Detective Jake Peralta has had a number of nemeses across the years on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but season 7 unveiled arguably his greatest: Wario. Prior to joining the show, Andy Samberg had already amassed an impressive resume as both an actor and a comedian. In addition to serving as a cast member on Saturday Night Live for almost a decade, Samberg is a member of the popular comedy music group The Lonely Island. His career rapidly extended to film - with turns in such cult favorites as Hot Rod and the upcoming, Sundance record-breaking Palm Springs.
Despite some initial reluctance, Samberg would ultimately return to television via Brooklyn Nine-Nine in 2013. Created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, the police procedural comedy ran for 5 seasons on Fox. Following its initial cancellation, however, the show moved to NBC, where it was subsequently renewed through season 8. Samberg has played Jake Peralta since the pilot episode, going on to receive a Golden Globe for his performance. Along the way, Peralta has clashed with several recurring foes - including the now redeemed car thief Doug Judy (aka The Pontiac Bandit) and Detective Keith Pembroke (aka The Vulture). In Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 7, however, Jake was given a nemesis of a more pixelated variety.
Wario was first mentioned in Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 7, episode 6, "Trying". As Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) instituted a strict regiment so that she and Jake could finally conceive, she issued a ban on video games due to how they cause stress and raise his heart rate. While Jake argues that it's no more than being a police officer, Amy countered that she had seen him playing Super Mario Party. At this point, audiences were treated to a cutaway gag of Jake screaming, "Wario cheats" before returning to the present where Jake tearfully reiterated that point. Given that Amy ultimately gets pregnant in the very next episode, it could be argued that Jake's impassioned quest to defeat Wario actually had a hand in preventing conception.
It's unclear just how long Jake had been struggling with Wario. As a result, the fact that Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) dressed his son Nikolaj as Wario for Halloween back in Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 5 may have been further torment. Though Charles was referenced as having shown Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) the photos, there is no way Charles didn't also force Jake to look at them all.
Wario is next mentioned in Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 7, episode 12, "Ransom". Though the episode primarily focused on the abduction of Cheddar the dog and how Captain Holt turned into John Wick as a result, Jake clearly had the classic Nintendo villain on the brain. With Amy now far along into her pregnancy, the feud had clearly resurged. "It just doesn't seem like he should be that fast for how big he is," Jake said, arriving at the precinct. "God, I hate Wario!" Later in the episode, after rescuing Cheddar, Jake is held captive by Frank Kingston. With it clear that he's going to be tortured for information, Jake inquires as to how. He is promptly told that his fingers are going to be cut off one by one. Jake, of course, laments the news, stating that he needs them "to defeat Wario." Seemingly worse than torture, however, is that Kingston revealed he knew how to defeat Wario but was interrupted by Captain Holt's arrival before he could share.
It seemed entirely possible that the season 7 finale could bring the brilliant running gag to a close. Unfortunately, the episode was centered on a citywide blackout and Amy going into labor. With her simultaneously managing the precinct and Jake beset by numerous obstacles on his way back to her side, the subject of Wario never reappeared. Fans were treated to the birth of Jake and Amy's son - who was blessed with a perfect Die Hard-related name. However, they will have to wait until season 8 or even beyond to see if Brooklyn Nine-Nine finally offers a conclusion to the Jake Peralta and Wario conflict.