Features 1 Player Touch Screen Compatible Cartridge Save Introduction Not having had a chance to experience the wildly popular original Wario Ware on the GBA I was quite excited to see my copy of Wario Ware Touched get delivered before I left for a relaxing weekend at home. Well, after countless hours flexing my stylus skills I can happily say that Nintendo once again shows how innovation and fun make for a great mix in a game. Graphics While playing Wario Ware Touched the first thing that entered my mind was how stylish the graphics are. The power of the DS is not put to the test here but what is one to ask for? Nintendo made sure not to fix something that was not broken as previous Wario Ware games have stayed true to the course, simple but yet good looking. There is no specific theme to what is on screen but what is there is bright, vibrant and very colorful. Talking about the graphics for this game is very difficult because there is nothing extremely special that this game does in terms of looks. Each mini-game is made up of simple levels that do not require much processing power. That being said, they are a few times where the player will be pleasantly surprised at what is on screen. The use of many different colours in specific mini-games is prevalent as I found out when having to fill a bucket with dust from a rainbow. Bottomline here is that this game does what it has to when presenting its overall image and it does it well. Sound Like the graphics, the sound in this game is quite unique and to tell you the truth, it is all over the map in terms of categories. Each set of mini-games has specific music and sound attached to it. Take Ashley's set of games. During the time you play you are treated to an almost ‘Disney' like theme song as it focuses on her creepy and haunted mansion. This is in stark contrast to Jimmy T's level which strikes a dance mix theme. Each level definitely has a quirky sound to them and it just depends which one you are playing at the time. In terms of overall sound effects, again simple is the name of the game. From simple sounds of swiping the stylus over the touch screen to the uncanny recreation of original 8-bit NES sound bytes, it is all there. Nintendo has made sure that what comes out of the DS's stereo speakers is as stylish as the graphics and it compliments the game to a tee. Gameplay Not having played the original Wario Ware for the GBA my experience comparing the two is very limited. However, from what I understand of the original title, Wario Ware Touched sticks to the same formula, quick and simple mini-games are the main draw here. As one gets by each level, more are opened. Interestingly enough, each level has a specific theme attached to each ‘character' that is played against and attached to this theme is a specific style of gameplay. There are games where you have to drag items, spin items or blow into the built in microphone of the DS. This adds a bit of variety to the game as you have different types of game styles available. As one ventures through each level it becomes evident that this game can be finished quite quickly. However, that is just the beginning. There are total of 180 mini-games available and the first time through the game does not open them all up. Once a level has been completed it can be chosen from the main ‘game' screen at any time and the mini-games can be played all over again. However this time the number of mini-games are not limited to just the short number when the level was originally beat and once the boss is defeated the cycle starts again but a little harder and not always incorporating the same mini-games. This is the way to open up all the mini-games associated with each level and eventually the whole game. I found myself picking up my DS over and over again to play the various levels during the first few days with this game. I never knew which games were going to come up in a round of any specific level either. This was enjoyable because even though some of the mini-games I had already played repeated themselves I was always surprised when a new one popped up. Another cool, but limited, feature added to this game is the discovery of toys. Each toy that is found has the ability to show the innovation that is associated with the DS. There is everything from a dual screened game of ping pong, piano playing, harmonica playing (using to built in microphone) to a game of orbit ball where you draw a line on the touch screen and try to ‘bounce' a ball into orbit. Some of these toys are innovative while others are just kind of dull. Regardless, this is yet another attempt to add replayability and innovation to this DS version of the Wario Ware Series. At this point everything seems pretty rosy for Wario Ware Touched, but alas this is not the case as there are some negatives here. Although this game does show how the DS is definitely an innovative machine, the use of the stylus can get a little repetitive and with practice any gamer can begin to ace the mini-games making this game too easy. And, once all 180 mini-games are opened, there is nothing left to do. This game could have benefited from the wireless multiplayer feature of the DS but for some strange reason Nintendo did not follow this path. Hopefully when the sequel does come out, which it should knowing Nintendo, multiplayer is added to the game. Conclusion Wario Ware Touched has shown a huge glimpse of what lies ahead for the life of the DS. With an innovative use of the DS's touch screen Nintendo has shown that they are dedicated to giving the gamer original experiences. One is cautioned though to take their time to fully experience this title as the stylish graphics and sound do make for a pretty good game but it can end so quickly. Let's hope that next time around Nintendo adds some much needed wireless multiplayer to breathe extended life into this game.