WarioWare: Smooth Moves is a party video game created by Nintendo and Intelligent Systems and released by Nintendo for the Wii. It was first sold in Japan in December 2006, and later in Europe, North America, and Australia in January 2007. This game is the fifth in the WarioWare series and the only one in the series physically released for the Wii, except for WarioWare D.I.Y. Showcase, another WarioWare game available on WiiWare. It was also the first spin-off Mario game released for the Wii console.
The game uses many short games, called microgames, that last about five seconds each. Players must hold the Wii Remote in specific ways to complete them. The game shows these microgames quickly, first telling players how to hold the Wii Remote, then displaying the microgame. These microgames are grouped into stages, with each stage connected by a simple story.
WarioWare: Smooth Moves received good reviews from critics and was very successful. In the United States, it was the fourth best-selling game in its first month, January 2007. In Japan, it sold 63,954 copies during its first week, from November 27 to December 3, 2006. This made it the fourth best-selling game released with the Wii in Japan, after Wii Sports, Wii Play, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Gameplay
WarioWare: Smooth Moves is a puzzle game similar to other games in the WarioWare series. It includes short games called microgames, which last about five seconds. Each microgame requires the player to hold the Wii Remote in a specific way, such as holding it upright or placing the bottom of the device against the nose. Some microgames require the player to use the Nunchuk attachment with the Wii Remote. Before each microgame starts, the correct position for the Wii Remote is shown to the player so they can prepare. The game is divided into stages, each represented by a WarioWare character and connected by a simple story. Microgames are grouped within these stages. After completing a certain number of microgames, players reach a boss stage, which is a longer and more complex microgame. Once all single-player stages are completed, the game unlocks a hotseat multiplayer mode. In this mode, one Wii Remote is shared by up to 12 players. While one player plays a microgame, others watch. After the microgame ends, the player passes the Wii Remote to the next person.
Plot
Long ago, a stone Wii Remote called the Form Baton was discovered by humans and a group of creatures known as the Splunks. Using the Form Baton, the Splunks gained special abilities and became loyal friends to the humans. Over time, the Splunks kept the Form Baton safe in the Temple of Form. In modern-day Diamond City, a Splunk steals all of Wario’s food. Wario chases it to the Temple of Form, where he finds the Form Baton after escaping a falling boulder. Wario proudly announces his discovery of the "treasure" (Mysterious Form Baton Found!).
The rest of the game includes stories about different characters. Mona leads the cheerleading team at Diamond City Stadium, and one football player becomes fond of her (Cheerleading to Victory). Kat and Ana fight an ogre at Diamond Dojo, who is searching for his lost child (Evil Attacks Diamond Dojo!). At Park Street, a kung-fu student named Young Cricket asks Mona for pork buns to feed himself and his teacher, Master Mantis (Enter Young Cricket). Jimmy T. dances with cats at Club Sugar, and a cat returns an umbrella it had borrowed earlier (Feline Fever). Ashley and Red listen to a talking spell book called Chatty Mr. Spell Book about growing a monster plant after failing to create one themselves (The Loquacious Spell Book). Dribble and Spitz deliver a person to Tomorrow Hill, who is later revealed to be an alien (Tomorrow Hill). Dr. Crygor’s granddaughter, Penny, competes against him in the Invent-Off at Diamond Academy and wins by building a small Wario-motorbike (The Invent-Off). 9-Volt becomes upset with 18-Volt for breaking his new Game & Watch, but they soon make up (The Multiplayer Test). At Club Spice, a doppelganger of Jimmy T. named Jimmy P. dances with dogs in a story similar to Jimmy T.’s, and the two meet at the end (Canine Crazed).
In the final level, Forever Form Baton, Wario receives the motorbike Penny built during the Invent-Off. While riding it, Wario accidentally enters the engine, transforming into a large group of tiny Warios that escape and take over Diamond City. After reuniting, the Splunks demand Wario return the Form Baton to the temple. Wario refuses, leading to a chase across Diamond City. The chase ends at the Temple of Form, where Wario accidentally places the Form Baton back in its correct location (it is likely that Wario was either left alone or removed from the temple to prevent future theft). The motorbike stops near the temple. Completing the game unlocks an extra story featuring Orbulon called The Secret of the Balance Stone. In this story, Orbulon’s ship crashes into the Balance Stone, a stone version of the Nunchuck, and lands at the Temple of Form. Orbulon tries to turn the temple into a ship using the Form Baton and the Balance Stone but fails, just as Wario did. The Splunks force Orbulon to return the items before throwing him and his ship back into space. After completing this stage, a special level called The Kelorometer is unlocked, where Dr. Crygor and Mike test a workout machine called the Kelorometer with the player as a participant.
