When I learned I could get an early look at WarioWare: Move It! at a Nintendo preview event in New York City, I was excited to see how the series had evolved. I have been playing games in the WarioWare franchise since the Nintendo DS, and the thought of it being more physical this outing sounded like the shot in the arm needed to shake things up. WarioWare: Move It! is bursting onto Nintendo Switch on November 3rd, bringing the franchise’s signature rapid-fire microgame action into full-body motion control for the first time, and it is more exciting than you may expect.
WarioWare: Move It! has players moving and grooving their way through over 200 quick and quirky microgames, each lasting just seconds. Yes, you read that right, seconds. Even just looking at the hilarious trailer, I knew I would be dodging, dancing, exercising and more as I twisted, shook, and contorted the Joy-Cons to win each microgame. It’s a perfect fit for the wild wackiness of WarioWare. I honestly did not expect to be as tired or sore as I was after a Nintendo preview, but here we are.
In typical WarioWare fashion, the microgames themselves are a delightful mix of new bombastic concepts with some classics making a return, featuring lots of Nintendo fanservice. Long-time fans will enjoy returning activities like avoiding thwomps in a Mario-themed microgame and slashing through tall grass to find Pokémon. I did not see these selections and had my session filled with the new full-body activities that put motion as a central focus.
Starting things off with Museum mode, I got to dive into some two-player action as we progressed story beats with the help of microgames. It is as ridiculous as you can imagine, especially when you are making shapes with your butt. As you may have guessed, WarioWare: Move It! is bananas and is as zany as the series has ever been. From trains with faces, cleaning the shell of a weird turtle man, or even swatting an octopus, this is a game that wears its insanity on its sleeve.
“As both a workout and a wacky good time, WarioWare: Move It! is shaping up to be a must-have game for Switch owners.”
I have never been a fan of motion gaming, but WarioWare: Move It! Manages to find the balance between accuracy and fun, keeping it from feeling frustrating. It gives just enough feedback in the quick games to let you learn how to play and experience what the title has to offer. This is all while giving a glimpse game by game of the unique blend of humour that makes up the franchise.
On top of the main microgame mix, Move It! introduces a new 4-player Party Mode. With each player holding a Joy-Con, you’ll be flailing around together in special cooperative and competitive microgames in a way that is similar to the Mario Party series. This is an awesome addition that will make game nights even more raucous and get a family (or group of friends) off the couch in the best possible way. There are also returning modes like Story and Ultra-Hard for some single-player challenges. This is a package that feels bursting at the seams with content.
When you are playing in 4-player multiplayer mode, each player takes one of the Joy-Cons and adjusts the way you hold them based on the microgame. While I did not think the gameplay would translate to a multiplayer situation, the team behind WarioWare did it perfectly, with each game feeling just as intuitive with a single joy-con as it did with two. While I am sure there are some trade-offs in accuracy, you would not know it while playing.
“WarioWare: Move It! Manages to find the balance between accuracy and fun, keeping it from feeling frustrating.”
Visually, WarioWare: Move It! looks like a delight. The game is filled with colour and features Wario and friends in all sorts of absurd situations. The animation is silky smooth and packed with humorous details. There are so many little characters that have been featured in the WarioWare series and Move It! Makes a point to pay homage to the full legacy in a way that feels well thought out and just ridiculous enough to make it fun for new and old series fans.
I don’t normally make note of the audio in a game that focuses on micro or mini-games, but Nintendo has knocked it out of the park here. The odd sounds and little flourishes add to the experience and suck you into each micro experience you are presented with. And, of course, the soundtrack is suitably wacky and sure to get stuck in your head.
WarioWare is a series known for its innovative use of hardware features like the touchscreen and microphone. Move It! continues that tradition by incorporating the Joy-Con’s motion controls in really creative ways. By having players physically move around, it adds a whole new level of fun and engagement. It’s a perfect showcase of what makes the Nintendo Switch unique.
While WarioWare: Get It Together on Switch in 2021 was a more traditional entry, Move It! looks like a reinvention that will make multiplayer madness even more…well, maddening. The microgame concept is perfectly suited for quick pick-up-and-play sessions, too. It’s sure to be a hit at parties and family gatherings this holiday season.
As both a workout and a wacky good time, WarioWare: Move It! is shaping up to be a must-have game for Switch owners. It takes the addictive microgame formula we know and love in a bold new direction. I can’t wait to swing my Joy-Cons to help Wario and his oddball crew when the game launches on November 3rd. Get ready to get moving!
