Wii Sports) that has significance and is a 'must-have'. Concern is rising.
And BTW, I have 8 Wii retail games (including Zelda and other usual suspects).
alexanderwales @ Jan 16th 2007 3:41AM
Metacritic is currently showing 83/100 based on 15 reviews. And again, I would like to state that Smooth Moves is the name of a laxative. I am not amused.
Ibere @ Jan 16th 2007 4:07AM
Anyone that played the previous Wario Ware games know what to expect here. I really don't understand people hoping for more than a series of microgames.
The Wii really needs a new in-depth game, no doubt, but people saying this game is no good just because it is casual are simply missing the point.
Gavin @ Jan 16th 2007 4:18AM
I bought WarioWare for the GC and GBA. They got old really quickly, but were fun for a few hours at the most. You can beat them lickety-split.
Nerdtacular @ Jan 16th 2007 12:01PM
I'm a huge Warioware fan since the beginning. I got a copy of Smooth Moves early last week.
While I'm very happy with the new games (and found myself laughing out loud for the first two hours of play while I opened up all the single player)...I'm very dissapointed by the multiplayer options. This is something I don't see the other reviews griping about.
From what I've seen all of the multiplayer modes require players to pass the remote (no 4 remote play), and the modes are just sort of--blah.
I really liked the turtle balancing and othello/space battle frameworks from the GC version, as well as the games where all 4 players would interact at once. While Smooth Moves is geared towards multiplayer...it seems like there could have been many more inventive modes.
Ah well, maybe Mario Party will fill this itch. Overall, this is still a sweet, sweet game.
Scott @ Jan 16th 2007 1:35PM
I own Rayman for the Wii and all the other wario wares, so I have a good Idea of what I'm getting into.
I think the interesting thing to keep in mind with this one is the party element involved. Wiisports? Yeah, good fun by yourself. The family coming over? That's where the magic happens. Now, replace the tennis with your overwieght granpa doing squats because a game told him to do it. Gold, baby. Gold.
There's power in numbers.
kris @ Jan 16th 2007 6:38AM
I have rayman so i have a feeling my mini-game madness should be fulfilled for now although i do like the wario franchise.
Hopefully Metroid, super smash and mario galaxy will be out come spring. Once i have completed Zelda i have a feeling i may be leaving my wii untill they do. Thanks god i have a 360 with all those FPS's to complete!!
webrunner @ Jan 16th 2007 8:56AM
Wario Ware's significance is that it's basically gaming distilled to it's individual components - dodging enemy fire, hitting Mario blocks, performing simple tasks, etc. Everything you do in a full game you do in Wario Ware, just in Wario Ware you do it more discretely.
It's not meant as a collection of individual games, it's the collection itself that matters, and when you realize that, the end result is no shallower than any major title.
The Intangible Fact @ Jan 16th 2007 9:06AM
I feel sorry for Wii owners. These games suck.
Daniel @ Jan 16th 2007 9:11AM
Nintendo is laughing to the bank as it reads comments like the first guy's up there. He complains about the Wii and its lack of quality games, but then says he owns eight games for it. That's gold.
Oh, and everyone who says this game sucks either A) haven't played it or B) haven't played it with six or more friends (whether they don't have that many or just haven't had a chance, I don't know;)
Open up your minds, 'hardcore' gamers.
RDX @ Jan 16th 2007 9:27AM
I think it's hilarious to hear people say things like "You can beat these games in just a couple hours!!!!" If you're going into a Wario Ware game with the mindset of wanting to just beat the game, you're missing the point entirely. I know my friends and I played the GC version to death. Great multiplayer. I'm sure this one is just as, if not more, fun too.
Marlos Hill @ Jan 16th 2007 9:28AM
im not even remotely interested in this game... which kinda makes me feel like this could turn into Gamecube all over again.
:( long droughts
CMR @ Jan 16th 2007 10:23AM
Well, Gamespot gave it a 9.1, where as they gave Zelda an 8.8... And Zelda was a pretty fun game, so one can only assume that Warioware stands at least a head higher on the awsomeness scale. I don't know what you guys are complaining about.
Daniel @ Jan 16th 2007 10:12AM
Exactly, RDX.
Travis @ Jan 16th 2007 10:57AM
I bought WarioWare Touched for the DS about 6 months ago. At first I was really disappointed. I beat the game in about an hour and couldn't believe it costed the full DS game price of $35. Later that day I thought I'd show it to my girlfriend and I realized as I watched her play that "beating" the game is just unlocking the game. The real game starts when you try to compete for the highest scores in each section.
After that, I still thought it should be a cheaper game, but I appreciated it a lot more.
I went out and bought Smooth Moves yesterday and it's very similar. You need to play through the levels to unlock the mini games, and you can "beat" it in about an hour. I'd have to say I'm liking Smooth Moves much more just because of the variation in the mini games.
If you want a party game, this will be a hit. The mini games are just so damn odd you can't help but crack up. However, if you're trying to find another 1 player game that you can sink the next 40 hours of your life into, this is not it.
Hope that helps anyone trying to make up their mind.
Chris @ Jan 16th 2007 10:35AM
Have you people ever even had a console at launch before? you won't get any really epic games for another year. Look at the DS, look at the 360, look at any system ever. Just enjoy you have one and play it to have fun.
ryan @ Jan 17th 2007 10:03AM
Got it yesterday, So fun, great for a quick pick up and play for 10 min or so. But still could play it for hours. Rule #3 let go of your inhibitions, anyone who is so uptight that they are complaining about a game they most likely never played would never enjoy a game like this. This game is fun for the sake of fun, nothing more, nothing less.
phillosmaster @ Jan 16th 2007 12:37PM
This is exactly the type of the games Wii needs. The Wii is a social console. It really only gets a work out when I have company over. The only thing I play by myself is Zelda. Red Steel and Excite Truck split screen is fun when I have my gaming friends over, but I really want more casual stuff besides Wii Sports that I can pull out when non-gaming friends come over. I think Wario Ware will do well since it's so easy to just pick up and play. Girls in particular loved Wario Ware when I showed it to them on the GBA.
Chris @ Jan 16th 2007 1:38PM
You guys gotta be really thick.
You all had your hopes up, and praying to god for this to be the next "The legend of Wario : Ocarina of Time".
This is a great game no matter what you "family mini game type" hater.
This kind of games with this kind of creativity is what makes Wii a great console to ANYONE. (except you fps die-hard fans.
I started to play smooth moves 2 days ago, and its a good short one-player game, but as far as I know, has a great multiplayer.
All of you who started to cry when you found out wario wasn't the game of the year,you can kiss wario's hairy cute bottom.
fraxyl @ Jan 16th 2007 9:08PM
What is the multi-player like, exactly? I've not played the cube version. I have the original WarioWare on GBA and that's it.
Tacoman @ Jan 17th 2007 1:07AM
@20
The multiplayer is incredibly fun and frantic if the GCN version is any indication, I just picked up Smooth Moves and can't wait to play it with some friends. Drinking while you play makes it even more fun!
Brandi @ Jan 17th 2007 4:58PM
loved it loved it...so much fun watchin others play too..just all around fun game