GENRE
	Party
	DEVELOPER
	Nintendo
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	yes
	WII EXCLUSIVE
	only-gcn
	EXPECTED RELEASE DATE
	April 5, 2004
	BUY NOW AT

Nintendo's been pretty lax when it comes to original content on the Game Boy Advance. Fortunately, last year's Wario Ware Inc. Mega Microgame$ made a splash with its hilarious gameplay and unique mechanics, earning it praise from press and gamers alike. Now, Nintendo is bringing us a budget priced GameCube version called Wario Ware Inc. Mega Party Game$. Although it's not the expansive sequel that it could have been, Mega Party Game$ is shaping up to be one of the most original multiplayer experiences to hit the GameCube yet.

media

impressions

Wario Ware Inc. on Game Boy Advance was one of the most original video games to come along in a long time. Switching the player rapidly through hundreds of quick five-second tasks made for some frantic and addictive gameplay. It's safe to say that pandemonium will ensue when four players get in on the action simultaneously.

If you've never played the original GBA game, prepare yourself for one crazy experience. In the blink of an eye, you'll be guiding earthworms toward life-giving puddles, gobbling up bananas floating in outer space, blowing up Mother Brain, and yes, even picking noses. Over 200 challenges were created for the GBA game, and every one of them is said to be in the GameCube version. Unfortunately, few new games will be debuting; you can forget about microgames built with GameCube graphics in mind.

Wario and his friends have created nine different multiplayer modes to serve as the framework for the microgames:

• Blockers: While one player is playing microgames, the other players control characters that can walk around the screen blocking the view. The player who finishes the most microgames wins.
• Dance Contest: A player is selected at random to play a microgame. If he loses too many times, his audience walks out and he's removed from the contest. The last player standing wins.
• Listen to the Doctor: A doctor character tells the player to do something while playing microgames: squatting or jumping or balancing on one foot. The other players rate how well the player did his task with applause. The winner is determined by microgame victories as well as applause received.
• e-Reader: A virtual card game where players play microgames in an attempt to win e-reader cards drawn from a deck. The player with the most wins.
• Space Battle: A strategy board game where the moves you can make are determined by how well you play the microgames.
• Kaboom: While one player plays microgames, the others mash buttons to pump up a balloon. Whoever is playing games when the balloon pops is the loser.
• Simultaneous: Everyone plays special four-player simultaneous versions of the microgames, then try to balance on turtles. It's weird.
• Dark room: A cooperative game where one player plays microgames while the others try to shine lights on the dark screen so he can see what he's doing.
• Hot Potato: One controller is passed between any number of players. When you get the controller, you have to win a microgame, or else you're eliminated. Last player standing wins.

Unlike Mario Party, Mega Party Game$ is set to be a pure action title. Players will be able to pick one of Wario's friends to use as an in-game avatar, then play together through Wario Ware's library of games in a variety of ways: cooperatively, competitively, and even simultaneously.

word on the street

The game has been out in Japan for a few months now under the title Atsumare! Made in Wario, and quite a few importers have shared their impressions of the game. Single-player mode is likely to be unchanged from the GBA version apart from a new Time Attack mode. In this mode, a single player will try to complete a set number of microgames as quickly as possible. The better you do the faster the games come. If you mess up, the games start to slow down again. It sounds like a nice enough bonus for people who already own the GBA version, but overall, it might seem like a redundant purchase for people who aren't looking for the multiplayer modes.

press release notes

• Play through single player to unlock over 200 character-themed, split-screen minigames and more than a dozen additional features, including bonus game modes, movies, music videos and more!
• Nine crazy multiplayer modes, plus bonus games
• Original GBA single player mode, plus new Time Attack mode
• More players than you can shake a stick at! Play with up to four players in most party-game modes, or share a controller among 16 players for some of the craziest gaming you've seen!
• Discounted $29.99 MSRP

overall

This looks like it'll be one of the wackiest multiplayer games ever made. With very quick and easy to understand objectives, this should appeal to a wide range of people, and the budget price tag is nice. People who enjoy the Mario Party series but dislike the tedium of the game board sequences should fall in love with this one.