WarioWare: Touched! – Review

The Story behind WarioWare: Touched! is a simple affair, you play one of numerous zany characters in your quest to just go one better as you work your way through various tasks (Mini Games).

Gameplay could not be simpler, it is essentially a lot of mini games (as with previous Wario Ware titles on the GBA & GameCube) that you complete using the touch screen and / or microphone. Mini games range from the drag and drop to the blow on the screen for effect. All in all its simplicity and ease of use will mean you’ll be back time and time again to try and complete even more mini games thus enabling you to open more of the insane micro games (toys) that become unlocked along the way. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a piece of cake though, the further you progress the faster the games play thus leaving you less time to complete them, making for a truly manic gaming experience on later levels.
For the most part the games are split up into the various methods of completion and these are linked to a particular character. For example one characters games may all be drag and drop, whilst others may all be microphone related. There are those characters whose games selection are a ‘mix’ however meaning you never really know what you’re going to get.

All in all there are 180 mini games in Wario Ware Touched, which given each one takes around 5 seconds to complete could make for a fairly short gaming experience (ok for you people who I know will be sitting there working that out it would be 15 minutes or so if you played each one concurrently, which would never happen) but the games are so addictive it doesn’t really matter and although majority of them are simple there are a few that will need a little practice to truly master.

Graphically speaking Wario Ware Touched not only brings a sense of nostalgia back for older gamers but also has some of the most insane things happening on screen you’re ever likely to see (yes some of the mini games even beat Feel the Magic for weirdness) . Visually though there’s nothing overly taxing for the Nintendo DS to cope with as mostly it’s a 2D affair with a few 3D showings briefly. Most of the games are simplistic and therefore no need for over indulgence graphically. Old skool gamers though will find themselves smiling at the old Nintendo levels as the title does pack in a fair whack of nostalgia and very nicely done it is too. All in all the graphics are stylish, colorful and quirky.

The Sound in Wario Ware Touched is superb, when there. Mostly it is comprised of silly little tunes and the expected popping noises. Voices however do play a part in sections and they’re good for the most part, one of this reviewers favorite finds within the title was that of ‘Ashleys Theme’, which, when unlocked you may well find yourself listening to quite a few times and then singing for no apparent reason (yes it really is that good). The deaf gamer however can rest assured that he / she can play Wario Ware Touched without any problems as there are none of those listening mini games as appeared on Mario 64 DS.

Female Gamer Angle on this one is fairly moot but as it is our site ethos to include such a thing then here it is, be you man, woman, martian, animal, mineral or indeed vegetable you cannot help but enjoy Wario Ware Touched. One of the coolest female components of the title I have found thus far is the opening of micro-game (though it isn’t really a game) ‘Ashleys Theme’, what a girl! A cool theme song for a cool chick.

Multi Player Mayhem! .. Er no actually, for whatever bizarre reason unbeknownst to me Nintendo decided not to include wireless multi-player with this title and this is the one thing this title will lose a point on for me because as far as I’m concerned this was a major missed opportunity to up the lifespan and overall enjoyment of the game which screams multi-player fun. There is only one multi-player game in Wario Ware Touched, the unlockable micro-game of ‘Ping Pong’, which is a lot of fun sure, but come on there was so much more that could have been *sigh*

Overall Wario Ware Touched is, in this reviewers opinion a ‘must have’ title for the Nintendo DS and well worth the asking price despite the fact that is a fairly short experience. The uniqueness of this title should be enough to bring back everyone, form the rookie gamer to the hardcore gamer because it is just so ‘more-ish!’. Such a shame about the multi player aspect however and so I’m going to have to take off a point for that I’m afraid, whatever Nintendo were thinking when they decided not to include wireless multi player is beyond me… a total lost opportunity. Don’t let that put you off however because if you own a DS you SHOULD own Wario Ware Touched.

Review by Angela