Development
Nintendo first announced WarioWare: Smooth Moves for the Wii at the 2006 E3 convention. The game was created by Intelligent Systems and Nintendo’s Software Planning Development department. Work on the game started in late 2005 with a team of 20 people, led by Goro Abe and managed by Yoshio Sakamoto. Abe had the idea for the game after seeing the Wii Remote for the first time. The developers believed that holding the controller in only one way limited the fun, so they designed the game to allow players to use different positions and movements with the Remote. A special program was created from scratch to track the Remote’s unique movements. Like earlier WarioWare games, the subtitle “Smooth Moves” describes the basic actions players perform, which involve moving in ways similar to dancing. The developers chose this phrase because they wanted the game to feel lively and fun. Because the game is meant for group play, the multiplayer mode was considered its strongest feature.
The game includes about 200 microgames, a number similar to other WarioWare titles. Abe selected the microgames after each team member wrote down an idea and sent it to him. The microgames were based on creative ideas inspired by everyday situations. To give each mini-game a unique look, developers were asked to design their own visuals for the games they worked on. One of the game’s main goals was to make each microgame feel different. Abe required that the designs clearly show what players need to do in each mini-game. The Wii Remote’s speaker is used to create more realistic sounds and vibrations. For example, in one microgame, players bounce a tennis ball on a racquet. When the ball hits the racquet, the Remote makes a bouncing sound and vibrates to make the action feel more real. The game mostly uses only the Wii Remote and does not rely on the Wii Nunchuk. Its visuals are similar to WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Games! for the GameCube, and it does not support widescreen display.
Reception
WarioWare: Smooth Moves was released by Nintendo for the Wii in Japan on December 2, 2006, and in January 2007 for other countries. The game received mostly positive reviews, with average scores of 83 out of 100 from Metacritic and 82% from GameRankings. Reviewers praised the game's fun and entertainment value, especially during parties, but some critics noted that the game was short in length. WarioWare: Smooth Moves won a ToyAward in the Trend and Lifestyle category at the 2007 Nuremberg International Toy Fair. It also received the award for Best Action Game at IGN's Wii Best of E3 2006 Awards and was named Game of the Month by IGN in January 2007. In the United States, it was the 4th best-selling game in its debut month of January 2007. Sales dropped to 8th the next month, with 109,000 units sold. In Japan, the game sold 63,954 copies in its first week of November 27–December 3, 2006, making it the 4th best-selling launch game for the Wii after Wii Sports, Wii Play, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Sales dropped to 20th for the week of December 18–24, 2006. The game earned a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), showing it sold at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom. It was released again in Europe in May 2011 as part of the Nintendo Selects program. Overall, the game sold 1.82 million copies.
Many reviews called the game one of the best for the Wii. The Official Nintendo Magazine said Wario should be considered a true Nintendo hero, like Mario and Link. GameSpot praised the game's use of the Wii's special controls and its excellent graphics, saying it should be in every Wii owner's collection. GameTrailers called it the best collection of mini-games for the Wii. GameSpy noted the game had a lot of value for people who host parties or play with friends and family who enjoy games like Wii Sports or Rayman Raving Rabbids. The Observer named it Game of the Week for January 28–February 4, 2007, and praised its colorful graphics and variety of visual styles. Australia's The Age gave the game four stars out of five, saying it was as fun to watch as it was to play. The Sunday Age predicted the game could help non-gamers become fans of video games.
Computer and Video Games said the game would be the one players return to when hosting large groups, and praised its creative gameplay. Nintendo World Report liked the game's variety but found the few unlockable items and lack of high scores disappointing. IGN said the game was not the best in the Wario series but still called it an essential part of the Wii collection. The website enjoyed the single-player and multiplayer modes, especially when sharing the game with friends or family. They called the use of the Wii Remote "slick and intuitive," the graphics "nearly inexplicable," and the sound "totally off the wall." GameZone called the game "original and addictive" but said it might not appeal to everyone. The Courier-Mail praised the game's use of motion-sensitive controllers, calling it one of the most inventive games for the Wii. Canada's Toronto Sun also appreciated the game's creative use of the Wiimote.
Some reviewers noted the game lacked the unpredictability of earlier Wario games and found some controller positions difficult, but 1UP.com still called it a welcome addition to any Wii library. GamePro described it as a "certifiably insane party game" that proves the Wii is the best console for playing with friends. GamesRadar said the game's multiplayer mode is the best party experience for up to 12 people. Game Informer said the game made friends laugh for hours and was worth the price. Eurogamer praised the game's use of the Wii Remote but said it lacked long-term appeal.
At the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, WarioWare: Smooth Moves was nominated for "Family Game of the Year" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.