WarioWare: Smooth Moves review

Freakishly fast and fun as hell

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Smooth Moves nails the motion controls for the most part, but we definitely had our share of janky moments. Simple forms like "The Remote Control" should be impossible to screw up, yet we'd be pointing at the screen, flailing in every which way, only to watch the Mission: Impossible-style bomb timer run out. One game in particular, where you balance a broom in your hand, simply refused to work. We switched TVs and all was well, but expect a few foul-ups that are not your fault.

Anybody can think up a boatload in minigames and cram 'em onto a disc, but WarioWare's bizarre sense of humor puts it in a class of its own. Learning new remote stances is one of the coolest aspects of the game, simply due to the suave, romantic voiceover that accompanies each new method. Before you can use "The Discard," you have to listen to the game's sweet-talking narrator. Great, crazy stuff.

Aside from the "main" game, there are a few arcade-style games to grab your attention. They're just as simple as the minigames, but focus on one style of play - bouncing a ping pong ball up a tower, shooting cans off a fence and balancing falling blocks on a plate can all be unlocked for a little extra twitch gaming.

The various stories that tie all these minigames together are worth a mention as well - the "cutest moment ever" we mentioned earlier was a group of disco dancing cats. It could, in fact, be one of the cutest things we've ever seen. These plotlines are pointless diversions, but what the hell, that's basically what the entire game is.

Aside from the "main" game, there are a few arcade-style games to grab your attention. They're just as simple as the minigames, but focus on one style of play - bouncing a ping pong ball up a tower, shooting cans off a fence and balancing falling blocks on a plate can all be unlocked for a little extra twitch gaming.

The various stories that tie all these minigames together are worth a mention as well - the "cutest moment ever" we mentioned earlier was a group of disco dancing cats. It could, in fact, be one of the cutest things we've ever seen. These plotlines are pointless diversions, but what the hell, that's basically what the entire game is.

More info

GenreFamily
DescriptionFirst the micro games were nuts. Now you'll be twirling a hula hoop, lifting weights and running a marathon for real - using the Wii remote.
Platform"Wii"
US censor rating"Everyone 10+"
UK censor rating""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE.