In 2003 Nintendo released a charming GBA game called Warioware, Inc Mega Microgames and it was met with some success. Nintendo has just recently released Warioware, Inc.: Mega Party Games, which is basically identical to the GBA game with some multiplayer modes added for good measure. If you're looking for a simple, yet addicting multiplayer game for the GameCube at a bargain $29.99 price, look no further.

The premise behind Warioware is a difficult one to explain in writing, but I'll try my best anyway. Wario likes to rip off game ideas. So what he's done is created a game with over 200 minigames, but the catch is most of them last for only 5 or so seconds. After all, when you're Wario, why go the extra mile? Unlike Mario Party, there are no instructions given on how to pass these 5 second challenges. It'll come down to your gaming instinct, trial and error, and lots of luck. The 1-player mode will test you to see how many of these challenges you can make it through. If you fail a certain number of times you won't make it to the next level. These minigames are essentially identical to those found in the GBA version, so owners of Microgames may want to carefully consider whether or not to invest another $30 for the Cube version. Of course, the most appealing aspect of the console version is its multiplayer games.

There are numerous multiplayer games to partake in and each offers up different challenges. I'm not going to list each and every mode in this review, but there are some truly quirky modes to choose from. The strangest event is "Listen to the Doctor". In this mode a player is given a random minigame to play while the other players watch. The catch is that the player must follow the doctor's order while playing. These orders are very strange, but amusing. For instance, you may have to make shake your head from side to side while playing the game or yell at the top of your lungs, or wiggle your eyebrows back and forth. The other players who are watching will then clap for you (in the game by hitting the "A" button) depending on how well you followed the doctor's orders. The player with the most applause will win the game. Strange? Very! Fun? It can be with the right crowd

My 2 favorite multiplayer games are "Wobbly Bobbly" and "Milky Waydelirium". In Wobbly Bobbly each person plays a random minigame together. Whoever wins that round goes on to play a single player minigame. If the player wins, a turtle shell is given to the opponents. If the player loses, then a small turtle shell is stacked up for the single player. After this takes place, a short time passes by where each player must balance on top of the turtle shells. As the stacks of shells get higher, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain balance. If a player falls off the shells, they're out of the game. Last person standing wins. Milky Waydelirium has players picking an asteroid with a number on it. The number signifies how many microgames must be played in a row (and in success) to nab the asteroid and turn it to that player's color. The person with the most asteroids in his or her color wins. Similar to Othello, players can nab other players' asteroids by capturing asteroids on either side of a competitor, thus changing the "sandwiched" asteroids' colors. It may sound complicated, but the game is easy to learn and extremely fun.

Warioware is Nintendo's quirkiest game ever released. Not everyone will enjoy it, but most players who enjoy multiplayer games will find at least one mode to like in this game. Since the games are all very simple and usually only require one button press at the most, even non-gamers will be drawn to play. Like I mentioned earlier, this game is a true party game. It's one of those games that will get old fast when played alone, but with a bunch of friends will stand the test of time. Those who own the GBA version will want to think twice before spending more money on essentially the same game. For everyone else who's looking for a fun, yet bizarre multiplayer game, Warioware, Inc.: Mega Party Games is where it's at.