I love Super Monkey Ball as you can clearly see. So, it was with much excitement that I drove to Babbages the moment the box arrived (I bought Mario too, but having already played the Japanese version, I haven't even opened it yet). So, I bet you're wondering just how the final game turned out right? No need to ask. From what I've seen so far, Super Monkey Ball 2 is more than the logical step after Super Monkey Ball. Amusement Vision has gone the extra mile to make this sequel really special.

The meat of the single player game (but far from the meat of the game) can be found in two separate modes. There is story mode and challenge mode. Challenge mode is just like it was in the original game. You choose to play either ten beginner, thirty advanced or fifty expert stages. The levels are peppered with bonus stages, and if you beat the group without continuing (yes, that goes for beginner and advanced as well) you get to play extra stages. So far, the game admits that there are 110 stages available in this mode (90 regulars and 20 extras). I'm guessing there will be some more hidden levels in the game since Sega could previously be heard saying there would be 150 levels.

In story mode, you choose one of three save slots and then watch as Dr. Bad Boon steals all of the bananas from a village of Monkeys. Ai Ai and crew step in to save the day (each Monkey has a little back story now). The story mode progresses in worlds. Each world's background scenery matches story that took place in the cut-scene preceding that world. Once the cut-scene is over, you get to choose one of ten levels in the world to beat. Once you beat it, that's it. Since there is no limit on dying, this mode will be much friendlier to those who were having a hard time getting through the expert levels in the original game. At the same time this mode provides a quirky story that will entertain kids (and certain adults). Challenge mode is still great for unlocking levels, so everyone should go home happy with these changes.

The difficulty level seems to be getting steeper more quickly too (which is appropriate since it is a sequel). If anyone's having too much of a problem beating the game, they can always play story mode.

I should note that for some reason the competition mode was removed from the game. I agree that the original version was fatally flawed, but it wasn't beyond repair. Amusement vision should have removed the visual distractions from each players screen (giant bomb-shaped timer, other monkeys) and allowed the player to set longer time limits on the levels. Oh well.

As before, play points are earned when you play the main game in one player mode (story or challenge). Every 2500 allows you to unlock a new party game. I say new, because the updated versions of the original six do not have to be unlocked. The updates to the previous games are very good. Monkey Race 2 has up to eight CPU opponents, a few new weapons and courses that are better designed to work with the Monkey Ball physics (a big problem in the original game). Monkey Fight 2 has some extra powers ups and a new ability--charged punches--that add some new life to the game. Monkey Target has gotten some of the most dramatic changes. Up to four players can play simultaneously now. Help items float in the air and must be collected and used on the same run. Bananas come in giant streams and are only for extra points now (they granted help items before). The games are much quicker now with all players flying at once. In one player, you can have four other monkeys flying around you in formation for an interesting twist (and massive scoring). Monkey Billiards 2 features a new (optional) aiming tool, and four different games including the original US 9 Ball, JPN 9 Ball, Rotation and 8 Ball (a "normal" game of pool). You can also play a tournament against the computers. Monkey Bowling 2 has the original game's normal and challenge mode (with some new challenges and 15 tries). The big addition is Special Mode. This features 3 sets of crazy lanes (to use the advance sets, you must score 120 points on the previous set). The crazy lanes feature all the dynamic shapes and movement of a standard Monkey Ball level which makes bowling a lot more eventful than it used to be. I didn't like this at E3, but now that I've had a chance to play it against a human opponent, I love it. Finally, Monkey Golf 2 has been upgraded to a full golf simulation. I'm not a golf gamer, so I can't comment on how it stacks up to a real golf sims, but I can say that the gameplay is effective. It plays a lot like the original, only with the aiming tools molded into a "real" golf mold.

I've only unlocked one new mini game so far, Monkey Baseball. This is pretty dry with one player because the computer opponent isn't very interesting (too easy or too hard). It should prove fun with real people though. When you're up to bat, you simply try to hit the pitched Monkey Ball into the best area on the board (slots in the backfield give you differing numbers of bases, outs or fouls, and jump plates send the ball flying for a home run). When you're on defense, you can change the speed and direction of the pitched Monkey Ball as it rolls towards the batter. After it is hit, you can move your outfielders like the players in a tabletop soccer game. Before pitching you can change the formation of your outfielders as well.

For more details on what I know about Monkey Boat Race, Monkey Tennis and Monkey Soccer, check out my E3 2002 Impressions. Monkey Shot and Monkey Dogfight will have to wait until I garner more play points. From what I can tell (reading the instructions) Monkey Shot appears to be a rails shooter that has multiple levels (with bosses)! It can be played with up to four players simultaneously (cooperative play apparently). Monkey Dogfight is exactly what it sounds like--an all out death match involving missiles, guns and monkeys.

Graphically, Super Monkey Ball 2 has received a significant face-lift. The original game had nice looking levels and a rock solid framerate, but SMB2 really goes overboard in this department. Each level background looks absolutely stunning. Each level brims with special effects. The first background (the island that the game begins on) is full of shimmering water and mist. The second background (a volcano) has glowing magma flowing everywhere and the air is pulverized by hundreds of beautiful red-hot, flying embers. Ground textures and model design are much more artistic and detailed than before as well. The music is just as varied and well composed as it was in Super Monkey Ball too.

All in all, anyone who enjoyed the original Super Monkey Ball (either for its party games or its one player mode) will not be at all disappointed with the sequel. SMB2 is nearly a perfect sequel.