Super Monkey Ball 2 adds a lot to the multiplayer phenomenon that the original created. But unfortunately most of the changes and additions hinder it compared to the original.

The single player experience is slightly enhanced with the addition of a story mode. However, the level design is not quite up to par with the original. The backgrounds and environments are dulled down, and the over all strategy is based on solving how to finish the level in time rather than finesse with the control stick.

All six of the original minigames are unlocked from the start with many upgrades. The game mechanics in Monkey Fight and Monkey Target were changed so much that strategies are now required instead of basic gaming skills.

Six new minigames are available as well. Monkey Tennis is fun, but often creates problems when things happen for no apparent reason. Monkey Dogfight is a decent air combat game, but the action is too spread out to make it really fun. Monkey Shot is like Virtua Cop or Time Crisis, but since you have to use the controller the real fun is spoiled. Monkey Boat is hardly worth unlocking and is pretty hard to jump into. Monkey Baseball is a wacky take on America’s favorite pasttime, but games tend to be completely one sided. Monkey Soccer is the best of the bunch, requiring only fast reflexes, but allowing strategy to create some cool plays.

Super Monkey Ball 2 basically just sucks the simplicity right out of the Super Monkey Ball namesake and leaves something to be desired. It isn’t bad, but the first is just much more fun. It gets major points for variety though.

Super Monkey Ball came in under the radar early in the GameCube’s life. It quickly gained a cult following and became known as one of the greatest multiplayer games available.

The concept is simple, yet very odd. You play as monkeys that are trapped inside of protective balls, and you roll them around. There are many modes of play, both single player or up to 4 players.

The single player mode is very reminiscent of Marble Madness. You roll your monkey around a course collecting bananas and try to reach the goal within the allotted time. Progressing through the levels will not be easy. Some of the Expert mode levels seem nearly impossible. Luckily, beating every level is not necessary. You get points to unlock mini games just by playing the single player mode over and over, but the more levels you beat the more points you get.

From the beginning there are 3 mini games unlocked. These are Monkey Race, Monkey Fight, and Monkey Target. Monkey Race is a simple racing game not unlike Mario Kart. Monkey Fight is a hectic game in which the monkeys compete to knock each other off of the platform with their punching gloves. Monkey target is a flying game in which the monkeys attempt to land on the targets for a high score.

Using points earned in the single player mode you can unlock Monkey Billiards, Monkey Bowling, and Monkey Golf. These are basically just monkeyized versions of their real life counterparts. Monkey Billiards and Monkey Golf are particularly fun. Super Monkey Ball offers up some great competitive games to keep 4 friends occupied for a while. You won’t find a more diverse multiplayer game on any other system.