My journey through the multiple Lands of Wario

[Domi]

What can I say? I've been (re)playing the WL series and damn, I do want to post my thoughts on the games. I didn't know there was a community and everything regarding WL games, I always thought it was a series mostly forgotten by time, but I'm glad to see I was wrong. Not only that, but before that, I thought the games were mostly fine, nothing too special... and I've been wrong once again. As a kid, I wasn't able to fully appreciate everything that the WL series did, until months ago when I had this random realisation: "Wait a sec... Isn't WL3... a platformer turned Metroidvania...? What the...? Holy cow, that's an awesome concept..." which is funny cause I always loved that game, yet here I am, unaware of why it's so great until now. Then I started thinking "Wait isn't WL a series with no bad games yet always changing things up...?" and then, the obvious had to happen: I had to scratch an itch grown by this new desire to play the games through a new perspective: actually realising what makes these games so special and good... if they are good, maybe it's a flawed series, maybe it's terrible... who knows, I'm just trying to be open-minded and not just fanboy around.

Suffice to say... By now I'm back to my old Wario fan days (while discovering new things about Wario!!), and I've come to what I believe to be interesting conclusions and theories regarding the series. And maybe one or two hot spicy takes

Anyway, I'll start with...

Wario Land -1 (also known as "Super Mario Land")

​

Spoiler

Only fair to start what would be later known as "Wario's distraction to steal Mario's castle", even if that was a SML2 retcon There isn't much I can say about SML1 that people haven't pointed out yet. It's fine, nothing too special, short but arcade like which is good in my book. It has some quirks that don't make much sense, BUT funny enough, THESE would become essential to understand the series later on. WL wouldn't be the same without some (much better) quirks, don't you think?

By comparing this game with the other Mario games, you can perfectly tell how the developers wanted to create unique experiences. Fireballs? No no, let's uh let Mario shoot "balls" that are similar but vastly different. A monster kidnaps a princess? Ok Nintendo, fine, but they will be new characters ok? An alien instead of Bowser and a different princess instead of just plain Peach. Oh, and every single level has its own assets and unique location... ok? And almost nothing else that can remind players of previous Mario games except the gameplay. It's going to be our take on SMB, itsGB equivalent! Can we? Please? Deal?

The game does feel like a regular Mario game because, well, it's 2D and a platformer with the classic power up system. But at the same time it's pretty different and unique. To me, it's like a game in which Mario conventions and the developers had a fight, each side trying to pull the rope to their side, and both ended up losing to the detriment of the game. Not because it's a bad game, it's good, but it could have been much better. Potential and great developers were there after all.

You think I'm exaggerating? Well, I believe to be right because lo and behold:

Wario Land 0: Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

​

Spoiler

SUPER MARIO LAND 2 BABY! YES! An excellent game in which the potential and the developers' skill have been realised. See? I was right Not only that, but unique aspects and level design finally learnt to co-exist, going hand on hand and all lovey dovey.

While the developers weren't wrong thinking so far ahead "hey, the GB has a small screen we shouldn't do like other developers and make games with massive sprites as if this was a black and white portable NES" in SML, for SML2 they adopted a far better proportion between the screen and sprites. Screen crunch wasn't an issue on my end, and the much bigger sprites were a joy back in the day and even to this day: Mario looks golly and happy and certain enemies and bosses are pretty expressive: the pigs are a good example of this, they don't show their mouths when they get hurt, yet it's really easy to see they... well, got hurt. And the main villain? Now that's being expressive with just a bunch of black and grey boxes on screen!

The structure of the game is pretty good. You have access from the get-go to every world (well, after the tutorial level) alongside their first levels. The first minutes of the game is you exploring the map and thinking what world you'd like to play in first then later. There's a lot of options, secret optional levels because why not, and your mind gets excited with the glimpse of what each world is about. A giant tree? A whale's inside and a submarine? A MASSIVE house in which Mario is smaller than the integrity of the average politician? Exploring a giant Mario's toy statue?? Halloween? THE MOON??? Oh yes yes give me MORE (but seriously what kind of island is this and why does Mario have his castle on it). The quirks from the previous games are now "normal" marks of originality and uniqueness and OOF so many different themes like in the previous game but better. OOF. And don't get me started on the bunny power-up aka "smash the A button like crazy to almost fly" . Satisfying sounds too, btw.

