"The best GBA platormer...but...."

This is, indeed, the best GBA platformer, beating Super Mario Advance hands down with stunning visuals, great sounds and music and awesome gameplay. However, whilst the best GBA platforming romp, some magic has been lost from Wario Land 3. Allow me to go into a little more detail.

Wario Land 3 was amazing. Almost ranking right up there with Super Mario World, it had captivating gameplay and an amazing lifespan - it lasted me a year, as when you had beaten the final boss (remember the clown?) inside his temple, there was so much more treasure to collect, and even after that there were 8 coins in each level needed to unlock a bonus golf tournament. And even to this day I have not managed to get one of the coins - it was in the cloud level, I believe.

Anyway, Wario Land 4 lacks such long-term appeal. Even the most new of Wario players will finish it in 2 weeks. More seasoned Wario veterans will finish it in a week or so. There's no real incentive to return to the levels. However, it's quite good fun while it lasts. Just as in the previous games, the levels and bosses are highly imaginative. The great thing about Wario games is that they're free from boss repetition. In a lot of Mario games, the bosses are quite often the same sort of affairs - stomp on head, stomp on head, repeat ad infinitum. Wario's bosses require you to use your loaf that little bit more. I won't spoil anything, though (mainly because I'm not allowed to).

It also comes up trumps in the graphics department. It makes superb use of the GBA's new engine - both Wario and his environment look bigger and better than before. Sound too has been revamped - listen out for Wario saying ''Mama Mia!'' The music is also great, and in some cases it's even surreal - check out the music in Palm Tree Paradise. ''Hello there!''

Back to the levels. Each corridor in the game seems to have a different general theme - and each level seems to get more and more fiendish. There is some truly innovative level design in here, with some great puzzles and imaginative features. The Big Board is a particular highlight.

So Wario Land 4 takes the spotlight as the GBA's number one platformer (even though Wario's whole belly doesn't fit under said light). Expect that title to go though when Mario Advance 2 turns up! However, it somehow lacks a little of the sparkle that Wario Land 3 threw at you with ease. The incentive to return to levels, the collectable moves; all great ideas that have gone. Wario's new vulnerability has changed the gameplay style a little for the worse, as well. It's fine in normal levels, but in bosses wasn't a timer enough? So, if you own previous Wario games then this is quite a good buy. If not, then get Wario Land 3 for a cheaper price.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/02/02, Updated 01/02/02