Wario

Wario
Mario series character
File:Wario.jpg Wario, in his most common appearance
First game	Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins (1992)
Created by	Hiroji Kiyotake

Wario (ワリオ) is a fictional Nintendo video-game character. He first appeared in the 1992 Game Boy game Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins as a self-aggrandizing and narcissistic opposite of Mario and the games boss. Besides the Mario series, Wario has featured in his own series entitled Warioware.

The character's role in the Mario series was originally antagonistic and later became an anti-hero of his own series. He is greedy and manipulative, and will do anything to gain wealth whether it be good or bad. Wario has a bellicose cackle, and an intense jealousy of Mario which fuels his fierce competitiveness in all of his appearances.

The character has been incorporated into virtually every Mario game since Mario Tennis in some form, and has even led to the creation of his own brother Waluigi. Wario has become a more eccentric and comical version of Mario, with different abilities and adventures oriented around the aquisition of wealth as opposed to Marios altruistic heroics. Template:Spoiler

Appearances

Main article: List of Wario games

Although originally a minor character in the Mario series, Wario has since appeared in over two dozen Mario games and has been present in some non Mario-games. The character has recurred in Mario sports and party games, and is the protagonist of the Warioware game series, a collection of puzzle games that have been released on the Nintendo DS.

Appeances as an antagonist

Wario was introduced as the final boss in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins where he invaded Mario Land, Mario's personal island, and took over Mario's castle while Mario is out rescuing Princess Daisy from the alien creature Tatanga (as depicted in Super Mario Land). In Mario and Wario (released only in Japan), Wario flies around in a plane during boss battles and before each level. In a commercial for Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Wario attempts to hypnotize the viewers into serving him, showing his original role as a dedicated Mario antagonist.

In the beginning of the level, Wario drops a bucket or another similar item onto the head of Mario, Princess Peach, or Yoshi (depending on which character the player chooses), thus preventing the player from controlling the character. A fairy named Wanda has to guide the victims to Luigi, who can then pick the bucket off. In the boss battle, Wanda fights a plane-piloting Wario. Wario next plays the antagonist in Wario's Woods. He attacks the Mushroom Kingdom, forcing Toad, Wanda, and Birdo to brave a dangerous forest. In the SNES version, Toad has to defeat many bosses before he can face Wario; the NES version features Wario as the only villain. Wario's eyes here are different from his current appearance: while he now has slanted eyes and thick eyebrows, the game gives him round eyes and thin eyebrows. Wario also stars in a Game Boy puzzle game titled Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman!. This was released at around the same time as Wario's Woods. As the title suggets, this game pits him against Bomberman. It is essentially a Bomberman game with Wario as a guest star, despite Wario's top billing. When Wario is being played, all of the opponents are Bombermen, and when Bomberman is played, all of the opponents are Wario. Wario was set to feature in the Virtual Boy video game titled Virtual Boy Mario Land, which had Mario trapped in Wario's world, but this was canceled after the system's failure.

Wario also appears in Dr. Mario 64, co-starring alongside Dr. Mario. In this game, Wario attempts to steal the bottle of Megavitamins from Mario in order to become a doctor himself, but fails. Wario eventually gets involved with Mad Scienstein (a minion of Rudy the Clown from Wario Land 3), who steals the Megavitamins. Mario and Wario chase him together in order to retrieve them. Players can choose which to control. If Dr. Mario defeats Rudy without being defeated, he faces Vampire Wario, and if Wario defeats Rudy without being defeated, he faces Metal Mario, showing their continued rivalry.

Appearances as protagonist

File:Ss wl4 pre.gif

Screenshot from Wario Land 4, with Wario exploring in traditional side-scrolling adventure like Mario

After appearing as a villain several times, Wario went on to star in his own series of Game Boy platformers. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 is Wario's first appearance as a protagonist, and the beginning of his rivalry with Captain Syrup and the Brown Sugar Pirates. In Wario Land, Wario discovers that the Brown Sugar Pirates have stolen a statue of Princess Peach and that Mario is looking for it. Wario decides to take this statue before Mario can get to it.

