Wario: Master of Disguise

 DS
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 35
  3. Negative: 7 out of 35
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  1. Play Magazine
    90
    This is one(more)DS game not to be missed. [Apr 2007, p.59]
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  2. GameBrink
    80
    Due to a few gameplay hiccups here and there and some rather boring gameplay in other spots Wario doesn’t quite approach greatness. It’s a good fun diversion for those who like the platformer/puzzle/Metroid hybrid but all others can probably skip it. [JPN Import]
  3. Yahoo!
    80
    Its use of the DS touchscreen is innovative, despite its handful of control issues. Platformers don't always have to be walks in the park, and it's rare to have one challenge you this much mentally.
  5. GameSpy
    80
    Precisely what you'd expect from Wario: tons of juvenile, yet still pretty funny, scatological humor and some passable minigames. What saves it from mediocrity is the fact that it is actually really challenging.
  6. G4 TV
    80
    Master of Disguise is a textbook on using the touch-screen to revamp traditional genres -- fans of off-beat action games are going to love it.
  7. Game Informer
    73
    These minigames are passable at first, but the fact that you have to complete one every single time you open a chest will have you questioning whether any treasure is worth this constant hassle.
  8. Thunderbolt
    70
    Although one could classify Wario: Master of Disguise as a platformer, I'd say it has more in common with a puzzle-genre game. Apart from the boss encounters, there isn't a lot of action here.
  9. AceGamez
    70
    If the game ran as smoothly and perfectly as I am sure it was intended to then it would have been superb, worthy of an eight or nine.
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  10. Nintendo Gamer
    68
    Plenty of typically interesting Wario ideas in another original and amusing platformer, but it's spoiled by a deeply uncomfortable and annoying control system. [Apr 2007, p.54]
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  11. Cheat Code Central
    68
    Just think of it as a new challenging adventure with one your favorite characters and new "stylus skills" added.
  12. GamingExcellence
    68
    I somehow can't seem to put the game down. Its one redeeming quality is that it's so incredibly addictive. The controls are brutal at times, but the game is creative and enough of a new experience that it makes the game feel like something fresh.
  13. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    68
    One for the Wario hardcore only. [June 2007, p.95]
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  14. Nintendo Power
    65
    Despite its shortcomings, Master of Disguise managers to deliver a moderately enjoyable platforming romp. [Apr 2007, p.86]
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  15. Da Gameboyz
    65
    With good visuals, good sound and average gameplay, this title’s overall score is hurt by some poor implementation of the touch screen functionality, which just did not do [as] good as job as it could [have].
  16. GamePro
    65
    The gameplay stays varied throughout, but Master of Disguise ends up feeling a little gimmicky due to uninteresting characters, plot, environments and graphics.
  17. Games Master UK
    63
    A few nice ideas are let down by an overenthusiastic DS control scheme. [June 2007, p.69]
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  18. GameSpot
    61
    A passable puzzler, but it lacks polish, and the touch-screen controls weren't necessary.
  19. IGN
    60
    Not particularly a very good Nintendo release. Its design might attempt a DS-specific presentation, but the implementation of the touch screen elements is so amateurish with concepts that wouldn't have flown in the early part of the Nintendo DS system's life cycle.
  20. Modojo
    60
    Level design, enemy design, and damn near every other category of this game are in short, unimpressive.
  21. GameTrailers
    60
    It looks like Wario should stick to minigame compilations, after all.
  22. Pocket Gamer UK
    60
    It's not that the Emperor has no clothes, but in Master of Disguise, Wario's garb looks distinctly threadbare, despite some cute ideas.
  23. Zentendo
    60
    It’s a shame to see great anti-heroes fall to such depths.
  24. GameDaily
    50
    Wario: Master of Disguise could have been a huge leap forward for Nintendo's anti-hero. Instead, it ends up as a low-grade, tiresome platformer, knocking the series almost completely off course.
  25. Game Revolution
    50
    Discovering and learning to use the different disguises keeps Wario: Master of Disguise exciting for a few levels. But once the novelty wears off, there’s really nothing to keep you interested in the game.
  26. Deeko
    50
    All in all, Wario: Master of Disguise was a game that attempted to bring something new to the table, but instead faltered and broke along the way.
  27. NintendoWorldReport
    50
    While Master of Disguise may look like a Wario platformer on the surface, the game is plagued by terrible pacing, obfuscated level design, and unsatisfying controls. If you're not going to do a Wario game right, Nintendo, don't do it at all.
  28. Game Almighty
    50
    [A] less than stellar adventure.
  29. NTSC-uk
    50
    Wario's a greedy so-and-so, and he goes to a lot of trouble to get what he wants. Master of Disguise is an enjoyable diversion which some will enjoy, but you have to question whether Wario's elaborate scheme was really worth bothering with in the first place.
  30. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    48
    If there’s one thing that can’t be doubted, it’s Wario’s credentials as a Master of Disguise – he’s managed to take a sub-par puzzle-platformer, and make it look like an inventive spin on a well-worn genre. Sadly, this particular disguise doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
  31. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    47
    It's a decent enough action-platforming romp, sure, but it's clearly not the product of the real Wario crew. [May 2007, p.87]
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  32. Edge Magazine
    40
    There’s a desperate lack of innovation on display here; nondescript levels based around ice caves, pyramids and inevitable Mayan temples. The boring locations exacerbate the sneaking feeling that the levels, which can easily take an hour or longer to finish, are simply too large. [JPN Import; Mar 2007, p.81]
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  33. 1UP
    40
    Poorly made platformers were a big part of the 8- and 16-bit eras, too, so maybe things are just coming full circle. Fortunately, most of us still remember how not to spend our money on crap like this.
  34. Eurogamer
    40
    The sad fact is that there isn't a single spark of imagination or joy in this entire game. Despite some obvious effort, Wario: Master of Disguise is just utterly tedious in every respect and an absolute chore to play.
  35. games(TM)
    40
    Perhaps the biggest letdown of all is that Wario’s mischievous side is never allowed to flourish with few opportunities to create havoc in Kaitou Wario The Seven’s sprawling levels. [JPN Import; Apr 2007, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  36. The Sydney Morning Herald
    30
    Apart from being tediously simple and lacking variety, the challenges have absolutely no tension, because failure just means you have to try again.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Most Discussed DS Game of 2007
12
#12 Most Shared DS Game of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 34
  3. Negative: 6 out of 34
  1. AlexS.
    May 27, 2007
    10
    I love this game it is so cool even though it can get hard in several parts. And I'm only on A Third Thief Brings Grief Level 4 but it I love this game it is so cool even though it can get hard in several parts. And I'm only on A Third Thief Brings Grief Level 4 but it is still awesome.… Full Review »
  2. ChristofferL
    Jul 28, 2009
    6
    This is the weirdest wario game ever made, and I hardly love it. Only 10 unreplayable episodes, bosses without challenge (except Sprinx This is the weirdest wario game ever made, and I hardly love it. Only 10 unreplayable episodes, bosses without challenge (except Sprinx wanting you to solve 3 riddles, that part was annoying) and the system of the crests is kinda pointless, but still fun. The story is not bad or good, there was only one primary goal: collect all 5 pieces of the wishstone and wish for all treasures in the world. Some of the disguise symbols are pretty hard for the system to regonize, like almost everytime I'm about to change my self to Cosmic Wario, the game thinks I want to become Arty Wario even if I draw the circle perfect. The game is fun and feels very well to finally solve a problem you find yourself stuck in, but after completing the whole game, theres an little bonus: gather all treasures and complete the 5 extra episodes, NO THANKS, I just wanted to complete the game.… Full Review »
  3. Derpcat
    Jan 21, 2023
    4
    Wario: Master of Disguise. A very obscure DS game. Nintendo made lots of games for the DS. Many will go down in history as masterpieces likeWario: Master of Disguise. A very obscure DS game. Nintendo made lots of games for the DS. Many will go down in history as masterpieces like Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl and New Super Mario Bros. But, there are some virtually unknown games. Like Meteos and, you guessed it, Wario Master of Disguise. Very recently I got the chance to play this game. So here I’ll cover it. So, without a further ado, here is the most unknown DS game.

