Gamer

This article is about the minigame in Game & Wario. For the stage in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, see Gamer (stage).

Gamer title screen

Gamer is 9-Volt and 18-Volt's minigame in Game & Wario. The minigame is played using 's buttons. Gamer returns in WarioWare Gold as a stage in Challenge Mode, this time under the name Sneaky Gamer; the microgame Mole also reappears in the game.

A stage based on the minigame, also called Gamer, makes an appearance in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, featuring 5-Volt as a stage hazard.

Story

9-Volt and 18-Volt play a game on their new console, competing to find out who gets the high score in the game. 9-Volt wins and beats 18-Volt's score, causing the latter to throw a tantrum while the former celebrates, but then 5-Volt takes the console from the boys and tells them to do their homework. After the boys do so, 5-Volt gives them the console back, but they are surprised to discover that 5-Volt had beaten both of their scores by a wide margin.

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  9-Volt's House

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  9-Volt playing a video game and 18-Volt panicking

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  9-Volt succeeding in getting a higher score

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  9-Volt having a higher score than 18-Volt

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  9-Volt jumping victoriously and 18-Volt crying

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  5-Volt snatching the game console from 9-Volt's hand

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  5-Volt telling the boys to do their homework

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  The boys promising 5-Volt to do their homework

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  The boys doing their homework

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  The boys finishing their homework

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  5-Volt giving the boys the game console back after their homework

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  The boys noticing something unexpected on the game console's screen

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  5-Volt having a higher score than the boys

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  The boys becoming sad and 5-Volt embarrassing herself for what she did

Gameplay

There are two modes in the minigame. Both involve the characters playing a modified version of Balloon Fight containing microgames, called Balloon Fighter.

9-Volt

9-Volt playing on his console

In this mode, the player must help 9-Volt win enough microgames to beat 5-Volt's high score and avoid letting 5-Volt discover that he is playing past his bedtime. She constantly looks into his bedroom to see if he is sleeping, forcing the player to hide and pause the game. The Wakey Meter displays the amount of time 9-Volt can stay awake; hiding with good timing (indicated by "Great!!") prevents any meter loss, and in Endless Mode, doing so restores a small portion (+3) of the meter. The game ends if the player fails to hide their game from 5-Volt, the Wakey Meter runs out, or they lose all lives (indicated by chance balloons).

The Game Over screen, if 9-Volt falls asleep

5-Volt opens the door and looks into the room, which is signaled by the sound of her footsteps and the door handle jiggling. She may also walk by the window and open the second half that she stops by (signaled by a scare chord), or even pop out from the TV, signaled by the static display of it. If the player receives at least 1,000 points on Level 1, 2, or 3, they achieve Gamer status; if they score at least 30 points in the Endless level, they also achieve Gamer status. Achieving Gamer status rewards the player with a coin for the Cluck-A-Pop.

Levels

• Level 1: There are only a few distractions.
  • A cat quickly opens the door instead of 5-Volt; in Sneaky Gamer, Fronk may do so as well.
  • 5-Volt may hum the Underground Theme or the Ground Theme from Super Mario Bros. and then suddenly open the door.
  • 5-Volt may also stop without opening the window and then walk away.
  • A shadow puppet may appear on the television screen.
  • The television displays a shadow hand puppet, or turns on to show a static display for a brief time, then turns off.
  • The door opens just a bit by itself.
• Level 2: 5-Volt gains a few more techniques, and more distractions are added.
  • An old man with a wig walks by 9-Volt's window and opens it; the wig is loose and falls off beforehand.
  • 5-Volt may open the door three times in a row, with the last time possibly being the cat instead.
  • 5-Volt can also fake the player out by opening the window to check 9-Volt and walking offscreen past the window, then walking back and opening it again.
  • The television turns on and cycles through up to three different programs, with 5-Volt possibly coming out from the last of them to try to catch 9-Volt.
  • The television turns on and shows some SMPTE color bars for a brief time, then turns off.
  • 5-Volt either walks near 9-Volt's window like normal or else walks faster—only to suddenly break through it, giving the player less time to hide.
  • 5-Volt may walk by the window and slowly sink down—then, either she comes up and opens the window, or a pair of upside-down legs appears and moves away.
• Level 3: There are many more scenarios to look out for.
  • When 5-Volt walks by 9-Volt's window, she may bump into the wig-wearing old man, who then opens the window (or vice versa).
  • 5-Volt can jump out of the television and stay in 9-Volt's room after certain attempts to catch him; a tense score plays when she is keeping her eyes on him. She may sit down and watch television for a brief period of time, then turn off the television, look back at 9-Volt, and walk to the door, with the cat opening the door for her. Should the television flip to a test pattern, she becomes restless and rushes over to his bed, trying to catch him in the act. Eventually, she runs back to her initial spot to watch television for a little while longer; once she turns it off, she watches 9-Volt intently as she leaves, with the cat opening the door for her.
  • In Sneaky Gamer, Mr. Sparkles can appear on the television screen.
  • In Sneaky Gamer, 5-Volt can appear by lifting up the table with the television; this is indicated by the entire table shaking before it is lifted to reveal her or Mr. Sparkles. The table may also shake and stop without being lifted.
  • In Sneaky Gamer, 5-Volt's handprints may also appear at the window before she opens it, hanging upside down, in an attempt to catch 9-Volt awake.
• Endless: This level is at the same difficulty as Level 3 and uses the same set of 5-Volt appearances and distractions, along with several new ones; the level continues until the game ends under any condition.
  • After the television switches through two channels, a cat may pop out of the television before running back in.
  • 5-Volt may change her walking speed while going by the window outside, including when she doubles back to open it.
  • 5-Volt often opens the window multiple times in the same pass, accompanied by a scare chord when she runs to the window; like with the door, the last time it is opened, the player may see the wig-wearing old man instead.
  • After 5-Volt moves from the television and tries to catch 9-Volt on his bed, she may fall asleep; the player can see a snot bubble appear when she does, though she can wake up suddenly. Once awake, she may jump outside through the window; in Sneaky Gamer, she instead runs back to her initial sitting spot, with her movement pattern proceeding as usual.
  • In Sneaky Gamer, 5-Volt may slowly open the door to catch 9-Volt.
  • In Sneaky Gamer, a scare chord may play rarely, followed by 5-Volt jumping into the room through the window; she then uses the same set of techniques to catch 9-Volt as when she jumps out of the television.
  • A Cluck-A-Pop coin may drop onto the console and appear in a microgame, and the player can claim the coin by tapping it.

Game & Wario hint cards

The design of the hint cards

These are the minigame's hint cards:

North American version

• Gamer 1: "Impostor Alert – This is almost too obvious to mention, but I've only got one mom. If you see two of them, try to figure out which one is fake!"
• Gamer 2: "Hone Your Skills – If you want to practice up before facing 9-Volt's mom, c'mon over to my pad or play the CLUCK-A-POP BALLOON FIGHTER games."
• Gamer 3: "A GREAT Way to Regain Energy – When playing my Endless mode, I'll regain some energy if you hide with GREAT timing!"
• Gamer 4: "Scoring Tokens in GAMER – Tokens will sometimes appear on during my Endless mode! Keep an eye out, and if you see one, tap it. Score!"

European version if differing

• Gamer 1: "Imposter Alert – This is almost too obvious to mention, but I've only got one mum. If you see two of them, try to figure out which one is fake!"
• Gamer 2: "Hone Your Skills – If you want to practise before facing 9-Volt's mum, c'mon over to my pad or play the CHICK-N-WIN BALLOON FIGHTER games."
• Gamer 4: "Scoring Tokens in GAMER – Tokens will sometime appear on screen^[sic] during my Endless mode! Keep an eye out, and if you see one, tap it. Score!"

18-Volt

In this mode, 18-Volt is playing the console. This mode is very similar to other WarioWare games, with three difficulty levels for microgames, and ends only when the player loses all four chance balloons. After the player beats the boss microgame, various intermission cutscenes play. The time of day also progresses. The cutscenes include:

• 18-Volt eating a handful of popcorn (first time).
• 18-Volt watching a running person pass by (second time).
• An automobile driving by (day and evening only).
• A person walking with four cats following them (night only).

