The evil behind Wario's plight stems directly from his pride and joy - his treasure collection. The trouble arises when an evil jewel, awoken by Wario who couldn't resist another plunder, somehow manages to transform all Wario's valuables into monsters. Thus begins the quest to get them back. There's no good cause behind his adventure, and Wario ain't out to save the world - he simply wants his treasure back. And yet, despite Wario's avaricious nature and loathsome qualities, he's actually one of the funniest and likeable game characters in a long while. Unlike many other game characters, his frequent utterances of comical catchphrases don't tire for a long time, and are a constant source of amusement. Hearing Wario shout "Yes! I win, I win! Nyahahaha" in his textbook bad-man voice is always something to laugh about.

In fact, everything about Wario can bring out a smile. From his quips about his lower-than-average intelligence, to the way he waddles around levels and exploits his bulk in taking out his enemies, Wario is an all round funny guy. And much like Wario's GameBoy incarnations, the gameplay perfectly complements the exuberant lead. Wario World is one of those pseudo-3D platform games - while not totally free roaming like Mario Sunshine, it has a much greater degree of flexibility than strictly 2D affairs. The best thing about this semi-three dimensional state is that it takes the best bits from each style and puts them together to create a single, brilliant game. While there is all the usual 3D precision platforming, the challenging elements of 2D which are sorely missed in modern platformers are present and accounted for.

Unlike others, collecting treasure is actually put aside, and the game prioritises more on platforming traditions such as precision jumping and quick thinking - the likes of which is rarely seen nowadays. Plus, you get to see a big man with a zig-zag moustache waddle around in three dimensions. Bonus.

The resulting game is a fresh and enjoyable romp through a game nostalgic in concept, yet modern in execution. There is, of course, an abundance of fodder opposing Wario, and the glut of enemies on offer are easily despatched with a handful of moves. The player has much the same control over Wario as in Mario Sunshine. He can punch, ground pound and dash into enemies to defeat them. Most of the time though, this only knocks them out however, and the dazed enemies can then be picked up and used in more powerful attacks. The fighting is fairly basic, but can be utilised in many different ways. For example, in one of the later levels you can only progress further by knocking out a magnet enemy, then throwing it onto a magnetic wall. This creates a platform used to reach a ledge that would otherwise be out of scope. There are many small things in the game like this that bring a smile to the face. Ingenious things that you'd never have encountered before pop up, and work to make Wario World a much more special experience than the usual platforming affair.

Level design in Wario World is something special too, and shows that Treasure have put a lot of thought into the game. Rather than uninspiring and bland levels, littered with items to collect, Wario World features individually themed levels each with their own tricks and surprises, and really proves that the magic is still in games. Being a cross between two- and three-dimensions, Wario World is a very linear experience, but instead of focusing on collection, the main aim is of direct progression through levels. While this is the most base of all gaming objectives, in Wario World it really is the only objective, and brings immense fun. The levels are incredibly diverse, and while not original in theme (there's still the stereotypical ice world, for instance), they certainly are in content. From sections only navigable via their reflection in a mirror, to using your adversaries' weaknesses to reach secret areas - the set pieces are intelligent, varied and still contain that rare spark of humour.

As if this weren't enough, the gameplay is frequently broken up by short, sporadic mini-levels, each containing a small but devilish platforming puzzle. While not as difficult as those featured in Mario Sunshine, they're of the same essence and present an enjoyable extra to an already excellent game. Additionally, a boss encounter concludes each level. These enemies don't represent a formidable challenge once their weak spot has been found, but on some of the later levels you may have to use up a number of continues before proceeding. And, once again, this is another area of Wario World which differs from the competition. In the game, it's all about money. You get money primarily from defeating enemies - the bigger the baddie, the more money gained. And throughout the game, you can use this money to buy health or, if you die, continues. It's not the best system - after the first couple of levels it's likely you'll have amassed fortune enough to last the rest of the game - but it does take away the threat of losing progress due to death.

This feature also means Wario can pick up from exactly the spot where he drops - cough up the cash to continue, and he just gets back up again. As is the case too when falling down bottomless pits, you never have to repeat a section because of death. This is a brilliant way of keeping the game's fast pace, and thankfully means you don't get bored and give up if you get stuck. And, as well as that, if you die mid-way through a boss battle, you don't have to start again from the beginning - it keeps whatever damage you've done to it.

During these boss battles, and some of the more intense enemy encounters, it really shows how stable the game engine is. The game rarely slows down from it's high frame-rate, even with up to twenty enemies on screen. Occasionally it does get too much for the GC to handle, but this occurs only once or twice throughout the whole game. The graphics are not compromised as a result, either. Wario's voluminous self retains all the detail you come to expect from a Nintendo character. His pudgy looks and insane grin are certainly infectious. The enemies themselves have character and flair, looking like Aardman creations, and change depending on the level they're in. We get skeletons for the haunted house level, snakes for the pyramid level, and snowmen for the ice level. The levels too are brilliantly realised, simply bursting with individuality and constantly changing. The first level starts on a forest floor, with huge tree trunks and stumps all around, but ends high above on a plateau near the tree tops. Likewise in a later level, Wario starts at the base of a pyramid and the level winds its way around it, until finally Wario reaches the top and his treasure.

Probably the only letdown of the game, though, is its lifespan. Wario World is a very straight forward affair, as you progress from one level directly to the next. Though you can go back to collect all the treasure later, there is little to warrant doing so. In fact, after completing the game's eight levels and defeating the final boss, the game will most likely sit on a shelf for a long while. Sadly, Wario World is a very short-lived experience, and its only real downfall is that it ends too quickly. It's good for replaying every once in a while, but by the time you do come to play the game again it'll be on a budget label and easy to pick up cheap anyway.

Because of this, Wario World could probably be quite accurately labelled 'The Ultimate Rental Game'. The game is simply superb, offering fast paced action and traditional platforming challenge. The pace rarely lets up, and the enjoyment to be had doesn't cease until the game's conclusion. And it has all the ingredients for a great game, too - good looks, intelligence and bags of fun. So it's a terribly disappointing thing to find that the game is so short lived, because if lifespan wasn't a problem then the game would likely be the best on the GameCube. It adheres to Nintendo's new policy of short, sweet gaming experiences to the letter, and suffers the same problems as the likes of Luigi's Mansion. It's definitely a game to try though, as there are few others so captivating and delightful available on the current crop of consoles. The game does show one thing, too - the villains do win sometimes. And Wario is definitely a winner.