Easy, pick up and play but surprisingly deep
Explaining Warioware is a daunting task in itself because on a superficial level it appears to be overly simplistic and abbreviated. While the game is very simplistic, it has the longevity to match any other Gameboy Advance title on the market. The game is laid out in stages and upon meeting the explained criteria in one, you move on to the next. Each stage has microgames exclusive to it and may occasionally mix in some from former stages’ games to keep you guessing. Each stage has a theme to its games – sports, brain games, etc – my favorite of which was the classic stage which had you completing various tasks in such titles as Ice Climbers, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong and others.
Most of the microgames require a simple button press or use of the d-pad, however timing is imperative. When a microgame starts you are given a one word description of what needs to be done and you have mere seconds to find out what that means and do it. Assuming you complete the task, you are given a victory animation by that stages character and move on to the next game in a span of seconds. If you fail, you lose a life, of which you have four. If you complete a series of games proportionate with the required amount, you will go on to a boss stage where you are treated to games that range from a Punchout clone to a vertical shooter in the vein of Ikaruga -- though not as graphically impressive or complex, obviously.
Warioware is perhaps the definitive game for any handheld system. This is something that you can enjoy for virtually any amount of time. Waiting around for a buddy to show up? Pop out Warioware and play it for the few minutes the bastard dares to make you wait. Or you could just chill and play it all the way through, which could take upward of an hour or two. It entertains and is something anyone could pick up and play for any desirable amount of time. Upon first glance Warioware may appear to be shallow and monotonous, but it is the simplicity that lends its depth and what keeps you playing for whether it be minutes or hours.