Wario World

 GameCube
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
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  1. 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 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    Wario 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.    … Expand
  2. burgersmitten
    Aug 24, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand 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.… Expand
  3. Wario
    Jul 12, 2003
    10
    Hey! That's the best game for game-cube and I'm the main character.So only say good things about my game!!!!
  4. 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 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.
  5. Blakenator
    Jan 19, 2013
    7
    A game that's too short for its own good, Wario World exudes wacky personality, starring Mario's nemesis, Wario. The gameplay is fun, but lacks the depth of his counterpart's games.
  6. Hakros323
    May 10, 2017
    8
    I enjoyed this game. I just find the beat'em up element to be really fun and I like the world. The game is also really weird, so it really stood out to me. If only it was longer...
  7. SunshineFan
    Jan 4, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not a bad game, featuring Wario as the main character for the 5th time. Wario World is a unique experience, but I kinda like sunshine better, hence my name. It is a platformer beat em up game where you need to collect pieces of a gold statue for heart fragments, 8 treasures for a Wario Ware minigame, and a number of red crystals to face the level's boss. You also free these little creatures that give you hints. You need to free all of them to get the best ending, and 5 are in each level. One notable part is the music. I love the music, it fits with the area. The underground stages are pretty good. The game just feels short. Wish it could have more levels. Also, Wario, why do you sometimes eat the money you try to collect? There is a game mechanic that if you hold the L or Z button, wario will suck up any loose change. Great to collect coins, not so great for his health. 6/10… Expand
  8. GregLobstery
    Feb 8, 2021
    9
    I wish this game was a little longer, but other than that it's my favorite Wario game. I wish Nintendo would give more love to other Mario side characters by giving them games like this one. Beating the stuffing out of enemies as Wario is a total blast.
  9. NoveyTP
    Jul 15, 2021
    10
    Wario World is a masterpiece of a videogame, EVEN BETTER THAN MARIO 64 ****
  10. GamecubeLover
    Jul 21, 2016
    9
    This game is the shadow the hedgehog of the series. It is so off of the series main roots but is still great! All the bad and mixed reviews are not true.
  11. BobS.
    May 19, 2003
    0
    Great another game rehashed by nintendo.
  12. BlueFalcon
    Oct 28, 2006
    4
    I like Wario a lot as a character, but this game is uninspired. It's a typical 3d platformer - the type you'd see with some random movie license. There is some quality parts, but it's not in the same league as Mario 64 or say Banjo Kazooie.
  13. DWlubu1998
    Jun 28, 2011
    6
    IDK if this is really a good game or not, story is dumb, gameplay can be boring at the beginning and some of the unlockable worlds dont make sence idk what to say now...
  14. SlubbertKing
    May 23, 2012
    1
    Allmost all games are fun to play for atleast 1 hour the good games you can play for days or years. This game was booring after 30 minutes. One of the few games I didnt even bother to finish. Stay clear. Its a total waste of money to buy this one!
  15. Shadow1
    Apr 9, 2016
    6
    I dont agree with those who believe that Wario World better than Shadow the hedgehog . Shadow the hedgehog better than Wario World . Shadow the hedgehog graphics , storyline and gameplay much better than Wario World graphics , storyline and gameplay . Storyline in Shadow the hedgehog is Amazing , storyline in Wario World is terrible . Graphics in Shadow the hedgehog good , in Wario WorldI dont agree with those who believe that Wario World better than Shadow the hedgehog . Shadow the hedgehog better than Wario World . Shadow the hedgehog graphics , storyline and gameplay much better than Wario World graphics , storyline and gameplay . Storyline in Shadow the hedgehog is Amazing , storyline in Wario World is terrible . Graphics in Shadow the hedgehog good , in Wario World good too , but worse than in Shadow the hedgehog . Gameplay in Shadow the hedgehog one of the best gameplay in Sonic games of all time as storyline , but gameplay in Wario World awesome too , but gameplay in Shadow the hedgehog much better than gameplay in Wario World .… Expand
  16. ChrisB.
    Jan 6, 2008
    2
    A terrible beat-em-up slash mediocre platformer, with some of the most agrivatingly idiotic challenges in gamecube history.
  17. RyanM.
    Jun 1, 2004
    8
    A fairly linear adventure game, with a lot of fun. This game is a very enjoyable experience, that sadly, doesn't last as long as it should.
  18. BrandonB.
    Jun 24, 2003
    7
    Lots of fun. finally wario has his own game.
  19. HeleneM.
    Jun 4, 2004
    8
    Fun but too short.
  20. [Anonymous]
    Jun 24, 2003
    8
    Seriously get this game. Starfox adventures is a sick game but it got canned by the critics just like wario world is.
  21. XISMZERO
    Jul 13, 2003
    8
    I don't quite see why everyone thought this game was to be so promising - I had boatloads of fun with it - for the four days I rented it.
