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{{short description|1994 video game}} {{short description|1994 video game}}
{{Infobox video game {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}{{Infobox video game
| title = Wario's Woods | title = Wario's Woods
| image = Wario's Woods NES.jpg | image = Wario's Woods NES.jpg
| caption = North American NES box art | caption = North American NES box art
| developer = ]
| developer = TEC<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?SC=Author&SA=TEC%20Company%2C%20Ltd%2E&PID=7yqziQBaZTMdBF-cO-NKInY9jqYZ5M&BROWSE=1&HC=8&SID=2 | title=WebVoyage }}</ref>
| publisher = ] | publisher = ]
| director = Kenji Miki | director = Kenji Miki
| producer = Kenji Miki | producer = Kenji Miki
| series = '']'' | series = '']''
| designer = Soichiro Tomita<br />Masahiro Iimura<br />Naotaka Ohnishi | designer = Soichiro Tomita<br />Masahiro Iimura<br />Naotaka Ohnishi
| composer = Shinobu Amayake<br />Soyo Oka | composer = Shinobu Amayake<br />Soyo Oka
| released = {{Video game release|JP|February 19, 1994|NA|December 10, 1994|EU|1995}} | released = {{Video game release|JP|February 19, 1994|NA|December 10, 1994|EU|1995}}
| genre = ] | genre = ]
| modes = ], ] | modes = ], ]
| platforms = ], ], ] | platforms = ], ], ]
}} }}
'''''Wario's Woods'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Wario no Mori'''''|ワリオの森|Wario's Forest}}}} is a ] ] developed by TEC and published by ] for the ]. It was released in Japan and North America in 1994 and Europe in 1995. A spin-off of the '']'' series, players control ] in his mission to defeat ], who has taken control of the Peaceful Woods. Gameplay revolves around clearing each level by using bombs to destroy groups of enemies. The game also features a multiplayer mode that allows two players to compete against each other. '''''Wario's Woods'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Wario no Mori'''''|ワリオの森|Wario's Forest}}.}} is a ] ] developed and published by ]. It was released in Japan and North America in 1994 and Europe in 1995 for both the ] and the ]. A spin-off of the '']'' series, players control ] in his mission to defeat ], who has taken control of the Peaceful Woods. Gameplay revolves around clearing each level by using bombs to destroy groups of enemies. The game also features a multiplayer mode that allows two players to compete against each other.


''Wario's Woods'' is noteworthy for being the last officially-licensed NES game in North America, released at the end of the console's lifespan. It is also the only NES game to receive a rating from the ] (ESRB), which was inducted several months before the game's release. In Japan, the game was released alongside a re-release of '']'' to coincide with the release of the ]. The NES version is noteworthy for being the last officially-licensed game as well as the final first-party game for the system in North America, due to its release at the end of the console's lifespan. It is also the only NES game to receive a rating from the ] (ESRB), which was inducted several months before the game's release. In Japan, the game was released alongside a re-release of '']'' to coincide with the release of the ].


''Wario's Woods'' has been re-released several times for other platforms, such as the ] and the ]. The game received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its gameplay, design, and multiplayer mode; though some believed it was not as refined as Nintendo's previous puzzle games like '']'', and lacked depth and enough content to keep players engaged. ''Wario's Woods'' has been re-released several times for other platforms, such as the ] and the ]. The game received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its gameplay, design, and multiplayer mode, though some believed it was not as refined as Nintendo's previous puzzle games like '']'', and lacked depth and enough content to keep players engaged.


==Plot and gameplay==
==Gameplay==
] ] in the SNES version. The ] ] rearranges the objects in the playing field such that monsters and bombs of matching colors are placed adjacently in rows.]] ] ] in the SNES version. The ] ] rearranges the objects in the playing field such that monsters and bombs of matching colors are placed adjacently in rows.]]
The "Peaceful Woods" was once a peaceful area for sprites and gentle creatures. After the invasion of ] and his group of monsters, the forest community was "turned upside-down" where peaceful creatures are no longer welcome. To stop Wario, ] arrives to stop him and return the Woods back over to the sprites by going after Wario himself.<ref name="story-manual">
{{Cite AV media notes |title=Wario's Woods Instruction Booklet |date=1994 |chapter=Story |page=13 |type=booklet |publisher=] |id=NES-WB-USA |location=United States}}</ref>


