Wario

**Wario** is a recurring character in the *Mario* franchise, designed to be an arch-rival to Mario. He is a muscular, hot-tempered and greedy character, usually playing the role of an anti-hero or an antagonist; he has also gone on to become a protagonist of his own series of games, including the *Wario Land* titles, and the *WarioWare* titles. His name is a combination of Mario's name and the Japanese word *warui* (悪い), meaning "bad".

Wario is a creation of Hiroji Kiyotake. Long-time *Mario* artist Yoichi Kotabe also helped with the character's final design. Wario's defining traits are his yellow cap and purple overalls, larger build and remarkable strength, unintelligence, gruff Italian accent, rude, reckless and greedy personality, zigzag mustache (as well as other bizarre physical features), insatiable appetite for garlic, and rivalry with Mario. The *WarioWare* and *Super Smash Bros.* titles depict him in a biker outfit; a jean vest, yellow gloves, and an aviator hat with goggles.

He has two iconic vehicles usually seen in his own series of titles: the Wario Car from the *Wario Land* series, and the Wario Bike in the *WarioWare* titles. In addition, he owns a plane called the Bulldog, which appears in *Mario & Wario* and *Wario's Woods*, among other titles. In *Wario Land II* and *Wario World*, he is depicted as owning his own castle. The *WarioWare* series of games depict him as owning a microgame creating company called WarioWare, Inc. based in Diamond City. The popularity and success of his own series of titles have made him have a designated series icon (the letter W) in the *Super Smash Bros.* series, set aside from other *Mario* characters.

### *Mario Kart* series

*“I hate losing! Nyaaah...”*
—**Wario**, *Mario Kart Wii*
In the *Mario Kart* series, Wario debuts in *Mario Kart 64*. In this game, Wario has low speed and acceleration, but his heavy weight can push nearly anyone off the road. For his racing debut, Wario has converted a motocross racing venue into a self-styled go-carting course, Wario Stadium. This long and dangerous course began a trend in the *Mario Kart* series of Wario having incredibly long and technique heavy tracks bearing his likeness.

Wario also appears in *Mario Kart: Super Circuit* as a heavy character, capable of ramming most other drivers off of the road. This is the only mainstream *Mario Kart* title that features Wario where he does not receive a track bearing his likeness.

In *Mario Kart: Double Dash!!*, Wario's partner is Waluigi. Wario can only ride the heavy karts, so his choices are limited. His default kart is the Wario Car, and the Bob-omb is his special item. This game introduces Wario Colosseum; a 2-lap, roller coaster themed track bearing Wario's tastes. This track is known for being incredibly technical and is notable for being the longest track in the game. This marks the final game that Wario wears long sleeves.

In *Mario Kart DS*, Wario appears as a starter character, and is the third heaviest character in the game; beating Donkey Kong, while coming behind Bowser and R.O.B.. Wario's personal karts are the Brute, a car reminiscent of the Wario Car, the Standard WR, and the Dragonfly, a red tractor (possibly a reference to Wario's farming roots in *Wario Land 2*). As players progress, they can later use Wario on any kart, whether it is standard, or special. Wario Stadium returns as a playable track, however rather than being a replica of the stadium found in *Mario Kart 64*, this particular track is a completely new track, although it shares the motocross theme of the previous iteration, bearing dirt roads and death-defying jumps. This is also the first game where Wario wears his current short-sleeved shirt.

Wario later appears in *Mario Kart Wii*, where he is classified as a large character. In this game, Wario features a small weight bonus and a small off-road bonus. He gets a strong mini-turbo bonus as well. The Wario Bike from the WarioWare series is a selectable vehicle in this game. Wario's track in this game is an incredibly technical course called Wario's Gold Mine, featuring winding railroad tracks, low-flying Swoopers and many gold-filled mine carts that serve as obstacles.

Wario is also a playable character in *Mario Kart 7* and for the first time in the series, he is an unlockable character. Wario is a heavy character, and as a result, he gets one of the best speed and weight boosts among all the playable racers, balanced by having nearly all other stats poor. He is unlocked by winning the Flower Cup on 150cc. Wario also gets another new track, Wario Shipyard. This track takes place underwater and has some small platformed-areas and ramps above water. This track appears to be inspired by *Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3*, as Bull Wario can be seen adorning a banner and the shipwreck theme is reminiscent of the pirate theme present the *Wario Land* series. In fact, the music played on this track is a cover version of the overworld theme present in the aforementioned game. The computer Wario is most likely to be seen driving on the Standard Kart, the Egg 1, and the Bumble V.