But... what about the plot? WELL BOY grab some popcorn because for a Mario game it's excellent. Remember that alien boss guy, Tatanga, who kidnapped Daisy in the previous game? IT WAS A SCHEME ALL ALONG! Tatanga was working for a different villain and his real goal was to make a distraction for someone else to steal... Mario's Castle (wait since when did Mario have his own castle and why is this only a thing in this game). Continuity and a twist on top of it in a Mario game? What's this, Mario & Wario Superbased Saga? (Yes, I also want Wario and Waluigi as main characters in a M&L game, we all know this should have happened years ago...). When you finally manage to get your six magical coins back (wait why is magical money what opens the castle's door... money opens the... hmmm) and step inside the castle, the "real" villain finally appears... and it's a fatass chungus weird ass looking Mario like parody that can't even look you straight in the eyes. What the hell! I knew those strange floating balls from rooms before were goofy looking but this...! Oh, fantastic, fantastic, and then Mario wins, Wario cries like a... cries a river, throws his shoe at Mario and runs away like a... he runs away.

Credits roll, and probably the best ending track in the entire franchise plays. Absolutely. Goddamn. Awesome. Plain exceptional. What can I say. It's fricking Super Mario Land 2.

Don't tell me that doesn't hit you right in the nostalgia​

So far, we've seen one game coming up with its own gameplay and system, and a sequel that vastly improves on it. Keep that in mind for the rest of the franchise.

I'll talk about the next game whenever I find the time, I think I've talked enough, don't you think? Wait a sec that's a lot of text!! Oh my god I'm so sorry lol Yet I want to write even more for each of the following games

PS: If this kind of thread is not ok or if there's an actual thread for this particular purpose of "post thoughts about the games as you play them"... I'm very sorry in that case, I didn't find anything against creating this thread! My bad!

 

[Just a Wario Fan]

Nice essay you put there, if I may call it that. Your writing style is really lively and fun to read, and your insights are simply spot on, too.
When you called Super Mario Land: Six Golden Coins "Wario Land 0", that got me thinking, and you're indeed right; it's basically Wario Land without Wario. (Well, Wario is in the game of course; he's just not the protagonist.) I once wrote on how Wario Land 1 is both a Wario Land and a Super Mario Land game, as the secondary title states, but an inverse vision on this is clever and refreshing.

And about that plot, I never connected Tatanga to a collaboration with Wario, at least not consciously. In my head I always thought there was something fishy about it all, but now that you meticulously "connected the dots" it all makes sense.

in which Mario is smaller than the integrity of the average politician

a fatass chungus weird ass looking Mario like parody that can't even look you straight in the eyes. What the hell!

I like your wity remarks. Wished that other writers did this more often.

What's this, Mario & Wario Superbased Saga? (Yes, I also want Wario and Waluigi as main characters in a M&L game, we all know this should have happened years ago...)

Ain't that the truth!

All in all, an excellent review on the origins of the Wario Land franchise. Please post more once you played the other games. Or whenever you feel like it!

 

[Domi]

Nice essay you put there, if I may call it that. Your writing style is really lively and fun to read, and your insights are simply spot on, too.

Thank you for the kind words I don't consider these to be "essays", it's just me saying whatever comes to mind in regards to these games. If you like my comments, that's just a coincidence. I didn't put much effort on them, which is why I only wrote 3 paragraphs for SML1 but went pretty passionate for SML2. Overall, I wanted to be done with SML1 and 2 asap but still had to do it because those are extremely relevant to the WL series. For the next games I will make a bigger effort to explain my thoughts on each game.

I once wrote on how Wario Land 1 is both a Wario Land and a Super Mario Land game, as the secondary title states

I have a paragraph or two talking about this point, you'll see Do you have a link to your review/analysis?

