Wario Land: Shake It! turns the original Wario Land into a motion-controlled Wii game, and mostly succeeds. Players move Wario through stages by shaking the controller, tilting it, and pointing it at the TV screen. The result is a game that feels different from the original but holds onto the same core of platforming.
Trailer, via Nintendo Life.
Shaking the Controller
Shake controls are used for nearly everything Wario does in the game. Players shake the controller to make him run, tilt it to jump, and point it to aim a throw. The controls take some getting used to, especially at first, since shaking and tilting require motions that aren’t natural for most players. Once learned, though, they work well enough to keep the action moving without constant trouble.
The Stages
The game splits its levels across several themes, each with its own hazards and tricks. Players move through stages filled with enemies that force them to learn timing and avoid traps, while secret rooms reward careful searching. The difficulty rises steadily as new items and boss fights appear, so players are constantly learning new ways to handle each level’s challenges.
Boss Fights and Items
Boss fights stand out as some of the strongest parts of Wario Land: Shake It!. Each boss uses the shake controls in a distinct way, forcing players to react quickly rather than simply press buttons, which makes each fight feel different from the last. The item system adds depth too, letting Wario gain new powers that change how he moves through each stage, giving players more tools to deal with the game’s hazards.
How It Compares
| Feature | Wario Land: Shake It! | Original Wario Land |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | Motion controls: shake, tilt, aim | Standard button controls |
| Look | Full 3D graphics | 2D sprite art |
| Difficulty | Steady rise | Harder in later stages |
What Works and What Doesn’t
The shake controls are the biggest strength of Wario Land: Shake It!, but they also create its biggest problem. Some actions feel awkward compared to button presses, and the game asks players to learn entirely new ways of moving Wario through the world, which can frustrate anyone used to traditional controls. That said, the game’s look is bright and easy to see, which helps with the motion controls since players need to follow Wario’s movements closely. The game is shorter than the original, but it doesn’t stay around once the challenge ends.
The Verdict
Wario Land: Shake It! takes a classic idea and rebuilds it around motion controls, and mostly pulls it off. The shake controls take some getting used to, and the game is shorter than the original, but the difficulty curve and boss fights keep it engaging throughout. It isn’t a perfect remake, but it’s a solid one.
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