There is a rare chance that 5-Volt appears from behind a bush to give the player a scare; after a few seconds, she walks away. In the next intermission, she walks in front of her home.

Levels

• Normal: If the player scores 40 points or more, they achieve Gamer status.
• Ultra Speed: From the beginning, the games go very fast. If the player scores 20 points or more, they achieve Gamer status.
• Hardcore: At the start, the player begins with only one chance balloon and all microgames are set to their hardest difficulty. If the player scores 10 points or more, they achieve Gamer status.

Rewards

These scores are based on Levels 1–3 only. Scores for other modes are based on microgames encountered. Only microgames completed count; a microgame interrupted partway by a Game Over does not count.

• Each point remaining on Wakey Meter: 10 points
• Lives remaining: 100 points

Thus, the highest possible score is 1,400 (with four lives remaining and a full Wakey Meter), while the lowest is 110 (one life remaining and a nearly empty meter).

Microgames

Game & Wario

Each of these microgames can be played individually without facing any threats from 5-Volt by obtaining them from the Cluck-A-Pop machine. They are represented by orange capsules and take up spots 59–80 in the capsule collection. Two microgames, Gold Digger and Sole Man, return from previous WarioWare games.

All microgames that support also support the stick.

Icon/Name	In-game description	Icon/Name	In-game description
Gold Digger	Everyone's favorite tried-and-true finger-in-the-nose game is back! But these honkers have got flair and originality! (: Pick)	Sole Man	Aaaah! We'll be squashed! Run away! Huh?! Some people like getting squashed... (: Move)
Mole	Count the moles, but that means the moles ONLY! Well, you might have to count other things once in a while... (: Select : Choose)	Break!	Prepare to meet the world's most powerful finger! (: Break)
Rollout	Roll the roller up and down to roll it out! Man, that's a lot of rolling... (: Roll)	Spotlight	All stars crave the spotlight. But staying in it can sure be tough! (: Move)
Super Fly Swatter	This just might be the world's biggest flyswatter. It's great for swatting multiple flies at once. It can even swat things that only look like flies! (: Move : Swat)	Dinosaur	Move left and right at the correct time to escape! You can tell which way Mr. Dino is going to go by the way he's facing. But sometimes he'll fake you out... (: Escape)
Eye Exam	Can you see this? Show me which direction it's facing. The nurse will occasionally pop in to help. Oh, and one more thing: our clinic is really popular these days. We apologize for all the people moving about. (/: Answer)	Ball (G&W)	This is the G&W Ball, which Nintendo used to sell a looong time ago. Oh, G&W doesn't stand for GAME & WARIO. It stands for GAME & WATCH! (: Move hands)
Samurai Slice	The wandering samurai from Rhythm Heaven has a part-time job at a fish factory?! Time the rhythm and get those fish sliced! (: Slice)	Matryoshka	Just take them apart! Or put them back together! (: Take apart/Put together)
Fake Out	There's really not much difference between a fake and the real thing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. It goes without saying, therefore, that this game may not be what it seems. (: Touch/Poke/Take apart)	Dachshund	Why didn't we call this game Wiener Dog? My boss told me not to... (: Eat)
Bananas	Why are there banana peels everywhere?! It's driving me bananas! (: Jump)	Fish	Swim and eat. That's it! Oh, and watch out for fishing lures and bigger fish! (: Move)
Loose Tooth	More like loose teeth! They're all falling out! Find a healthy one as fast as you can. (: Move : Jump)	Allergy Attack	My nighttime allergies are really acting up again! Surely a fronk will cure what's ailing me. (: Move)
Transform!	Bad guys? A damsel in distress?! A hero is you! (/: Transform)	Homeward	You'd think I could remember the way home. Nope! (: Select : Choose)
Record Guy	Trust me—everyone finds this guy annoying. Flick him out of here, would ya? He's enjoying that record way too much. (: Flick)	BOSS: Windbag	Put a cork in it! That's really all there is to it. Oh, and watch out for the spiky balls falling from above and fish jumping from below! (: Move)

WarioWare Gold

All of the microgames featured in the WarioWare Gold version of Gamer use the "Mash" control scheme. Gold Digger and Mole also return from Game & Wario.

Image/Name	In-game description	Host	Image/Name	In-game description	Host
Super Wario Bros.	"Control a super version of me, and smash those Goombas out of my stomping grounds!"	Wario	Body Block	"Use your body to keep this ball bouncin'. And, hey–don't let it fall!"	Jimmy T
Munch a Bunch	"I'm pretty sure this strange turtle'll eat anything you put in front of it. The question is can he chomp it all before time runs out?"	Dribble & Spitz	Goal in One	"Gettin' past this goalie is all about direction and power. Mess up the timing, and your kick could be as sad as an empty dance floor."	Jimmy T
Wario Whirled	"Waaah! I'm spiiiinnning! I'm spiiiinnning! You gotta stop me at the right time!"	Wario	Off-Fence	"Now you gotta move that sword up and down to block an enemy's attack. Well that's not groovy... They're not alone! Look out!"	Jimmy T
Close Call	"As the umpire of this tennis game, it's your job to determine on which side of the line the ball bounced. And if you see something other than a ball, well then...that's just your imagination!"	Jimmy T	Mole	"Moles are more than dots–they're marks of beauty. Count how many you see!"	Mona
Gold Digger	"Noses are meant to be picked! Don't hesitate–stick those fingers right up those nostrils!"	Mona	Down & Outie	"HEY! Did this shirt shrink in the wash?! I don't want my belly getting chilly! Don't pull it too far down, or you'll owe me a new shirt!"	Wario Deluxe
Sloppy Salon	"Give your customers the cut they want! If you go overboard, they won't be too happy."	Mona	Rugby	"The game's almost over. This is your one last shot. Catch the ball or the other team wins...and you feel like it's all your fault. Now go long, bro!"	Jimmy T
Tip the Scale	"Which is heavier–the left side or the right? Once you've made your choice, press the corresponding direction."	Mona	Mug Shot	"If you think you're so cool, watch this! I'll catch the next drink that slides down the counter."	Wario Deluxe
Extreme Patty-Cake	"Let's go mano a mano, yo! When your opponent puts out his hands, that's your chance! He's not going down? Then try again!"	Jimmy T	Electric Groove Fish	"It's a blackout! The only way to restore power to the town is by sending it electricity via that flashy fish in the ocean."	Mona
Cavity Calamity	"Save the helpless tooth-rotting germ by finding it a nice place to hide! Huh... This seems counterintuitive."	Mona	Cover Up	"Roll the egg toward its mama to warm it up! Aw, shucks. Life is tough for these little guys before they're even born."	Dribble & Spitz
The Brush Off	"Oh my! Those teeth are all black! Move the toothbrush right and left. Let's make those teeth shine!"	Mona	Ocarina of Time	"Link has arrived at the Temple of Time! Now he must pull out the Master Sword and continue his adventure. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998."	5-Volt
Yoshi's Island	"Oh no! Baby Mario is floating away! Help Yoshi rescue him! Hold down , and Yoshi will flutter-jump in the air. Yoshi's Island was released for the SNES in 1995."	5-Volt	Game & Watch: Manhole	"This street looks a little dangerous! Move the manhole cover so the pedestrians don't fall. Game & Watch: Manhole was released in 1981."	5-Volt
Diddly Squat	"Get those legs in dancin' shape by doin' some squats! I promise all your hard work'll pay off in the end!"	Jimmy T	Gravitational Pull	"Uh-oh! That astronaut's spinning out of control. You gotta save him! Time your rescue attempt perfectly to bring him back to safety."	Dribble & Spitz
Right of Way	"Sidewalks can be surprisingly precarious! Watch where you're going, and dodge whatever comes your way."	Mona	Hover for Cover	"The princess in her bamboo rocket needs help! You gotta use the jets to help her stay afloat and avoid the meteors."	Dribble & Spitz
No Solicitors	"Hey! Who does this guy think he is?! Send him packing!"	Wario	Eye Spy	"A bunch of wide-eyed Warios are hanging out in the dark. The question is, how many of 'em are there?"	Wario
Arrow Space	"Ack! You're cornered! Dodge all the arrows! And the falling walls! Stay COOOOOOOOOL!"	Dribble & Spitz	Bug Birdie	"I woke up this morning in bug form! It bothered me at first, but then I realized I could roll these stinky balls into a hole. Worth it."	Wario Deluxe
Worm Squirm	"Wow! These worms know how to party. But look–one of them is thirsty! Help it find the puddle!"	Mona	Word Up	"Shoot the ? to make a word! Don't ya wish writing was always this easy?"	Dribble & Spitz
LV 1 BOSS: Nail Call	"Pound in the nail from directly above! If you make a mistake, straighten it out by hitting the nail from the other side. And hurry up–the guy holding the nail is kind of impatient."	Mona	LV 2 BOSS: One Hit Wonder	"Take a swing, and hit the balls the Ultra Machine tosses your way. Be sure to watch out for that changeup! The Ultra Machine was a batting machine for home use that electronically fired table tennis balls. It was released in Japan in 1968."	5-Volt
LV 3 BOSS: Punch Out	"First you gotta dodge your opponent's attacks left or right, and then you gotta throw some punches, yo! If one of those dudes starts to flash, that's when you gotta start lookin' out for his special blow."	Jimmy T

Controls

Game & Wario

• / : Do microgame actions
• / + / : Hide game

WarioWare Gold

• / : Do microgame actions
• + : Hide game

Description

Game & Wario

"I'm 9-Volt! Can you play video games AND avoid my mom's evil stare? I made this game to show everyone how annoying she is!"

Hi, I'm 9-Volt! I just got the new super-popular portable game BALLOON FIGHTER! I'm kinda bummed right now because my mom beat my high score, so I'm staying up past my bedtime to get it back! She keeps coming by to check on me, though, so I have to pretend to be asleep...which is actually making me kinda sleepy.

I'm determined to beat the boss today. When my mom comes by, hide the system, OK? I never cause trouble, so she won't check on me too...I don't think. (Score 1000+ points to achieve Gamer status!)

My mom's been coming by more often lately. I think she knows I'm being sneaky and staying up to play games. But that won't stop me. I have to beat a really hard boss today! (Score 1000+ points to achieve Gamer status!)

I really wanna beat the final boss tonight! But my mom's getting pretty crazy about checking on me... I wish she'd be cool and just leave me alone! (Score 1000+ points to achieve Gamer status!)

I think I've figured out my mom's patrol pattern, so tonight I'm gonna stay up all night! If I'm really good at hiding, I'll barely lose any energy. (Score 30+ points to achieve Gamer status!)

18-Volt here! I'm 9-Volt's best friend. My mom's always out, so I can play video games whenever I want. I'm really into BALLOON FIGHTER right now. Ever heard of it?

This is the hit game BALLOON FIGHTER! 9-Volt's mom is super strict, so it's hard for him to get very far. He should just come over here to play! (Score 40+ points to achieve Gamer status!)

This version of BALLOON FIGHTER is fast right from the start and super hard. It'll really get your adrenaline pumping! (Score 20+ points to achieve Gamer status!)

The Hardcore version of BALLOON FIGHTER is only for advanced players. The game speed is normal, but if you make a single mistake, it's game over! (Score 10+ points to achieve Gamer status!)

WarioWare Gold

Hey, you guys! 9-Volt here! I love to play games right before I go to bed. Too bad my mom doesn't approve. Could you keep watch for me? Controls: Mash

Gallery

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  The game card that flies into the TV in Game & Wario

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  Press image showing the TV and GamePad view at the same time, with the GamePad showing Transform!

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  Gameplay in the "Sneaky Gamer" version

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	ゲーマー (Game & Wario)[?] Gēma	Gamer
	こっそりゲーマー (Gold)[?] Kossori Gēmā	Stealthy Gamer
French	Gamer (Game & Wario)[?]	-
	Gamer furtif (Gold)[?]	Stealthy gamer
Spanish	Gamer (Game & Wario)[?]	-
	A escondidas (Gold)[?]	On the quiet

Trivia

• In Gamer, a Virtual Boy can be seen next to the television; Sneaky Gamer replaces it with a Wii U.
• In Gamer, the Volt family plays on a green rectangular device with a D-pad, one face button, and no shoulder buttons. Sneaky Gamer has 9-Volt instead play on a blue Nintendo 2DS.