And about that plot, I never connected Tatanga to a collaboration with Wario, at least not consciously. In my head I always thought there was something fishy about it all, but now that you meticulously "connected the dots" it all makes sense.

I didn't connect the dots, I just enjoy researching what I like

"The Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia" indicates Tatanga became Wario's henchman to get revenge on Mario for ruining his scheme to marry Daisy. [from the Mario Wiki].

I also like checking game manuals, and thanks to your comment, I went back to the SML2 manual. I think I have caught on something SML2 and WL2 have in common. I doubt I'll be the first one to notice, but damn, how did I miss that?

I like your wity remarks. Wished that other writers did this more often.

Well, that's just who I am. Either some people try too hard to be professional their review becomes... just another review, or they go full "hilarious youtuber" and try waaaay too hard to be funny. At least my thoughts are 100% genuine, no matter how bad or dumb those are.

All in all, an excellent review on the origins of the Wario Land franchise. Please post more once you played the other games. Or whenever you feel like it!

I'm almost done with my WL thoughts, but I'm taking my time to properly form them. Today I was doing some writing and came out with some stuff I never realised before. This is why I have to take my time.

PS: I'm sorry for writing so much text, I can't help it when it comes to what I love Also English is not my native language, sorry if my writing is basic or repetitive.

 

[607]

I'm intending to read the OP later, but I saw this and started wondering. :P

I also like checking game manuals, and thanks to your comment, I went back to the SML2 manual. I think I have caught on something SML2 and WL2 have in common. I doubt I'll be the first one to notice, but damn, how did I miss that?

The protagonist's castle being stolen at the beginning?

 

[Domi]

I'm intending to read the OP later, but I saw this and started wondering.

The protagonist's castle being stolen at the beginning?

Having to read so much text must feel intimidating, right? Oops.

You mean the "karma" moment in WL2? I was thinking how both SML2 and WL2/3 have very helpful owls to help you navigate through the levels, but the ones in WL evolved the concept and do more than just carrying you to the next platform, heck, even some levels are designed for them.

This is why I can't separate the SML games from the WL series. You can taste such a natural progression in every game element, coming all the way from the very first SML to WL4...

 

[Just a Wario Fan]

I have a paragraph or two talking about this point, you'll see Do you have a link to your review/analysis?

It's not really a review or analysis, it's just a comment I once made in a thread here on Wario Forums that has most likely long been buried in the archives by now. I'm not really a thread archeologist or necroposter, but you may try find it yourself if you want to read it.

"The Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia" indicates Tatanga became Wario's henchman to get revenge on Mario for ruining his scheme to marry Daisy. [from the Mario Wiki].

That may be, but should such encyclopedias be considered canon? I may be rather conservative in this regard, but personally I only consider those things to be canon that actually happen in games themselves, and things from game manuals, peripheral material like artwork, and developer commentary, and only as long as it doesn't contradict with in-game things. I certainly do not consider beta versions, fanons (fan canons), alternative theories, etc. to be canon.

At least my thoughts are 100% genuine, no matter how bad or dumb those are.

That's nice to read, for in my opinion jokes and clever or witty remarks are considerably funnier when there's some genuine-ness behind it.

Also English is not my native language, sorry if my writing is basic or repetitive.

English isn't my native language either, and I must say that you're really good at it, and it's not repetitive at all!

have very helpful owls to help you navigate through the levels, but the ones in WL evolved the concept

Just saying this, but isn't Hoot from Super Mario 64 the original transportation owl?

 

[Domi]

Oh my GOODNESS it's time for the big event! It's time for

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

Spoiler

Wait why is that weirdo now the main character? Do I look like I want to play as some crybaby loser? "Oh look at me I'm Wario I cry and throw shoes when things don't go my way!" Have you ever wondered why the sound of ambulances is "Wah"? Geez, indeed I wonder! I can't wait for Nintendo to introduce "Bawwwrio" as his Luigi-like brother, cause that'd be quite fitting!

