Game Details
Price
  • $49.99
Available on
Genre
More details
See more game reviews

Wario Land: Shake It! (Wii)

common sense media says

Wario's juvenile antics create fun platformer.

parents & educators say
See 2 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this game features Wario, a crude antihero to the squeaky-clean Mario. Wario enjoys picking his nose and smacking his butt, among other things. There's nothing overtly offensive about him, however, and the character is actually quite funny and endearing in spite of his greed, which is his primary motivation for helping the subjects of the Shake Dimension. Aside from boss battles, there is scant combat in the game. Wario can stomp on enemies, shake them, pick them up, and throw them into walls or at each other, but this is often done in the context of solving a puzzle.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: While Wario helps others, his motivation is greed.
Violence & scariness: Wario stomps, shakes, and throws enemies, but there's nothing graphic.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Wario Land: Shake It!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Nintendo created a character that is so crude. Were you grossed out by Wario's crude behavior or did you think it was funny? Why is it not appropriate to do some of the things Wario does in real life? What are the major differences between Wario and Mario in terms of actions and motivations?

What's the story?

What's the story?
After the mediocre showing in Wario: Master of Disguise, Nintendo's greedy anti-hero Wario has redeemed himself with WARIO LAND: SHAKE IT!. Wario travels to the Shake Dimension to rescue the queen from a pirate who calls himself the Shake King. While it sounds heroic, Wario is actually after the Shake King's treasure -- a magical Bottomless Coin Sack that could make him rich.

To find the Shake King, Wario must collect the five Boss Emblems by traveling through five different regions and rescuing the queen's subjects along the way. Wario must make it to the end of each level, free the subject, then race back to the beginning of the level before the timer runs down. Along the way he can complete optional bonus challenges like finding secret treasure chests, collecting a certain number of coins, or pass the level without taking damage.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Wario Land: Shake It! is simply one of those platformers where everything clicks. (Well, everything except the inane elevator music soundtrack). The game features spectacular hand-drawn graphics and plenty of ingenious platforming gimmicks like Wario's ability to transform into fire and a snowball to break special barriers, swing from bars like a gymnast, ride a mechanical unicycle along a tight rope, and pick up and throw bouncing balls and bombs. The Wii remote is held sideways, and cleverly incorporates various shake functions into the gameplay, including rapidly bringing the controller downloads to execute a bodyslam, and shaking it to swing on bars or rattle enemies and make them drop useful items. Wario Land: Shake It's length is on the short side, and it doesn't push the boundaries of platform gaming like Super Mario Galaxy does, but if players are looking for a solid example of old-school, two-dimensional platforming then they'd be hard-pressed to find anything better.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo Wii
Not available online
Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: Nintendo
Released on: September 22, 2008
Price: 49.99
ESRB Rating: E for Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence
This review was written by Erin Bell
 
 

Review It

 

Review Wario Land: Shake It!

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

Tommypezmaster
adult
12
 
I love it
In this game Wario must recue a queen from an evil Ship Captain, But he only want to seek Treasure. So if you have a Wii Play this game Please 9/10
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
fourringa
parent of 9 year old
5
 
Fun platformer for 7+
My 5 yr. old really enjoys this game, however, he does need some help to get through some of the earliest sections. The game does do a great job at incorporating the Wii remote motions into specific moves for Wario which add to the fun.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (3)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you play Wario Land: Shake It!?

Game on
Press pause
Game over

Already played it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more games
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines