Game & Wario is a strange creature. It wants to be a party game, a shooter, a puzzle game, and a sports title all at once, and it mostly succeeds — but only in fits and starts. This 2013 Wii U release from Nintendo and Intelligent Systems is built entirely around the GamePad controller, and nearly every one of its 16 minigames uses it in a different way.
Trailer, via Nintendo UK.
The Minigames
Game & Wario is a collection of 16 minigames, broken down like this:
| Mode | Count |
|---|---|
| Single-player only | 10 |
| Up to two players | 2 |
| Multiplayer only (up to five players) | 4 |
Ten of those games are solo affairs. Two support up to two players. Four are multiplayer only, with players passing the GamePad around or assigning one person a special role. The design goal was to make each game feel like a standalone release, packed with detail and replay value.
What Works
The best moments come when the GamePad’s features are used with real purpose. In Ashley and Ski, tilting the controller controls the character’s motion. In Kung Fu and Taxi, a second screen view offers a fresh perspective on the action. In Islands, players pass the GamePad around to take turns controlling the game. In Fruit and Sketchpad, one player uses the GamePad to perform a special role while others watch.
The Chick-N-Win capsule machine adds a layer of progression. Tokens earned during play unlock additional collectibles and minigames, giving players a reason to return beyond the main set.
What Falls Short
The problem is consistency. Some games are clever and tight. Others feel thin, repeated, or built around a gimmick that wears thin fast. The story, which follows Wario taking advantage of a new console with two screens to make games for monetary gain, is thin. The humor leans heavily on puns and sight gags, and it doesn’t always land.
The multiplayer modes, which require passing the GamePad around, are the weakest link. They work best with a small group, but the handoff mechanic can break the flow. Playing with a large group of five stretches the format thin.
The Verdict
Game & Wario is a mixed bag. Its ambition is real, and its technical trickery is genuinely novel for its time. But the collection as a whole doesn’t quite hold together as a single, satisfying package.
The game earns a 5.8 out of 10. That score reflects the highs — the clever use of the GamePad, the unlockable content, the occasional standout minigame — and the lows — the uneven quality across the collection, the thin multiplayer design, and the story that barely registers. It’s a game worth playing for its ideas, but not one you’ll revisit often.
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