Topic: Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll - First Impressions

[Rhoq]

Well, yesterday afternoon, I picked-up the new Monkey Ball game for the DS: Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll

While I haven't had a chance to check-out any of the mini-games or multi-player features, I have played a few practice rounds and played through to the first bonus level on the main game.

Graphics: While not quite as sharp as what we've seen on the GameCube, I imagine this is what Super Monkey Ball would have looked like on the N64. Obviously the character models aren't as detailed as their console counterparts, but the track & level designs look very nice and the bright colors used really make this a very "pretty" game. Overall, not bad at all. I've seen some people on-line complain about the Monkey Balls looking pixilated during a close-up. Perhaps they were seeing that on pre-release builds? I haven't noticed anything of the sort.

Music: Calypso-type of music to keep with an "island" theme. Not overly impressive, but it could have been a lot better. Basic MIDI soundtrack.

Control: Here is where it's gets a bit interesting. You can use either the D-pad or touch screen to control your Monkey Ball. From what I have read, the D-pad control option is only available during the practice and main game modes. Wireless multi-player and mini-games apparently require you to use the touchscreen because the D-pad is used to cycle through items in these modes.

Anyways, I have found the D-pad to be pretty useless. Since it lacks the 360 degree "analog" control that 3D games require, using the D-pad just doesn't feel "tight" enough. At first, the touch screen seems to be completely unusable. No matter what you try to do, your Monkey Ball just rolls all over the place in every direction, except the one you want to go (LOL). It takes a few minutes to get aquainted with the touch screen. At first I tried using the stylus (as recommended by SEGA), but I just wasn't having much luck. Next I tried using my finger, still didn't fare too well. As a last resort, I tried using the "thumb strap". No luck with that either. I took a deep breath, and tried the stylus once again. This time, I figured out what I was doing wrong and was able to control my Monkey Ball rather well. Surpringly, using the stylus feels pretty comfortable.

Once you get over the initial frustration of learning how to properly control your Monkey Ball with the touchscreen, the game is as fun as ever!

[Smash_Brother]

I'd like to hear more about this.

There's no wifi, right?

[Rhoq]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
I'd like to hear more about this.

There's no wifi, right?

No online. It supports up to 4 players (locally) for multi-player "party games". Apparently, you'll be able to download new mini-games at some point in the future through the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection.

[ShyGuy]

Is it one-cart multiplayer?  How is the monkey race? new tracks and/or items?

[Rhoq]

Quote
Originally posted by: ShyGuy
Is it one-cart multiplayer?  How is the monkey race? new tracks and/or items?

Yes, one cart multi-player for the party games but evven though I've played a little more - I still haven't checked out the "party games" yet.

I've found that on the courses that are straight, the D-pad works very well. It is only a problem if you have to do any turning. As you grow more comfortable with the touch screen contol - using stylus becomes very intuive. I've also tried experimenting with a combination of the D-pad for accelerating & braking and the touch screen for the analog, 360 degree movement. So far, I've seen mixed results but I'm confident that once I find a healthy balance bewteen the 2 control set-ups, this will be the best way to play. Using both the D-pad and stylus at the same time, feels very comfortable (in case anyone though it might be a bit awkward)  

[Bartman3010]

How does the touch screen controls work? Is it analog like in Mario 64? Or do you drag to roll it?

[Rhoq]

It's analog, like Super Mario 64 DS.

[Nephilim]

only game to use midi is zoids:Ds
little trivia for u, sdat files dont have the same channels

[darknight06]

I love that first person shooter party game in there.  Completely unexpected and plays pretty well too.

[nemo_83]

How is the touch screen used?  Is it simulative of tilting as you move the stylus about, simulative of an analog stick as you move it further from the center (that didn't work at all for Mario 64x4), or touch and roll like a mouse or ball?

[KDR_11k]

or touch and roll like a mouse or ball?

I think the game title should give it away.

[IceCold]

How's the Air Hockey minigame?

[Bartman3010]

A lot of these levels seem to be borrowed from the previous Monkey Ball titles. You might as well as skip this and go for the ones on GCN, I havent really seen any levels that are new.

Yes, even the race levels seem to be borrowed...

Edit: Also, for multiplayer purposes, its very limited in Single Card. Only three of them are availible with no options: Race, Pong and Wars. I could say Monkey Hockey instead of Monkey Pong, but who is who kidding? The other modes, Golf, Bowling and Fight are not selectable on those modes, and Golf and Bowling doesnt feature a hot-seat multiplayer function. What gives? The GBA Monkey Ball title allowed you to do so...this makes no sense.

Oh well, this is quite a disappointment...