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Mature 25 year-old gamer

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 66 / 67
Date: February 14, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I just bought a GC less than a week ago and this was one of the first games I purchased. This game is flat out fun, no other word to describe it. I read some inaccuracies in the official review and in some other reviews on here. You don't tilt the floor in this game, you are actually in control of the monkey in the transparent ball and you move them around in the ball to get through the board. Sometimes the board tilts and gives the illusion that you are controlling the board as opposed to the monkey but that's not the case. You have a time limit to get to the goal without falling off of the board. There are four unique monkeys to choose from, and more than one person can use the same character, they'll just be a different color. Along the way, you can collect bananas and like Mario or Donkey Kong games, when you collect 100, you get a 1up.

Anyway, if you play one player mode, you must have patience. There are three difficulty levels: Beginner, Advanced, and Expert. Each has 10, 30, and 50 levels, respectively. Beginner is pretty easy, I finished all 10 levels without losing any monkeys. Getting to board 30 on Advanced is a trip and I still haven't been able to pass it, but half of the fun was getting there. Expert is really hard and of the 50 levels, I've probably seen 10. When you play in one player mode, you earn Play Points. Play Points allow you to unlock the Mini Games (Monkey Billiards, Monkey Bowling, and Monkey Golf). It kind of reminds me of Mario Party in that respect. So far, I've unlocked Bowling and Billiards, both of which are fun.

The cool thing about this game is that every mode can be played in multiplayer. (Just remember, you can only earn Play Points in one player mode.) Whether you want four people to play the regular floor-to-floor game, or Monkey Fight (knock your opponent off the platform with a boxing glove, a little like a minigame in Mario Party), or Monkey Race (a lot like Mario Kart with the items), or the Target game (a lot like P-Wings, I love this mode, a whole lot of fun). In addition, all of the minigames can be played by up to four people. Bowling is very straight forward, pick the angle, then the power, then the spin you want to put on the ball. Billiards is 9-ball. Haven't seen Golf yet.

Half of the fun is watching. My friends and I, a 24, 25, 26 and 29 year-old were playing this for a couple of hours, and we all go for different types of games. The monkeys are so entertaining that you find yourself laughing at them constantly. Trying not to fall off in the Normal Mode will ruin your nerves. It keeps you on the edge of your seat when you're watching someone manuever through a tough spot. It's one of those games that makes it fun to be a spectator.

Simply put, I love this game. There is enough variety that everyone should be able to find something they like about it. The fact that the four of us found any one game great was amazing. This is a must buy for Gamecube.

How fun can a game with rolling Monkeys be? Words can't say.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 26 / 26
Date: November 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

While Super Monkey Ball's excellent graphics, but more cute style graphics may scare you away from this GameCube Exclusive title, don't let them scare you. This is one fun and definately addictive game, I can hardlly put it down. Super Monkey Ball includes over 100+ levels ranging from Begginer, to Intermediat6e, to the ever so difficult Expert mode. Many people who have played Monkey Ball shake at the near sight of the later Expert levels, which require extreme balance, speed, coordination, skill, and practice! So dont think this is some little kids game, which can be beaten in a weekend, if you manage to beat it at all. To help improve your skills, and have a killer time with friends, SEGA threw in Monkey Race (Like Mario Kart), Monkey Fight (Punch each other off a large stage), or Monkey Target (flying and then landing on point valued targets). After you earn enough points to buy them you can open up very fun single player mini games, but these mini games had A LOT of time and effort put into them so they are really good quality anf fun. they are: Monkey Billards, Monkey Bowling, and Monkey Golf. Each game adding a fun Monkey inside of the ball twist to it. Those mini games, party games, and over 100+ levels in the main game add up to massive, infinate if you will, replay value. Think of Super Monkey Ball as one of those extremely addictive old Pac Man style games, but more fun then a barrel full of monkeys. So if your getting a Cube, seriouslly consider Super Monkey Ball, ONLY FOR Nintendo GameCube.

super monkey ball is it the best by a 13 year old gamer

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 22 / 22
Date: November 22, 2001
Author: Amazon User

You have a ball and a set of platforms, and the goal is to tilt the entir world to manuver the ball from point a to point b. Well their is also a monkey trapped inside the ball, but for gameplay purposes it's irrelevent. The characters are cute and interesting; they actually respond to their environment in a variety of surprising ways. For exempale, when the ball rolls down an incline, the monkey inside runs in the same direction, like a hamster in a wheel. If the speed is to much for the monkey to handle, it trips over itself and starts rolling around in circles! If you roll the ball close to the edge of a platform, you can see the monkey begin to lose balance. These little details add a great deal of personality to a game. If you are not a good gamer than you can play multi player games instead of the adventure. Some of them are monkey race, monkey fight, and monkey target. Additional mini games can be unlocked by earning points in the main game. Those are monkey billiards, monkey bowling, and monkey golf. I would give Super Monkey Ball 5 out of 5 stars for being one of the best multi or single player games ever.

