Gaming Target - GameCube: Super Monkey Ball

Written by Ryan Smotherman on October 17, 2001

Hands-On Preview: HmmЕ Super УDuperФ Monkey Ball. Yeah, that's better.

You may have noticed that us guys at Gaming Target are always on top of things, as we have already brought you a preview of Sega's soon to be smash hit, Super Monkey Ball, back in June. But with the time I spend with it at my recent visit to one of the many Nintendo Cube Clubs, and my insatiable need for all things Sega, I'm here with my hands-on impressions of one of the most addicting games I've ever had the pleasure of playing.

Actually, in some ways Sega is known for creating simple, fun, and ultimately addictive games, hell, just look at the Crazy Taxi series. I already have arthritis because of this franchise, and I'm only 20. Super Monkey Ball is no different. The premise in the game is quite simple -- You control one of four monkeys, each of which is inside a transparent ball, around hovering masses of land, all in the while collecting bananas in the process of searching for the goal marker with-in the allotted time limit. Well, at least that's what I thought control wise. The more I played the game, the more I realized that you are not moving the monkeys themselves. But instead you are tilting the platform that they are on -- in turn, dictating what speed and direction they take. To tell you the truth though, to me it feels like you are actually controlling the monkey. But either way you look at it, the control scheme is very straightforward, and responsive. In fact, they game only requires the use of the analog stick to guide your monkey around.

Games don't get much more simple than this people. Which is why the title should appeal to everyone, no matter age or sex. Though the younger ones might fall victim to the games increasing difficulty. Super Monkey Ball starts out easy enough. The levels are for the most part flat and simple to navigate. I even found myself thinking- УWhat the hell, this is supposed to be a challenge?Ф Heh, I felt really stupid after a few levels into it. The game soon gets devilishly hard- everything starts moving and morphing, steep hills arise, paths become narrow, and anything else that mean ole Sega can throw at you, they do. In the end though, this is where all the fun is.

You could literally spend hours at a time collecting bananas and making your way through the puzzles. It just becomes so addicting. Yes, I'm a slave to the monkey, gots ta have it. Expect well over 100 levels of action too. Varying in difficulty of course Ц there's beginner (10 levels), advanced (30 levels), and for all you skilled monkeys out there, expert (50 levels). From what I hear, there is also going to be extra difficulty modes once the three previous are completed. O man, good luck.

One thing that wasn't mentioned in our previous preview (probably because the details weren't available yet) is the many different modes of play available, aside from the main puzzle portion of the game. Good news, there's a bunch and they all have optional multiplayer action to boot. First there's the Mario Kart inspired racing mode. You and three friends basically raceЕ roll around a variety of tracks trying to take each other out in your pursuit for first place. The mode is complete with speed boosters, special items, and all. Next we have what the developers have dubbed УMonkey FightФ. This battle mode is the epitome of original, but fun nonetheless. Slap a boxing glove on the monkey's balls (hehe, real funny huh?), set them on a small piece of land high above the Earth, and let them try to punch each other off, that's the principles of the mode. It's also complete with bonus items that will aid you in your attempts to send your fellow monkeys literally flying. Finally, there is a mode entitled УMonkey TargetФ, though I didn't get a chance to try this out. So expect the details in our review, coming in November.

Not only does Super Monkey Ball feature an expansive single player game and intense multiplayer ones, but it will also feature three extra mini-games. Just take the popular games of pool, golf, and bowling, and replace the balls with monkey balls, and there you have it. Each one of these modes is surprisingly fun and realistic. Its just Sega giving us fans more loving.