Pfff I'm not going to play- Alright you damn chump, now you've done it! That's enough!

Huh?

​

No Wario nooo don't do it nooo-

Pesky brat! Look, if someone has to talk about what makes my game so GREAT, that has to be me, the GREAT Wario! Nonono, I DIDN'T run away in SML2, I was just feeling so sad for that dumb plumber I gave his castle back and PRETENDED to escape! I also happened to hear something about some pirate gang having a giant golden statue of Princess Peach, and of course it's going to be mine mine mine! Then, when I get the statue and all the treasures and coins, I can sell everything to legally obtain my very own castle. What? You say that'd be like laundering stolen money? Hey, if the IRS can get away with it, so do I!

This is a perfect opportunity. For me, of course! Doesn't matter I got kicked out from that loser's castle when I can always steal his own game series instead! It's all going to be MINE now! Mwahahaha!

Well well, would you look at those graphics! They increased the sprite size once again! AND still no screen crunch! Magic! How else would they show to the world my charm and charisma and... Huh!? No, shut up! It's not cause I'm fat! My body is pure muscle paradise! Unlike plumber boy, I only need ONE arm to grab even the heaviest enemies and I can even throw them upwards! No, the enemies DON'T bounce from my belly, but my chocolate bar tummy! Have you seen my boulder smashing attack? What a sudden burst of energy!

Wario Land demonstrates how much of a powerhouse I am, resulting in a perfect change of pace and a more engaging interaction with enemies and levels. This time players don't just beat levels, they have to travel and explore them to find all the secrets! Let me tell a fact: SML2 has some quirks that don't make much sense. The coins you collect only serve one purpose: to be gambled in machine slots for... power-ups and lives. The secret levels you can find give you more... coins and lives. Plus, SML2 is an easy game. Do you see the problem? Why would anyone bother going out of their way for this optional content unless they try to 100% the game? I'm sure most players ignored the slot machines!

But don't worry, MY game takes a more interesting approach. It "repurposes" these wasted elements!

Coins? Necessary for checkpoints, beating levels AND to obtain multiple endings!
Minigames? They appear at the end of each level so you can't overlook them, and aside from lives, you gamble coins for MORE coins!
Secret optional levels? Well what if we add treasures in these levels and now the treasures and coins determine what ending you get?

The worst SML2 elements were flipped thus changing the core of the game to incentivize players to explore and engage with the levels themselves! Go go go, find those treasures! We got different endings waiting for you~! Replay value is more of a thing here! Turning around underwhelming mechanics to define the following game... Man, what an absolute CHAD move! As much as I hate to admit it, no wonder this is "SML3" even if it feels so different! Calling the game SML3 and WL at the same time doesn't seem too strange now, wouldn't you say?

My own set of power-ups are an improvement over those from SML2, and even have additional uses. Although I can't boulder dash as Dragon Wario, and I hate not being able to move faster! Boring! Huh? Fire and bashing would be an "overpowered" combination! Please, I'm already overpowered! Wahahahaha! And I don't even need to smash buttons when using the "flying" power-up! Just relax and watch my fabulous figure plow through the skies!

With all these quality of life improvements, my game SURE has to be better than that POOPER golly folly dumb as rock roly-poly excuse of a poopsmithery crumbled LAND 2! Sadly, not everyone agrees. I've heard from the previous writer of this thread he finds Wario Land to start very promising but mid-way the game starts feeling a bit samey... then by the end he was already bored with the game. "The level design doesn't do much when it comes to interacting with stuff, thus kind of wasting potential with what the gameplay offers. Fewer number of enemies and twice as long as SML2 are the other reasons." he said. Meh, it doesn't matter, MY game is PERFECT! A great foundation for a sequel if it happens! Only that way Wario Land can be surpassed... by itself, of course! Don't forget to buy and consume my game! You better do, punks!

Thank you for anyone reading my thoughts on this great game series! I'll see you next time on VBWL!

