Monkey Ball arcade?

Joe Redifer · 10/22/2007, 11:16 PM

I've always been curious about the arcade game called Monkey Ball which used a banana shaped joystick and was the predecessor to Super Monkey Ball on the Gamecube (one of the world's greatest games... seriously!). I think it *may* have run on Naomi hardware, but I'm not certain. I've seen maybe one or two pictures in old magazines, but there is next to no information I can find out about it on the internet. Does anyone have any information about the arcade game?

Keranu · 10/22/2007, 11:50 PM

I've seen it in an arcade once, but I don't think I've played it. The only thing I can tell you was that I recall the banana joystick being very loose.

Joe Redifer · 10/22/2007, 11:54 PM

I'd imagine that it kind of has to be since it was ANALog.

Nazi NecroPhile · 10/23/2007, 12:32 AM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 10/22/2007, 11:54 PMANALog

Bad Joe, bad.

CrackTiger · 10/23/2007, 01:28 AM

I thought that Super Monkey Ball was just the arcade ported with some extra mini games.

Hobo Xiphas · 10/23/2007, 01:45 AM

Quote from: Keranu on 10/22/2007, 11:50 PMI've seen it in an arcade once, but I don't think I've played it. The only thing I can tell you was that I recall the banana joystick being very loose.

Unlike you, I played that machine.

The verdict: it's the same as the GameCube version. It has been awhile though, so I'm not sure if my memory serves me right, but I the only difference I noticed was that the bananas didn't have the Dole stickers on them.

It has an awesome banana joystick though! To be honest, I played it just for that.

Kitsunexus · 10/23/2007, 02:29 AM

Super Monkey Ball 2 is awesome, but it ain't no mood-lifter. I have cursed more playing that game then ever before.

Hobo Xiphas · 10/23/2007, 02:31 AM

Yes

Super Monkey Ball in certain stages will drive a stronger man than myself insane

I still have no good tactics to get past most of the 9th stage levels, thankfully there are no hammers in the game

Turbo D · 10/23/2007, 03:22 AM

I have supermonkeyball ds and well, that game drives me insane, haha.

Joe Redifer · 10/23/2007, 04:10 AM

Quote from: Ernie Banks' Retirement PantsI still have no good tactics to get past most of the 9th stage levels, thankfully there are no hammers in the game

What are you talking about... "9th stage levels"?? That doesn't make any sense. Super Monkey Ball is divided into Beginner, Advanced and Expert classes, each with unique stages. Are you talking about Super Monkey Ball 2? That game isn't as good as part one because it includes switches and the "start platform" at the beginning of each level which makes it harder to find shortcuts.

Super Monkey Ball was a Gamecube launch game. How could the arcade version have been the same if the Gamecube hardware had not been completed? HOW???? I DEMAND AN ANSWER! It was by far the most impressive game visually at the Gamecube's launch.

Hobo Xiphas · 10/23/2007, 04:14 AM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 10/23/2007, 04:10 AMSuper Monkey Ball was a Gamecube launch game. How could the arcade version have been the same if the Gamecube hardware had not been completed? HOW???? I DEMAND AN ANSWER! It was by far the most impressive game visually at the Gamecube's launch.

Whoops, yes, I meant 2's story mode, as you guessed.

Joe Redifer · 10/23/2007, 04:20 AM

Super Monkey Ball 2 had I think maybe 2 or 3 really hard stages. The very hardest relied almost 100% on luck. I forget what it is called, but it's the one with the launchers at the bottom of a giant tree trunk that push you up into the air at a high rate of speed. The goal is on top of the tree trunk. The stage might actually be called "Launchers". I should post some of my Super Monkey Ball videos.

SignOfZeta · 10/23/2007, 07:17 AM

Quote from: Joe RediferHOW???? I DEMAND AN ANSWER! It was by far the most impressive game visually at the Gamecube's launch.

Well, that's your opinion. Well, it might be your opinion. Its impossible to tell when/if you are serious (are you ever serious) about something/anything. Luigi's Mansion and Wave Race both had much better graphics, IMO.

I've played the arcade Monkey Ball. It used to be at the Gameworks in Michigan. It is a Naomi game for sure. It was originally meant to be a DC release after that, but it ended up being one of the many games that were shoved onto other platforms mid-development (Orta, Gun Valkyrie, VF4, etc) after Sega took the bribe and killed the DC.

