Wario Ware: Touched! (Nintendo DS)

The concept may seem a little bizarre, but it's great fun and you'll soon be addicted to trying to beat your top scores.

I would not, however, recommend this game for very young children; as the mini games come thick & fast and the speed of it with constant flashing colours can really drive you nuts (mostly in a good way!).

Graphics: 7/10

The graphics are, for the majority of the game, 2D. The colours are very vibrant and I think that 2D, if used well, can easily match 3D in impressiveness. However, my only problem with the graphics is that they do not show off what the DS can do, unlike, Mario 64 DS and Prime: Hunters. The humble GBA could cope with 90% of the graphics, although not with such amazing vibrancy. The few times that 3D is used look excellent, but I think if they had made a few more 3D mini-game, then this would have got 10/10 (imagine an Ocarina of Time mini-game!!!). I do, however, count graphics to be the least important part of a game, so moving swiftly on:

Story: 5/10

Let’s face it, the reason you bought Wario Ware was not to experience an epic tale of love and romance! Basically, it goes like this, Wario thinks that with two screens he can make twice the money and, with the help of his friends, sets out to make yet an other manic set of games. Still, at least it has a story.

Controls: 10/10

OK, these controls could not possibly be considered bad. It feels, after about 1 minute, perfectly natural to play with the stylus and hold the DS at the same time. If you can’t figure out the controls on your own then leave. Now. All you have to do is touch the screen, which is sheer genius. This means that anyone can play and the only button you ever have to press is the pause button. The touch screen is also perfectly sensitive, and will acknowledge every touch you give it, which is a must in the faster and harder stages. Simply sublime...

Game-play: 10/10

Wow. That’s the best way to describe it. As soon as the game starts you’re straight in and you know exactly what to do. Touch the screen!!! A single-word or phrase will pop up on the touch screen, and from that hint you’ve got to complete a mini-game. And you’ve only got 3-seconds!!!!!!!! It rules, basically. It’s one of the few games you can pick up and play for any amount of time, big or small, and then turn off and not lose anything. The difficulty is amazingly well-judged, with it being built up as you get a bigger score, and around the 50/60 area, its blink and you miss out. The only problem with each stage is that they are divided by what you have to do, i.e. one stage is devoted to rubbing, another to rotating, another to blowing etc. This means that, when you first start, a lot of the mini-games are too samey-samey. The fun really kicks off when you unlock ‘the pink teddy’, which is an eclectic mix of every mini-game in the game. One minute you’re blowing, then next rubbing and then...it’s gaming heaven. I judge game-play as the most important thing in any game, and the game-play in this is what truly shines. And the unlockable toys. So cool.

Sound/Music: 10/10

The speakers on the DS are amazing. This is proof. Somehow, the Gods at Nintendo have managed to give you SURROUND SOUND with this game. All they had were two tiny speakers. They deserve a pat on the back. The fact that they managed to have a song with vocals the whole way through is impressive. There are also two stand up future Nintendo classic songs on this: Mike’s Theme and Ashley’s Theme. Both are offensively good. Yes, they are so good that they offended me. The sound also works very well with the game, as the game speeds up the music speeds up, which makes your heartbeat speed up. Very good sound, excellently executed.

Value: 9/10

You will see the end credits roll in about an hour, but it only truly begins there. The amount of unlockables is ridiculous, as you have two rooms to completely fill up with the ‘toys’ you unlock. The game just keeps on giving. You will keep on playing this game, if just to beat your high-scores by 1. The thrill of getting an ‘unbeatable’ high score, followed by your friend obliterating it rules. That alone will keep you coming back for more. Worth the £30 or however many dollars by a long shot. The perfect ‘I’m bored, what can I do’ game.

Rent or Buy: I would say BUY! But I doubt you could rent it anywhere.

Final Judgement: 10/10

Superb, a game to treasure. You will play it a lot, and every second of that you will enjoy. An unmissable purchase, and the pros far out way the con (not enough showing off of the DS’s graphics). Buy. Buy. BUY IT NOW! IN CASE YOU HAVE’NT GUESSED, IT FREAKIN’ ROCKS!!!

Thank-you.