The objective of ''Wario's Woods'' is to clear the playing field of monsters of varying colors by using bombs of matching color, which are dropped into the field from the top of the screen by a sprite.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wario's Woods Instruction Booklet (USA) |url=https://archive.org/details/warios-woods-usa/page/n1/mode/2up |website=Internet Archive |language=English}}</ref> In order to do so, the monsters and bombs must be rearranged by the player such that three or more objects of the same color are placed adjacent to one another in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal rows, with at least one object being a bomb (such rows are called a "match"). For example, a match may consist of two red monsters and one red bomb, but may also consist of two red bombs and one red monster. However, a match cannot consist of three monsters of the same type. A ] may also come down a number of rows (being disguised as the ceiling), making less room for the player to match enemies and bombs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wario's Woods |url=https://www.mariowiki.com/Wario%27s_Woods |website=Super Mario Wiki |language=en |date=11 December 2021}}</ref> When the play field is cleared of all the monsters, the player progresses to the next ], where the initial number of monsters increases.{{#tag:ref| From the Operations Guide (5. Basic Play)<ref name="vc_manual">{{cite video game| title = Wario's Woods| developer = ]| publisher = Nintendo | date= 2006-11-19| platform= ]}}</ref> |name="vc_basic_play" |group="nb"}} There are different monster types that can only be destroyed in specific ways, such as requiring two matches in quick succession or being placed into a diagonal match.<ref name="Allgame_SNES" /> The objective of ''Wario's Woods'' is to clear the playing field of monsters of varying colors by using bombs of matching color, which are dropped into the field from the top of the screen by a sprite.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wario's Woods Instruction Booklet (USA) |url=https://archive.org/details/warios-woods-usa/page/n1/mode/2up |website=Internet Archive |language=English}}</ref> In order to do so, the monsters and bombs must be rearranged by the player such that three or more objects of the same color are placed adjacent to one another in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal rows, with at least one object being a bomb (such rows are called a "match"). For example, a match may consist of two red monsters and one red bomb, but may also consist of two red bombs and one red monster. However, a match cannot consist of three monsters of the same type. A ] may also come down a number of rows (being disguised as the ceiling), making less room for the player to match enemies and bombs. When the play field is cleared of all the monsters, the player progresses to the next ], where the initial number of monsters increases.{{#tag:ref| From the Operations Guide (5. Basic Play)<ref name="vc_manual">{{cite video game | title = Wario's Woods | developer = ] | publisher = Nintendo | date= 2006-11-19 | platform= ]}}</ref> |name="vc_basic_play" |group="nb"}} There are different monster types that can only be destroyed in specific ways, such as requiring two matches in quick succession or being placed into a diagonal match.<ref name="Allgame_SNES" />


Unlike other action puzzle games such as '']'' or '']'' where the player directly manipulates the game pieces, either as they fall or via a cursor, the player directly controls the character Toad, who moves around inside the playing field atop the fallen objects.<ref name ="IGN_VC_review" /> Toad can pick up individual objects or lift entire stacks and place them elsewhere in the playing field, but is unable to manipulate objects he cannot immediately reach. However, Toad can perform a variety of additional tricks, such as kicking objects across the play field and scurrying up the sides of stacks to retrieve specific objects.{{#tag:ref| From the Operations Guide (2. Controls)<ref name="vc_manual" /> |group="nb"}}<ref name="Allgame_NES" /> If the player cannot clear the playing field of its objects quickly enough, the play field will eventually fill to the brim and trap Toad, resulting in a ].<ref name="vc_basic_play" group="nb" /><ref name="np_1995">{{cite magazine |date=November 1995 |title=Wario's Woods |magazine=] |issue=67 |pages=78–81}}</ref> Unlike other action puzzle games such as '']'' or '']'' where the player directly manipulates the game pieces, either as they fall or via a cursor, the player directly controls the character Toad, who moves around inside the playing field atop the fallen objects.<ref name ="IGN_VC_review" /> Toad can pick up individual objects or lift entire stacks and place them elsewhere in the playing field, but is unable to manipulate objects he cannot immediately reach. However, Toad can perform a variety of additional tricks, such as kicking objects across the play field and scurrying up the sides of stacks to retrieve specific objects.{{#tag:ref| From the Operations Guide (2. Controls)<ref name="vc_manual" /> |group="nb"}}<ref name="Allgame_NES" /> If the player cannot clear the playing field of its objects quickly enough, the play field will eventually fill to the brim and trap Toad, resulting in a ].<ref name="vc_basic_play" group="nb" /><ref name="np_1995">{{cite magazine |date=November 1995 |title=Wario's Woods |magazine=] |issue=67 |pages=78–81}}</ref>


===Multiplayer===
The game has a multiplayer mode, called 'VS' or 'VS 2P', where the player can play against another player. In the multiplayer mode, players can make two or more matches after another to make a stack of enemies on their opponents field.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wario's Woods Instruction Manual (USA) |url=https://archive.org/details/warios-woods-usa/page/n5/mode/2up |website=Internet Archive |language=English}}</ref> The game has a multiplayer mode, called 'VS' or 'VS 2P', where the player can play against another player. In the multiplayer mode, players can make two or more matches after another to make a stack of enemies on their opponents field.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wario's Woods Instruction Manual (USA) |url=https://archive.org/details/warios-woods-usa/page/n5/mode/2up |website=Internet Archive |language=English}}</ref>

==Story==
] casts a spell over the inhabitants of a once peaceful area known appropriately as the "Peaceful Woods", manipulating the forest's residents into becoming his minions. In an attempt to take over the Peaceful Woods, Wario uses his band of monsters to destroy the peace of the forest and as a result, peaceful creatures were no longer welcome in the newly renamed "Wario's Woods". ], who is introduced as the ] hero, makes his way to Wario's Woods in order to quiet the sinister lout and win the woods back for the sprites (fairylike beings who kept the peace in Wario's Woods until Wario gained control).<ref name="Wario's Woods NES manual"/>

With the help of a sprite (who can create bombs) and ] (who provides encouragement for Toad), Toad must rescue the Peaceful Woods from Wario's greed and power. When Toad's time bar runs out, Birdo is replaced by Wario, who occasionally lowers the ceiling, and the Sprite is replaced by a Pidgit, who spawns monsters instead of bombs. Birdo and Wanda replace them after Toad's time bar runs out again, ad infinitum. Toad's job is to take the bombs and line them up with the enemies of the woods, to defeat Wario's monsters. If Toad clears enough monster-packed sections of the forest (including various mini-bosses), he'll go up against Wario himself. After defeating Wario the first time, it is then revealed to Toad that the villain that he had just defeated was a "False Wario", and that the real Wario in the meantime had prepared for the final battle by inflating himself to a massive size. Upon defeating the real Wario, the antagonist soon shrinks back to his regular size and is soon chased out of the woods by the victorious Toad; thus allowing peace to finally be restored to the woods.<ref name="Wario's Woods NES manual">{{cite book |title=Wario's Woods instruction manual |publisher=Nintendo |date=1994-02-19 }}</ref> The ending to the SNES version of ''Wario's Woods'' is slightly different as it instead involves Toad destroying Wario's Castle through the use of a large bomb, which causes the castle to crumble and puts an end to Wario's rule and spell over the Peaceful Woods and its inhabitants.


==Re-releases== ==Re-releases==
Two modified versions of the SNES version of ''Wario's Woods'' were released in Japan for the ], a ] add-on for the ]. The first version was copyrighted in 1994 and released under the name {{nihongo|'''''Wario's Woods: Bakushou Version'''''|ワリオの森 爆笑バージョン|Wario no Mori Bakushō Bājon}}. The Bakushou Version featured ] from the Japanese radio comedy show, ].<ref name=hiro-n>'' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009095701/http://www5.airnet.ne.jp/hiro-n/game/satella/memorial/final/warioevent1.html |date=2008-10-09 }}'' Satellaview Memorial. Retrieved July 23, 2010.</ref><ref>''''. SFC Mania. July 27, 2008.</ref> Two modified versions of the SNES version of ''Wario's Woods'' were released in Japan for the ], a ] add-on for the ]. The first version was copyrighted in 1994 and released under the name {{nihongo|'''''Wario's Woods: Bakushou Version'''''|ワリオの森 爆笑バージョン|Wario no Mori Bakushō Bājon}}. The Bakushou Version featured ] from the Japanese radio comedy show, ].<ref name=hiro-n>'' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009095701/http://www5.airnet.ne.jp/hiro-n/game/satella/memorial/final/warioevent1.html |date=2008-10-09}}'' Satellaview Memorial. Retrieved July 23, 2010.</ref><ref>'' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430045233/http://blog.goo.ne.jp/randnetdd/e/22bde2a1dbb69bd73c15d3a0e15d2e69 |date=April 30, 2009 }}''. SFC Mania. July 27, 2008.</ref>


The second version of ''Wario's Woods'' broadcast for Satellaview was released under the name {{nihongo|'''''Wario's Woods: Again'''''|ワリオの森 再び|Wario no Mori: Futatabi}}. It was broadcast from April 23, 1995, to June 30, 2000,<ref>''''. St.GIGA. Archived 20 June 2000.</ref> throughout the lifespan of the Satellaview. The game was quite popular<ref name=hiro-n/> and it was rebroadcast at least seven times throughout the tenure of ]'s Satellaview-broadcasting period.<ref>Kameb. '' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401183851/http://www.f3.dion.ne.jp/~kameb/satella/st_prg/st_prg.htm |date=2012-04-01 }}''. The Satellaview History Museum. 12 February 2008.</ref> The game was also broadcast at least once as one of the Satellaview's special event versions.<ref name=hiro-n/> The second version of ''Wario's Woods'' broadcast for Satellaview was released under the name {{nihongo|'''''Wario's Woods: Again'''''|ワリオの森 再び|Wario no Mori: Futatabi}}. It was broadcast from April 23, 1995, to June 30, 2000,<ref>''''. St.GIGA. Archived 20 June 2000.</ref> throughout the lifespan of the Satellaview. The game was quite popular<ref name=hiro-n/> and it was rebroadcast at least seven times throughout the tenure of ]'s Satellaview-broadcasting period.<ref>Kameb. '' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401183851/http://www.f3.dion.ne.jp/~kameb/satella/st_prg/st_prg.htm |date=2012-04-01}}''. The Satellaview History Museum. 12 February 2008.</ref> The game was also broadcast at least once as one of the Satellaview's special event versions.<ref name=hiro-n/>


