So I got my hands on the Japanese version of the new Wii sidescroller, Wario Land: Shake It. I've been a big fan of the Wario Land series since its Gameboy Debut so I was very excited to try it out. However, after the abortion that was Master of Disguise, I was also a little skeptical. Well you can all relax, this game does not stink (minus Wario's fat ass which he waves around throughout the game).

The games opens with a nice looking anime sequence to introduce the story. This sets the tone for the rest of the game which has a unique cartoony style that is very well done. You almost feel like you are playing a cartoon. Almost.

While the animations are great, the colors look a little washed out on the Wii, and the game itself is only displayed in a disappointing 4:3 aspect ratio. Those gripes aside, it's nice to see Nintendo try something different for a change with the whole anime/cartoon look, I definitely dig it.



Sound wise, the game is gold. All of Wario's trademark grunts and gaffa's are accounted for in all their glory, without being overly annoying. The music is full of awesome anime-ish tunes that really help set the jovial mood of the game.

The gameplay goes back to the original hand-held Wario Land formula and adds a few things to the mix. There are 5 worlds with 4 levels each and a boss stage. You don't have to play the worlds in any particular order though, as you use the loot you acquire in the game to purchase maps which give you access to the different worlds.

Each level follows the same basic premise. Get to the end of the level, release a little fairy guy, (which in turn starts a count down timer) and exit the level before time runs out. In most levels this can be accomplished in under 5 minutes. With a relatively low difficulty level, just about anyone could cruise through the game in a few hours. Doing so, however, would make you miss ¾ of the game.

To get 100% in a stage you will need to replay it at least 2-3 times. Each level has 3 hidden treasures to discover. Some are right out in the open but others are well hidden or difficult to nab. And for you hardcore players, the game throws even more at you.



Every level has 3-5 bonus challenges to complete. The first 2 are always the same. One is a time challenge and the other is to collect a certain amount of loot. And then there are 1-3 random challenges, such as not losing any health or not touching water at all during a level. Some of these goals are downright devious. I was pleasantly surprised at the difficulty level of some these challenges, as they are truly hard in a fun way, something that reminds me of the Nintendo of yesteryear. Getting 100% in this game will be no easy feat.

This wouldn't be possible without the great level design. While each level is short and fairly linear, they are cram packed with all sorts of platforming puzzles that are sure to delight. The pure variety in each stage is also very refreshing. From swing around on ropes, to shooting out of cannons, there is a lot to do.

The controls are similar to other Wario Land games, and as such you hold the Wiimote sideways. Wario has all his standard moves, from jumping to charging to the butt stomp. Some new wiimote moves are also thrown into the mix. Most work fine but they don't really add much to the gameplay. Also, shaking enemies and gold bags for loot and health gets old really fast.

Another disappointment is the lack of power ups. Previous installments of the series had Wario wearing different hats which granted him different abilities, such as super strength or flight. These are all sadly absent. Understandingly, they probably wanted this game not to be associated with Master of Disguise so they moved away from that angle.

Language wise, this game is very import friendly. There is very little text in the game, and you can figure most things out just by context. A few of the stage challenges are hard to decipher out but I'm sure GameFaq's will have a translations guide up soon.

Conclusion

The Good:

-Cool Anime feel
-Classic Wario Land Gameplay
-Fun and Challenging bonus goals
-Import friendly

The Bad:

-4:3 Aspect ratio
-No power-ups
-Wiimote actions get old fast

So far I've invested about 10 hours into the game, and I can heartily recommend it. Nintendo surprised me with one, a trend I hope they continue.