Super Monkey Ball Deluxe XBOX

The monkey and the gorilla walked through the market
Super Monkey Ball is one of the most original game concepts in recent years. In the game, you control a monkey trapped inside a ball, guiding it through an obstacle course towards the goal area. Each level must be completed within a strict time limit, and at the end, points are awarded based on the remaining time and the number of bananas collected. There are hundreds of different levels, offering hours of challenging gameplay. The main game is complemented by addictive mini-games like bowling, boxing, and other similar sports.

The first two Monkey Ball games were originally released only for the GameCube, but now this issue has been addressed; the games have been bundled together and re-released under the title Super Monkey Ball Deluxe for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. New courses have also been added to keep the player base satisfied. Monkey balling feels right at home on Sony's console as well.

Cute and dangerous
The main game of Super Monkey Ball Deluxe consists of over 300 levels, offering plenty of challenges. At their simplest, the levels are just straight lines from start to finish, but at their most difficult, they expand into complex labyrinths with various triggers and gadgets forming a challenging whole. The game is controlled solely with the analog stick, but the lack of variation doesn't lead to boredom. There's fun to be had well beyond the average game. Decorated with candy colors, Monkey Ball may seem like a game aimed at children, but it offers enough challenge for more mature players as well.

There are a few playable characters, but there's not much difference between them. Monkey Ball is at its best in multiplayer, especially the four-player boxing matches, which are downright hilarious. Another noteworthy mini-game is Monkey Target, where the goal is to fly towards landing areas visible on the horizon. The single-player levels can also be played with multiple players. The pursuit of high scores adds replay value, making players return to the levels time and again.

Visually, Monkey Ball doesn't look particularly impressive, but at least the PlayStation 2 version doesn't pale in comparison to other versions. No slowdowns are noticeable, but there aren't many details either. The combination of over-the-top cuteness and candy colors with a high difficulty level is an interesting mix that works, at least in the case of Monkey Ball. The soundscape continues the same cheerful yet eerie line.

An enjoyable port
Super Monkey Ball Deluxe is an enjoyable game despite being just a compilation of the first two games. For those who have already played the previous games extensively, the Deluxe version may not be a recommended purchase, but for everyone else, the package offers fun worth every penny. The final scores are given from the perspective of someone who has played the previous games, but others should add one or two points to the ratings.

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