Kitsunexus · 10/23/2007, 12:52 PM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 10/23/2007, 04:20 AMSuper Monkey Ball 2 had I think maybe 2 or 3 really hard stages. The very hardest relied almost 100% on luck. I forget what it is called, but it's the one with the launchers at the bottom of a giant tree trunk that push you up into the air at a high rate of speed. The goal is on top of the tree trunk. The stage might actually be called "Launchers".

THAT'S THE ONE I'M STUCK ON!!!!

...and I'm using an Action Replay

(had to to get past that underwater stage with the squashing bubbles things)

Hobo Xiphas · 10/23/2007, 06:11 PM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 10/23/2007, 04:20 AMSuper Monkey Ball 2 had I think maybe 2 or 3 really hard stages. The very hardest relied almost 100% on luck. I forget what it is called, but it's the one with the launchers at the bottom of a giant tree trunk that push you up into the air at a high rate of speed. The goal is on top of the tree trunk. The stage might actually be called "Launchers". I should post some of my Super Monkey Ball videos.

Yes. YES.

It took me forever to get past that damned stage. FOREVER.

Joe Redifer · 10/23/2007, 07:06 PM

I went and tried that launchers stage last night. Because of my manly x-treme skillset, I managed to pass the stage after only 2 failed attempts. Saved a replay as well. I'll post some Super Monkey Ball videos soon, but for now check out my reviews of each game (which might have some videos I made as well, but I'll be offering up different videos showing my mad skillz):

Super Monkey Ball

Super Monkey Ball 2 (or you can just scroll down after reading the review of part 1, it's on the same page).

Super Monkey Ball Deluxe - This is the Xbox version which was a compilation of both games... and fails at living up.

Joe Redifer · 10/24/2007, 05:13 AM

Here's a video of me playing some Super Monkey Ball 1 and 2 levels.

Hobo Xiphas · 10/24/2007, 05:14 PM

Holy crap, Joe, the way you do some of those levels is insane

Mainly, I'm talking about the leap of faith one where you just bounce down to the goal

How long did it take to figure out all those caroms?

Nazi NecroPhile · 10/24/2007, 05:35 PM

Alright Joe, your video and review of Splendiferous Primate Sphere has me intrigued. I'm thinking that my nephews might enjoy them, but would six year olds be able to play it? I'm not expecting them to be able to beat it, but I'm hoping that they'd at least be able to screw around and have some fun.

Joe Redifer · 10/24/2007, 06:50 PM

It's a great screw around game, yeah. Lots of minigames to keep them busy as well.

Derek Lee/Ernie Banks/whatever your screen name will be in the future... Practice!

Nazi NecroPhile · 10/25/2007, 12:21 AM

Thanks Joe - sounds like Christmas will be coming a bit early this year.

Joe Redifer · 10/25/2007, 12:50 AM

Monkey Ball games to avoid:

Super Monkey Ball Deluxe (Xbox, PS2)

Super Monkey Ball Adventure (PS2)

Super Monkey Ball DS (DS)

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz (Wii)

In short, stick with parts 1 and 2 on the GC. The GBA one isn't bad.

nat · 10/25/2007, 01:39 AM

What's wrong with the Wii sequel?

Joe Redifer · 10/25/2007, 01:46 AM

Control, jump button added, boss fights. All of which suck. C'mon, boss fights in a Super Monkey Ball game? And a jump button is not a good idea in this game, either.

Turbo D · 10/25/2007, 02:34 AM

great the one I own is on the avoid list

guyjin · 10/25/2007, 02:40 AM

Is the music in the previous games as good as the Wii version? even after falling out dozens of times, the music is too upbeat to let me be mad.

Joe Redifer · 10/25/2007, 04:15 AM

Mostly, yeah. The music in 1 and 2 are both very good. My video above has music from part 1 and part 2. Those are only 2 examples.

CrackTiger · 10/25/2007, 08:27 AM

What I really love about the Wii Monkey Ball is the addition of the jump button, it perfectly compliments the motion gameplay. 1 & 2 are still better, but the Wii game is still lots of fun.

Joe Redifer · 10/25/2007, 06:59 PM

The jump button is retarded. I think they added it because they were running out of stage design ideas or something. You're not supposed to be controlling the monkey directly, just tilting the board, so how can the monkey jump? Takes some of the fun away. Also I get wrist cramps playing the Wii version.

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Monkey Ball arcade?