Wario Land 3 Game by Nintendo Reviewed by Mew Barrymore (bitedabullet@yahoo.com) Size: 16 MB Save:One Battery Save Slot Released: 2000 Works with: GameBoy Color **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: Seeing this game in the shops was a big suprise, the UK is usually the last place on earth to receive any new Nintendo games! Wario Land 3 begins with a brilliant intro showing Wario crashing to earth in his bi-plane and getting trapped in a strange musical box: the object of the game is to collect five musical box treasures to break the spell and regain Wario's freedom (its basically just another excuse to do some treasure hunting) **************************************************************************** Gameplay Description: This game plays very much like Wario Land II and anyone who liked that is just gonna lurrve this. Wario Land 3 is a strange mix of classic platform action, treasure hunting and mini-games. In reality the game reminds me very much of DK 64. Skills you learn on one level can be used on earlier levels to unlock secrets and hidden treasures. The gameplay is very non-linear in this respect. You will spend a lot of time revisiting levels trying to find a place to try out your new skills. After collecting some treasures a special "event" will take place which will change certain places of the map. For example, when the special seed treasure is collected huge vines will grow up on existing levels. Climbing these vines leads to even more diverse routes! Most of Wario's skills have to be earned in this game (again like DK 64) you don't even start of with his infamous "butt-bash." This an excellent way of keeping you interested, gradually giving you the opportunity to be in more control of Wario's actions. Anyone who hasn't played WL2 will be shocked by the fact that, wait for it, Wario can't die! In practice this does not make the game easier though. The main point of the game is not surviving from one end of the level to the next but in exploring that level and finding all the cunningly hidden treasures. There are over 100 hundred treasures to be found spread over some 25 massive levels. In each level there are also eight giant coins to collect which open up further secrets. One key part of the Wario Land game series is the way Wario gets transformed. The transformations in this game are the best ever. You can be squashed, blown up like a balloon, turned into a spring, turned into a snowman, turned into a zombie, turned into a ball of silk and turned invisible. In parts of certain levels "mimi game clear" blocks will appear. These can only be moved when that level's bonus game has been completed. Wario Land 3's mini-game is much better than those found in other Wario games. You get to play a game of "Wario Golf" which involves knocking an enemy into a golf hole in the least number of moves. Each course has a "par" and you must get the little goomba thing in the cup within that number of moves allowed whilst avoiding bunkers and water hazards. Liked: Genius level design, mini-game Hated: Bit similar to WL2? **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The graphical capabilities of the GBC have really been squeezed for this game. Everything is well drawn and shaded and there are no graphical glitches. The animation in this game is truly first class. Wario's features are constantly contorted into different expressions and the whole game screen seems alive with action. The colours are really clear and well defined although Wario looks a bit strange in white instead of yellow garments (why Nintendo?) Each level has its own distinct look and the variety between locations is very impressive. The size of the characters is very impressive also. Especially to those who remember squinting to see Mario in Super Mario Land!! Liked: Best ever GBC graphics Hated: White overalls...... **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: That famous Wario tune is back with many other variations. The music is all very pleasant and never grates on the nerves or gets irritating. Sound FX are pretty impressive also, although some digitized speech would have gone down very well. Liked: Good, non irritating music Hated: No speech **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: The design of this game is truly genius. The way the levels are slowly revealed and the way Wario's moves increase make for a very smooth playing experience which is expertly fitted together. Controlling Wario is very simple and there's even a "tutorial" mode which teaches you Wario's more advanced skills. Liked: Brilliant level design Hated: nothing **************************************************************************** Improve: Just give us more of the same RIYL:Platformers (This is the best GB platformer by far) **************************************************************************** Final Words: This is a must-have GBC color game. It builds on the Wario play mechanics of WL and WL2 and delivers a very polished game playing experience which is great fun and very long lasting. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: **** Play Control/Game Design:***** Personal Opinion: ***** Final Score: 96% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: None