The NES version of ''Wario's Woods'' is available as a collectible ] in the 2001 game '']'' for the ], obtained through use of the ].<ref name="IGN_VC_review" /> This version was one of the first titles available for the ] Virtual Console, released alongside the service's launch in North America, Australia, and Europe, and on December 12, 2006, in Japan. It was available for purchase at the ] for 500 ].<ref name="nintendo_life_review" /> It was released for the ] in Japan on May 29, 2013, for the ] and on January 29, 2014, for the ], in Europe for the 3DS on October 24, 2013, for the 3DS and the Wii U eShop in North America on November 7, 2013. The game was added to the ] service on December 13, 2018. The NES version of ''Wario's Woods'' is available as a collectible ] in the 2001 game '']'' for the ], obtained through use of the ].<ref name="IGN_VC_review" /> This version was one of the first titles available for the ] Virtual Console, released alongside the service's launch in North America, Australia, and Europe, and on December 12, 2006, in Japan. It was available for purchase at the ] for 500 ].<ref name="nintendo_life_review" /> It was released for the ] in Japan on May 29, 2013, for the ] and on January 29, 2014, for the ], in Europe for the 3DS on October 24, 2013, and for the 3DS and the Wii U eShop in North America on November 7, 2013. The game was added to the ] service on December 13, 2018.


==Reception== ==Reception==
Line 52: Line 48:
| NES = true | NES = true
| WII = true | WII = true
| Allgame_SNES = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Allgame_SNES" >{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12148&tab=review |title=Wario's Woods - Review |publisher=] |access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114130236/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12148&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014|last=Marriott|first=Scott Alan}}</ref> | Allgame_SNES = 3.5/5<ref name="Allgame_SNES" >{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12148&tab=review |title=Wario's Woods - Review |publisher=] |access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114130236/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12148&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014|last=Marriott|first=Scott Alan}}</ref>
| Allgame_NES = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Allgame_NES" >{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7275&tab=review |title=Wario's Woods - Review |publisher=AllGame |access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114214255/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7275&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014|last=Huey|first=Christian}}</ref> | Allgame_NES = 4/5<ref name="Allgame_NES" >{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7275&tab=review |title=Wario's Woods - Review |publisher=AllGame |access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114214255/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7275&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014|last=Huey|first=Christian}}</ref>
| GSpot_WII = 7.0/10<ref name ="GameSpot_VC_review">{{cite web|last= Thomas |first= Aaron |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/puzzle/warioswoodsnes/review.html |title=Wario's Woods Review for Wii |publisher= ] |date=January 10, 2007 |access-date= January 10, 2011}}</ref> | GSpot_WII = 7.0/10<ref name ="GameSpot_VC_review">{{cite web|last= Thomas |first= Aaron |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/puzzle/warioswoodsnes/review.html |title=Wario's Woods Review for Wii |publisher= ] |date=January 10, 2007 |access-date= January 10, 2011}}</ref>
| IGN_WII = 8.0/10<ref name ="IGN_VC_review">{{cite web|last= Thomas |first= Lucas M. |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/749/749639p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209135222/http://wii.ign.com/articles/749/749639p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 9, 2006 |title=Wario's Woods Virtual Console Review |publisher= ] |date=December 6, 2006 |access-date= January 10, 2011}}</ref> | IGN_WII = 8.0/10<ref name ="IGN_VC_review">{{cite web|last= Thomas |first= Lucas M. |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/749/749639p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209135222/http://wii.ign.com/articles/749/749639p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 9, 2006 |title=Wario's Woods Virtual Console Review |publisher= ] |date=December 6, 2006 |access-date= January 10, 2011}}</ref>
| NGen_SNES = {{rating|2|5}}<ref name="NGen4"/> | NGen_SNES = 2/5<ref name="NGen4"/>
| GR_NES = 70% (4 retrospective reviews)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/nes/587758-warios-woods/index.html |title=Wario's Woods for NES |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306030142/http://www.gamerankings.com/nes/587758-warios-woods/index.html |archive-date=6 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | GR_NES = 70% (4 retrospective reviews)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/nes/587758-warios-woods/index.html |title=Wario's Woods for NES |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306030142/http://www.gamerankings.com/nes/587758-warios-woods/index.html |archive-date=6 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| EuroG_WII = 2/5 <ref>{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=2007-01-16 |title=Virtual Console: NES |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/virtual-console-nes-review?page=2
|access-date=2024-10-13}}</ref>
| NLife_WII = 6/10 <ref>{{cite web
|date=2006-11-20 |title=Review: Wario's Woods (Wii Virtual Console / NES) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nes/warios_woods |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en}}</ref>
}} }}


