WarioWare: Smooth Moves (Wii) review "It didn’t take Nintendo long to realize that it took simple, fun and entertaining games to make the Wii a success. That’s why, outside of Zelda, Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is the best game in the new system’s library and is a landmark for how to utilize the unique controller. "

It didn’t take Nintendo long to realize that it took simple, fun and entertaining games to make the Wii a success. That’s why, outside of Zelda, Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is the best game in the new system’s library and is a landmark for how to utilize the unique controller.

It starts out with a watered down story that is basically there to facilitate the games themselves. The games are presented by characters that have an icon on the game’s menu and when clicked, lay out a set of minigames that usually introduce one or two new ways to utilize the Wii remote.

One set of games may have you holding the remote on your nose to replicate the feel of an elephant, and others may have you holding it out on your hand like a waiter would a platter. Most of the techniques themselves are utterly laughable, but create a perfect atmosphere for multiplayer mayhem. Half of the fun comes from simply watching buddies make fools of themselves as they hold the remote by their side and mimic the hula-hoop dance. Sheer entertainment rarely comes in a more tightly wound package than this.

The minigames are mostly very fun, especially when the controller is used to perfection, but some of them do fail to seamlessly bring you into the game. Whether it’s the laser misreading the movements of the player or the simple fact that it’s flawed in some way, problems do surface, albeit rarely. Each character’s games hold a “boss” fight at the end, and although most of them are still very simple to beat, they’re a riot to play around with. One of them actually turns you into a swordsman and gives your remote the power to sense every move you make. You have to defend against a flailing swordsman and deal the final blow.

Smooth Moves does, without a doubt, use the remote in the most innovative and easily functional way and what ensues is a blast. The graphics are still the same as pretty much every other Wario Ware game, but they do serve their purpose. Zany and laughable, which is what the game strives to be.

The unique throwback minigames (a nod to classic Nintendo games) are awesome and add flavor to the mix, but there aren’t a whole lot of them. Seeing Mario jump when you accordingly move the remote is a pretty cool feeling and is something to remember.

The only problem with the game is its lack of general variety. While every minigame has you doing something different, it’s still a minigame. And minigames lack a lot of substance. The story mode can be beaten in a few hours, and although you do unlock some stuff afterwards (basically more minigames), it’s not a lot, really. Additonally, you have to play through the story mode just to unlock the multiplayer, which is completely ridiculous.

In the end, the game’s wacky presentation and outrageously goofy sound effects will do a number on you and provide a perfect example of how fun the Wii can be, but it’s nothing that you’ll be popping in a year from now; that’s the nature of the game.

Community review by Linkamoto (March 21, 2007) A bio for this contributor is currently unavailable, but check back soon to see if that changes. If you are the author of this review, you can update your bio from the Settings page.