Really Ilini
Legendary Thief
In Wario's very first appearance as the main villain of Super Mario Land 2, the big guy fully embraced copying his rival as part of his attempt to usurp him. This is immediately evident in his look: he has the mustache, the buttoned-up overalls, the gloves, and of course a cap with the first letter of his name, all distorted from Mario's cleaner appearance to emphasize his more malicious role. Later games such as Mario & Wario and Wario's Woods, where he also took on the role of antagonist, would also use this design. However, once Wario Land 1 finally rolled onto the shelves, Wario starts the game by charging into a wall, losing his cap in the impact. He then grabs a explorer's helmet to wear, altering his regular design for the rest of this new game.
However, despite the next Wario Land game (VB) also using this design, it is suddenly reverted to his classic design in Wario Land II (though it is still depicted on pictures found in his castle), and for the rest of the series. I always found that quite odd, because I think the explorer helmet very naturally sets Wario and his platformers apart from Mario, while also feeling like a way to wordlessly contextualize that his rivalry with Mario has subdued. This can also be said about his WarioWare design, and while Wario Land II also included another permanent redesign to his character (that being shorter sleeves) it is much more subtle compared to a different hat, to the point where it is also included in his main design also found in spinoffs to this day. My only theory to why they gave him the cap back, which is most likely true, is that the spinoff games including Wario continued to give him a cap regardless, so they likely reverted his design in the Land games to keep it consistent.
Still, when it comes to Wario's Land designs, I would say I prefer the explorer helmet to the yellow cap. It acknowledges him as more than a doppel of Mario, fits his role in those games better, and sets them apart from Mario's more speed-focused titles. I want more opinions on this pressing matter! Would you like to see the helmet make a return in a potential Land sequel, or even be included in a character redesign? Personally, I'd like to see a combo of short sleeves + explorer helmet in a new game.
However, despite the next Wario Land game (VB) also using this design, it is suddenly reverted to his classic design in Wario Land II (though it is still depicted on pictures found in his castle), and for the rest of the series. I always found that quite odd, because I think the explorer helmet very naturally sets Wario and his platformers apart from Mario, while also feeling like a way to wordlessly contextualize that his rivalry with Mario has subdued. This can also be said about his WarioWare design, and while Wario Land II also included another permanent redesign to his character (that being shorter sleeves) it is much more subtle compared to a different hat, to the point where it is also included in his main design also found in spinoffs to this day. My only theory to why they gave him the cap back, which is most likely true, is that the spinoff games including Wario continued to give him a cap regardless, so they likely reverted his design in the Land games to keep it consistent.
Still, when it comes to Wario's Land designs, I would say I prefer the explorer helmet to the yellow cap. It acknowledges him as more than a doppel of Mario, fits his role in those games better, and sets them apart from Mario's more speed-focused titles. I want more opinions on this pressing matter! Would you like to see the helmet make a return in a potential Land sequel, or even be included in a character redesign? Personally, I'd like to see a combo of short sleeves + explorer helmet in a new game.