oh man!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 22 / 25
Date: November 20, 2001
Author: Amazon User

WHEWIE! This game is incredible, i have a broken leg, and get to play it all the time, well i got my gamecube the day it came out (i got to stand in line for an hour =) ) Well i wanted a cool game, yet multiplayer, since wave race didnt seem to fit me, i chose super monkey ball, its incredible! It has perfecto music, and the graphics are very impressive, and this isnt even close to gcn's max capability!whats great, is it has over 130maps if you include 1player maps, race maps, battle maps, and target maps, and alot of other stuff. The game includes these options : Main Game- try to get to the finish line wihtout falling off; Party Game- Monkey Race, you and your friends get to go racing down a track using weapons and boosts, alot like mario kart. Party Game- Monkey Fight, Its INCREDIBLE, the computers are possible for newbs, and challenging for pros, heck my friends and I played gamecube from 8:30am to 6:00pm! And its still fun, if you get tired of games and dismiss them when you beat them; Party Game- Monkey Target, Roll your ball down a giant ramp, and while in midair split the ball open and wear them like wings, you have to try and land on the highest point target, kinda like pilotwings. Mini Game- Monkey Billiards, You play pool with a computer, and its ALOT of fun! Mini Game- Monkey Bowling, You have a swinging aimer, hit that, then choose your power meter, if you need to make an adjustment to where the ball is going, add spin with L and R. Mini Game- Monkey Golf, Well the name says it all, you cn choose the direction and power of your ball, its alot like minature golf. My favorite part is the Music, and how everything is voiced, not text. After all these discs about the size of keys 1-9 on your numpad hold 1.35 gigs! Well for main game try this, for some courses youll actually have to practice maps! on Expert they can become incredibly difficult! Being a pro, and having beaten every game i own, everything from bomberman to the getting all the items in the legend of zelda to Getting all 120stars in super mario! Well this game is alot of fun with 1 or 2 friends, and its great for getting used to the GCN. Well get it now!

Dannyboy =)

Awesome Original Gamecube Content!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 17
Date: November 27, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I must say I was highly skeptical of this game at first. What fun would a game be that involved moving around balls with monkey's inside? I mean, is this game serious?

Yes it is serious and boy is it fun! I was so amazed at how fun and easy this game was to play when I first started. This game has insane replay value as there is a total of 7 different complete games to play. All of them can be played with other people as well, plus there a special modes just for the single player. One of the best modes for multiplayer would be "Monkey Target". This game has you roll the monkey ball down a steep incline similar to a ski jump, then open the monkey ball that act as "wings". You then fly the ball to a target and try to land on a spot for the most points. The person with the most points at the end of a user determined amount of rounds wins! Great fun!

Monkey Ball is probably the most actively played game on the GameCube in our house right now. With the whole family playing, including the 5 year old, we have a lot of fun! If you can get only one game for the GameCube this year, make sure it's Super Monkey Ball.

One note about the multiplayer... you don't need to have 4 controllers for all of the game modes. Some game modes allow you to play 4 player with only one controller!

Super Monkey Ball = Fannnnnnnntastic

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 14
Date: November 02, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Ok, first off, look past the kiddy like looks of this game. To be totally honest I don't understand how a kid could even play this type of game! All you hardcore gamers out there that believe mature games are all blood, guts, and gore need a wake up call. All starting with you being a monkey in a ball and you also controlling the floor in order to reach the goal and collect the most bananas you can before time's up. This game is so much fun I don't know where to begin, either with the fantastic one player mode, or the very addictive mini games for four players. This game totally keeps you on your toes with the increasing difficulty, each time you complete a floor or stage rather, you are introduced with another but even more challenging than the last. In my humble opinion, this game should be in the hands of every Gamecube owner, and is one of the best launch titles. If you want a great game with almost infinate replay value then this is your game, in fact, when I played the Japanese version, I barely put it down. Please, consider this being your game at launch, I will almost bet you it won't disappoint you.

One of the most addicted AND difficult title I've ever seen

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 12
Date: December 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Just spend a few minutes with this game and you'll be hooked! Hidden under the cute graphics and simple control scheme is one of the most addictive games I've ever played. The point of the main game is to roll a ball (with a monkey inside it!) around on a platform (usually weirdly-shaped and full of traps), avoid falling off the platform and try to guide it safely through a "goal" gate. The direction/movement of the ball is controlled INDIRECTLY by tilting the platform. The control is very simple and most people can pick it up easily: only the analog control stick is used, YES, you can play this game with just your left thumb. And since it's analog, the angle at which the platform is tilted is directly related to how hard you push that analog stick.

