Wario (universe)

Wario (universe)
Developer(s)	Nintendo
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Genre(s)	Platformer Minigame
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy
First installment	Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (1994)
Latest installment	Game & Wario (2013)
Article on Super Mario Wiki	Wario (universe)

The Wario universe (ワリオ, Wario) refers to the Smash Bros. series' collection of characters, stages, and properties concerning the subfranchise of the world-famous Mario game franchise centered on series anti-hero Wario. Wario's franchise is split into two major subseries, the Wario Land series and the WarioWare series. Wario Land is a platformer series with cartoon mayhem and bizarre humor, a more deranged take on the normally cheery and kid-friendly Mario archetype; WarioWare is a collection of many fast-paced and quirky microgames. Its appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series have thus far mostly adhered to the WarioWare series.

Franchise description

In mid-1989, early in the Mario franchise's release history, Nintendo released the Game Boy platformer Super Mario Land, in which Mario traveled to a far-off land to rescue Princess Daisy. This gave way to a subseries of handheld platformers; the second game in the series, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, which was released for the Game Boy in late 1992, debuted a new antagonist that resembled a larger, portlier, more thuggish counterpart to Mario, Wario. Wario, originally presented in a more straightforward, villainous light, takes over Mario's castle while Mario is away, then when Mario returns he must go on a quest to collect the six titular coins that are the keys to his castle in order to defeat Wario and reclaim it from him. Wario, for a time, then became a recurring Mario villain. Mario & Wario (a Japan-only release for Super Famicom in 1993) and Wario's Woods (released in the West in December 1995) both featured Wario enacting revenge plots against Mario and his friends. In one of Nintendo's first crossovers with a third-party franchise, Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman, a Game Boy installment of the Hudson Soft franchise Bomberman, the Bomberman must prevent Wario from plundering his home planet.

Wario was then permanently assigned a new role and outlook in the Mario universe, which is the one that still defines him to this day--that of a less-malicious anti-hero motivated by a comically insatiable greed. Like Yoshi and his own relevance in the Mario games, Wario forever became part of the collection of recurring Mario side characters that would take part in a variety of Mario games, such as being a selectable racer in Mario Kart, a selectable "board piece" in Mario Party and a major playable character in other Mario spin-off titles, while at the same time beginning to star in his own games.

The "third" game in the Super Mario Land subseries, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, became the first game in the Wario Land series of platforming titles for various platforms, a series which established a style of platforming different from the familiar Mario formula of jumping and bouncing on enemies and focusing more on physical attacks such as running tackles. The scenarios in Wario platforming games typically center around Wario's greed-motivated adventures and the incidental deeds of goodness he commits for others while doing so, such as defeating a more threatening villain in his quest to claim the reward money. Early in his own games, Wario briefly had an equally greedy rival of his own, a female pirate named Captain Syrup, who had only recently made a return appearance in 2008's Wario Land: Shake It! (the most recent Wario-centric platformer) after a decade of absence. The Wario Land series had also spawned sequels.

Starting from 2003, Wario additionally and regularly starred in a more deranged, parodic, borderline scatological series of party games entitled WarioWare, with an all-new cast of bizarre side characters and a very different twist on the established party game formula. In these games, Wario gets the idea to strike it rich by founding his own video game company and getting all of his friends from his home city, Diamond City, to program hundreds of extremely simple games for him. The gameplay itself resembles an extended, rapid barrage of extremely simple "games", each lasting mere seconds and taking no more than one or several appropriately timed button presses to complete ("microgames"), and the number of microgames a player can complete before failing a set number of times is set as their high score. The microgames display a variety of surreal imagery, including Wario having to jump at the right time in order to avoid getting run over by a giant hot dog on wheels, reenactments of classic scenes from old Nintendo games, and successfully guiding a finger into a nostril. Different installments of the series for different platforms have featured their own, unique twists to the gameplay dependent on the hardware of the console itself.

Wario first became playable in 2008's Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In the Super Smash Bros. series, the WarioWare sub-series is recognized as Wario's "home franchise", separately categorized from the Mario series in a similar fashion to Yoshi and Donkey Kong.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

Wario was not recognized as a distinctive universe in Super Smash Bros. Melee, as there were no playable characters nor stages based on the franchise. However, there were trophies for Wario and the Bucket. In addition, one of Mario's alternate costumes in both Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee is a yellow and purple color scheme based on Wario's attire.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Wario is recognized and treated as a distinctive universe in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It focuses heavily on the WarioWare games due to their extreme popularity.