 

[Domi]

That may be, but should such encyclopedias be considered canon? I may be rather conservative in this regard, but personally I only consider those things to be canon that actually happen in games themselves, and things from game manuals, peripheral material like artwork, and developer commentary, and only as long as it doesn't contradict with in-game things. I certainly do not consider beta versions, fanons (fan canons), alternative theories, etc. to be canon.

I can understand that, specially since old game manuals could depict different stories depending on the region. Heck, there are many things in Mario that aren't set in stone when it comes to lore, like, there's no definitive place for Peach's Castle. Each game shows a different landscape connecting the castle to many different locations. A lot of things are consistent though, to give a sense of unity.

By the way, is the backstory for Wario as Mario's childhood friend/rival still canon? Was it even canon in the first place? Hard to say if Nintendo even cares at this point.

Just saying this, but isn't Hoot from Super Mario 64 the original transportation owl?

True, it really is! Funny how such a happy Mario character had to suffer that "fate" in WL3 though

 

[607]

I can understand that, specially since old game manuals could depict different stories depending on the region.

But Just a Wario Fan said that he does consider game manual content canon. :P

 

[Just a Wario Fan]

But Just a Wario Fan said that he does consider game manual content canon.

I do, but only as long as it doesn't contradict with what we see in-game.
How I see it, in-game elements and storyline should always be put in first place, that is, when there are different interpretations possible, what we see in-game shoudl be considered the "correct" thing. The only exception I could think of is when visuals differ because of system limitations (Like how Wario's black-and-yellow outfit in Wario Land II and III is clearly because of colour limitations), or "Early Installment Weirdness" like Peach being red-haired in certain early works instead of blond as would be established later on.

like, there's no definitive place for Peach's Castle.

I always thought these were just different castles. Seems the most simple solution to me.

By the way, is the backstory for Wario as Mario's childhood friend/rival still canon? Was it even canon in the first place?

Well, there are two storylines that I know of: either that Wario and Mario knew each other since childhood, or that Wario was created in a lab experiment as can be seen in a German-language Club Nintendo comic. I think it's safe to say that the latter isn't canon at all, and not only because of the appearance of Wario in Baby form in the Yoshi's Island series.

 

[Domi]

Previously...

In "Journey through the Lands of Wario"...​

Spoiler

Fuck me! Why would I want to play as this "Wario" weirdo??? "Yeah, I sure love being a goddamn dumbass!!" After such a fantastic game, SLM2, now they had to fuck it up! In fact, they did such a great job Mario was so pissed off he only appears at the end to kick you in the balls by stealing Peach's statue in your damn face.

What were they thinking??

"O-M-G! Ugh, look at that ugly dude! Gross~! Genie, make yourself useful and get this yucky off my sight. I can't stand looking at him, no way~." said one of the lamest excuses for final bosses and character that will totally not grant me an eternal hate from every user in this forum.

"Sorry Wario, I'm gonna need lotsa bitcoins if you want a castle of your own. Huh? Robux? V-Bucks?? GTFO of here."

Who the hell thought this was a good idea!? Sure, I find most treasures to be relatively easy to find and I wish they were better hidden but I didn't ask for such a difficult one to unravel!! One block in such a random spot doesn't tell me in any regard "hey there's an invisible door here!" How I was supposed to know??

Hasta la vista, paisano!

Virtual Boy: Wario Land

WAHAHAHA! it's me, Wario! I'm finally back to talk about one of the greatest masterpieces of my collection! You think I'm exaggerating? Heck no! VBWL is in many ways a "powered up" WL1 and most importantly, a "gameplay prequel" to WL4! And absolutely everyone loves that game! Wario will show YOU real fun once again! I was even given an awesome airplane!

Look at me go! I look terrrrrific!

Now, what makes this game so great-

Always remember... professionals have standards:
Be polite. Be efficient. And above all, always make sure your objective stays two meters under the ground.


