Wario has finally got his very own GameCube game, and Wario World, with its crazy beat-'em-up platform action, is just as manic as you'd expect. Seeing as he's thoroughly immoral, Wario isn't out to save the world or anything but to defeat the evil black jewel that has turned all his other treasure into monsters. He achieves this by running and jumping through a series of bizarrely themed levels, knocking seven bells out of any monster that comes his way.

Although it does feature a number of Mario-esque platform elements (most notably a series of dungeon areas that work very much like the void levels from Super Mario Sunshine) Wario World is primarily a scrolling beat-'em-up. As with most such games Wario hasn't got many moves, though he's able to pick up bad guys and pieces of furniture and spin and throw them about in a very pleasing manner.

Shallow as it may be Wario World is still entertaining, as you fight ever stranger looking enemies--the weird looking clowns in level two are particularly disturbing--and a particularly fine line in end-of-level bosses (not surprising considering the game has been developed by cult Japanese software company Treasure). But despite all that this is clearly not vintage Nintendo, being far too short and slight to be spoken of in the same breath as Mario and Zelda. --David Jenkins

It's been a little while since I completed a game for the Nintendo Gamecube. I was supposed to complete this game as well on Christmas Day but we had a Power Cut, so I had to finish the rest on Boxing Day in 2006! No matter!

We've known Wario since he's been a rival towards Mario, and we also know Wario when he's been out on his wild adventures with his Wario Land games for the Game Boy Consoles! But at last, Wario can finally chuckle and laugh as he now has his own platform game for the Nintendo Gamecube!

After you're adventure in Wario Land 4, Wario returns to his castle with all the treasure he collects. But one of the treasures he snags is a evil Black Jewel. One day, without notice, the Black Jewel transforms all of Wario's treasure into monsters and sends Wario to an Unknown Dimension. If Wario wishes to see his Castle & Treasure again, he must use his brain and muscle, and take out these monsters and eliminate the Black Jewel into bull dust!

The game play for Wario World is mostly recognisable, as you will move Wario in a 3D Dimension world like you did in Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion & Super Mario 64!

As you travel with Wario, you will visit beautiful and weird places where you're treasure will lie for collection! Wario will need all the strength he needs because this adventure isn't going to be as easy as what he thought!! By collecting treasure as well, you can use you're Game Boy Advance & Nintendo Gamecube Link Cable, to connect you're Game Boy Advance and play Trial Version's of WarioWare Inc. for Game Boy Advance!

My Personal Gaming Score: 8.5/10: Excellent, Wonderful, Good One

My Wish: Like Luigi's Mansion, once you start Wario World, it won't last forever if you get easily addicted! My wish would be if the game were a little bit more extended!!

Final Comments: Out of Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine & Wario World, my favourite of all would have to be Wario World, as Wario doesn't use any fancy gadgets and just takes his brute knuckles into battle! Just be prepared to laugh when he gets his back end on fire!! Ha-Hah!!

Review By Captain Chris Kipper

The Plot:
Wario tears his way onto the Gamecube with his debut title. The story tells itself as Wario's typical greed lead him into stealing the 'infamous' black jewel. Because of the evil that is the black jewel it manages to turn Wario's hoards of treasure into ugly monsters. Yes... you heard it, Wario's treasure transforms into monsters of all sizes! Wario decides that destroying this black jewel will return his treasure to the form that he loves- on the way he flukes his way into getting the assistance from little critters from whom Wario stole treasure from initially. Yes, the plot obviously took little to no planning; yes it's slightly ridiculous- but if the gameplay can come up with a typical Nintendo class which many have of course grown to love over the years, then all may be forgiven...

The Critique:
Graphically the game is satisfactory, the 3-d side scrolling genre is obviously in hand and hence the focus has been put onto Wario and the many foes he squares up against. Lush colouring has been used on the many backgrounds but despite the lack of details, the game generally carries crisp visuals which would tend to please gamers.

As far as sound within the game is concerned, it would seem that attempts have been made to exaggerate things and put everything over the top. Each world brings across a fresh sound, however the random grunts and crazy noises do eventually become a nuisance and the fact that a younger audience has been targeted becomes annoyingly clear.

A tried and tested formula has been used for Wario World's gameplay, fortunately it is effectively executed on the whole with an amusing captivation. Basically, the game is fun- this description may seem bland but that is obviously what it's all about. Everything happens with speed in this game and the action never really stops as Wario can not only bash his opponents to a mess but is able to pull off some fancy stuff as his spins around, dives around and executes a handsome piledriver to finish his reign of destruction! The fact that the action in the game is repetitive is forgotten as quickly as noticed, simply because crushing orange dinosaurs seems a more amusing alternative.
Wario responds to the control stick with a very pleasing accuracy as controls throughout the game are spot on with an easy-to-pick-up simplicity.
The game features your expected boss battles and unsurprisingly, a collection of coins and other fascinating gems are needed to get there- the originality is certainly not there and fortunately the creativity of the battles you encounter results in a nice thumbs up...

If asking for one major criticism on this game, the answer you are likely to get is a complaint on the lifespan. The game runs for only a short period with the result being a certain lack of depth and value. There is simply not enough playing time to leave the gamer with a distinct sense of achievement after completion. Of course the game has a nice feeling of replayability but unfortunately that is not what the gaming majority seeks.

The Verdict:
Generally a nice, welcomed addition to the already impressive Nintendo exclusives list. Whilst the game's positive factors outweigh the flaws, it simply doesn't have the crunch to make it something special...

65/100

This game is way to easy and only has 8 levels.
It can be completed within 10 hours without much effort.

Good gameplay but way too short.

Only buy if you have never played a platform game or are under 5 years of age.

This game has been much hyped by nintendo.
Gameplay is great with loads of novel ideas
But after just 8 hours of gameplay (with no real effort) to find I am over 75% through the game I find very disappointing.

Suited for under 5's or people who have never played a platform game EVER.

A perfect compliment to the tricksy Mario Sunshine, Wario World forgoes the frustration and control complexity of its nemesis' title and offers one of the most fun and creative games I've played in ages. Each level offers a unique look (and a very quirky one at that, Treasure mentalism abounds) and unique twists on the solid platforming action. The multitude of boss fights are memorable and satisfying.

Whilst others have complained about the length of the title, it clocks in close to many high profile narrative games, but without FMV padding and without any dull sections. Indeed the reason it doesn't last as long as, say, Mario Sunshine, is that the developers are very generous and rather than forcing you to replay a level upon death, allow you to restart from the same point with a penalty applied to your stash of coins. This means the game doesn't needlessly furstrate you, but it does allow you to rush through if so inclined.

Highly recommended.