Super Monkey Ball Adventure
You don’t have to be an oversized gorilla to get your own ape-centric videogame these days
It's been said before, but as game titles go they really don’t get more descriptive. Super Monkey Ball Adventure features a monkey, in a ball, who embarks on a narrative-driven adventure. And chances are, it probably will be super.
Previous Monkey Ball games certainly have been, you see. Super, that is. Traditionally a puzzle game in which you navigate a simian-encasing perspex ball through hazard-filled environments of increasing complexity, collecting bananas and crossing the finish line within a merciless time limit without falling off edges (did we mention these stages float in mid-air?), this first outing on PSP has evolved the format to include a platform styled adventure. There are still puzzles stages, of course – 50 of them, in fact – but new Ball abilities such as sticking to walls, hovering or becoming invisible have been added specifically to accommodate the new mode of play.
Don’t worry, there’s still of plenty of Chiquita-chasing as you complete quests within the five Monkey Ball Kingdoms by controlling one of the super monkeys: Aiai, Meemee, Gongon or Baby. Along the way you’ll meet new characters who will invariably need your help because they’re in an adventure game and that’s what gaming convention states characters in this type of videogame should do.
If you’re happy to let them sweat for a bit you can always explore the six party games also on offer (previous versions have included Monkey Bowling and Monkey Tennis), swot up on Super Monkey history or engage in the PSP-specific trading card game.
Super Monkey Ball Adventure is due for release in the summer.
