Wario World's gameplay centers mainly on combating enemies, although it requires some platform navigation similar to Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. The controls are simple, and are only used to jump, run, dash, perform fighting moves, and use the "Hyper Suction" ability to collect nearby coins.[5] The level designs are platform-based with combat elements, and have an overall linear design. The levels contain trapdoors, which lead to special platforming or puzzle-oriented challenges.[6] Throughout the game, small forest sprites known as "Spritelings" give Wario advice if they are rescued from imprisonment.[7]
During combat, Wario can grab enemies and either spin them around, throw them, or piledrive them into the ground.[8] Enemies drop coins when defeated, and tend to regenerate if the area is left and returned to later. The coins are used to purchase items, such as life-restoring garlic, and to return to life.[9] If Wario does not have enough money to return to life, the game is over.[10] A new feature in Wario World are the spherical "glue globes", in which Wario is stuck to if he touches it, allowing the player to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.[11] Along the way, Wario can re-collect his lost treasures, which are hidden in treasure chests, and collect pieces of golden Wario statues, which increases Wario's life meter by one half.[12] In order to advance in the game, the player must collect a certain amount of red diamonds in each level.[13] If the player collects all the treasure in the various levels, minigames from the Game Boy Advance title WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! are unlocked, and they can be played by using the GameCube – Game Boy Advance link