The WarioWare games have never stuck to one idea for any long period of time. While the microgame nature of it remains the same, the input for each game has been different. We’ve had buttons, a touchscreen, motion controls (on both the Wii an...
The WarioWare games have never stuck to one idea for any long period of time. While the microgame nature of it remains the same, the input for each game has been different. We’ve had buttons, a touchscreen, motion controls (on both the Wii and the Game Boy) and even camera input. But this time around, Nintendo hasn’t given us a new way to play these microgames – they’ve given you the tools to create them yourself. Everything from the art to the music and more can all be made by you. WarioWare D.I.Y. is, without a doubt, Mario Paint on acid.
So it’s not all game creation, there is also a ton of other activities to do in the game if you don’t feel like creating games, but really, why would you buy a game called Do It Yourself if you didn’t want to at least have a crack at it?
Let’s get this straight right away, this game is very in-depth, and this is evident in the mandatory tutorial, yes, it’s required to go through at the start of the game. You will spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour before you can even be let loose in the game editor. While this may sound like a long time, and it is really, without it you would be lost. The game editor is full of options, controls, switches and knobs that you will have no idea how to use without these tutorials.
This is part of the graphic editor showing off an animation.
The graphics editor, like the game scripting, is very user-friendly but also very in-depth. You can draw everything yourself or there is some clip art available to use, anything from trees to balls and even items from Nintendo games. There are also texture tools along with all the paint tools you can imagine. In-game objects and characters are able to be fully animated as well, with four frames per object and even a frame for when you tap.
For all the tools in the game, you’re only making a 5-second microgame and at times it feels a tab over-engineered. But without the graphics, the animation, the scripting and the music – all parts of a game – you don’t have a game, do you? I would love to see this editor and creator expanded on the Wii or the 3DS in the future for longer games. You’re not ever going to be able to create Zelda, but re-creation of arcade classics could be possible.
I’m not very good at drawing but with the tools available I was still able to make a decent looking game, and with the tools there and the help available at anytime, anyone can make something decent. To prove this point, all of the built-in games, made by Nintendo, have been created using the in-game editor.
The other aspect of making games in WarioWare D.I.Y. is the music creator. While the games only go for seconds at a time, you can create music up to 4 minutes long with 50 different instruments. Anything from a piano to classic 8-bit noises is there. The game music can have up to four tracks along with a rhythm track. Complicated and great sounding music tracks are able to be made. Suck at composing? Sure we’ve all dabbled with the local orchestra but why not get Maestro to make music for you? If that’s not your thing, you are able to even hum a few bars and the game will try to make a track for you based on that.
You can only create two games in progress at any one time; once they’re finished and work fine, there are tons of spots for them (and the downloadable games) however. There are also no DSi features in the game, so no putting your ugly mug in microgames.
So what’s the point of making these games if you can’t share it with others? Well luckily you can, as the Distribution Centre is the hub for all things sharing. Upon entering, you’re given the choice of connecting to the Wii, another DS or the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Connecting to the Wii requires WarioWare D.I.Y. Showcase (available from the Wii Shop Channel) where as connecting to the DS requires another copy of the game. The bulk of the sharing tools and fun stuff is online though, and though Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection you can connect to either the Warehouse or the NinSoft store.
The Warehouse is where you can store up to two comics (more on that later), records or games to share with friends. Like all Nintendo games, you’ll need to have a friend code for them. It would be better if the six slots you get could be filled with anything but it’s not a big problem. The NinSoft store, though, is where the fun is, with games for download from not only other people but also famous developers. There is also a challenge up there each week in which you can submit microgames following a specific theme – make a good one and it’ll be featured.
Outside of game creation, there is plenty to do as well; you can finish games as challenges and put the missing parts of the game in. A game is given to you with script missing and you’ll need to put in the appropriate actions to get it working again. This takes place in the Assembly Dojo where the Master will judge your attempt at fixing the game in a very “Professor Layton” way. It even has the three-jump zoom up on his face. A weird addition to the game is the Comics feature. Using the games editor you can create 4-page comics. There are also comics by famous Japanese artists to download as well. Not sure what the point of these is in relation to the game, but they’re there. Finally there is also the Job Centre which sees you drawing art for games that Wario made but can’t be stuffed drawing a box for. He’s fat and lazy, did’t you know?
All of these side additions to the main game unlock more built-in games, comics and music tracks that are in the D.I.Y. Shop. Some of the Nintendo themes remixed using the games editor are quite brilliant – look out for those.
The presentation of the game is set out in a logical manner and the artwork, like all Wario games, is great. The graphics score for this game is as good as you make it though.
The editors work, the games work really again, its up to your imagination.
Usual ditty tunes you expect from a Wario game. The music editor, though, is great and the included tracks that come with it are fun to listen to.
You will get us much out of the game as you can give back into it. Limitless fun.
While the lengthy tutorial scared me off for a couple days, I came back to it after and made a game. It finally clicked to me what this game is about. Seeing all the cool games people make online though is where its at; it feeds your inspiration for making your own.
Makes sense to us.
It's Black, Back Again.
If these aren't the coolest graphics...