​

*cough* *cough* EHEM. Virtual Boy Wario Land. Oh my GOD what a MASTERPIECE! Amazing, incredible! WOWZERS! Where do I even being? This is the "fourth" game in this series yet they keep changing, improving and above all, still being fresh after so many years! The best way to describe this? It streamlines everything from Wario Land 1 to the very next level! Just like SML2 did to SML1! Nintendo R&D1 shows once again no signs on containing their greatness!! What?? There are Wario Land fans that haven't played this sequel??? You can't call yourself a fan if you don't get yourself to it!! No excuses!!

The cycle of "game introduces a new formula" then "sequel features a massive improvement" repeats for the first time, turning into a constant loop. So simple, yet so effective. Anyone aspiring to become a game developer better start taking notes!

But to me, the biggest surprise... was the console this was released in. Yes, it's very easy to just repeat internet opinions and say the Virtual Boy was trash and how this is also the game's biggest flaw: being a VB exclusive title even to this day. Not to deny that... what if the GB had a bigger, WIDESCREEN resolution? The answer to that is plain amazing, specially considering how small the GB screen is. Wide wise is more than twice the size after all. This allows bigger, more complex and and numerous sprites on screen at the same time. So, what does this mean for Wario?

LOOK AT THOSE BICEPS, MUSCLES SO DAMN HOT YOU COULD COOK AN EGG ON THEM. But to be honest... those sleeves are way too long: they fully cover Wario's arms. Which is a shame, cause with these huge, clearly defined sprites I need to look at them! EHEM. I'd like to point out the title screen and the minor intro of the game, featuring a sleepy Wario falling down in an extremely smooth animation. Check it out if you haven't! Oh Wario, you handsome devil~...

But wait, THERE'S MORE! The increased power in the VB had a positive outcome in the gameplay as well! Not just the graphics! Wario is more versatile than ever, he moves fast, he attacks faster and the bull hat is like BOOM SHROUH then SHUASH it's like you are now on the other side of the screen. Maybe... not, but compared to other games, specially WL1? He's 10 times faster, yet controls even better. You thought Wario was a "powerhouse" in WL1? Pfft, forget that, now he's a real driving force, and he'll destroy whatever has the unfortunate circumstances of standing still on his path. Just moving around feels fantastic (a good sign of marvellous game design!) and even swimming in water feels terrific. Yes, that's right: a game with GOOD water sections! Tell me this game is bad I dare you!!

Huh? Wario is "slow" in VBWL? No, no, you see, Wario has a run button! So you are one of those that play old games without checking the instruction manuals... Yet you still wonder why video games no longer feature physical manuals! Geez, thank you for proving game companies it was a waste of money and time!

There is one crucial element I'd like to talk about: structure. I haven't said much but I believe it's essential to the Super Mario & Wario Land series. Each game features its own structure to suit for the better the games' needs. SML1, for example, had an arcade structure since it was heavily inspired by SMB and the game was a bit basic. But in VBWL we see... ok, maybe it's me, but the game evolves that structure while taking WL1 in mind.

You see, in WL1 the structure is the usual platformer game with a world map to progress through levels, with hidden treasures and levels. In VBWL, it's once again level after level but this time with a hidden treasure per level, and a generous timer so you can spend your time finding the secrets... but don't spend too much looking around or you won't get the best endings. This mix of "take your time BUT hurry up" it's just genius: it allows different styles (exploration only, for example) at the same time while also pushing players to give their best for the better experience. Alongside the provided tools for rushing through levels... is it REALLY surprising this game is so well regarded? I'm sure it was quite a blast the day it got released decades ago.

Now, the game is not perfect. It has two major flaws. One: it's EXTREMELY short. Sure, replaying is plain easy (and the game provides a hard mode challenge) but any replay happens because you didn't have your fill, you needed more VBWL, not for any other reason. Two: the game is a Virtual Boy... exclusive!!! And haven't been re-released in any other platform!!!! Therefore the game is only displayed with red and black which has a negative impact on its presentation. Not the fault of the game and thankfully... we can get over graphic and platform issues with ease in modern times But that's be a story for a different day... that will never come up on my part!

Conclusion? VBWL deserves a spot at the very top of the franchise, just like SML2. It's that good of a game.