WarioWare has been delivering fantastic fun in the form of quick, seconds-long “microgames” since 2003. While a WarioWare title has graced every Nintendo console since the Game Boy Advance, the franchise has never gotten stale due it embracing unique platform-specific control schemes and worthwhile gimmicks. WarioWare: Get It Together!, the Nintendo Switch installment, doesn’t take advantage of the system’s Joy-Cons or touch controls, opting instead for a new gameplay method that drastically changes how the microgames are played. And despite not taking full advantage of the platform, it’s still one of the best entries in the wacky and long-running series.
For the first time in the WarioWare games, there are playable characters for each microgame. These are all familiar faces from the past games, so you actually get to play as Mona, Dr. Crygor, Jimmy T, and the rest of Wario’s eccentric characters. The most interesting part is that each character controls differently from the others. For example, 18-Volt throws discs at everything and can’t physically move, Ashley can fly around on her broom (making platforming stages a breeze), and Orbulon uses his alien spaceship to beam up objects. Each of these characters excel in some types of microgames and struggle at others, but there is always a way to succeed.
WarioWare has always forced players to be quick on their feet, and being able to identify solutions in a second has always been key. However, having these characters adds another layer to the mix as you don’t just need to know what to do, but how to do it. It’s a refreshing change that adds even more variety and complexity to a series traditionally known for its simplicity.
The change admittedly takes some time getting used to, the same way that touch and motion controls did in their respective games. Ultimately, the extra layer of complexity offers a more rewarding experience. The tension being down to just one heart compounds as the level loads and reveals whether the selected character is a good fit. Despite the randomness, success or failure was always based on skill and not luck, which is a tricky balance this game strikes wonderfully.
Get It Together!‘s character selection wouldn’t work if the microgames didn’t and, thankfully, its microgames are excellent. Several of the experiences are twists on past microgames, and the wholly new ones live up to the series’ high standard. As is tradition, each level also has a theme, such as food, classic Nintendo titles, or sports, which ties everything nicely together despite each being ridiculous in concept. They’re not just funny either as they are great tests of quick, small-scale problem solving, as well. Get It Together!‘s marriage of lunacy, humor, and fast puzzle solving still works as well now as it did back in 2003.
While the core gameplay is a bit more complicated, the game is actually quite friendly to those that might be struggling. In-game currency, which is otherwise spent to unlock alternate costumes and artwork, can also be used to continue after failing a stage. While it won’t impact the high scores — allowing purists to rest easy — it’s a great way to make sure players don’t get overwhelmed or overly frustrated with having to memorize a roster of 15 different characters. This is certainly the most difficult WarioWare game in recent memory and is a refreshing change of pace for Nintendo.
Get It Together! only slightly stumbles with its forgettable boss mini-games, which occur after a set number of microgames have been completed. None of them are bad, but many fail to leave much of an impact, as demonstrated by its stomping grapes or crafting sushi microgames. There are some highlights, though, such as the final fight that sees every single playable character in the game pitching in as the player replays Super Mario World stages with WarioWare characters. However, these boss encounters are far more uneven in quality than most games in the franchise.
There’s still plenty to do in Get It Together! after conquering that final boss. Going through the missable microgames, optional mission challenges, and leaderboards are all the typical trappings that the series has had. But, as is always the case, beating the story is just the start of a WarioWare game.
WarioWare: Get It Together! is nearly impossible to play without smiling. The series’ signature style, sense of humor, and brief-yet-satisfying gameplay loops are just as present as ever and made better by the game’s expanded roster of familiar faces; the latter of which is a real treat for long-time fans. WarioWare has never been afraid to be bold, take risks, and shake things up, and the Nintendo Switch iteration is the purest expression of that.
SCORE: 8.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the game succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
