Wario series
The Wario series follows Mario's greedy rival, Wario, across a mix of offbeat platformers and chaotic party-style microgame collections. From treasure-hunting adventures to fast-paced mini-games, the franchise is known for its slapstick humor, experimental design, and energetic, arcade-like gameplay.
Series overview
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Primary genres: Platformer, party, microgames
First appearance: Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992)
Notable sub-series: Wario Land, Wario World, WarioWare
About the Wario franchise
Originally introduced as an antagonist to Mario, Wario quickly spun off into his own series of games that lean into his larger-than-life personality. The Wario platformers emphasize exploration, puzzle-solving, and creative power-ups, often rewarding players for experimenting with the environment and revisiting stages to uncover hidden treasures.
The WarioWare titles pushed the franchise in a different direction, with ultra-fast microgames that challenge players to react in seconds. These collections mix surreal visuals, quick-fire mechanics, and offbeat storytelling, making them a showcase for Nintendo's most experimental ideas.
Across both platforming and party-style entries, the Wario series is unified by its high-energy pacing, comedic tone, and willingness to play with genre expectations, all while keeping gameplay approachable for new and returning players alike.
