Wario Ware, Inc - Mega Party Game$
Wario Ware, Inc: Mega Party Game$ is the GameCube version of Nintendo's hit Wario Ware, Inc: Mega Microgame$ for the GameBoy Advance. This time however, the 200 plus microgames are brought to the TV screen in both single and multiplayer modes. How does the game stack up to the rest of the multiplayer GameCube games? Continue reading to find out!

Graphics:

The graphics are one of the weakest points in the game. While the microgames are brought to a bigger screen, they still have the same graphical look as the GBA version. However, the game is spiced up with wacky cutscenes and introductions to gameplay modes. In single player, a selection of five or six cutscenes are available to watch. These cutscenes use a mix between 2-D and 3-D graphical styles, and make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Nonetheless, they are still wacky and interesting to watch. Other than these short cutscenes and intros, the graphics are what you'd expect to see in Wario Ware for the GBA.

Sound and Music:

The music, like the cutscenes, is very weird. A lot of it is fast paced and short in order to keep up with the microgames. Actually, the majority of it is fast paced and short. The only long songs are the ones used in cutscenes and menus. There isn't much voice acting either, seeing as how the cutscenes use text. The only voice acting done is simple words or phrases said by the characters in the game, and with Charles Martinet being the voice actor, the voices are sure to be good. Sound effects are a huge factor in the game. Each tiny little microgame has its own set of sounds, all of which have been done well. While the sound in the game isn't the best, it certainly serves its purpose and isn't painful to the ears.

Storyline:

The game really doesn't have a storyline. The only real story I saw was in the single player cutscenes, and as I said earlier, they didn't make much sense at all. Each zany character in the game has background information, which I guess I could consider part of the story. However, for scoring purposes I'm just not going to judge this category.

Gameplay:

This is where the game truly shines. The gameplay definitely makes up quite a bit for all the bad parts of the game. Well, at least the multiplayer does. The single player mode, fun and exciting as it is, will only take you a day or two at most to fully complete. The multiplayer mode however is an entirely different story. Even though each gameplay mode can be unlocked in one sitting, the multiplayer mode will keep you playing this game for a long time. While the game allows up to four players, sixteen if you play the "one controller" mode, it's extremely fun and hectic with just two players. There are around six to eight different modes of play, all of which have different objectives. In one mode you must use your character to block the screen and prevent your opponent from beating his microgames. In another mode, the game tells you to make noises or perform silly actions while beating your microgame, then lets the other players judge how well you did. The microgames themselves range in difficulty. They require simple button mashing, memorizing stuff, good reflexes, and many other types of gameplay. The game definitely offers a wide variety of multiplayer fun, and I was only able to play it with one other person! I can only imagine how much more hectic it would be with four players, or even sixteen! While some games rely heavily on their single player, Wario Ware is definitely a multiplayer reliant game all the way.

Controls:

The controls are possibly the easiest controls in any game I've ever seen. The only buttons you'll use are the control stick and A. The real problem is, how do you use them? Many of the microgames only tell you what to do, and leave you to figure out the controls for them. While this should probably be listed under gameplay, I see it more as a control problem. The controls themselves are great, but with only 3 seconds to complete a microgame, I'd like the game to let me know what the heck I'm supposed to be doing.

Replayability:

There's quite a bit of stuff to be unlocked in the game. However, the problem is that the stuff isn't very difficult to unlock. Over time, you'll master the microgames and they won't be that difficult, making them boring or tedious to some people. Nevertheless, the game's multiplayer will keep you coming back for weeks, months, and maybe even years!

In closing, the game is pretty well balanced. It has its share of flaws like any game, but is able to redeem itself by having extremely wacky and fast paced multiplayer. I'll issue a warning though. If you are one of those people who aren't able to see his or her friends often, or if you just plain and simple don't have any friends, this game is not for you.
Graphics: 6.0/10
Sound and Music: 7.0/10
Storyline: Not Judged
Gameplay: 8.5/10
Controls: 9.0/10
Replayability: 7.5/10
7.2
Out of 10