Just what was up with Wario's facial animations in World?

[Dangerous Duck]

I honestly assume the dev team at Treasure had some fun toying around with his facial model, and they either deliberately left that in as a easy alternative to actually have to animate Wario looking amazed/surprised, or it was a error. I always thought the dev team ran out of time or funds to fully flesh out this game it's full potential, so I think this weird bit might be slight evidence to it.

Nevertheless, it's still funny, and the ending screenshot depicting how much of his estate Wario actually gets back at the end sort of reminds me of Luigi's Mansion's ending screenshots of the estate Luigi affords depending on how much cash he collected at the end.

Wario World was delayed several times. The issue wasn't a lack of funds. If you dig up every last beta demo and preview in existence you'll see a ton of ideas, designs, enemies and builds that were scrapped throughout. The game kept getting rebuilt and watered down, and they ran right out of time. I'll try and dig up all my old previews.

 

[Metal]

It's also pretty funny to add that when Wario World was released. A ton of stuff was left out including the different form in the final boss' form, it was released towards the western audience first strangely enough. The final rendition wouldn't have been released in Japan until a year afterward where a few things were stuck in it including Black Jewel's second form. Back than the quality to make 3D renders with cutscenes seemed like early development issues regarding that concept unlike now. Luigi's mansion in comparison had minimal cutscenes or rather it's cutscenes were shorter than certain Wario World ones which could also help that game not have the weird wobbly effects Wario World had with his face jiggling.

 

[Kokonoe]

I'd wager it just being treasure not as proficient as Nintendo with graphics.

Also, Angler mentioned it was delayed several times, so it was also probably a old model from early that gen which would explain it a bit as well.

 

[Dangerous Duck]

I'd wager it just being treasure not as proficient as Nintendo with graphics.

Also, Angler mentioned it was delayed several times, so it was also probably a old model from early that gen which would explain it a bit as well.

TREASURE always specialised in 2D sidescrollers. Before Wario World I think Sin and Punishment was the only 3D game they made (could be wrong), and as we know, Sin and Punishment was a team project with Nintendo R&D1. Sadly, Wario World was just Treasure (since R&D1 were too busy with the first WarioWare game in 2002-2003).