Ah yes, the Virtual Boy. A concept that strayed so far from the typically safe and practical approach that Nintendo is notorious for that it's strange to actually see the Nintendo logo displayed on this mysterious contraption. There are so many peculiarities to get past that it's difficult for most people to appreciate the novelty behind the system. First you have the overall design and appearance of the Virtual Boy. Resting on a table, it looks like a bulky pair of goggles on a stand with a controller hanging out of its butt. Marketed by Nintendo as a "portable" system, the Virtual Boy confused most consumers who were accustomed to the little gray wonder that most people associated with the term "Portable Gaming System". Furthermore, it's most notorious feature, the retina-frying red display screen certainly didn't appeal to John Q. Gamer, who had already seen the Game Gear and were patiently waiting for the Game Boy Color to arrive.
Sadly, Gunpei Yokoi's final Nintendo creation didn't fare well with the public, and quickly faded into obscurity. Perhaps it was just as well. Most of the games released for the Virtual Boy were anything but entertaining, with only a few exceptions, such as Mario's Tennis, Panic Bomber, and this week's "Game Nobody Played", Wario Land. Of all the games released on this little red menace, Wario Land is the one worth the trip to the optometrist. It contains all the classic game play elements the series is known for, with some cool Virtual Boy 3D elements thrown in to keep things interesting.
Wario persists as a favorite among the Nintendo loyalists for many reasons. First off, the gamer finally gets to be the bad guy, the bizarro-Mario. Wario, in all his clumsy, dimwitted ways, is the perfect antihero. Secondly, and most importantly, the game play, level design, and
character animations are always top-notch, leaving the gamer with a strong sense of satisfaction.
In Wario's adventures, the story lines are generally the same. After all, he's a fat, greedy little bugger who wants one thing: treasure. Most of his adventures involve him looting some ancient temple or cave for all the goodies he can find, and this incarnation is no different. Guide our portly pal from one cave to the next in the constant search for as much rich stuff as he can carry, and butt-stomp as many enemies as you can in the process.
The game play is where the Wario series really shines. In Wario Land, the effects provided by the multi-layer screens of the Virtual Boy play a crucial role in Wario's quest to score the jackpot. If you've never played a Virtual Boy game, the system is able to use a basic foreground and background effect, and by entering a door in the foreground, Wario will pop up in the background. It's actually quite a neat effect. In addition to these cool level nuances, the power-ups that the Wario series is
famous for allow the gamer to find hidden areas, uncover secret items, and dispatch of various enemies. Tiny Wario, Bull Wario, Eagle Wario, and Sea Wario are just a few of the different forms used to advance through the game.
Games released for the Virtual Boy were all subjected to the blazing red graphics that left many a gamer rubbing their eyes and seeking a higher prescription. However, Wario Land does a fantastic job of using the red to its advantage. The deep cave and mining theme works well as players venture further and further into the lava-filled world. Flames shoot up, gems glow, and it all adds up to the perfect combination of console and game. An amazing attention to detail is apparent, and you'll no doubt appreciate the trouble the development team went through to create an enjoyable visual experience.
Wario Land remains a favorite among Virtual Boy fans, and the reasons are obvious. The charm of the Wario character, the challenging and amusing puzzles, and the precise controls are enough to make this game shine, even on a system with such a negative stigma attached to it. Collectors will be treated to a fantastic gaming experience, despite the eyesore.
For those searching for a Virtual Boy system and Wario Land, GWX suggests the following game shops: www.GameDude.com www.GoodDealGames.com