Wario returns as a heavyweight racer in *Mario Kart 8*, where he returns as a default character. In addition to his appearance, he receives a new track called Mount Wario, a single-lap race down a snowy mountain. DS Wario Stadium returns as a retro course, albeit with anti-gravity features to enhance it. Wario's Gold Mine from *Mario Kart Wii* also returns as a downloadable racetrack. This leaves *Mario Kart 8* with the most Wario themed tracks in the history of the franchise. Much like in *Mario Kart 7*, Wario is one of the heaviest racers in the game, rivaling Bowser, Morton Koopa Jr., Dry Bowser, and the Large Mii in stats as a result; his weight also rivals that of Metal Mario and Pink Gold Peach. This in return means that Wario can potentially have the best possible speed and weight, but at the same time, have the worst possible acceleration, handling, and grip. His kart emblem is a purple "W" on a yellow background.

Wario reappears in the Nintendo Switch port *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*. This time, he only shares stats with Dry Bowser. Wario reappears in the mobile game *Mario Kart Tour*, where he is available as an unlockable Super character with the Double Bob-ombs as his special item. A hiker variant of Wario called **Wario (Hiker)** acts as the second spotlight character for the Vancouver Tour with the Bob-omb Cannon as his special item, and he additionally returned in the Exploration Tour's Heavy Hitters Pipe as one of the several spotlight characters. A cowboy variant of Wario called **Wario (Cowboy)** acts as the first spotlight character for the Wild West Tour with the Fire Flower as his special item.

Wario is also a playable character in the *Mario Kart Arcade* series, being a playable character in *Mario Kart Arcade GP*, *Mario Kart Arcade GP 2*, and *Mario Kart Arcade GP DX*. In these games, Wario is once again a heavy character, rivaling the entire cast in weight and speed. Wario has several of his own tracks in the first two installments with the introduction of the Wario Cup. Wario's hometown of Diamond City appears as a racetrack in both installments, as well as a snow-themed version of the track named Snow Panic. Wario appears as a default character in the first two arcade games, but is unlockable in *Mario Kart Arcade GP DX*.

## Quotes

* "*I'm-a Wario! I'm-a gonna win!*" - *Mario Kart 64*
* "*Fire!*" - *Mario Kart 64*
* "*Obey Wario, destroy Mario!*" - *Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins* advertisement
* "*Should've been called WARIO Golf! Still, you gonna love it!*" - *Mario Golf*
* "*Nintendo! Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh!*" - *Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour* / *Mario Power Tennis*
* "*Who do you think you are, buster?*" - *Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour*
* "*What, are you my caddy?*" - *Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour*
* "*Yeah, oh yeah! Wario wins!!!*" - *Mario Kart: Double Dash!!*
* "*I lost! To a buncha' losers!*" - *Mario Kart: Double Dash!!*
* "*I pounded down a healthy cup of sugar (with just a dash of coffee) for breakfast.*" - *WarioWare, Inc. Mega Party Game$*
* "*Hurry up!*" - *Wario Land 4*
* "*Eccellente!*" - *Wario Land 4*/*Wario World*/early *WarioWare* games
* "*I'm-a number 1!*" - *Wario World*
* "*Have a rotten day!*" - *Wario World*
* "*Good luck!*" - *Wario Land 4*/*Wario World*
* "*Get outta here!*" - *Wario World*
* "*Excellent!*" - later *WarioWare* games
* "*Oh no! Somebody cheated. I CAN'T LOSE!!!*" - *Mario Power Tennis*
* "*It's-a Wii! Wario!*" - *WarioWare: Smooth Moves*
* "*Wario is great!*" - *Mario Hoops 3-on-3*
* "*Behold the Telmet! Television! Teleportin'! And, uh, it's a helmet.*" - *Wario: Master of Disguise*
* "*Trying to read my mind, Cannoli? Don't bother! You'll find NOTHING!*" - *Wario: Master of Disguise*
* "*See that big sturdy man on the Touch Screen? That's me...WARIO! Now get me some treasure!*" - *Wario: Master of Disguise* instruction booklet
* "*Rock 'n' roll!*" - *Wario Land: Shake It!*
* "*Ha! I'm amazing!*" - *Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games*
* "*Pull my finger*" - *Mario Strikers Charged*
* "*A Treasure Chest! Outta the way! This one's mine! I just turn here... and tweak here... aaaaaaand... whaaaaaaaa!*" - *Mario Super Sluggers*
* "*It's-a me, Wario!*" - *Mario Kart Wii*
* "*Wario's great!*" - *Mario Kart Wii*
* "*So long!*" - *Mario Kart Wii*
* "*Wario wins!*" - *Mario Kart Wii*
* "*Yeah! Take that, losers!*" - *Mario Kart Wii*
* "*Bah! I let you win!*" - *Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games*
* "*Right Here hehe haha!*" - *Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games*
* "*So ein Mist!*" - *Mario Party*
* "*Oh, my God!*" - *Mario Party* (Japanese version only)
* "*Which job do you wanna take? They're all pretty great!*" - *WarioWare: D.I.Y.*
* "*I HATE YOU!*" - *Mario Kart 7*
* "*Ha ha! Take that, losers!*" - *Mario Kart 7*