Thanks to NantenJex for helping with edits.

Nintendo is no stranger to platformers. Their lineup includes the genre’s trendsetter, Mario, and his opposite number, Wario. Last August marked Wario Land 4‘s twentieth anniversary, and I’ve been thinking about the game. Let’s spend today discussing one important, underappreciated reason why it’s a classic.

Princess Shokora, seen in her cat and young adult forms in 2001’s Wario Land 4 (Image: Nintendo)

Wario Land 4 introduced me to the antihero’s corrupt corner of the Mario universe. Today, it’s still my favorite Wario game, one of my favorite Game Boy Advance games (alongside its sister game, Metroid Fusion), and proudly among my all time favorites. And an unassuming archeologist kickstarts this adventure by unearthing the Golden Pyramid, the presumed resting place of a certain princess…

Princess Shokora’s History

Upon learning of the historical site, an excited Wario figures it’s ripe for gravedigging. A few weirdos—most notably, a black cat—tail the treasure hunter throughout this excursion, however. Anyway, Wario chugs along, fights monsters small and large, and four bosses relinquish magical jewelry upon their destruction. Several other treasures also litter the realm, with each stage housing three. Eventually, Wario reaches the nefarious Golden Diva, defeats her, and escapes with the feline. After celebrating, something surprising happens: those articles of jewelry resonate with the cat, revealing she’s actually the lost Princess Shokora—and the amount of treasure Wario has determines how she looks. She then kisses the dumbfounded ogre, thanks him, and ascends to heaven.

An activity book and the Super Mario-Kun manga both adapted Wario Land 4‘s story, with the latter using Shokora’s Wario-like design for a gag ending. She also appears as a Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. (Image: Nintendo)

So, what’re my thoughts on Shokora?

Altogether, Wario Land 4 is a tight, eccentric side-scroller. Its protagonist is a joy to control, as bullish yet mobile as ever. New abilities, particularly Wario’s dash attack, augment returning ones and his slapstick “power-ups.” Although Land 4 only hosts eighteen levels and six bosses, they all offer something unique. And when you think you’ve hit the end of a stage, and jump atop a Frog Switch? Surprise—you’re only halfway done. Upon clicking that button, the level begins crumbling apart, starting a trippy, anxiety-inducing sprint back to the entrance. Old paths become inaccessible, new ones open, and even greater makeovers might happen, like a volcano freezing over. Yet none of those transformations are the most memorable, poignant one in the game!

Land 4’s opening cinematic splits its time between Shokora and Wario, with the former inconspicuously debuting first. Stuck in her cat guise, we meet the royalty while she’s hiding from an angry dog in some dirty alleyway. Then, after Wario’s introduction, we shift back to Shokora, who’s walking alone, visibly frustrated. Since she’s seemingly just a stray, however, new players likely won’t pay her much mind. Wario doesn’t—when their paths cross, he drives over her. Then a newspaper flies over Shokora, which she shakes off and strangely examines. We get a closeup of the rag, revealing Wario’s desintiation: the Golden Pyramid. But the captions detailing the article appear while Shokora’s shadow lingers over it, further implying the cat is reading. And the accompanying lyrics? “Your time is over, I had enough. Here I come, look out here I come!” It’s subtle, but from the get-go, you’re told this feline has a purpose beyond dumpster diving.

When activating her items, Shokora appears in her shopkeeper form. After using the “Black Dog” on the Golden Diva, she reverts back into her cat state, confirming they’re all the same individual. (Image: Nintendo)

And this shapeshifter is full of more surprises, too. Upon entering the archaeological site, Wario discovers that the black cat’s already there, waiting. She jumps down a passageway, and Wario follows, plummeting to 4’s tutorial. Curiously, hieroglyphics depicting a Mr. Game & Watch-esque figure teach players Wario’s basic moves. Again, a detail most won’t contemplate; it’s just a cute homage to Nintendo’s history, right? Once the zone’s boss chamber opens, the cat runs into its neighboring store, imploring players to follow. Should Wario enter, the animal is gone, but the Game & Watch-like figure greets him. The merchant later develops weapons that cripple each boss (though players must intuit which boss is weak to which weapon), presumably built the minigames stationed near her store, and occasionally acts as a DJ when visiting the Sound Room. Altogether, Shokora is a mechanical wunderkind, a gift she uses to fight and for fun. Hey, it’s certainly a more interesting pastime than baking cakes.

Now, Wario Land enjoys a rebellious relationship with its parent series; unlike Mario’s dames, who usually wait to be rescued, Shokora actively assists Wario. But this entry also subverts its direct predecessor—Shokora nicely contrasts Land 3’s Rudy. Superficially, they share basic commonalities: they’re Wario’s guides during their respective games, are cursed, and are associated with music. But Rudy barely assists Wario, and his unveiling as Land 3’s villain is its big twist. Meanwhile, Shokora’s a genuine companion, one who happily works with Wario; one “item” in her shop is simply giving him a smile! Naturally, the two develop a rapport. After narrowly escaping the pyramid’s destruction, they share a hearty laugh, and Wario ruminates over this adventure while driving home. Likewise, we grew to appreciate Shokora, too—seeing the Diva threaten my pal infuriated me, ensuring I’d pummel the wraith.

Shokora’s strongly associated with “Sunny Side Up,” Palm Tree Paradise’s theme. Its arrangements include “Moon’s Lamppost,” a contemplative version that plays during the ending (unless you took too long), and a sped up version for WarioWare. (Image: Nintendo)

Shokora’s life is a tragic one; she spent years, decades, potentially centuries wandering the streets alone, forgotten. But she eventually made a friend, and together they made things right. She undoubtedly enjoyed working with Wario, leaving him her treasures. Those prizes represent Shokora, and beating the Diva quickly lets Wario keep all of them. Every ending is valuable, seemingly portraying Shokora during different phases of her life. Exiting with a dearth of her keepsakes traps Shokora as a toddler, while the best ending lets her grow up fully. Whichever ending one nabs, Shokora departs peacefully in an awe-inspiring display. And her tale even summarizes Wario Land as a whole: strange, subversive, and special.

Congratulations, Shokora! Look out, here you come!

For my money, Shokora’s bittersweet riches to rags to riches story cements Wario Land 4 as the series’ best entry. It certainly left an impact on the man himself, who decorates his home with a picture of hers. (Image: Nintendo)

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Cart Boy

Cart Boy wants to be the very best, like no one ever was. When the stars align properly, he also writes articles, edits his peers' work, and helps run Source Gaming's social media.

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