Super Monkey Ball Adventure (PS2) Preview
Posted by Andrew Mellick on 07.24.2006
Those crazy monkeys are back in a brand new adventure. Get an inside look at one of the most unique franchises to come out of Sega.
Game: Super Monkey Ball Adventure Release: August 2, 2006 Genre: Adventure Publisher: Sega Multiplayer: Yes System: PS2, PSP, Gamecube
The name always brings a smile to my face. This is a simple franchise, with a simple concept. You are a monkey inside a transparent ball. You must guide the ball through various obstacles, picking up bananas along the way, and ultimately getting to the goal at the end of each stage.
These primates already have a few titles under their belt, can Super Monkey Ball Adventure bring anything new to the table? Sega things it can.
What we know Super Monkey Ball has always been about gameplay. Anybody can pick up and play this game, but to master it takes a lot of time. That's how it sucks you in. You can just sit down to play a level or two and the next thing you know it's 4 hours later and your going for broke , that little transparent ball ridding the edge of a tight curve, your primate friend running like his life depends on it as you scream "Come on, you monkey Son-of-a-bitch!"
This latest edition looks to be no different in that respect. Again we are guiding our little monkey through the perils of this expansive island. The levels are beautiful, filled with bright colors and surgery sweet cuteness. Everything from the nonsensical monkey speak to the happy dances the monkeys do reflect the games propensity for being the cutest adventure possible.
What is new Story- Unlike the first few installments SMBA has a story which provides a reason for all this monkey business (you didn't expect me to get through this preview without some puns did you?). The story is as follows: a young monkey prince and princess from a far away land fall in love, but they can't get married because their kingdoms are at odds with each other. AiAi and his friends decide to help them out by spreading happiness and cheer throughout the opposing monkey monarchies. Now tell me that's not the sweetest thing you have ever heard and I will tell you, you have no soul.
The tilt cam- This is an interesting feature, as you use your controller to tilt the monkey in the right direction the camera tilts as well. A unique idea, however first reports are saying that it can give you quite the little episode of motion sickness.
Thankfully, this feature can be turned off.
Mini-games- You'll need to use your skill to complete tasks ranging from helping farmers chase off birds to waking up sleeping monkey soldiers. Also, there are secret doors that can only be unlocked through victories in puzzle world. Puzzle world is essentially a throwback to Super Monkey Ball 1 and 2. You will have to guide your ball through the maze in the allotted time in order to unlock doors in single player mode.
Enemies- In SMBA you'll have to defeat all kinds of enemies. Some you can just bump into and others require a little more work. Fortunately you can learn various monkey chants to unlock different abilities to help you defeat these baddies.
Party Mode- You can also go head-to-head with up to four people in various games of monkey mayhem. These games include Monkey Target, Monkey Race, Monkey fight and new comer Monkey Cannon and they are all available for you and your friends to do battle in.
Bottom line
A full fledged story, over 60 characters, tons of challenging puzzles, and unique multiplayer options make this latest incarnation of Super Monkey Ball look to be the best yet. However, a fixed camera may prove to hinder the fun and all the ultra-cuteness may turn off some gamers.
