Wario World

 GameCube
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
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  1. Play Magazine
    100
    For someone who feeds off of the connection between game and player, the kind of connection that only the very best can forge, an hour of Wario is worth ten of a game that only pays of sporadically. Wario World pays off every second I'm holding the controller, and that, to me, is greatness. [June 2003, p.60]
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  2. Deeko
    90
    Weighing in at 6-10 hours, the game is short. However, veteran gamers will enjoy coming back to Wario World time and time again for the great graphics, sound and gameplay.
  3. Nintendojo
    85
    In spite of its shortcomings, Wario World is a fun throwback to the simpler games of the 16-bit era and is most certainly worthy of the Wario name.
  5. Game Informer
    85
    No Treasure game would be complete if it wasn't replete with awesome boss battles. Wario World has them in droves. [July 2003, p.108]
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  6. GameShark
    80
    Nintendo fans will jump all over this but Treasure fans and casual game players may just want to rent this one out.
  7. Nintendo Power
    80
    Although WW is not very deep, it is tons of fun. The challenges are tricky at times but rarely frustrating. [July 2003, p.80]
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  8. Armchair Empire
    80
    A fun, splashy, albeit short and easy game with some great small touches and a hint of sidescrolling nostalgia.
  9. GameCube Europe
    80
    You’ll have a great time playing Wario World without any doubt, but it’ll be over before you want it to be. If you don’t want to spend money on short games, try to rent or borrow Wario World, it’s really worth playing.
  10. GamePro
    80
    In an age when platformers are searching for the next gimmick, Wario World stays addictive by weight of sheer design innovation. Shame it’s so short.
  11. netjak
    76
    Wario World has many of the same qualities as its protagonist. It’s slightly rotten but likable, a bit too short, and awfully greedy.
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  12. Firing Squad
    75
    Even though the entire concept and execution is far from original, everything was well done...It's tough not to like a game that's just so delightfully evil -- pity that it's over all too quickly.
  13. GameNow
    75
    My biggest beef with Wario World is that it's over too quickly... If you love looking for secrets, though, Wario World is a great diversion. [July 2003, p.47]
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  14. IGN
    71
    Like "Luigi's Mansion," what's there is good. I just wish there was more of it.
  15. GMR Magazine
    70
    It's a fun, imaginative platformer that, though easily and quickly completed, is another solid first-party GameCube title. [July 2003, p.74]
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  16. Eurogamer
    70
    Where the game falls down is its length; at around eight hours it's going to take you less than a good weekend session to plough through it, and for £40, frankly that's not good enough. It's "Luigi's Mansion" all over again.
  17. Cincinnati Enquirer
    70
    WW isn't the best platform game on the console, but it has its charm.
  18. GameSpy
    70
    For the most part, Wario World offers little above and beyond the standard 3D platform romp, and what is offered turns out to be very short and repetitive. That's not too say that the game isn't fun while it lasts, because it is -- I just wish there was four times as much to crack.
  19. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    68
    The levels are tight, fast, and fun - less about aimless exploration and more about reflex-testing action. But on the other hand, I'm a little disappointed that it's so short and simplistic, and that it doesn't take more advantage of the GC's hardware. [July 2003, p.114]
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  20. Game Revolution
    67
    Equally goofy and strange, but in an unassuming way, it's also good, unpretentious fun.
  21. Nintendophiles
    65
    It's not bad, it's just too short and without enough substance.
  22. GameSpot
    64
    The game certainly contains a lot of the same Wario charm that makes his GBA appearances so memorable, but the final product is too short and simplistic to hold your attention for more than a day.
  23. Gamestyle
    60
    No-one was expecting a heavy, lengthy platformer, but neither the puzzly-jumping nor the fighting has been nurtured enough to shine through, and as it stands Wario World is a missed opportunity; not particularly bad, but certainly not what we'd expect from two of the finest developers in Japan.
  24. NintendoWorldReport
    60
    Although the character models and environments are modeled decently, Wario’s console debut suffers from one of Nintendo’s worst GameCube texture jobs to date, barring ports.
  25. Yahoo!
    60
    No lines are crossed and no boundaries are broken. Good stuff, but still stuff you've seen many times before.
  26. G4 TV
    60
    The fundamental gameplay is so strong and so well executed. But it's over so fast without enough challenge that you can't help but want more. Never before have I found a game that screams rental so loudly.
  27. All Game Guide
    60
    The replay value is inexplicably weak, because getting all of the treasures, statue pieces, and rubies is not as complicated as it sounds.
  28. Gamer's Pulse
    58
    With some many other superb GameCube titles available, Wario World drops down to the bottom of the library with its below-average visual presentation, far too easy gameplay, and the promise of a great greedy game.
  29. Cinescape
    58
    A rental at best. It's too short, and too repetitive to be a purchase.
  30. Cheat Code Central
    50
    The relative ease of the control system and derivative gameplay means that you won't be spending time bent over the learning curve. You can dig right in and have yourself a great afternoon's worth of entertainment.
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  31. Gaming Age
    50
    If there had been more secrets, perhaps some power-ups like the Mario games, and more variety to the action the game would have scored much higher. As it is, Wario World delivers on the action, but falls short when it comes to actual substance.