  22. TonyG.
    Feb 1, 2006
    9
    this game is amazing!!! if it was longer, easily a 10 ... creative, fun, somewhat challenging. a great game for every age. a great game to kick back to. alot more mario type games should be in this style. i enjoyed this title more than any mario title in 3-d. the 2.5d graphics in this game should be applied to all future mario platformers. this is like what i want to see nintendo.... keep this game is amazing!!! if it was longer, easily a 10 ... creative, fun, somewhat challenging. a great game for every age. a great game to kick back to. alot more mario type games should be in this style. i enjoyed this title more than any mario title in 3-d. the 2.5d graphics in this game should be applied to all future mario platformers. this is like what i want to see nintendo.... keep up the great work!!… Expand
  23. NickV.
    Jul 11, 2003
    8
    Good game. Fun while it lasts. Wario needed a game but it is increditable SHORT.
  24. AlK.
    Jul 15, 2003
    5
    This game is horrible. After you get through a couple of levels, you'll realize it isnt even worth renting. dont play this game. it is very uninspired!
  25. thejonez
    Oct 28, 2012
    7
    Wario World definitely goes on the list of underrated GameCube games. It has great music, colorful graphics, challenging puzzles, and vast, creative levels. The game was kept fresh with many ideas like puzzle areas. The controls were solid once you learned them. The humor in this could only come out of a Wario title! The bosses were fun, but many were too easy. Wario World is far fromWario World definitely goes on the list of underrated GameCube games. It has great music, colorful graphics, challenging puzzles, and vast, creative levels. The game was kept fresh with many ideas like puzzle areas. The controls were solid once you learned them. The humor in this could only come out of a Wario title! The bosses were fun, but many were too easy. Wario World is far from perfect though. It was fun while it lasted which was not so long. In fact, it is about an eight hour game to finish and a fifteen hour game to complete, so maybe this one is a weekend rental. Also, many of the common enemies took no brain to destroy and were rehashed from other levels. The dimensions felt off and the depth-perception was way off, also the camera was painstakingly too restricting. Furthermore, every time you fell off the level you went into this sub-area where you had to find the exit. This at first was fun, but then started getting extremely irritating. The entire game only consisted of eight levels, which was kind of a bummer. Overall, if you like the Wario Land series, Wario World remains pretty loyal to those, although, I liked Wario Land 4 better than this.… Expand
  26. BlogDog123
    Mar 8, 2012
    6
    This is a pretty weird game.Not that it's a bad thing, it's just pure camp. But on the outside, it's a typical 3-D platformer with beat-em-up elements that don't work as well as one would hope that they would.
  27. Zilcell
    Nov 7, 2011
    7
    It is a fun combat game, but it all goes by too fast because it is simply too short. I would have gave it a much higher score but the only problem with the game is the shortness.
  28. LostNexusGamer
    Jan 3, 2014
    7
    A creative game for the action-platformer genera. The action is cool and combat is fun, but the experience lacks a little bit. Don't get me wrong, this is a great game for the action and platforming; the game itself was just way to short. A hard-core gamer could probably complete it in 4 hours. The boss fights are epic, and graphics are fine. The game itself is cheesy, but takes nothingA creative game for the action-platformer genera. The action is cool and combat is fun, but the experience lacks a little bit. Don't get me wrong, this is a great game for the action and platforming; the game itself was just way to short. A hard-core gamer could probably complete it in 4 hours. The boss fights are epic, and graphics are fine. The game itself is cheesy, but takes nothing away from the experience. I would just have liked to seen put more time into Wario World. It could have become a well played and praised games with the necessary resources.… Expand
  29. antenneone
    May 15, 2019
    6
    UN JUEGO ACEPTABLE PERO NO CON EL NIVEL QUE SE LE PRESUPONE A TREASURE. JEFES FINALES MUY REPETITIVOS. UN MARIO 64 LOW COST. UNA PEQUEÑA DECEPCION DENTRO DEL CATALOGO DE GAMECUBE
  30. JamesDrawsThngs
    Aug 7, 2020
    7
    Wario is a character and a series that doesn't get quite as much love as he deserves. From Wario Land to WarioWare, his games are some of the most creative and out-there experiences in gaming, perfectly befitting for a company like Nintendo. Up to this point, just about every Wario experience has been quality. Wario World, on the other hand, doesn't quite hit that same level. This is not aWario is a character and a series that doesn't get quite as much love as he deserves. From Wario Land to WarioWare, his games are some of the most creative and out-there experiences in gaming, perfectly befitting for a company like Nintendo. Up to this point, just about every Wario experience has been quality. Wario World, on the other hand, doesn't quite hit that same level. This is not a bad game, far from it. In fact, it can be loads of fun. However, Wario World can very quickly fall into a repetitive trap that may make it difficult for you to want to keep playing to the end.

