European gamers have had a chance to download the WarioWare Gold Demo from the 3DS eShop since July 5, but North America is just getting a crack at it starting today. Players in the US and Canada can now get a peek at the microgame extravaganza. We haven’t seen a proper WarioWare game since 2009’s WarioWare D.I.Y. and almost a decade later it’s past time for another one.
In addition to bringing its own new mini-games, WarioWare Gold acts as something of a greatest hits for the series. It features fan-favorite from WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!, WarioWare: Twisted!, WarioWare: Touched!, and WarioWare: Smooth Moves. As Game & Wario isn’t an official part of a series (it was branded as a spiritual successor), it doesn’t seem like we’ll see the return of any microgames from that title. All-in-all WarioWare Gold will feature over 300 mini0games which will require you to press buttons, tilt the system, blow on the mic, and touch the touchscreen.
The upcoming title will also be the first in the series to feature full voice acting. Instead of just grunts and “Waaahhh!” you’ll actually get to hear a full story. Given that Mario himself isn’t a big talker, Wario might have one of the most prominent speaking roles in franchise history with this release.
It seems like Nintendo 3DS is the handheld that just won’t quit. I’m eager to see how WarioWare Gold stretches it to its limits. As much as I love the 3DS, though, I’m eager to see WarioWare on the Switch.
The game was announced on a Nintendo Direct on March 8, and it seems like only yesterday we first heard about it. It’s already almost time for it to come out, though. You can get the full version of WarioWare Gold on August 3, 2018, exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS.