Wario: 5 Reasons Why Nintendo's Anti-Hero is a Scumbag

Ah, Wario. The yellow and purple garbed anti-hero of the Nintendo universe, who has long been the gruff counterpart to our beloved Mario. While there is something oddly appealing about this edgy, garlic-loving character, there is no denying he’s a scumbag. There are myriad reasons why, but let's break down the top five.

Warp Pipe Weekly

A weekly recap of all things Nintendo

SUBSCRIBE

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You can opt out at any time.

Follow us on social media!

Sign up for the Warp Pipe Weekly Newsleter

Get all of your Nintendo News

SUBSCRIBE

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You can opt out at any time.

1. A Greedy Gold Digger

Wario’s unabashed greed is his most defining characteristic, and it is so intense that it borders on obsession. Everything he does is with the sole aim of filling his pockets. His debut in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992) saw him seizing Mario's castle in his quest for wealth. He later goes on numerous treasure hunts in his standalone games such as Wario Land and Wario World. His pursuit of riches is relentless, and he doesn't care who he needs to step on to get there.

2. Disregard for Fair Play

It’s no secret that Wario plays dirty. In fact, he revels in it. In the various Mario Kart and Mario Party games, Wario can be seen using underhanded tactics to steal victories. He laughs heartily as he knocks opponents off the track or cheats his way to the top in mini-games. Wario's disregard for sportsmanship and fair play is one of the many reasons why we love to hate him.

3. An ‘Entrepreneurial Spirit’

Yes, Wario has an entrepreneurial spirit, but it is wholly misused. In WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, Wario realizes the lucrative potential of video games and decides to start his own company, WarioWare, Inc. However, instead of leading with integrity, he exploits his friends into making games for him, while he reaps the benefits. His business ethos is cutthroat capitalism at its most extreme, using others for his gain without a second thought.

4. A Bully by Nature

Wario is undeniably a bully. Whether it's throwing punches at his supposed friends or relentlessly teasing Luigi, Wario uses his brawn to assert dominance. His rude behavior is evident in games like Mario Strikers Charged and Wario’s Woods, where he goes beyond just being a competitor - he becomes a tormentor.

5. Lack of Personal Hygiene

Last, but not least, Wario is known for his questionable personal hygiene. Often depicted as smelly and dirty, he even uses his potent garlic breath as a weapon in Super Smash Bros. This aspect of Wario adds to his overall unlikability - not only is he a greedy, unfair, exploitative bully, but he is also a gross one at that.

Wario has long been Nintendo's anti-hero, a counterpoint to the steadfast goodness of characters like Mario and Luigi. His character, while repugnant, is essential in adding a darker, comedic element to the otherwise wholesome Nintendo universe. Yet, despite all his negative traits, Wario remains a fan favorite. Perhaps it's his blatant disregard for societal norms, or his audacious pursuit of wealth and success, or even his entrepreneurial spirit, that, although misplaced, is admirably relentless.

Even as a scumbag, Wario shows us that, sometimes, it's good to be bad.

Follow Us on Social Media!

Want to stay up to date on the latest Nintendo news? Make sure to follow NintendoSupply on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!