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Best GameCube Game of 2003
13
#13 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
9
#9 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 73
  3. Negative: 6 out of 73
  1. burgersmitten
    Aug 24, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. There are a lot of things not to like about Wario World, and I imagine that's why it hasn't been regarded well. Whether it's the short length, the basic combat, or some other nitpick, none of those seem like a solid reason to dislike the game. Rather, I think there's an inherent quality to the game that turns people away. Wario has never been a character designed to fall in love with. A former villain whose defining trait is greed probably lacks the same base appeal as Mario, a courageous butt-stomping plumber boy, or Luigi, a sensitive but equally capable sidekick. Wario instead is something to oppose such likability, and I think this game lacks that empathetic angle that most Nintendo games pride themselves on. All that said, the style of the gameplay is also unlike most other games. It's a beat em' up, but only in mechanics. The levels are more akin to the stages in Yoshi's Island or the recent Super Mario 3D World, in that there are collectibles and challenges which branch out off the main path. The goal of the game is not to beat up enemies, but to find and collect treasure in addition to gems which will open the way to a boss battle. But it isn't really a platformer either, because of the focus on boss battles. There are 13 bosses in this game, in only 8 levels -- not counting several mini bosses. So it's easy to see someone not enjoying the strange genre bending going on here. But I believe it's the wrong approach to take, as the game offers something totally unique here. In that way, it's more like Luigi's Mansion, which had a unique idea of vacuuming ghouls and built a game around it. Wario World's idea is less obvious, and that is to create a game where the player must solve game-play "puzzles," and thereby learn how to better control Wario. The length of the game is no result of budget restraints, rather, this is a game where the levels are so packed with interactive encounters that replay-ability became the focus. This is more obvious by checking who developed the game, Treasure, known for their tight and difficult arcade-like masterpieces. Wario World isn't a masterpiece like Ikaruga or Gunstar Heroes, but it carries their trademark precision with controls. Now, look. I have no nostalgic attachment to this game. Last week was the first time I played it, so you can be sure I'm not just talking out of my butt with this one. Wario World is an under-appreciated game, there's no doubt. What on the surface may seem like a generic platformer is actually an experiment in genre bending. The only real gripe I have with the game is the final boss here in America. For the Japanese release, which came out after the American disc, they added extra phases to make the cycles less repetitive. Unfortunately, the final boss is probably one of the least exciting in the game. Although, it does mean that everything before it is pretty stellar. I highly recommend playing this game.… Full Review »
  2. SmashFan
    Jul 11, 2017
    10
    Wario World is another painfully underrated Gamecube title. Like Mario Sunshine, Star Fox Assault, and Luigi's Mansion. Comparing this to theWario World is another painfully underrated Gamecube title. Like Mario Sunshine, Star Fox Assault, and Luigi's Mansion. Comparing this to the abominable Shadow the Hedgehog is madness. If you're a fan of the Wario Land games. You'll adore Wario World.

    Wario World is a masterful mix of beat-em up action and the puzzle goodness of Wario Land. Wario World's fantastic mechanics deliver both ways to traverse levels and bash your enemies. And because of this the game always keeps you on your toes with crazy boss battles, inventive level design, and chaotic battles. The game is a bit on the short side but there's much exploration so there's a lot to replay. If you're into Nintendo platofrmers at all give Wario World a shot. It's another gem in the Gamecube's arsenal.    … Full Review »
  3. gsa9online
    Dec 20, 2020
    10
    This game is an absolute masterpiece. From the beautifully crafted worlds to the fun beatem up combat this might be one of the most underratedThis game is an absolute masterpiece. From the beautifully crafted worlds to the fun beatem up combat this might be one of the most underrated games on Gamecube. I'd recommend people to check it out if they want a fun spin-off of the 3D Mario games, and although it's short it's definitely a very replayable game.… Full Review »
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