    So one day Wario decided that he wanted to go into a TV, because he saw this show called the Silver Zephyr, about a thief. Wario goes in and lands on the Silver Zephyr, who upon losing his wand, turns into regular old Count Cannoli. Wario grabs his wand who is sentient and named Goodstyle. The wand lets Wario change his outfit. He wants Wario to gather the Wishstone in order to let Wario have all the treasure in the world. Story is a major focus, so no spoilers.

    Wario: Master of Disguise is a CastleRoid game, or Metroidvania if you’re a weirdo. There are 10 large levels that you clear in order. You get abilities in levels that you keep, but you play them in linear order. You can also find treasure chests, and when you open them, you play a minigame. They are so bland it’s insulting. Sometimes you have to color things in. Yeah. You need to get other items as well. Imagine if in Metroid, you would have to change your suit by drawing something on the screen to use 3 of your abilities, and then change it back when you’re done. That’s the disguise mechanic. Despite this, I like the disguise mechanic, but the controls are super gimmicky. You need to draw things on the screen to do actions, change disguise, and access doors. It’s kind of uncomfortable. One action requires you to blow on the screen. I did that, and my dog got angry at me and attacked my DS. The speed of the game is a lot slower than many other 2D platformers. I played Wario Land 4 at the same time, and it was much faster. The drawing in the controls make it slower. The bosses require fast movement and it can be clunky. The bosses are good, however. There is one every level (Except level 3). Some aren’t great, but there are standouts. The gameplay gets a 4/10. Super gimmicky, and the controls are garbage.

    The DS isn’t incredibly powerful. The graphics are bright and colorful, and the enemies will have you laughing. To be honest, it looks better than other DS games like New Super Mario Bros. I wish it looked like Wario Land 4, but it still looks good. But again, I wish it looked better. The music is either too hard rock or too soft. There aren’t many standouts, but the final boss theme is so amazing. It sounds like something you’d find in Undertale. 7/10 presentation. It’s very good.

    Content here isn’t great. As I said before, there are 10 levels. There are 5 bonus ones that play differently. And there is a coffee book that contains minigames, enemies, and stuff like that. You can discover all of them, and play the minigames and get medals on them. The levels also have high-score based replay value. Other than that though, what you see is what you get. 2/10 content. Not good. I’m rating it a two because at least there’s something.

    I found Wario: Master of Disguise to be much better than I thought. With that being said, I do NOT recommend it. If you can find it for under $30, by all means, go for it. But that’s rare. As it stands, Wario: Master of Disguise is the forgotten Wario game, that’s hidden but not a gem.

    Now, you probably think I was way too hard on this game. But I’m breaking away from the standard formula. I bet you think a 7/10 is bad. A 4/10 is where what most think a 7/10 is here. Just saying this so there’s no confusion. Wario: Master of Disguise is by no means a good game. But I rated it better than you think. Maybe.    … Full Review »
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