Mario's arch nemesis gets his own Wii game

Wario knows good ideas when he sees them, especially when they involve large sacks of money. Deciding to cash in on the video game craze, he has convinced several of his friends to help him make games to sell to the unsuspecting populace. The game has been on every system since the GBA, with variations such as turning the controller, multiplayer face-offs and using the DS's touch screen. Finally, Wario's (and Nintendo's) master plan takes him to the Wii.

Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is the king of mini-game game play. The entire game is centered on split-second, off-the-wall "microgames" demanding to complete an objective while only giving a short phrase as instruction. The Wii remote is referred to as the "Form Wand" in the game, an artifact Wario discovered in a conveniently located ancient temple.

Before each game, the player is given a "style" in which to use the controller during the upcoming game. Over 20 styles are used throughout the 200-plus games, but the provided pictures make learning them easy.

The player is given the job of testing each character's batch of games. Each one introduces new styles to the repertoire and some have themes. Eight-Bit & 16-Bit's theme is past Nintendo games, while Orbulon's stages require the use of the Nunchuk (called the "Balance Stone" in the game).

After completing a certain number of games in each stage and clearing the boss game, the next set will be unlocked. Four lives are provided at the start of each stage; not clearing a game will subtract lives until the games are over, while clearing the boss stage scores a one-up. Going back to replay stages also makes more games available.

The single player game is on the short side, but the multiplayer aspect more than makes up for it. Two to 12 people can play at the same time, depending on the game type.

While most of the games like Survival are about competition, a few also encourage cooperation. This is also one of the few games to use Miis as well, which is a nice touch.

The Wario Ware games are all about being weird, wacky and wild, and the graphics fit those concepts to a T. Art styles go all over the game and change from game to game. The music is also fittingly upbeat and matches the game's ever-increasing pace.

This game uses all kinds of control schemes to do tasks from the inane to the insane. Games can involve interviewing short-tempered lions, line dancing, flying and of course, picking noses. Controls are responsive and cleverly used.

The Wii was practically made for this kind of game. Players looking for something VERY different will certainly find it here, and if there are enough people, it will take a long time before it gets old.