Wario Ware: Smooth Moves review

Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
Reviewed by Pirate Yoshi

Over-view: Mario's throwing another party. Wait, wrong Nintendo Party Game Mascot.

Our mutual enemy Wario has come up with another fantastically gross/disturbing/downright weird games, and he wants YOU to pick up a Wii remote and play them! The only problem is...he seems to have forgotten to make an instruction booklet. Can you figure out how to play his rotten games and succeed in making the high score...all in a matter of seconds?

Graphics: 5/10
Well, not like Mr. Chubbiness himself has ever let a little thing like advanced graphics slow his games down. On the flip side, though, sometimes a lack of graphics can really hinder the awesomeness of a game. In Wario's case, it doesn't, but Smooth Moves certainly doesn't seem to have pushed the graphical envelope any further than Mega Party Game$ did years back on the GameCube. The sloppy look, however, fits the game concept well enough that only a whiner will let the visuals trump the more positive aspects.

Sound: 8/10
Hmph. Wario, all your grunting, strangling, gagging sounds certainly make the game...stranger. There's literally a sound effect for everything in this title, and some of them really make the game infinitely better. And to nicely compliment a wide and varying array of effects, a groovy soundtrack is smartly paired to provide some "mood music" for all your goofy endevaors. My only complaint really is that some of the character dialogue can become very aggrivating to listen to ("Go Diamond City!" is alright to hear once every twenty games. Less so every three). Still, pretty good job here.

Controls: 8/10
I very nearly gave this game a perfect score, simply because it was so clever about its use of the motion-sensative controls. However, I had to deny Wario a 10 due to the obvious imperfections--the Wii remote just doesn't always seem to track your movements as effectively as you'd like. In fact, a lot of losses are due to edgy controls that refuse to respond...and, you know, sometimes, I just really can't cover that tiny cow on my platter any harder than I'm trying. However, Smooth Moves makes ground-breaking use of the Wii remote, and the game remains fun despite any remote shortcomings. Most "mistakes" don't really cost you much, anyway.

Gameplay: 9/10
Like previous Wario Ware titles, Smooth Moves has players beating rapid bursts of mini-games in matters of seconds, all to unlock new sets of challenges to complete. Along the way, there's plenty to uncover, including some fun extra games and a lot of creative extras (such as "pose cards," which are really for the entertainment of your friends while you mimic them). Although most of the games technically share the exact same movement of the controller, none feel incredibly repetitve--each is made different enough by the peculiarities of the scenario (a lumberjack with love in his log, a sneaky kid in need of a shove, the backside of a cow waiting to be scrubbed) to feel original and unique from the rest. And, naturally, the more games you succeed at, the harder they become...and, in the world's shortest five seconds, some of those games can be seriously difficult to pull off! This was arguably the first Wii game I felt truly in love with, and I'm still enjoying it weeks later!

Replay: 9.5/10
So what exactly does one do with a gazillion short mini-games? Well, they play them over...and over...and over...but because there's a gazillion of those games, they can stay fresh long past traditional titles. Adding to the longevity of Smooth Moves is its collection of kooky unlockable games, including Tower Tennis and Pyro S, as well as other extra challenges with as many as fifty levels to accomplish. And even once players have discovered all secret modes and games, there's still a plethora of "pose cards" to unlock, which are little drawings for players to mimic the stance of in mid-game, often to the enjoyment and sneering of on-lookers. Even further added depth can be achieved should players attempt to maintain the Pose Card stance while completing the next set of games. And, when a player has finally done it all...he or she can call up a few friends, and the replay refreshes instantly.

**Story: .5/1
Well, technically, Smooth Moves has several stories--one for each character--but they're not so much stories as they are cut-scenes. Mona needs to cheer on a star football player. Dribble and Spitz need to drive a passenger to Tomorrow Hill. Kat and Ana need to fight a monster. Each story ends with...well...something less-than-ordinary. Are they worth watching? No, not at all, but the fact that someone sat down and tried to make up a story and then a funny ending is noble enough to merit half a point extra.

**Multiplayer: 1/1
It wouldn't be Wario Ware without some very random challenges for a whole party of people. Smooth Moves delivers entirely on this aspect--in fact, multiplayer is quite possibly its strongest point. Offering any of 7 multiplayer modes (most available to at least 5 players), Smooth Moves allows for entire parties based around whacking old men with sticks, fitting granny with dentures, and refrigerator-grating fun for the whole family. The only downside to the multiplayer modes is that they lack both the "Finger Food" style, the "Boxer" style, the "Samurai" style, and the "Diner" style games. A disappointment, but not enough to shake a very firm and very fun multiplayer aspect.

Graphics: 5/10
Sound: 8/10
Control: 8/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Replay: 9.5/10

**Story: .5/1
**Multiplayer: 1/1

Total Calculated Score: 8.2/10

Total Assigned Score: 8.9/10

Final Score: 8.55

Last Words: Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is a great game that has the potential to provide a lot of fun. Eventually, the games are not as amazing and spontaneous any longer, but the randomness and urgency of playing against friends in a multiplayer mode never loses the thrill. If you've never tried one of Wario's insane party games...this may be the perfect time...

Rent, Buy, or Pass: I strongly suggest that gamers looking for a fun night at a party do themselves (and their guests) a favor by RENTING this game. Gamers who throw frequent parties and no lives may also want to invest in Smooth Moves for the long haul--BUY it if you're into the casual and light gaming, but advisably at a reduced (used) price.
Pros: The humor is incredible and the real-life interaction does wonders to make this game very exciting!
Cons: Once you've done it...you've done it. There's not much afterwards unless you enjoy watching your friends in multiplayer bouts.
Needs: To be a bit more control-sensative, and to offer a few more (harder) extras to keep gamers playing.