''Wario's Woods'' has received mixed to positive reviews. Reviewing the SNES version, '']'' called it "a ho-hum puzzler", commenting that though it has some interesting gameplay mechanics, it ultimately fails to be more than a standard '']'' clone. They also regarded the controls as difficult.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Wario's Woods|magazine=]|issue=69 |publisher=]|date=April 1995|page=86}}</ref> '']'' reviewed the game noting that it had a fun two-player mode and was challenging and fast-paced while saying that it's not as easy to control as '']''.<ref name="nintendo-power-review">{{cite magazine |date=December 1994 |title=Now Playing |magazine=] |publisher=Nintendo of America Inc. |volume=67 |page=106}}</ref> For the individual scores, the game ranked scores evenly for graphic and sound for both systems, but gave slightly higher scores for the Super NES in the Play Control, Challenge, and Theme and Fun categories.<ref name="nintendo-power-score">{{cite magazine |date=December 1994 |title=Now Playing |magazine=] |publisher=Nintendo of America Inc. |volume=67 |page=107 |quote="SNES: Graphics and Sound: 3.1 / 5, Play Control: 3.4 / 5, Challenge: 3.6/5, Theme and Fun: 3.4/5. NES: Graphics and Sound: 3.1 / 5, Play Control: 2.9 / 5, Challenge: 3.0/5, Theme and Fun: 3.1/5"}}</ref> A reviewer for '']'' argued that the gameplay mechanics are too complicated for an action puzzle game.<ref name="NGen4">{{cite journal|title=Wario's Woods |journal=]|issue=4|publisher=]|date=April 1995|page=101}}</ref> ''Wario's Woods'' has received mixed to positive reviews. Reviewing the SNES version, '']'' called it "a ho-hum puzzler", commenting that though it has some interesting gameplay mechanics, it ultimately fails to be more than a standard '']'' clone. They also regarded the controls as difficult.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Wario's Woods|magazine=]|issue=69 |publisher=]|date=April 1995|page=86}}</ref> '']'' reviewed the game noting that it had a fun two-player mode and was challenging and fast-paced while saying that it's not as easy to control as '']''.<ref name="nintendo-power-review">{{cite magazine |date=December 1994 |title=Now Playing |magazine=] |publisher=Nintendo of America Inc. |volume=67 |page=106}}</ref> For the individual scores, the game ranked scores evenly for graphic and sound for both systems, but gave slightly higher scores for the Super NES in the Play Control, Challenge, and Theme and Fun categories.<ref name="nintendo-power-score">{{cite magazine |date=December 1994 |title=Now Playing |magazine=] |publisher=Nintendo of America Inc. |volume=67 |page=107 |quote="SNES: Graphics and Sound: 3.1 / 5, Play Control: 3.4 / 5, Challenge: 3.6/5, Theme and Fun: 3.4/5. NES: Graphics and Sound: 3.1 / 5, Play Control: 2.9 / 5, Challenge: 3.0/5, Theme and Fun: 3.1/5"}}</ref> A reviewer for '']'' argued that the gameplay mechanics are too complicated for an action puzzle game and that the learning curve in the game is "too steep".<ref name="NGen4">{{cite journal|title=Wario's Woods |journal=]|issue=4|publisher=]|date=April 1995|page=101}}</ref>


In retrospective reviews, ] rated ''Wario's Woods'' 4 stars out of 5 for the NES version, and 3.5 stars out of 5 for the SNES version. Christian Huey, who reviewed the NES version, wrote that the controls were "both surprisingly complex and completely intuitive" while the gameplay has a "surprising level of depth", and labeled the two-player versus mode as welcome addition to the game.<ref name="Allgame_NES" /> Scott Alan Marriott, who reviewed the SNES version, felt that the game "doesn't quite measure up to the addictiveness of either ''Tetris'' or '']''", citing the game's "extremely awkward" controls and complicated gameplay. While Marriott appreciated "that the developers were trying something new", he also argued that sometimes when adding things to an already proven formula for action puzzle games can work, it can also "dilute" the ingredients that made the game a success.<ref name="Allgame_SNES" /> In retrospective reviews, ] rated ''Wario's Woods'' 4 stars out of 5 for the NES version, and 3.5 stars out of 5 for the SNES version. Christian Huey, who reviewed the NES version, wrote that the controls were "both surprisingly complex and completely intuitive" while the gameplay has a "surprising level of depth", and labeled the two-player versus mode as welcome addition to the game.<ref name="Allgame_NES" /> Scott Alan Marriott, who reviewed the SNES version, felt that the game "doesn't quite measure up to the addictiveness of either ''Tetris'' or '']''", citing the game's "extremely awkward" controls and complicated gameplay. While Marriott appreciated "that the developers were trying something new", he also argued that sometimes when adding things to an already proven formula for action puzzle games can work, it can also "dilute" the ingredients that made the game a success.<ref name="Allgame_SNES" />


