Already out in Japan, Wario Land for the GBA (Wario Land 4) brings everything together in the Wario Land series. Featuring graphics that do the evil plumber justice and some improved gameplay, many gamers can’t wait to get their hands on this exciting title. Though Nintendo may have dubbed it as an RPG, this game is definitely a platformer of sorts—though it doesn’t quite fit the bill entirely.

Wario goes back to his roots to some extent in this game, which should make Wario Land 1 fans happy. While Wario maintains his zany transformations and quirky style from WL2 and 3, he is now mortal (as can be seen by the heart meter), making the game more appealing to many. Thanks to GBA’s bigger screen and shoulder buttons, Wario can now perform more moves, as well as different variations of classic ones. Using R and L will make the “sexy” character lean to the left or right, affecting the standard moves in a variety of ways.

As usual, Wario is attempting to collect as much treasure and money as possible during the game, but he’ll most likely need to visit the levels a few times to find all of the loot. Level design is different from any of the previous games: while searching for treasure, Wario will need to find a switch to reopen the portal (used to enter the level) and hurry back to the beginning! Some of the detailed levels in the game will be circular in design, while others will require backtracking. Still others will offer a choice between retreating from or fighting a boss. Money is vital: the more change collected, the more time the villian will have to escape from the level once the portal is opened. Besides the regular assortment of treasures, records (containing music from the game) are scattered throughout the areas, which can be played in the sound test.

Speaking of songs, the game also features lots of great audio. The designers felt that the fatso didn’t have enough personality in his previous outings, so they have added audio. Chances are that Wario will say all sorts of crazy, evil things; hopefully, they will be varied enough to avoid Mario Advance syndrome. The game should also sport a variety of songs to reflect all of the types of levels. Kozue-san has made entertaining Wario music in the past, and the GBA should offer even better tunes!

Besides the normal adventure, the game will feature mini-games such as baseball and a face roulette game.

Overall, Wario Land 4 is looking to be a good alternative for people still waiting for a new Mario game. With quirky action and nasty baddies, plumbers throughout the US and Europe are waiting impatiently for Nintendo to announce the western release dates.

Last updated: 01/10/2001

Wario was first introduced in the Gameboy game, Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins as an "anti-Mario" type bad guy (& provided a refreshing new nemesis). The character proved so popular (and nasty) that he actually usurped the starring role from Mario in Wario Land: Mario Land 3 and essentially, "took over" the series from the beloved do-gooder plumber. Wario went on to star in two more sequels on GB / GBC. Wario Land was also one of the few Nintendo franchises to grace the short-lived Virtual Boy in Virtual Boy Wario Land. To many a Nintendophiles' delight, that evil bastard Wario has now become a mainstay in the Mushroom Kingdom, popping up in practically every Mario ensemble game for N64 (Mario Kart, Mario Party, Mario Golf, etc.). To ensure he'd never be outnumbered by the Mario Bros., Wario even has his own brother, Waluigi.

Now, the evil bastard is set to star in yet another installment of Wario Land. Announced at Space World 2000, Wario Land 4 will be released for Game Boy Advance. Although it was listed as an upcoming release at Space World no screens or any information was given on the title. Regardless, it was assumed that the game would be a platformer like the previous Mario/Wario Land games.

Apparently, the game was originally planned as a platformer though with the announcement of Mario Advance came word that Wario Land 4 had "changed genres" and would now be an RPG-a very interesting turn of events indeed.

Because of the previous lack of info, it is unknown how far along in development Wario Land 4 is and how much, if any, switching the genre has affected the game's progress. Needless to say, it's a safe bet that we won't be seeing this for the GBA's launch, and may not for some time after.

What sort of gameplay will a Wario RPG incorporate? Will it be similar to Mario RPG or its sequel Paper Mario, or will it be more of a classic RPG? Honestly, we have no idea but we can't wait to find out.