Wario World

Play Magazine

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]

Deeko

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.

Game Informer

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]

Nintendojo

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.

Nintendo Power

Although WW is not very deep, it is tons of fun. The challenges are tricky at times but rarely frustrating. [July 2003, p.80]

GameShark

Nintendo fans will jump all over this but Treasure fans and casual game players may just want to rent this one out.

GameCube Europe

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.

GamePro

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.

Armchair Empire

A fun, splashy, albeit short and easy game with some great small touches and a hint of sidescrolling nostalgia.

netjak

Wario World has many of the same qualities as its protagonist. It’s slightly rotten but likable, a bit too short, and awfully greedy.

Firing Squad

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.

GameNow

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]

IGN

Like "Luigi's Mansion," what's there is good. I just wish there was more of it.

Cincinnati Enquirer

WW isn't the best platform game on the console, but it has its charm.

Eurogamer

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.

GameSpy

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.

GMR Magazine

It's a fun, imaginative platformer that, though easily and quickly completed, is another solid first-party GameCube title. [July 2003, p.74]

Electronic Gaming Monthly

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]

Game Revolution

Equally goofy and strange, but in an unassuming way, it's also good, unpretentious fun.

Nintendophiles

It's not bad, it's just too short and without enough substance.

GameSpot

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.

Gamestyle

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.

Yahoo! Games

No lines are crossed and no boundaries are broken. Good stuff, but still stuff you've seen many times before.

G4 TV

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.

All Game Guide

The replay value is inexplicably weak, because getting all of the treasures, statue pieces, and rubies is not as complicated as it sounds.

NintendoWorldReport

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.

Cinescape

A rental at best. It's too short, and too repetitive to be a purchase.

Gamer's Pulse

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.

Cheat Code Central

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.

Gaming Age

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.