Banana Blitz really feels like two separate games. There's a main game, which consists of eight worlds with eight levels each, plus a boss level and a bonus level. You're able to choose which monkey you use before entering any of the levels. The selection includes AiAi, MeeMee, Baby and Gongon but there are also two new monkeys: YanYan and Doctor. The levels start out quite basic - so for example, in the first level you'll only need to move straight ahead. However, the difficulty level ramps up rather quickly and soon enough you'll be twisting around sharp corners and pulling off precise movements that originally didn't seem all that feasible.
Familiarity has never felt so sweet.
The fact that you're able to actually pull precise movements off is something to be commended; everything feels so intuitive that the game doesn't feel like a title which was rushed for the launch of the Wii. It feels natural to be using the Wii remote to move the monkeys. It's a tad disappointing that you've no choice but to use the Wiimote. Every now and then, there are a few tricky levels where you'll wish you could use the directional pad or the nunchuk, but these are few and far between. On the topic of controls, the camera automatically adjusts, so you can see where you're going, but occasionally it will get in the way. The boss battles seem a little tacked-on too, and it's going to come down to personal opinion whether you think they add to the game. Beating the boss does mean you get a certain sense of accomplishment at the end of each world, but in previous Monkey Ball games you'd just move onto the next world.
After you're done with the main game (which is no easy feat) there are also fifty party games to keep yourself occupied with. These aren't your normal party games however, and whereas previous Monkey Ball titles only boasted a handful of party games, Banana Blitz ups the ante considerably. Most of the party games support up to four players, but some only support up to two players; some of the party games will also require the nunchuk, but you're advised of this before selecting the game. It's clear that Sega went for quantity over quality here, as most of the party games are pretty average, while some of them are clear winners (Number Ball and Monkey Wars being amongst the best). Some of the party games are related to sports, whereas others require speed or logic. Alone these party games wouldn't be all that impressive, but they are the perfect compliment to the main game.
Graphically, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz looks great. The game comes with a slick framerate and some worlds can look remarkably good. The game also barely loads at all, an added bonus as you can quickly turn on the Wii, play a few levels and come back later if you so wish. While all of the levels have their own unique theme, the sherbert world in particular is an outstanding moment. Sound-wise, the game's sound is still pretty catchy and upbeat. Occasionally you'll catch yourself humming along to the music.
The worlds are basic, but can sometimes look great.
While eight worlds may not seem that extensive, it will still take you quite a while to blast through the main game completely. There are also a few unlockable worlds which will keep you coming back for more. The difficulty level in the game ramps up pretty quickly, which means the title is definitely no walk in the park. Monkey Ball is the type of game that is even more fun in multiplayer, so the party games should keep you occupied for a while, even though there aren't as many decent ones as we'd hoped.
Overall Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz isn't really an evolution for the franchise. Sega added new characters and a jump ability into the game, and both of these additions are welcome. However, the boss battles feel like filler and all you're likely to be interested in is progressing to the next level. Overall though, it feels highly intuitive to be using the Wii remote, and this makes Monkey Ball a perfect launch title, whilst the fifty party games and extensive single player mode will serve as the perfect introduction to the capabilities of the Wii. Just be warned that underneath the cutesy music and bright visuals, there's some surprisingly challenging gameplay.
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