The main game can be played in three modes: Beginner (10 stages), Advanced (30), and Expert (50). While Beginner mode is faily straight forward, the difficulty grows in exponential speed in Advanced and Expert. Paths start get to really small and traps start to increase in numbers, and the margin for error start to diminish until you can no longer see it. This is one of those games you may never finish, but will keep trying.

Aside from the main games are various party games and mini games. You'll find billiards, bowling, and even mini-golf in this game, all with balls with a monkey in it!

This game is truly unique and offers excellent values for single-player and party actions.

Like Marble Madness, only with monkeys. In balls.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: December 20, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Here's Super Monkey Ball in a nutshell. For the full review, head to Nintendorks.

"For such a simple-premised puzzle game, Super Monkey Ball is enjoyably complex, and has a ton to offer. It has everything going for it--It's fun, it's addictive, it's replayable out the wazoo, it comes with great mini and party games, and it has cute little monkeys rolling around in balls. What's not to love? If Super Monkey Ball is a sign of things to come from Amusement Vision and Sega, I'm giddy with anticipation. While the game may not have the technical razzle-dazzle of other GameCube launch titles, it makes up for it in spades with its fun, addictive gameplay--and that is, after all, the Nintendo difference. Thank you, Sega."

Simple, Fun, and a Great Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: June 26, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Super Monkey Ball is a nontraditional game. The basic concept has no plot and it bears resemblance to the pinball madness games that older gamers might remember from the past. For those who are unfamiliar with older games of this type, the idea is to tilt the stage with the joystick and maneuver a monkey in a ball (hence the name) and reach the goal. The idea seems very simple at first, and it is, however when you try the 'expert' levels, you will realize just how hard this game is. The game is easy to pick up and hard to put down...you will not finish it quickly.

One of the major pluses of Super Monkey Ball is the multiplayer mode. Three starting games are present, in which you have the ability to 'monkey fight' which is where you try to push another monkey off of the stage using a punching glove and extras in an arena, very similar to 'Bumper Ball' in the Mario Party games. Also, there is Monkey Target in which you try to land a monkey ball on stages to receive points. Complimented finally by Monkey race, in which a mariokart-ish engine is used, with only three tracks. Also, the bonuses in the game which are earned by doing well in the main game are fun as well. Monkey Billiards (Pool), Monkey Bowling, and Monkey Golf (Putt-Putt). Overall, the multiplayer is a very enjoyable experience.

Music is good, and it doesn't inhibit the gameplay...Graphics are decent, and don't take advantage of the gamecube's abilities, but they aren't going to make you turn your head the other way or break any mirrors. Also, the Controls are very easy to pick up. The joystick is the only thing used in the main game...

Overall, I'd give this game 5 stars, and it is a must for the serious gamecube gamer!

best multiplayer game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: November 28, 2001
Author: Amazon User

as others have posted, the game is great.. the best feature is the party games and mini games aside from the main game

when you start off main game, beginner is easy. that's why it's called beginner =) but you learn the basics of the game, if you dont then it makes advanced mode even more frustrating. and beginner mode is just one mode.. there ARE 2 others, one has 60 levels and one has 30. after making it through most of those going back to beginner there's a new challenge of how fast you can beat it. the first level of beginner takes 3 seconds to beat, if you beat beginner without dying once you get bonus levels.

and after playing main game enough you can unlock golf, pool, and bowling, which are fun but are a lot better to play with friends. a good way to unlock the games (you need 2500 points each) is to play a round of advanced, get as far as you can, hopefully get around 1500 points, then play beginner, beat the levels as fast as you can (faster=more points) and without dying then beat the bonus levels, and you get 600+ points, if you're even just decent at the game, you can do that in well under 5 minutes, though don't play it more than twice in a row, leave it and go off or play another game and come back to get more points later because playing the same levels over too much too soon (for the main game) drains the fun

then there's the party games that you don't have to unlock, you can play off the bat, they are fun on your own and even better with 3 friends. there is no setting for the computer Ai, but I think it's self adjusting. one game in monkey fight you can womp them winning 5 times in a row, the next time you play all computer monkies give you a whooping! monkey target is slow paced but pretty fun, playing with your friends, developing your own strategies and you friends copy you or come up with a better one. and monkey race, is a good kart game, there's 6 tracks, and powerups similar to mario kart, but the only thing i dislike is some of the turns and parts of courses are frustrating.

good game for adults and kids, the main game is very challenging in the higher up levels, and there's secret bonus levels (and I dont mean the get all the bananas in 60 seconds bonus levels in mid game, the advanced bonus ones after you beat the whole set of stages without dying once), and the game has a lot of nice options, you can control the options for the party games which is a real nice feature. though the main game (higher levels) and maybe even the pool and golf and bowling might be too frustrating for kids

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