    Wario World is a 3D Beat-'em Up platformer with puzzle elements. You travel through various stages, beating the crap out of enemies, collecting treasure and defeating bosses. Wario has a few combat maneuvers at his disposal such as basic punches, his classic dash ability, tried and true pile driver, and he can even spin enemies around like a tornado. The treasure you collect is not merely for show, as they can be used to purchase items like garlic which can heal you (the price of garlic increases each time you purchase one, though). Each stage also has other important items to collect, like the golden statue pieces that increase your health and Spritelings, little forest creatures that can aid Wario on his quest. While exploring levels, you'll come across puzzle rooms and platforming challenges. Puzzle rooms usually involve finding a way to get access to a collectable by either maneuvering through blacks or utilizing glue globes to either float on or climb up. The platforming challenges are, well, challenging. It's very similar in concept to Super Mario Sunshine's F.L.U.D.D-less courses. Some of these can also be real brain teasers, too, having you get creative with the platforming in order to reach the end. These areas are some of the best parts of the game as not only do they do a good job of breaking up the action, but are able to retain the Wario Land-level challenge that we've come to expect from the series.

    The combat, in true beat-'em up fashion, is simultaneously satisfying and repetitive. Wario controls great, and performing combos and pile driving enemies can be super satisfying, but the moveset you start out with is all you have for the rest of the game. That lack of variety can make it difficult to stay invested if you aren't already into this genre. There's a decent amount of enemy variety, but most don't put up much of a fight. The level themes aren't anything too special, though, as most are basic tropes that we have seen in platformers time and time again, but a few of them like the haunted house are more varied than others. The boss fights, while not terribly difficult, are some of the most fun parts of the game and offer some pretty creative ways of defeating them. The music is also surprisingly fantastic. Lots of the stages have some real bangers and toe-tappers.

    While I certainly had a blast playing through this game, it's not one I really come back to very often. It has really solid combat, excellent platforming challenges and some fun bosses and levels, but You'll have experienced everything the game has to offer by the end of the first world. If you aren't a fan of this style of game then it's not really gonna change your mind. If you are a Wario fan than this certainly comes recommended. If you do find yourself interested in this game, don't spend too terribly much on it.    … Expand
  31. NostalJake
    Sep 10, 2020
    6
    A very fun, colorful romp through many well-themed levels. It's a fun beat-em-up. The down side is it is way too short. It took me about 4 hours to fully complete the game. Another down side is it is very easy. There is little to no consequence if you die as well, taking the challenge out of it. Very aesthetically pleasing, and overall, a fun, quick game. I would recommend playing thisA very fun, colorful romp through many well-themed levels. It's a fun beat-em-up. The down side is it is way too short. It took me about 4 hours to fully complete the game. Another down side is it is very easy. There is little to no consequence if you die as well, taking the challenge out of it. Very aesthetically pleasing, and overall, a fun, quick game. I would recommend playing this game, if you can find it for cheap enough.… Expand
  32. Chirritox
    Oct 11, 2022
    8
    Wario world tal vez es el juego mas olvidado de la franquicia de wario, pero personalmente es uno de los mejores juegos que hay em gamecube. el gameplay es entretenido y con una dificultad balanceada la música esta buena con temas muy pegadizas temas memorables mi única queja es que cuando te mueres te sacan monedas y es bastante molesto igual cuando te caes y trata de subir te sacanWario world tal vez es el juego mas olvidado de la franquicia de wario, pero personalmente es uno de los mejores juegos que hay em gamecube. el gameplay es entretenido y con una dificultad balanceada la música esta buena con temas muy pegadizas temas memorables mi única queja es que cuando te mueres te sacan monedas y es bastante molesto igual cuando te caes y trata de subir te sacan muchas monedas pero el juego esta entretenido

    Muy recomendable     … Expand
  33. Draghetten
    Nov 20, 2022
    7
    Versatilitá negli attacchi ottima, ma la durata del gioco è assolutamente al di sotto di quella che si sarebbe meritato
  34. cornborn
    Feb 6, 2023
    10
    THIS GAME IS THE BEST GAME I HAVE EVER PLAYED I LOVE THIS GAME PLEASE BUY Ij
  35. ZackH25
    Apr 1, 2023
    7
    An underrated game for sure on the gamecube. The combat is quite basic and the game is very short. However the level variety is good the puzzles are fun and so are the bosses. My favourite bosses are there dragon boss or the gem boss at the end as it was quite tense. The puzzles were very basic but fun none as well. The variety of levels and worlds were also quite nice as well. Overall aAn underrated game for sure on the gamecube. The combat is quite basic and the game is very short. However the level variety is good the puzzles are fun and so are the bosses. My favourite bosses are there dragon boss or the gem boss at the end as it was quite tense. The puzzles were very basic but fun none as well. The variety of levels and worlds were also quite nice as well. Overall a fun gamecube game.… Expand

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 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]
  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
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