The latest GameCube game to hit Nintendo Classics on Switch Online is Wario World

Treasure's 2003 GameCube game takes Wario just about as seriously as he deserves

Nintendo has just dropped the latest addition to the Nintendo Classics library: Wario World, the bizarre, somewhat maligned 2003 GameCube platform game that's overdue for reevaluation.

Perhaps reevaluation is too strong; most critics and players agree that Wario World is pretty fun, but it was widely derided at the time for being too short, and thus poor value for money. Now it's included as part of a subscription service, that's less of a concern. (Like all GameCube games in the Classics collection, it's exclusive to Switch 2.)

Wario World sees Mario's incorrigible opposite number trying to seize his castle and his mountains of treasure back from the evil Black Jewel, which may or may not be a malevolent expression of his own greed. Anyway, the Black Jewel's powers over time and space conveniently allow developer Treasure — better known for intense shmups and action games like Gunstar Heroes and Ikaruga — to include some wildly surreal and psychedelic diversions. Treasure also endows Wario with some wrestling-inspired combat moves and honors his deep connection to garlic as a health restorative and power-up.

Wario World is a minor but enjoyably uninhibited entry in the disreputable antihero's upside-down canon. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers who also happen to be Switch 2 owners can download it now.