2023 was an outstanding year for video games, both big and small, but one of its most surprising highlights was Tour de Pizza’sPizza Tower. This chaotic 2D platformer, which was made almost entirely by a single developer, had limited marketing, little-to-no pre-release hype, and zero presence at major video game showcases. In spite of all that, the game blew up in popularity when it made its debut on Steam in January 2023.Pizza Towerreceived near-universal acclaim from fans and became the highest-rated 2D platformer on the entire storefront, according to data gathered from the user review aggregator Steam250.
Pizza Tower’s success can largely be attributed to its uniqueness. There are very few platformers that havePizza Tower’s unhinged90s cartoon aesthetic, and there are even fewer ones that maintain a proper balance between fast-paced gameplay and open-ended level design like this game does. Clearly, fans of Tour de Pizza’s hit game will have a hard time finding another modern platformer just like it. With that being said, there is one classic Nintendo platformer that shares a lot in common withPizza Tower, and it’s coming to Nintendo Switch Online on February 14:Wario Land 4.
Wario Land 4, The Game that Inspired Pizza Tower, is Coming to NSO
Wario Land 4 is Widely Considered to Be One of the Best Wario Games Ever Made
Usually, when people think of Nintendo platformers,Mariogames are the first that come to mind. Many gamers may forget, though, that Mario’s arch-nemesis,the mustache-twirling Wario, also has a series of platformers of his own. During the 1990s and 2000s, Nintendo released several games starring the iconic antihero, as part of theWario Landseries. The first entry in this franchise originated as a sequel to theSuper Mario Landgames on the original Game Boy, but it eventually spun off into its own series. TheWario Landfranchise includes six mainline installments and two spin-offs, one of which was released for the ill-fated Virtual Boy.
TheWario Landgames could have easily been reskinned versions ofMario’s 2D platformers, but they ended up forming their own identity. Unlike Nintendo’s traditionalMariotitles, theWario Landgames feature tons of unique abilities, non-linear level designs, and a snarky sense of humor. Most of the installments in the franchise (even the one on the Virtual Boy) are highly rated, butWario Land 4is widely considered to be the cream of the crop.
Releasedexclusively on the Game Boy Advancein 2001,Wario Land 4is, contrary to its name, the fifth mainline entry in theWario Landseries. It features an exaggerated art style that’s even more zany compared to the ones from otherMariotitles. In the game, Wario can run into enemies, roll around levels, and use dash attacks, much like Peppino Spaghetti can inPizza Tower. He also has some special abilities, called reactions, that allow him to progress through a level. Wario can, for instance, become as flat as a pancake, puff up like a balloon, and even turn into a zombie. Just from this brief gameplay description, it’s easy to see the heavy influence thatWario Land 4had onPizza Tower.
Wario Land 4 Was Once a GBA Exclusive, But It’s Now Headed to Nintendo Switch
Wario Land 4was originally a GBA exclusive but was ported to other Nintendo systems over the years. In 2011, the game was given away to early Nintendo 3DS adopters as part of Nintendo’s Ambassador Program, making it one of the few GBA games to receive ports for the 3DS through theVirtual Console line. The 2001 platformer was also ported to the Wii U in 2014, but it wasn’t released for modern systems, at least not until recently.
Nintendo announced a few days ago thatWario Land 4will be coming to the Nintendo Switchvia the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service on July 16, 2025. Thanks to this release, the Switch will soon become the only platform that can play bothWario Land 4andPizza Tower. Fans of 2D platformers owe it to themselves to check these games out while they can.
Pizza Tower
WHERE TO PLAY
Pizza Tower is a fast paced 2D platformer, with an emphasis on movement, exploration and score attack. Featuring highly stylized pixel art inspired by the cartoons from the ’90s, and a highly energetic soundtrack.Peppino Spaghetti, a surprisingly agile and powerful fat balding italian, is on a mission to destroy the titular Pizza Tower to save his restaurant from annihilation. Follow him through his rampage across the many wacky floors of the tower, collecting toppings and beating up monsters!PLAY as Peppino Spaghetti, the supersonic italian middle-aged man! And sometimes Gustavo.EXPLORE up to 5 floors leading to many levels, discover all of their secrets!FIGHT some monsters and other weirdos!DESTROY everything in your path, including those stupid rats.BECOME the Pizza Tower!
