Super Monkey Ball 2, SEGA’s follow-up to the popular rolling monkey series, is now available from the app store. Enhanced 3D graphics, a multiplayer mode, and vastly improved controls should go a long way toward mending fences with players who were frustrated with the original version.
Super Monkey Ball 2 allows you to play as any of the 4 characters (AiAi, MeeMee, GonGon, or Baby), trapped in a ball and made to traverse some crazy courses, collecting bananas on your way toward the swirling goal sphere without accidentally launching yourself off of the floating course and into freefall. There are 115 courses in all, 5 more than were available in the original game. The levels contain all manner of obstacles, from platforms to twisting tubes to narrow paths and holes in the floor. Some areas contain small rails to help keep you on the course, though you’ll easily roll over them if you’re moving too quickly. There is a lot of finesse involved to maintain your position atop the course. Levels must be completed in 60 seconds or less, with greater point totals for speed and bananas collected. You start each level set with 5 lives and earn an additional life for each 10 bananas that you collect. The middle level of the set is a bonus level where you can collect as many bananas as possible to increase your life count. The start of a new level set will reset your life count to five. Skid off of the course or run out of time and you’ll lose a life. If you lose all of your lives, the game is over, though you are allowed to continue and start fresh from your last level (your point total is reset to zero as a penalty).
The graphics are much better than the previous game, with many of the previous 2D aspects (including characters) now rendered in 3D, offering a much more pleasant visual experience. The levels exhibit some nice creativity, with level sets using themes like Jungle or Pirates. The soundtrack is fitting for the silliness of the game, but it tends to get old pretty quickly. Controls were the major sticking point in the first game that caused the most frustration and ire toward SEGA. Fortunately, our gripes have been heard and the controls for SMB2 are awesome. There is even a little crosshair in the lower left corner which helps you to determine the position in which the device is being held at any given time. Finding your center resting point just got a lot easier.
Super Monkey Ball 2 includes some terrific new features, as well. Monkey Bowling is a fun new mini-game where you use the touch screen to position the monkey ball before flinging it toward a set of bowling pins. You can tilt the device to add spin to the ball. There are plans to add more mini-games in the future, such as Monkey Golf and Monkey Target. These are expected in early 2010. There is a local wi-fi multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to compete against each other (in pass & play fashion) in either the main game or the mini-games. There is also a neat replay mode that saves your successful runs and plays back clips upon completing the level.
Hardcore gamers may be disappointed with the difficulty of the game, which felt a bit on the easy side. Players new to the series will likely find that it helps them to get accustomed to the game. Replay value is pretty good, especially if you attempt to complete all 115 levels without continuing and/or collecting all available bananas. Despite the premium game price having settled in around the $6-$7 range lately, Super Monkey Ball 2 has launched at the $9.99 price point, which may be prohibitive for many players who now expect lower launch prices and significant price drops shortly after launch. Regardless, Super Monkey Ball 2 remains a polished, enjoyable experience that has made exciting additions and shown significant improvements to the series, easily earning its 5-Dimple rating.
Super Monkey Ball 2 gets our AppSmile 5-Dimple rating:
