WarioWare: Move It review: A waggle in the right direction for the series

Game: WarioWare: Move It
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch (reviewed on)
Release Date: November 3, 2023

A ways back the Nintendo Switch gave us a new WarioWare game known as WarioWare: Get it Together. While it was fun, it was also, as my grandma would have put it…”low-key mid”. It was entertaining but instead of the traditional WarioWare, every player controlled a version of their character that interacted with the onscreen activities in different ways. It was fun but it didn’t really carry the wackiness of WarioWare as the controls never changed.

I mean, it was clever how every character had a completely different ability and could still complete every task. It was clever but clever and entertaining is not a completely overlapping Venn diagram you know?

Enter WarioWare: Move It, where Wario wins a vacation for him and all the supporting characters while overindulging in garlic burgers.

WarioWare: Move It goes back to the game’s roots by making every round feel like something different. Sometimes it can be something so simplistic as adjusting the hands of a clock, or as complex as navigating a character through a bizarre muscle man landscape via the usage of playing cards.

The main difference is that you do so with a Joy-Con in each hand. The game can ONLY be played with two Joy-Cons so if you only have two, you’re going to be going single player.

Every so often, while playing through single player, you’re taught a new “position” view the mysterious “Voice”. You’ll have to remember these because when the game starts you’ll get a half second reminder of what position to stand in before the game starts. For example, if you hear “Choo Choo” that means get your hands in front of you with your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle. “Big Cheese” is your hands at your hips while standing with your chest puffed out. Things off that sort.

For fans of the older ones that required you do to button presses and joystick moves (like me) that part is sadly not there. But if you want a fun party game with weird movements the game has you. Even if you “lose” the game lets you continue as long as you’re willing to hold an embarrassing pose the game decides for you for three full seconds.

And like most WarioWare games, the single player mode can be completed in less than two hours. It doesn’t unlock all the games, but you can unlock every stage and complete the story in less than two hours.

“But Eric,” you ask. “It’s been several days since the game came out. Why is the review only coming out now?” I’ll tell you. I’m 43. When I was playing this game to review it, I threw out my right arm so bad that it is now several days later and I’m just now starting to move it without pain. That’s right guys, I gave myself an injury playing a Nintendo game. Don’t get old, kids.

Despite my injuries, which are honestly more my fault of trying to play through the entire game while also being in my 40s. The game’s really fun. My kids also enjoyed it and laughed constantly. It’s filled with lots of bizarre random humor like pulling out all the tissues in a tissue box just to discover a tiny man inside now cold. Unclogging a toilet might lead to a surprise encounter with a soft-shelled turtle. And strange flexing shirtless men can show up everywhere and WILL.

I don’t think the game is destined to become a classic as the “motion control only” aspect of it will mostly keep it on the shelf reserved for parties. But for what it is, it’s honestly one of the best Switch party game experiences I’ve ever encountered. Now, excuse me, but I need to put my ace bandage back on.

WarioWare: Move It (Nintendo Switch) Score: 9/10

While those who long for the button and joystick WarioWare games may be let down, this still feels like the kind of content you come to WarioWare for. A story about a wacky event, bizarre fever trip mini games, trial and error discovery, it’s all here with some well tracked motion controls. The content feels bizarrely minimal, but as far as party games are concerned, this comes through in a big way.

A copy of this game was provided to App Trigger for the purpose of this review. All scores are ranked out of 10, with .5 increments. Click here to learn more about our Review Policy.