Super Monkey Ball<subtitle> <content>This little game was one of the twenty launch games that were released alongside the Nintendo GameCube. It looks cutesy, but hidden underneath Super Monkey Ball?s kiddy exterior is a truly challenging game, which is fiendishly addictive. In fact, it?s one of the GC?s best launch games. Read on to find out why... Super Monkey Ball is very simple. Similar to the early Marble Madness, SMB involves tilting the playing area to guide your monkey (in a ball, obviously) to the goal area. Apart from the A button being used to zoom the map in the bottom right corner, your only means of control is the analogue control stick. There are three difficulty settings: Beginner, Advanced and Expert. Beginner contains 10 courses, Advanced 30 and Expert 50, and although the early levels are fairly tame, the learning curve is steep, and all the levels on the Expert difficulty settings seem impossible at first attempt. The levels are all original and well designed, and never really reward luck. Real skill is needed to tackle them all, and you never feel as if you are being treated unfairly. Apart from the horribly hard and addictive main game (which you can play with up to four players by the way), there are 6 fantastic mini-games. Although 3 are available from the off, you will have to unlock the other 3 by accumulating play points that are attainable by playing the main game. Monkey Race is the traditional Mario Kart-style racer, and even though it can?t square up to Ninty?s classic and deserves a few more tracks, it is an enjoyable romp all the same. Monkey Fight is fast and frantic, with your chosen monkey host to a comedic boxing glove attached to its front, and involves hammering at the A button. A lot of fun with mates. The most involving mini-game is probably Monkey Target, which, if you remember Pilotwings on the SNES or N64, will be instantly recognisable. After being rolled down a huge ramp, your monkey?s ball bursts into two to form wings. You then have to land on the target area. The more accurate you are, the more points you get. Monkey Billiards is the first of the unlockable mini-games and, although it?s the American version of pool and it is quite easy with the guide on, it has realistic physics and is quite enjoyable. Monkey Bowling does exactly what it says on the tin. Chose the direction, power and spin and let rip. Finally, Monkey Golf offers an 18-hole mini golf course, which is very involved and interesting. All mini-games are available for up to 4 players, making this one of the best party games on GC. Cute though it may seem, only hardcore gamers need apply to try and complete the main game. The mini-games are enjoyable for everybody however, and this makes this a brilliant addition to the GameCube library.<content> <rating><rating> <author>Michael Daniels<author> <authoremail>michaeldaniels64@hotma GameCube<title> <subtitle>Super Monkey Ball<subtitle> <content>This little game was one of the twenty launch games that were released alongside the Nintendo GameCube. It looks cutesy, but hidden underneath Super Monkey Ball?s kiddy exterior is a truly challenging game, which is fiendishly addictive. In fact, it?s one of the GC?s best launch games. Read on to find out why... Super Monkey Ball is very simple. Similar to the early Marble Madness, SMB involves tilting the playing area to guide your monkey (in a ball, obviously) to the goal area. Apart from the A button being used to zoom the map in the bottom right corner, your only means of control is the analogue control stick. There are three difficulty settings: Beginner, Advanced and Expert. Beginner contains 10 courses, Advanced 30 and Expert 50, and although the early levels are fairly tame, the learning curve is steep, and all the levels on the Expert difficulty settings seem impossible at first attempt. The levels are all original and well designed, and never really reward luck. Real skill is needed to tackle them all, and you never feel as if you are being treated unfairly. Apart from the horribly hard and addictive main game (which you can play with up to four players by the way), there are 6 fantastic mini-games. Although 3 are available from the off, you will have to unlock the other 3 by accumulating play points that are attainable by playing the main game. Monkey Race is the traditional Mario Kart-style racer, and even though it can?t square up to Ninty?s classic and deserves a few more tracks, it is an enjoyable romp all the same. Monkey Fight is fast and frantic, with your chosen monkey host to a comedic boxing glove attached to its front, and involves hammering at the A button. A lot of fun with mates. The most involving mini-game is probably Monkey Target, which, if you remember Pilotwings on the SNES or N64, will be instantly recognisable. After being rolled down a huge ramp, your monkey?s ball bursts into two to form wings. You then have to land on the target area. The more accurate you are, the more points you get. Monkey Billiards is the first of the unlockable mini-games and, although it?s the American version of pool and it is quite easy with the guide on, it has realistic physics and is quite enjoyable. Monkey Bowling does exactly what it says on the tin. Chose the direction, power and spin and let rip. Finally, Monkey Golf offers an 18-hole mini golf course, which is very involved and interesting. All mini-games are available for up to 4 players, making this one of the best party games on GC. Cute though it may seem, only hardcore gamers need apply to try and complete the main game. The mini-games are enjoyable for everybody however, and this makes this a brilliant addition to the GameCube library.<content> <rating><rating> <author>Michael Daniels<author> <authoremail>michaeldaniels64@hotmail.com<authoremail> <date>