Wario Land for the Virtual Boy is similar to the portable Wario games in its gameplay and design. The story involves Wario having to fight his way out of a giant cave housing several strange worlds, all the while looting the treasure. This game features Virtual Boy-style pseudo-3D gameplay, allowing Wario to travel into the background at some points in the levels.

Wario Land II continues the rivalry with Captain Syrup and a new band of bad guys: the Black Sugar Gang. This time, they have looted Wario's castle, and Wario has to chase them to their home on Kitchen Isle to right the terrible wrong. After defeating Captain Syrup and the Giant Spear King, Wario recovers his treasure and returns home. Unlike the first two games, Wario receives abilities through status effects. For example, he can be set on fire by a candle, allowing him to burn up certain blocks and enemies. This game removes the life-meter concept, and Wario only loses coins if damaged. Wario Land II also featured secret exits in levels, which could result in the player fighting a different final boss and experiencing a different ending. There are 5 "final" boss battles and one more battle before the true ending.

In Wario Land 3, Wario becomes trapped in a music-box world. He has to help a mysterious figure regain control of this world by defeating a hoarde of monsters, only agreeing to do so after hearing that he will get to keep all of the treasure acquired throughout his quest. This game introduces a new villain, Rudy the Clown. Unlike past games, Wario is not set on a linear path. He also has lost all his powers, and must find them as he progresses.

Wario Land 4's adventure begins when Wario reads in the newspaper about a great treasure inside of a Golden Pyramid in the jungle and drives off in his Wario Car to find it. He must retrieve twelve treasures, guarded by four huge monsters, to unlock the final level. Wario is no longer invincible, and this is the first game in the Wario Land series to feature a health meter.

Wario World for the Nintendo GameCube is a departure from typical Wario platform games. It was developed by Treasure, and focuses more on fighting enemies than solving puzzles with various powerups or status effects (both of which are missing from this game). Wario gets his hands on a mystical Black Jewel, which eventually destroys his castle and turns all of his treasure into monsters. Throughout the game, Wario will encounter Sprites trapped in small boxes. Once Wario defeats the Black Jewel, the Spritelings will reward him by creating a new domain for him. Depending on how many Spritelings and treasures and how much money Wario collects, he will get one of two replacement domains—a shack (if he does not get enough Spritelings, treasures, and money) or a castle (after getting all collectibles and enough money). The game got a good deal of negative press, mostly attributed to the ease and length of the game. As in Wario Land 4, Wario has a health meter.

Wario is also a playable character in Super Mario 64 DS, but he must be unlocked using Luigi to defeat Chief Chilly. He has abilities that Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi do not, such as being incredibly strong, and being able to turn into metal form with a power flower.

Kaitou Wario Seven (literally translated as Mysterious Thief Wario Seven) is an upcoming Nintendo DS game. Little is known as of now, but a handful of conclusions can be drawn from the screenshots shown at the Tokyo Game Show 2005. The health meter remains; the top screen is for the map and information while the bottom screen is used for gameplay; he will not be wearing his W cap at times; and status effects will be returning (one form known to be in the game is the snowball).

Warioware series

File:Wario WWare.gif

Wario as he appears in the WarioWare, Inc. series, which is thought to parody various Nintendo products such as Pokémon

In the WarioWare, Inc. series, Wario starts a video game factory with his friends. Wario first creates the company in the game WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$, inspired by Ken the Reporter's report about the success of the new "killer app" video game Pyoro. He hires some of his friends to help him make his games. In each WarioWare title, he cons his friends into making more games for his latest scheme, while trying to cheat them out of the proceeds. In the plot, each game is a product being sold by WarioWare, Incorporated. These games are called microgames, and last between three and seven seconds. This game series has become very popular among long-time Wario fans.

These games parody the release of the Game Boy Advance SP, the success of Pokémon, and the release of the Nintendo DS. In each, Wario hears about the success of a new game or system (Pyoro's cover is strikingly similar to those of most Pokémon games), and decides to cash in by convincing his friends to make a bunch of games for his latest project. In true Wario fashion, he ends up filthy rich at the end by cheating his friends, but a twist of fate deprives him of his ill-gotten cash.

