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By 2003, the triple-A game had come into its own; experiences were becoming longer and taking place in larger enviroments augmented by cinematics that set out to rival Hollyood films. Then comes along an unassuming Nintendo release that flips that concept on its head by introducing the shortest type of video game imaginable: the ‘microgame’!
WarioWare, Inc. Mega Microgames! released in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance and stars none other than Wario, the greedy antagonist of Nintendo’s flagship character, Mario. It also introduces a new cast of characters, each with a short story that ties into a section of microgames. Simply put, a microgame is an extremely short and exceedingly simple challenge, usually containing a very brief command and lasts only a few seconds. The objective is to quickly interpret the concise command and execute it before it moves onto the next game.
Developers found a number of creative ways to keep gameplay simple and addictive while still adding variety from one to the next. One moment, you’ll be trying to catch a dog’s paw to give it a shake. The next, you’re trying to quickly gobble an apple down to its core. One section even features throwback challenges from Nintendo classics such as Donkey Kong, Metroid, and even Punch-Out!! And since the game features the notoriously crude Wario, games will sometimes include an off-the-wall gag or even some tame toilet humor.
The game’s funky vibe and new characters create a unique experience only rivaled by later WarioWare entries, which Nintendo still sprinkles out every so often. Don’t get us wrong – if you’re a regular TGn reader, you know we love a triple-A experience as much as the next. But there’s a certain refreshment that comes with the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it style gameplay that you only get with a WarioWare game.