Characters

• 
  Wario: The franchise's first playable character. By default, Wario is dressed in his biker jacket as he is seen in the WarioWare series, but he also has his original plumber overalls as alternate costumes, giving him twelve different costumes in total. Wario has the move Wario Waft, which allows his to release gas he has built up over the match as a form of atomic flatulence.

On the final character select screen (after all characters are unlocked), Wario shares a column with fellow Mario side series characters Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Yoshi.

Assist Trophies

• Kat & Ana: These twin ninja kindergarteners use their ninja skills and slash in multiple "X" formations on the stage, damaging any foes that make contact with their attack. This is the only Assist Trophy originating from one of the Mario subseries.

Stages

• 
  WarioWare, Inc.: Occasionally, the stage takes the player from the main "elevator" into a microgame, which they can complete to obtain a reward. Some microgames can damage or knock back characters.

Music

See List of SSBB Music (WarioWare, Inc. series).

• WarioWare, Inc. - A slight alteration of the main menu theme from WarioWare, Inc.: Mega MicroGame$!, as well as the title screen from the same game. It is the theme of the WarioWare, Inc. stage.
• WarioWare, Inc. Medley - A medley of a large number of songs heard in the first title of the series, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega MicroGame$!, including the opening theme, Wario's theme, as well as Dribble & Spitz's theme among others. It is used on the WarioWare, Inc. stage. This song is also played during Wario's Classic Mode credits.
• Ashley's Theme - A big band version of the vocal theme song of Ashley in WarioWare: Touched! It is used on the WarioWare, Inc. stage.
• Ashley's Theme (JP) - The same as the above song, but with Japanese lyrics. It is used on the WarioWare, Inc. stage.
• Mike's Song - A 50's rock-and-roll version of the vocal theme song of Mike in WarioWare: Touched! It is used on the WarioWare, Inc. stage.
• Mike's Song (JP) - The same as the above song, but with Japanese lyrics. It is used on the WarioWare, Inc. stage.
• Mona Pizza's Song - A fully redone version of the vocal theme song of Mona in WarioWare: Twisted! It is used on the WarioWare, Inc. stage.
• Mona Pizza's Song (JP) - The same as the above song, but with Japanese lyrics. It is used on the WarioWare, Inc. stage.
• Wario's victory theme - Shares similarities to many Wario games, featuring musical qualities from both the WarioWare series and the Wario platforming series. It would be implemented into the first stage music for the game Wario Land: Shake It!.
• snd_bgm_M14_WARIOSTAGE - This track was originally going to appear in Brawl, but it was scrapped. It is obvious that it is a track from the Wario universe, but it is unknown what the song is. It was most likely going to play on WarioWare, Inc.

Trophies

See List of SSBB trophies (WarioWare series)

• Wario
• Wario-Man
• Wario Bike
• Kat & Ana

Stickers

See List of stickers (WarioWare series)

• Wario (multiple)
• Brute
• 9-Volt
• 18-Volt
• Ashley
• Ana
• Dr. Crygor
• Jimmy T
• Orbulon
• Penny
• Spitz
• Tiny Wario
• Wario & Bike
• Wario-Man
• Wario World Symbol
• Young Cricket

In Super Smash Bros. 4

The Wario universe returns in Super Smash Bros. 4, represented by one character. With the removal of Wario's shoulder charge forward smash, the Wario Land series is no longer referenced outside of one track from Wario Land: Shake It!

Characters

• 
  Wario: Wario returns as a playable character. Unlike in Brawl, where he was a starter, Wario is now unlockable in this game. Wario is slightly larger and has more fluid animations. He now has eight alternate costumes as opposed to twelve in Brawl.

Assist Trophies

• Ashley: Ashley appears as an Assist Trophy in SSB4. When summoned, she creates a purple cloud that causes a variety of effects.

• Kat & Ana: These twin ninja kindergarteners return to use their ninja skills and slash in multiple "X" formations on the stage, damaging any foes that make contact with their attack.

• While Waluigi never appeared in a Wario title, he was represented with the Wario series symbol in the Super Smash Bros. Direct shown on April 8, 2014. In-game, he is represented by the Mario series symbol.

Stages

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

• 
  WarioWare, Inc.: A returning stage from Brawl that remains unchanged.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

• 
  Gamer: A new stage based on the minigame Gamer from Game & Wario. The stage takes place on 9-Volt's desk, where his mother 5-Volt acts as a stage hazard. When 5-Volt looks at the fighters, a beam of light is sent to them and damages them for 20% with high knockback. Fighters can avoid this by hiding behind objects. She can appear from the doorway, window, TV, or, if the stage is set a certain way she will appear from a gaming pad or picture from an easel. Fake-outs can also appear. The layout of the stage changes each time the stage is played.