Wario also stars in the bonus game Dr. Wario (featured in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$). The gameplay remains the same as in Dr. Mario, but Wario is now the doctor, fighting against different variants of the original viruses. He sports a lab coat like Dr. Mario, but his facial features are also different. In each game, Wario 'presents' a series of microgames unique to him (as do the other characters). To allude to Wario's apparent vanity, each game features Wario's likeness in some way - although precisely how much they flatter Wario varies considerably. Although Wario is often depicted pitted against Mario (with a very favourable outcome for him should the player succeed), he has also (for example) been shown in a Victorian one-piece bathing suit, among other such humiliating outfits and circumstances.

Other game appearances

File:WarioStarfi.jpg

Puffy Wario assists Stafy in a cameo appearance in Legend of Stafy 3

In the Mario Kart series, Wario's first appearance was in Mario Kart 64. He has since appeared in all Mario Kart sequels. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, he is paired up with Waluigi and his unique kart is the Wario Car. In all of these games, Wario is among the lightest of the heavyweights; he features great ramming power, but bad acceleration and off-road handling. Wario concedes that his raw power is second only to Donkey Kong and the King of all Koopas himself, Bowser.

Wario also appears in Mario Golf for the Game Boy Color and Nintendo 64. In the Game Boy Color version, whilst in a locker room, it is possible to find a fake moustache and a yellow cap in Wario's locker. Unlike the other Mario sports titles, Wario's character plays without any unusual quirks (such as the Boo's floating ability). Wario has remained unaltered through the Mario Golf sequels.

Wario has appeared in almost every Mario sports game since Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color). In the Game Boy Color version, Wario is a secret unlockable character, only playable after beating the game with one of the original characters. In the Nintendo 64 version, however, he is playable from the outset, and the original characters must be unlocked. He was featured in Mario Power Tennis, the GameCube sequel. Mario Tennis: Power Tour, the GBA version, was the first Mario sports game since Mario's Tennis to not feature Wario. In these games, Wario is also a very powerful but slow character. Once again, Wario's power is second only to DK and Bowser.

In Legend of Stafy 3, Stafy, the sky star, encounters Wario in World 8 of the game. Throughout this world, Wario works with Stafy to beat the levels, and gives the player four different treasures: a Wario cap, a Wario nose/moustache, a copy of WarioWare, Inc. with a GBA, and a pile of gold. In these three levels, he takes the form of Puffy Wario, Fire Wario and Bubble Wario, and these powers help Stafy get from one place to another in the levels.

Mario Superstar Baseball also features Wario as a playable character. Each character in the game features a special characteristic and physical attributes. He is also a team captain in the GameCube title Super Mario Strikers. Although they are not 'sports' titles, the Mario Party titles also feature Nintendo's all-star Mario roster. Wario has featured as a playable character in every game in the series since its inception on the Nintendo 64. Wario is set to appear in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii in 2007. Wario appears in the trailer in his WarioWare-style biker outfit. It is unknown how he will fight, but near the end of the trailer released during E3 2006, one of the moves he showcased was a gas attack, followed by a mushroom cloud, a move tentatively being called the Wario Waft. In Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mario has an alternate costume featuring Wario's color scheme. There is also an unlockable Wario trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Wario also makes several minor appearances. He did not make an appearance in the story mode of New Super Mario Bros., however he did appear in the mini-games. He will, however, make a playable appearance in the upcoming Yoshi's Island 2 for the Nintendo DS. This will mark the first appearance of Wario as a baby, along with fellow villain-turned-hero Donkey Kong. A younger version of Wario will appear in the upcoming Yoshi's Island 2 for the Nintendo DS. His special ability is to attract coins to Yoshi, showing that he's just as greedy as his elder counterpart. Game & Watch Gallery 2 - GBC, 1998 - Wario replaces Mr. Game & Watch for several of the modern games. Appears in the modern versions of "Helmet" and "Ball". Game & Watch Gallery 3 - GBC, 1999 - Wario replaces Mr. Game & Watch for several of the modern games. Appears in the modern version of "Mario Bros." Game & Watch Gallery 4 - GBA, 2002 - Wario replaces Mr. Game & Watch for several of the modern games. Appears in the modern versions of "Rain Shower" and "Fire Attack".In Uniracers, one of the tracks is named 'Wario Paint', a mix of Mario Paint's title, and Wario. In Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga, there's a WarioWare Inc. poster with Wario in it in Yoshi Theatre. Interestingly, Wario was also set to make an appearance in the Starbeans Cafe at one point in development, alongside Professor E. Gadd and various Nintendo-related non-Mario characters. In his scenario, Wario is offered some coffee, but does not like the taste. He also appears in Pilotwings 64 in the Little States stage when the player shoots Mario's face on Mt. Rushmore and it turns into Wario's. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for the Gamecube, and Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix.

