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Preview  Super Monkey Ball
- By Andrew Weatherton


Is Sega working on a new Sonic game for the GameCube? I believe the answer is yes, but until we get some solid evidence how about taking a look at some of the games that have been announced for the GameCube by Sega?

Monkey Ball was one of three GameCube games playable at Sega's VIP booth during E3 this year (the only way into the booth was by invite, and we were invited). This is a fairly simple game in which you, as a monkey inside of a clear ball, role around a level attempting to reach the exit. The game controls are extremely simple, the control-stick is used for character movement and the B-button for adjusting the level map -- you can not jump. Though having such a simplistic control-scheme may seem to limit the gameplay, I can assure you that Monkey Ball is extremely entertaining as a result of it's simplicity. Each level that was playable at E3 had a different feel to it, forcing players to over-come new and more complicated types of obstacles while racing to the finish line and collecting bananas. At some points players are even able to create shortcuts through creative use of early obstacles.

The gameplay is somewhat reminicent of the mini-games found in early Sonic games. I found Monkey Ball to be similar to playing Sonic 2's halfpipe mini-game at some points and Sonic 3's sphere mini-game at others. However, it is unlike both of these games in that you your monkey-in-a-ball is able to fall off of the level, if this happens then the level must be started over from the begining.



Is Monkey Ball a hint that Sonic is headed to the GameCube? Probably not, but it could be. Just look at Monkey Ball's grahpical style, and the color-shading is similar to the shading found in Sonic games...


Monkey Ball is extremely addictive, I found it difficult to pull myself away from the game even after completing every level available on the demo. It is, of course, much more fun with multiple players than with only one and thus it supports a four-player mode.

- 5.28.2001