Anthony DeVetis 
Aside from the many spin-offs and microgame compilations over the years, WarioWare hasn’t had a true instalment in the series in 14 years. That’s a long time for a franchise to be essentially dormant, at least when it comes to it’s classic gameplay. Luckily, WarioWare: Get it Together is a true return to form for the series, delivering quick microgame thrills perfect for those moments when you want to squeeze in a few minutes of gameplay.
For the uninitiated, WarioWare is a series that tasks players with completing quick bite-sized microgames not lasting more than 8-10 seconds at the most, and 2-4 seconds at the least. The tasks are almost always zany and exciting ranging from asking players to pick a nose or shave a face, insuring that you’re always kept on your toes in anticipation for what comes next. These microgames are the heart and soul of a WarioWare game, and while at first can be confusing and overwhelming, they are presented in such a way that you want upon failing, you just want to give it one more try, determined to better your score as you become more familiar with each microgame.
The story is ridiculous and non-existent, as Wario and his many pals get sucked into their own video game, forced to defeat the many “bugs” plaguing their game. It’s as silly as could possibly be, delivered in small words with grunts and laughs from the cast of colorful characters. It’s also “over” as quick as it begins, however WarioWare games aren’t known for their story modes as the bulk of player’s time will be spent bettering high scores between the different characters sections. This is where I spent most of my time, and again it is always great for a round or two before bedtime or while riding the bus as each round can take up to 10 minutes depending on skill level. Story mode is playable with a second player as well, and as far as WarioWare: Get it Together’s multiplayer offerings go, this one takes the cake. The frenzy that can ensue trying to coordinate in a span of a few seconds never gets old, and led to many belly laughs from my partner and I.
As far as other modes go, there is the Variety Pack for 1-4 players and features longer form minigames to play with friends but bafflingly doesn’t include online multiplayer functionality. In fact, the only form of online capability the game has is an online leaderboard for the single player Wario Cup mode. This mode gives players weekly challenges to test their microgame prowess and is a good way to extend the lifespan of a game like this, but unfortunately the poor online, and frankly, local multiplayer offerings, deter it from really having a life in my current rotation of party games that include Mario Party, Mario Kart, and Smash.
Overall, if you are a WarioWare fan and purist, this game has what you are looking for after 14 long years of waiting for the franchise to return to its microgame form. If you’re new to series, this game deserves your time simply for the pure adrenaline rush it gives during its 5-second blasts of gameplay, and the addictive nature of it’s “just one more round” style. Weak multiplayer and an archaic online mode aside, this is the WarioWare game that fans have been looking for, and here’s hoping we won’t be waiting another 14 years for the next true installment in the franchise.
Rating: 8/10
