WarioWare D.I.Y.
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DS + DSi
| WarioWare D.I.Y.

Wario may be one of Nintendo’s more morally questionable characters, but he’s found a place in the hearts of millions of fans all over the globe, largely thanks to the brilliantly addictive WarioWare series.

Built on short 'micro-games', which require quick reflexes and are usually based around completing a simple task, the franchise has enjoyed several successful instalments across the GBA, DS, GameCube, and Wii, but this latest handheld offering is arguably the most revolutionary yet.

Doin’ it for themselves

While WarioWare D.I.Y. comes pre-loaded with the usual micro-game madness, the game is geared up to giving the player the tools they need to create their own three-second masterpieces.

After sitting through what is an incredibly lengthy tutorial mode you’re expected to become a games designer and produce countless micro-games for the consumption of the general public.

The game creation mode is astonishingly complex: you can produce backgrounds, objects, characters, and even music to accompany the scene. You’re also expected to craft AI routines, set event triggers, and specify win conditions.

Mind over matter

Initially, it all seems a little daunting, especially after the gloriously direct nature of the series thus far.

However, after you’ve found your feet and published a few miniature classics you soon begin to expand your horizons, and after a few days you’ll find yourself concocting crazy ideas which would make brilliant micro-games – even when you’re away from your DS.

You can share your titles with fellow WarioWare D.I.Y. players, but sadly the infamous Nintendo friend code system means there’s no direct way of showing off your work to the world.

This is a shame because the ability to seamlessly upload your best work has made Sony’s LittleBigPlanet a community-based phenomenon - one could argue that WareWare D.I.Y. would have been an even bigger online success.

Ultimately, this issue isn’t enough to dull WarioWare D.I.Y.’s incredible impact. While it certainly isn’t a pick-up-and-play title in the same way its predecessors are, what’s on offer here is almost intoxicating at times: total freedom to create the games you want. Your imagination is the only limit.

WarioWare D.I.Y.

WarioWare D.I.Y. is one of the best game creation tools we’ve yet witnessed and deserves to be picked up by each and every DS owner without hesitation
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Damien  McFerran
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.