Most people that have sampled any of Wario Ware's offerings would agree that they alone are more than ample justification for the existence of handheld gaming. They're simply perfect on the move. Even the Gamecube version had a screen border to give it the appearance of a GBA. Whether you have a spare minute or hour, each Wario game's collection of 200 minigames has so far proved the perfect distraction for just about any occasion. Since Wario Ware Twisted has so far only been released in it's likely that more of you have tried the more recent Wario Ware Touched on the (a fantastic game that I granted 85% last month). Nonetheless, as great as that game is, it is undeniably surpassed (or I suppose preceded in a chronological sense) by Twisted, definitely the best incarnation of the series since the GBA original.

If you know anything of the series then you'll know exactly what to expect. What you get is minigames, which normally last for between 3 and 5 seconds with the exception of the slightly elongated boss stages. The games are pooled together in themed categories, each of which must be beaten before the next set can be unlocked. To beat a level you must win all of the minigames within it without losing all your lives, which incidentally number four. How do you lose a life? By failing a minigame, of course. Still, even veterans will not be used to the dramatically "revolutionary" control system - very apt, what with Nintendo's recent revolutionary leanings.

Although a few of the games require simple button presses, as you may be accustomed to, the majority require you to, well, twist your GBA. Some from side to side, and some from top to bottom. This is achieved through a motion sensor that sits in the bottom of the somewhat mutated, bulbous cartridge. You can forget about tiny plastic cartridge carrier cases here mate, though that is partly made up for by the wonderful heavy-duty cardboard packaging of the Japanese game. All the more remarkable however is the accuracy afforded by the cartridge-bound technology. Not only does it translate your movements into the game with startling precision but the inbuilt rumble device is also brilliantly employed. It's subtle, yet affective vibrating really does the convey the sensation of turning a lever or cog on a bracket; it's almost like you're cranking your GBA as if it were a digital steering wheel. It may not sound incredible, but it's a clever and immeasurably tactile sensation that really connects you to the interface and in turn to the games themselves.

It works so well that it becomes more than just a gimmick. It becomes a perfectly credible control system that's not necessarily superior but definitely the equal of conventional controls, at least when utilised in this specific instance. It's something you'll never have seen before and will possibly never see again - and it's all the more fun for it. I do concede though that you may look like a bit of a fool in public as you twist your GBA frantically from side to side and even walk in circles on the spot if you choose to follow the instructions to the letter (though in all honesty I quickly found myself instead twirling the machine completely with my hands - it's far less likely to make you dizzy or to injure a fellow commuter). Still, chances are you won't care too much about how you look because you'll be having such a good laugh.

At times the content is as likely to make you chuckle as your preposterous physical actions. Not only are most of the scenarios comically surreal, but plentiful references to Nintendo's past titles are also delivered with equal jest. One set of games follow a theme and are set inside the innards of a Japanese Famicom (what we would call a NES). The final boss stage here in particular was extremely memorable, tasking you with guiding over a distorted version of the opening level of Super Mario Bros, wrapped around a wheel and turned by tilt - sublime and bizarre all in one! Of the other games there are many that are striking for either their design, ingenuity or humour. Whether it's twisting an obviously agonised Wario's spine into shape or delicately lowering platforms for stick men to cross safely, it's all so well done and so entertaining that it's likely that you'll never have a dull moment.

Although you can plough through the main mode in a couple of sittings, once again the quirky unlockable extras, special endurance games and previous best records are easily reason enough to keep you returning for more. It's also quite noticeable that this is possibly the toughest Wario Ware game to date. Although you're unlikely to be stuck on any one particular set of levels for more than a handful of attempts things are noticeably a little trickier this time around. Not that this is a bad thing; Wario Ware has always really been about beating yourself rather than the game, but the extra challenge proves to be actually quite welcome.

If you want to import there isn't a terrible amount of Japanese text to navigate, though a few of the unlockable minigames, like the Love Tester, are unplayable if you don't speak the lingo. You will miss the single word prompt at the beginning of each game at first too but you're always able to figure it out after a couple of attempts. One or two of the main games however do require some basic Japanese so there are occasions where you'll be relying purely on luck - fortunately it is very infrequent.

Any obstacles you might face however are more than worth navigating as Wario Ware Twisted is easily an essential buy for your GBA or even DS. If you're a patient wee flower (unlike myself) wait for the or European release and then even these minor quibbles will be eliminated. If not, plunge in anyway as there's not a chance you'll regret it unless you are an evil, joyless fiend that has no arms and has sold its soul to the devil for chocolate.

90%

By Ben Parfitt