The reviews for the Virtual Console release ranged from mixed to positive, applauding the gameplay and depth, but criticizing the choice to release the primitive NES version over the more comprehensive SNES version.<ref name="IGN_VC_review" /><ref name="nintendo_life_review" /><ref name="GameSpot_VC_review" /> Lucas Thomas of ] awarded the game an 8.0 out of 10, praising the game's unique approach to the puzzle genre and graphics that "took full advantage of the ] hardware full of character", but recommended saving ] for the SNES version.<ref name="IGN_VC_review" /> Aaron Thomas of ] gave ''Wario's Woods'' a score of 7.0 out of 10, admiring the "fun, addictive game play" and "surprising amount of depth", but criticizing the game's repetitive ] and poor ]s, adding that he also prefers the "ideal" SNES version.<ref name="GameSpot_VC_review" /> Nintendo Life scored the game 6 out of 10, stating that while the game is fun, he noted the game's length to be short.<ref name="nintendo_life_review">{{cite web |last=Calvert |first=Darren |title=''Wario's Woods'' (Virtual Console) review |publisher=Nintendo Life |date=November 20, 2006 |access-date=January 21, 2011 |url=http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2006/11/warios_woods_virtual_console}}</ref> IGN ranked the game 29th on their "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time".<ref>{{Citation |title=Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games |language=en |access-date=2022-09-08}}</ref> The reviews for the Virtual Console release ranged from mixed to positive, applauding the gameplay and depth, but criticizing the choice to release the primitive NES version over the more comprehensive SNES version.<ref name="IGN_VC_review" /><ref name="nintendo_life_review" /><ref name="GameSpot_VC_review" /> Lucas Thomas of ] awarded the game an 8.0 out of 10, praising the game's unique approach to the puzzle genre and graphics that "took full advantage of the ] hardware full of character", but recommended saving ] for the SNES version.<ref name="IGN_VC_review" /> Aaron Thomas of ] gave ''Wario's Woods'' a score of 7.0 out of 10, admiring the "fun, addictive game play" and "surprising amount of depth", but criticizing the game's repetitive ] and poor ]s, adding that he also prefers the "ideal" SNES version.<ref name="GameSpot_VC_review" /> Nintendo Life scored the game 6 out of 10, stating that while the game is fun, he noted the game's length to be short.<ref name="nintendo_life_review">{{cite web |last=Calvert |first=Darren |title=''Wario's Woods'' (Virtual Console) review |publisher=Nintendo Life |date=November 20, 2006 |access-date=January 21, 2011 |url=http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2006/11/warios_woods_virtual_console |archive-date=December 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223184253/http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2006/11/warios_woods_virtual_console |url-status=live }}</ref> IGN ranked the game 29th on their "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time".<ref>{{Citation |title=Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games |language=en |access-date=2022-09-08 |archive-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123081606/http://www.ign.com/top/snes-games/31 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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==External links== ==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/warios-woods|name=''Wario's Woods''}} * {{moby game|id=/warios-woods|name=''Wario's Woods''}}
* at * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107063536/http://www.nindb.net/game/warios-woods.html |date=2014-01-07 }} at
* on the ] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}


{{Mario puzzle games}} {{Mario puzzle games}}
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Latest revision as of 00:55, 26 November 2024

1994 video game 1994 video game
Wario's Woods
North American NES box art
Developer(s)Nintendo R&D1
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Kenji Miki
Producer(s)Kenji Miki
Designer(s)Soichiro Tomita
Masahiro Iimura
Naotaka Ohnishi
Composer(s)Shinobu Amayake
Soyo Oka
SeriesWario
Platform(s)NES, Super NES, Satellaview
Release
  • JP: February 19, 1994
  • NA: December 10, 1994
  • EU: 1995
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Wario's Woods is a puzzle video game developed and published by Nintendo. It was released in Japan and North America in 1994 and Europe in 1995 for both the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. A spin-off of the Mario series, players control Toad in his mission to defeat Wario, who has taken control of the Peaceful Woods. Gameplay revolves around clearing each level by using bombs to destroy groups of enemies. The game also features a multiplayer mode that allows two players to compete against each other.

The NES version is noteworthy for being the last officially-licensed game as well as the final first-party game for the system in North America, due to its release at the end of the console's lifespan. It is also the only NES game to receive a rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which was inducted several months before the game's release. In Japan, the game was released alongside a re-release of The Legend of Zelda to coincide with the release of the AV Famicom.

Wario's Woods has been re-released several times for other platforms, such as the Satellaview and the Virtual Console. The game received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its gameplay, design, and multiplayer mode, though some believed it was not as refined as Nintendo's previous puzzle games like Dr. Mario, and lacked depth and enough content to keep players engaged.

Plot and gameplay

Screenshot of the single-player mode in the SNES version. The player character Toad rearranges the objects in the playing field such that monsters and bombs of matching colors are placed adjacently in rows.

The "Peaceful Woods" was once a peaceful area for sprites and gentle creatures. After the invasion of Wario and his group of monsters, the forest community was "turned upside-down" where peaceful creatures are no longer welcome. To stop Wario, Toad arrives to stop him and return the Woods back over to the sprites by going after Wario himself.

The objective of Wario's Woods is to clear the playing field of monsters of varying colors by using bombs of matching color, which are dropped into the field from the top of the screen by a sprite. In order to do so, the monsters and bombs must be rearranged by the player such that three or more objects of the same color are placed adjacent to one another in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal rows, with at least one object being a bomb (such rows are called a "match"). For example, a match may consist of two red monsters and one red bomb, but may also consist of two red bombs and one red monster. However, a match cannot consist of three monsters of the same type. A Thwomp may also come down a number of rows (being disguised as the ceiling), making less room for the player to match enemies and bombs. When the play field is cleared of all the monsters, the player progresses to the next round, where the initial number of monsters increases. There are different monster types that can only be destroyed in specific ways, such as requiring two matches in quick succession or being placed into a diagonal match.

Unlike other action puzzle games such as Tetris or Puzzle League where the player directly manipulates the game pieces, either as they fall or via a cursor, the player directly controls the character Toad, who moves around inside the playing field atop the fallen objects. Toad can pick up individual objects or lift entire stacks and place them elsewhere in the playing field, but is unable to manipulate objects he cannot immediately reach. However, Toad can perform a variety of additional tricks, such as kicking objects across the play field and scurrying up the sides of stacks to retrieve specific objects. If the player cannot clear the playing field of its objects quickly enough, the play field will eventually fill to the brim and trap Toad, resulting in a Game Over.

The game has a multiplayer mode, called 'VS' or 'VS 2P', where the player can play against another player. In the multiplayer mode, players can make two or more matches after another to make a stack of enemies on their opponents field.

Re-releases

Two modified versions of the SNES version of Wario's Woods were released in Japan for the Satellaview, a satellite modem add-on for the Super Famicom. The first version was copyrighted in 1994 and released under the name Wario's Woods: Bakushou Version (ワリオの森 爆笑バージョン, Wario no Mori Bakushō Bājon). The Bakushou Version featured personalities from the Japanese radio comedy show, Bakushō Mondai.

The second version of Wario's Woods broadcast for Satellaview was released under the name Wario's Woods: Again (ワリオの森 再び, Wario no Mori: Futatabi). It was broadcast from April 23, 1995, to June 30, 2000, throughout the lifespan of the Satellaview. The game was quite popular and it was rebroadcast at least seven times throughout the tenure of St.GIGA's Satellaview-broadcasting period. The game was also broadcast at least once as one of the Satellaview's special event versions.

The NES version of Wario's Woods is available as a collectible item in the 2001 game Animal Crossing for the GameCube, obtained through use of the GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable. This version was one of the first titles available for the Wii Virtual Console, released alongside the service's launch in North America, Australia, and Europe, and on December 12, 2006, in Japan. It was available for purchase at the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Nintendo Points. It was released for the eShop in Japan on May 29, 2013, for the Nintendo 3DS and on January 29, 2014, for the Wii U, in Europe for the 3DS on October 24, 2013, and for the 3DS and the Wii U eShop in North America on November 7, 2013. The game was added to the Nintendo Switch Online service on December 13, 2018.

Reception

Reviews
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
NESSNESWii
GameRankings70% (4 retrospective reviews)N/AN/A
Review scores
PublicationScore
NESSNESWii
AllGame4/53.5/5N/A
EurogamerN/AN/A2/5
GameSpotN/AN/A7.0/10
IGNN/AN/A8.0/10
Next GenerationN/A2/5N/A
Nintendo LifeN/AN/A6/10

Wario's Woods has received mixed to positive reviews. Reviewing the SNES version, GamePro called it "a ho-hum puzzler", commenting that though it has some interesting gameplay mechanics, it ultimately fails to be more than a standard Tetris clone. They also regarded the controls as difficult. Nintendo Power reviewed the game noting that it had a fun two-player mode and was challenging and fast-paced while saying that it's not as easy to control as Tetris 2. For the individual scores, the game ranked scores evenly for graphic and sound for both systems, but gave slightly higher scores for the Super NES in the Play Control, Challenge, and Theme and Fun categories. A reviewer for Next Generation argued that the gameplay mechanics are too complicated for an action puzzle game and that the learning curve in the game is "too steep".