Music

• WarioWare, Inc.: Taken directly out from Brawl. It plays on WarioWare, Inc in the 3DS version and Gamer in the Wii U version.
• WarioWare, Inc. Medley: Taken directly out from Brawl. This medley plays on the Gamer stage in the Wii U version.
• Ashley's Theme [JP]: Taken directly from Brawl. It plays on WarioWare, Inc. in the 3DS version of the Japanese release and on Gamer in the Wii U version of all releases.
• Ashley's Theme [EN]: Taken directly from Brawl. It plays on WarioWare, Inc. in the 3DS version of the English release and on Gamer in the Wii U version in the English release.
• Ashley's Song JP Ver.2 A new remix of Ashley's song. This version has a tone similar to the original source material. This song is only found in the Japanese versions of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and plays on the Gamer stage, it replaces Ashley's Theme [EN] in the Japanese release.
• Ruins: A song from Wario Land: Shake It! It appears in the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: 50-Fact Extravaganza during the paint portion. It plays on Gamer.
• Gamer: This song comes directly from the minigame Gamer from Game & Wario. It is an ominous tune that plays on the television screen while the player is trying to play microgames on the Wii U Gamepad. This song plays on the Gamer stage.

Trophies

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

• Wario
• Wario (Alt.)
• Wario Bike
• Kat & Ana
• Ashley

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

• Wario
• Wario (Alt.)
• Wario-Man
• Kat & Ana
• Ashley
• 9-Volt & His Mother
• Mona
• Dr.Crygor

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The Wario series returns for Ultimate, featuring WarioWare and Wario Land series representation.

Characters

• Wario: Wario returns as a playable character, bringing his famous Shoulder Barge as his new dash attack.

Stages

Of the two stages from this series, only GAMER has yet to be announced as a retro stage.

• WarioWare, Inc.: Returning as a retro stage.

Music

• "WarioWare, Inc.": Heard in Wario's character trailer.

Games with elements from or in the Super Smash Bros. series

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

Wario debuted in this game and is a playable character in Brawl and Super Smash Bros. 4 and his classic outfit in his first appearance is used as one of his alternate costumes. Wario's color scheme is also used as one of Mario's alternate costumes in all of the games.

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

In Brawl, Wario's forward smash is his signature Dash Attack, which originated from this game. This was removed in Smash 4, but brought back for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as Wario's dash attack.

Virtual Boy Wario Land

Tiny Wario appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Wario Land 2

Wario's current short-sleeved shirt, which was first seen in this game is part of his alternate costumes. Also Wario's sprite colors is used as one of his alternate costumes in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!

Wario, who is playable in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, is dressed in his WarioWare outfit, which was first seen in this game. Wario's neutral special, Chomp, is based on a single microgame called Hot Dog Hog. In addition, the stage WarioWare Inc. is based off not only several "Microgames" in this game, but also the pig elevator in this game. Kat & Ana, whose first appearances were in this game, appear as an Assist Trophy together in Brawl and Smash 4. The Wario & Bike and Mona & Moped appear as stickers in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, while five other stickers are from the GameCube port.

Wario World

Wario's neutral jab, up smash (headbutt), forward throw, forward throw in Brawl (back throw in SSB4), and down throw (Ground Pound), come from this game. The Wario World Symbol appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Wario's custom move, Inhaling Chomp, is loosely based on Hyper Suction from this game as well.

WarioWare: Twisted!

Wario's Final Smash, Wario-Man, originated from this game.

WarioWare: Touched!

Ashley, a lonely teenage witch who first appears in WarioWare Touched!, is an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and has a theme song from WarioWare: Touched! that was remade specifically for Brawl. Various character appear as stickers in Super Smash Bros. Brawl depicting their artwork for this game. Two of the microgames appear (slightly altered) in Wario's home stage, WarioWare, Inc. and Gamer.

WarioWare: Smooth Moves

All of the voice samples of Assist Trophy Kat & Ana and of Wario's responses in the WarioWare, Inc. stage are lifted directly from this game. Three stickers are from this game.

Wario Land: Shake it!

Wario's crawling animation and Ruins's theme are found in this game.

Game & Wario

Gamer, a minigame in Game & Wario, appears as an stage in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Additionally, 5-volt reprises her role as in Game & Wario.

Trivia

• While Wario's victory theme clearly matches the beginning of the Stonecarving City theme from Wario Land: Shake It!, it is debatable as to which came first. Super Smash Bros Brawl was released on January 31, 2008, while Shake It was released on July 24, 2008, meaning that Shake It was most likely still in development at the time of Brawl's release. It is probable that Wario's victory theme was pulled from Shake It before its actual release.