Since its first appearance on the Game Boy Advance, the Warioware series has offered an addicting blend of fun and quirky minigames. Now, the series is making an appearance on Nintendo’s latest system, the Nintendo DS. The system, which features a focus on its use of two screens, also features touch screen capabilities, which is the main feature that Warioware Touched exploits well. Warioware Touched is a strong entry to the series, utilizing the DS’s hardware to its fullest potential gameplay-wise.

Warioware Touched is a series of nearly 200 different minigames that each uses the DS’s touch screen. These vary in their execution, as some of them require you to poke the screen or drag objects across, like matches against a matchbox in order to light it and so on. Some of the games even require you to blow into the DS’s built-in microphone in order to progress. The challenge from the games comes from the fact that you only have a few seconds to complete them before you move on.

The game has several different characters for whom you must complete missions, each one having their own minigame theme. For example, there is a robot named Mike who requires you to play a series of microphone games and a duo known as 9-Volt and 18-Volt, who have a series of old-school Nintendo games for you to play with the touch screen. As you progress through the levels of each character, the action speeds up and requires you to think and move much faster until you get to the boss stage. 

With each of the different characters and their own styles, the gameplay in Warioware is pretty diverse. Completing missions unlocks new characters and levels as well as intriguing little side games, like a two-player ping pong game, that are just as fun and addicting.

Warioware Touched isn’t a terribly challenging game, as most gamers will be able to complete it in a few hours. However, the real fun comes from replaying the missions and seeing if you can top your high scores while not letting the increasing speed get the better of you. 

The graphics in Warioware won’t dazzle you, but they are pretty bright and colorful. The characters are well represented through their accompanying storylines and each has an individual theme throughout their missions. The game also makes good use of the two DS screens, requiring use of both to complete most games. There are a few elements of 3D effects, but nothing on the lines of Super Mario 64 DS or most other titles on the DS. However, the game’s unique graphical scheme works well with its subject matter and shouldn’t be a problem for players.

The sound and music is quite good. The soundtrack has a lot of musical elements to it, as some of the songs even have lyrics to them. Plus, it’s always a joy to hear the “bloop-bleep” effects of NES games like The Adventures of Link or Metroid.

Warioware Touched is a fun game that does a great job of not only porting the same brand of addictive minigames to a new system, but also pushes the hardware by taking full advantage of what its capable of. While the idea is purely simple, Warioware is a lot of fun and should keep even the most ADD-racked gamers (myself included) entertained for hours.

Gameplay: 9.0
While the game is extremely simplistic and little more than a collection of many minigames, the action is fast-paced and addicting and should provide hours of mindless entertainment.

Graphics: 8.0 
They certainly won’t wow you, but the graphics in Warioware do a fine job of keeping with the subject matter. Plus, there are a few instances of 3D effects that look really good without looking superimposed on the 2D sprites.

Sound: 9.0
The soundtrack is great, with each character having their own unique themes, some even with lyrics.

Difficulty:  Easy

Concept: 9.0 
Warioware’s unique blend of familiar gameplay and utilization of the DS’s touch screen makes it a fun and engaging experience.                                                                                                                               

Overall: 9.0
Warioware Touched is a great entry to the quirky series and does a great job of exploiting the capabilities of the DS.