In retrospective reviews, Allgame rated Wario's Woods 4 stars out of 5 for the NES version, and 3.5 stars out of 5 for the SNES version. Christian Huey, who reviewed the NES version, wrote that the controls were "both surprisingly complex and completely intuitive" while the gameplay has a "surprising level of depth", and labeled the two-player versus mode as welcome addition to the game. Scott Alan Marriott, who reviewed the SNES version, felt that the game "doesn't quite measure up to the addictiveness of either Tetris or Dr. Mario", citing the game's "extremely awkward" controls and complicated gameplay. While Marriott appreciated "that the developers were trying something new", he also argued that sometimes when adding things to an already proven formula for action puzzle games can work, it can also "dilute" the ingredients that made the game a success.

The reviews for the Virtual Console release ranged from mixed to positive, applauding the gameplay and depth, but criticizing the choice to release the primitive NES version over the more comprehensive SNES version. Lucas Thomas of IGN awarded the game an 8.0 out of 10, praising the game's unique approach to the puzzle genre and graphics that "took full advantage of the 8-bit hardware full of character", but recommended saving Nintendo Points for the SNES version. Aaron Thomas of GameSpot gave Wario's Woods a score of 7.0 out of 10, admiring the "fun, addictive game play" and "surprising amount of depth", but criticizing the game's repetitive music and poor sound effects, adding that he also prefers the "ideal" SNES version. Nintendo Life scored the game 6 out of 10, stating that while the game is fun, he noted the game's length to be short. IGN ranked the game 29th on their "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time".

See also

Portals:

Notes

  1. ^ From the Operations Guide (5. Basic Play)
  2. From the Operations Guide (2. Controls)
  1. Known in Japan as Wario no Mori (ワリオの森, Wario's Forest).

References

  1. "Story". Wario's Woods Instruction Booklet (booklet). United States: Nintendo. 1994. p. 13. NES-WB-USA.
  2. "Wario's Woods Instruction Booklet (USA)". Internet Archive.
  3. ^ Nintendo (November 19, 2006). Wario's Woods (Virtual Console). Nintendo.
  4. ^ Marriott, Scott Alan. "Wario's Woods - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  5. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (December 6, 2006). "Wario's Woods Virtual Console Review". IGN. Archived from the original on December 9, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  6. ^ Huey, Christian. "Wario's Woods - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  7. "Wario's Woods". Nintendo Power. No. 67. November 1995. pp. 78–81.
  8. "Wario's Woods Instruction Manual (USA)". Internet Archive.
  9. ^ ワリオの森　爆笑バージョン＆イベントバージョン１ Archived 2008-10-09 at the Wayback Machine Satellaview Memorial. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  10. ワリオの森 爆笑バージョン Archived April 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. SFC Mania. July 27, 2008.
  11. セント・ギガ衛星データ放送. St.GIGA. Archived 20 June 2000.
  12. Kameb. スーパーファミコンアワー番組表 Archived 2012-04-01 at the Wayback Machine. The Satellaview History Museum. 12 February 2008.
  13. ^ Calvert, Darren (November 20, 2006). "Wario's Woods (Virtual Console) review". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on December 23, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  14. ^ Thomas, Aaron (January 10, 2007). "Wario's Woods Review for Wii". GameSpot. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  15. ^ "Wario's Woods". Next Generation (4). Imagine Media: 101. April 1995.
  16. "Wario's Woods for NES". Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
  17. Reed, Kristan (January 16, 2007). "Virtual Console: NES". Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  18. "Review: Wario's Woods (Wii Virtual Console / NES)". Nintendo Life. November 20, 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  19. "Wario's Woods". GamePro. No. 69. IDG. April 1995. p. 86.
  20. "Now Playing". Nintendo Power. Vol. 67. Nintendo of America Inc. December 1994. p. 106.
  21. "Now Playing". Nintendo Power. Vol. 67. Nintendo of America Inc. December 1994. p. 107. SNES: Graphics and Sound: 3.1 / 5, Play Control: 3.4 / 5, Challenge: 3.6/5, Theme and Fun: 3.4/5. NES: Graphics and Sound: 3.1 / 5, Play Control: 2.9 / 5, Challenge: 3.0/5, Theme and Fun: 3.1/5
  22. Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com, archived from the original on January 23, 2012, retrieved September 8, 2022

External links

Mario puzzle games
Dr. Mario series The Mario series logo
Mario's Picross
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Other games
See alsoNintendo - Intelligent Systems - Arika - Jupiter - Creatures - Nintendo Software Technology - Game Freak
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