cter's activities, and then launch into a number of super-fast minigames (microgames, y'see) before finishing with a 'boss' fight of sorts. Each of those microgames will require you to think quickly and use your stylus in some consistent way, whether it's rubbing, slashing, etc. The activities are just short enough to keep things interesting and to make sure your attention is focused purely on the lower screen, which should make each set of microgames pass by much quicker than you realize.I'm not kidding about the speed here. It shouldn't take more than two or three minutes to get through a typical set of microgames, though the Touched's remarkable quickness goes out the window when you consider the aforementioned introduction sequences. At least one of those sequences rolls through five minutes of silly exposition, which is a little depressing when one considers that the set of microgames won't last nearly that long. On the bright side, you can easily skip those sequences once you've seen them once, which you'll need to do if you decide to go back and play through each character's microgames.
You'll probably end up doing that. Touched's collection of microgames is overall pretty entertaining and worth at least one playthrough, though anyone who goes for it might be surprised to discover the game is over in just a few hours. Still, you'll have to replay old levels -- which usually randomize the microgames you encounter -- in order to beat your old score, unlock new toys and challenges, and so forth, which adds a decent amount of replay valu
e for the collectors among us. Some of those challenges you can unlock are great amounts of fun within themselves, which should make filling both Toy Rooms with unlockable activities much more interesting than it sounds.And, should you ever find a microgame in particular that rocks your world, Touched includes an album feature that houses every microgame you've ever played, allowing you to go back and experience your personal favorites. It's a nice touch, especially since it introduces more than just an opportunity to play a single game. Album mode throws the same game at you at increasingly fast speeds, challenging you to go for as long as you can. Doing well can unlock some of the previously mentioned toys, so it's worthwhile to run through some of the collection if you get a chance.
All in all, Warioware: Touched provides pretty decent entertainment for a gamer on the go. It isn't perfect, given the lengthy 'plot' sequences and the inherent nature of a minigame collection, but for anyone looking for instant gratification, you'll find it here. Touched gives you fast and often frantic ways to entertain yourself, making it pretty ideal for someone with just a few minutes to spare.
