It’s Almost Impossible To Play One Of My Favorite Nintendo Games Of All Time

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Nintendo has created many fantastic games, but unfortunately, not all of them are still playable today. While some older games get updated or re-released, others, even those featuring beloved characters, could be lost forever. This is particularly sad because it means we might forget games that were truly original and special.

Consider Wario Land II as a prime example. Originally released on the Game Boy and only briefly available as a digital download (a download that’s now unavailable due to the closure of the Virtual Console and Nintendo eShop), Wario Land II is still one of Nintendo’s most imaginative platforming games. It introduced unique features and gameplay elements that set it apart from other games, and many of those innovations are still rarely seen today. Beyond simply wanting to play a childhood favorite again, I’m concerned that losing access to games like this could hinder the future development of video games as a whole.

Wario Land II Is One Of Nintendo’s Weirdest Platformers Ever

I absolutely love Wario Land II – it’s one of my all-time favorite Nintendo games! However, it’s been a while since I’ve played it because finding a legitimate copy is difficult. Originally created by Nintendo R&D1 and released in 1998, with a later version for the Game Boy Color, the game centers around Wario discovering that Captain Syrup and her pirates have stolen his treasure. He immediately pursues them to get it back. Wario Land II offers a fresh spin on the traditional Mario-style platformer, packed with smart and original ideas.

Wario mainly attacks by charging forward with a shoulder bash, which can knock enemies around or destroy walls to uncover hidden areas. The game centers around exploring levels and recovering Wario’s lost treasure. A unique feature is that Wario can’t actually die – taking damage simply makes him lose gold. In fact, certain levels require Wario to get hit, as different types of attacks can change his form, like flattening him to squeeze through tight spaces or setting him on fire to burn down obstacles.

Wario Land II prioritizes trying new things and discovering secrets, creating a constant sense of adventure. It breaks from traditional game rules, like punishing failure or limiting lives, to offer a truly different experience. This quirky approach extends to the boss battles; alongside expected challenges like a giant bird, you’ll find battles against a rabbit you defeat by turning him into a basketball and shooting him through a hoop. The game’s creativity and focus on open-ended exploration—highlighted by the lack of time limits or lives—make it incredibly fun to play.

I Just Want To Replay Wario Land II On My Switch, Is That So Wrong?

I have incredibly fond memories of playing Wario Land II when I was growing up. I was already a huge Nintendo fan and enjoyed all the Mario games, but Wario Land II – similar to Yoshi’s Island – really stood out because it did something different with the traditional platforming style. Nintendo used Wario Land II as a chance to experiment, focusing on clever level design and hidden collectibles that made the game really engaging and fun to replay. The fact that you could unlock multiple endings depending on how much gold you found showed how Nintendo could take a classic game type and create something truly special and innovative.

I really love how Wario Land II handles losing—you don’t actually lose! This clever idea removes some of the usual risk in platforming games, but it challenges you to think differently about how to tackle difficult parts. I’ve wanted to play it again for ages, but it’s hard to find. It’s only been re-released once, as a Virtual Console title on the Nintendo 3DS.

Unfortunately, Wario Land II isn’t included in the Nintendo Classics collection and isn’t available to purchase digitally anywhere since the Nintendo eShop closed in 2023. The only option is to find a used copy, which also means you’d need a working Game Boy. It would be fantastic to play this game on the Switch, where its colorful graphics could really shine compared to the original Game Boy version. Wario Land II is a uniquely creative game, and without more effort to preserve older titles, it risks being forgotten. I hope Nintendo addresses this soon.

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2025-12-30 19:16