Move It or Lose It: The Making of WarioWare: Move It!
Director Goro Abe Reveals the Key Elements of a Successful WarioWare Game After 20 Years
How does WarioWare stay fresh after thousands of microgames?
For two decades, Goro Abe has been the driving force behind the creation of thousands of microgames in the beloved WarioWare series. As the co-director, gameplay desGameTopicer, and programmer, Abe has been involved in every aspect of the series’ development. In a recent interview, Abe shared insights into the making of the latest installment, WarioWare: Move It! for the Nintendo Switch, and shed light on what makes a great microgame.
Setting the Goals for WarioWare: Move It!
The team’s primary goal when creating WarioWare: Move It! was to combine the elements of a party game, like WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!, with a movement-based game, like WarioWare: Smooth Moves. They aimed to create a motion control WarioWare party game that would be fun for players and spectators alike. The team wanted the poses during gameplay to be silly and entertaining, and they designed microgames that allowed for audience participation. The focus was on making the entire process of winning or losing enjoyable. They achieved this by introducing unexpected twists and turns, even for the losing player. The team went to great lengths to ensure that this title could be enjoyed by gamers of all skill levels.
The Evolution of WarioWare Microgames
When it comes to creating a great WarioWare microgame, Abe believes that intuitive controls and rules are crucial. Players should be able to grasp the mechanics instantly, even if they fail on their first try. The themes of the microgames should be unique and appeal to a wide range of audiences. These principles have remained unchanged throughout the 20 years of WarioWare’s existence, but the team adapts their approach based on the specific characteristics of each game. For WarioWare: Move It!, they focused on making the gameplay poses look silly and on creating a simulated experience where the in-game characters’ movements corresponded directly to the player’s actions.
Keeping WarioWare Fresh
To ensure that WarioWare microgames don’t become repetitive, the team generates a multitude of ideas. For WarioWare: Move It!, they collected over 1,000 storyboarded ideas from their staff. Although some games may share similar themes, the gameplay itself is always fresh and innovative. Abe personally selects which games make the cut, drawing from his vast knowledge of past microgames and prioritizing new ideas. Even if there are similarities to previous games, the team introduces enough changes to make each microgame stand out.
Delightful and Surprising Microgames
Abe reveals that some of the recent microgames that delighted and surprised him were those that involved unique movements. Games like “Buttograph” and “Balloon Buster” allowed players to use the Sumo Form and move their butt to score points, which brought a new level of hilarity to the gameplay. Microgames utilizing the infrared (IR) sensor, such as “Safe Snacker” and “Put a Lid on It,” also offered fresh and refreshing experiences. Abe initially doubted the feasibility of integrating the IR sensor into the game but found an innovative solution. Another microgame that pleasantly surprised him was “Chow Down,” where the player’s mouth movements directly influenced the on-screen character.
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The Impact of WarioWare on Perception
As Abe’s focus has been on making games more intuitive, he has become intensely aware of the ease of understanding in games and various daily experiences, such as user interfaces and visual effects. Playing other games prompts him to analyze what aspects were easy or challenging to grasp and consider how they could be improved. The fast-paced nature of WarioWare has influenced his perception of games and even everyday life.
Capturing Nintendo’s Game History in Microgame Form
To create 9-Volt’s games in WarioWare: Move It!, the team made a list of past Nintendo games and brainstormed ideas that could be transformed into movement-based microgames. They aimed to include an even selection across different titles and systems. However, reproducing recent titles proved to be labor-intensive, even for short microgames. The team collaborated closely with the developers of each game, obtaining assets and guidance to create microgames that captured the essence of Nintendo’s rich gaming history.
The Inspiration Behind Wario’s Island Vacation
For WarioWare: Move It!, the team wanted to introduce players to Joy-Con poses before diving into the microgames. Inspired by the introduction in WarioWare: Smooth Moves, which featured ancient ruins, they decided to set the story on a tropical island. The unique culture and legends associated with a tropical resort provided an exciting backdrop for Wario and his friends. The idea of a company trip made the story easily understandable for players.
With WarioWare: Move It!, Goro Abe and his team have once again delivered a collection of wacky, fresh microgames that embody the essence of the series. The game’s intuitive controls, relatable themes, and innovative gameplay make it a must-play for Nintendo Switch owners of all ages. So, grab your Joy-Con controllers, get ready to move, and prepare yourself for a wild and hilarious gaming experience!
Q&A: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: How many microgames are there in WarioWare: Move It!? A: WarioWare: Move It! features a whopping 223 microgames, providing hours of fun and excitement.
Q: Can I play WarioWare: Move It! with friends? A: Absolutely! While some microgames in Story Mode allow for co-op play, mostly, the game follows a turn-based format which ensures everyone can join in the fun, even as spectators.
Q: Are WarioWare microgames suitable for all skill levels? A: Yes! One of the primary goals of WarioWare: Move It! is to create a game that can be enjoyed by gamers of all skill levels. Even if you haven’t played a WarioWare game before, you’ll quickly grasp the intuitive controls and be on your way to victory.
Q: Can you give some examples of the microgames in WarioWare: Move It!? A: Of course! In WarioWare: Move It!, you’ll encounter microgames like “Buttograph,” where you use the Sumo Form to draw with your butt, or “Safe Snacker,” where you use the infrared sensor to catch incoming snacks. These are just a taste of the wild and creative microgames awaiting you.
Q: How does WarioWare: Move It! differ from previous installments? A: WarioWare: Move It! introduces motion control elements and showcases more variety in microgames compared to any previous game in the series. The game also features improved 3D graphics and complex programming to handle Joy-Con input, making the experience even more immersive.
References: 1. Monolith’s Wonder Woman Releasing in 2024: The Best Move 2. 12 Best Party Games for Nintendo Switch
