The Final Word game review

Super Monkey Ball -- Sega

R.I.P.
Ok, bottom line here. I'm going to have to say that for me, this was the best launch title for the system, with the most long-term play factor. Take the best of Marble Madness and put a monkey in the marble... that's how this game feels. The main game in Super Monkey Ball consists of traversing levels consisting of ramps, posts, drop-offs, moving platforms and more. All the while, trying to pick up bananas to get extra guys and add to your overall score.

Play control is great, although a bit demanding at times. You really feel like your driving the weight of this ball around the play area. Sound effects are exactly what you would expect, nothing really amazing, but the game music is very enjoyable. Graphics are straight out of an arcade machine. So much so, that it feels like having your very own arcade game in the living room.

For more fun, the game also supports up to four players (in both the regular game, and mini-games), and if you get bored with trying to solve the platform levels (of which there are a ton) you can move on to play other added mini-games such as Monkey Race (effectively, much like a cart racing title), Monkey Fight (knock the other balls out of the arena), and Monkey Target (a very Pilotwings like "glide to the target" game).

After you've played the main level game a few times a built up some points, additional mini-games of Monkey Golf (a type of fantasy golf-course), Monkey Billiards (playing pool), and Monkey Bowling become available.

The only complaint I had with the mini-games was that in the case of the bowling game, I just couldn't get into the targeting system, and with Monkey Billiards... simply put, I really despise 9-ball and would have rather seen them either give you a choice of pool games, or stick with the traditional game of 8-ball that everyone knows. But after all, these are bonus games, so you get what you paid for... blech.

All in all though, don't get me wrong. This game has proven itself fun for both adults and kids, quite re-playable, and with the multi-player capabilities I need to recommend this as a must have title for the GameCube.

(12/2001)