Wario in other media

The Super Mario Adventures graphic novel, collecting a series of comics originally serialized in Nintendo Power, features Wario in two of the stories. This comic was illustrated by Charlie Nozawa, written by Kentaro Takekuma, and localized into English by Leslie Swan. It features a variety of storylines, including a story of Wario's past and his relationship with Mario.

Various Wario merchandise has been released, including plush dolls and stickers.

Characteristics

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Wario set ablaze in Wario Land 3. Wario is known for his unique and humorous abilities

Wario possesses negative characteristics that include greed, laziness, ruthlessness, and gluttony. The character is renowned for his greed and is thought to be a cruel and unintelligent enemy of Mario who will do anything for wealth, especially as a means of upstaging Mario who Wario is envious of. According to a comic story published in Nintendo Power, the reason Wario hates Mario because he bullied him when they were both younger and played cowboys, because Wario was almost always the rustler that the Mario, as the sheriff, had to arrest. In most of the games he has only various evil minions and no friends, though he does appear to have several friends in the Warioware series and a love interest named Mona. The minions in his service are subject to his mismanagement and oblique leadership, leading to continual failure to achieve his goals. For example, in Super Mario RPG, Wario kidnaps Princess Peach, attempts to marry her, but fails to see the danger Mario presents until it is too late and then completely forgets about the marriage.

Warios physical appearance resembles an exaggerated Mario, being very fat and short (though he also has muscular arms) and an oversized jagged moustache. He has an Italian accent but is not related to Mario. He is known for his great strength which he uses to throw enemies far bigger than himself and to break brick walls. He also makes use of various hats, which give him special powers in the same manner as Marios mushrooms and flower items, and garlic as powerups.

Despite Wario's overall negative personality and character, he has played the role of anti-hero many times in various Nintendo games. For instance, in Wario Land 4, Wario saves Princess Shokora from the Golden Diva. He has been cast as a hero when fighting others who are more villanous, making his personal and moral flaws seem smaller, such as when he is victimized by a spirit in Wario World who transforms his money into monsters and sends him to another dimension. Wario also teams up with Mario in Super Mario 64 DS after Mario saves him from Bowser. And since his appearance in Mario Tennis, Wario has been paired with Waluigi, Wario's brother who is like the opposite of Mario's brother, Luigi.

See also: WarioWare characters

Concept and creation

The name "Wario" is Mario's name blended with the Japanese adjective warui (悪い) meaning "bad"; hence, a "bad Mario". He was created by Hirofumi Matsuoka who created characters such as Kid Icarus and Metroid.

He is voiced by Charles Martinet, who also voices the Mario, Luigi, and Waluigi characters. Wario is thought to resemble Foreman Spike, a villain in the NES game Wrecking Crew. He works against Mario in order to prevent him from destroying the buildings (along with his Eggplant Men). Both sporting similar facial features, but after Wrecking Crew '98, Spike's features changed, and he resembled Wario a little less, but some still believe that Wario was inspired by Spike's physical features.

References

• The following games and their instruction manuals: Super Mario 64 DS  • WarioWare: Touched!  • WarioWare: Twisted!  • WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$  • Legend of Stafy 3  • Wario Land II  • Virtual Boy Wario Land  • Wario Land 3  • Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 and Wario Land 4.

External links

• Wario World Official site
• WarioWare, Inc. home page
• The Mushroom Kingdom - Mario Series fan site