The original Super Monkey Ball, which launched on May 3rd with the 'Cube itself, was definitely the weirdest game to hit the GameCube at launch. Funnily enough, it also happened to be one of the best launch games for any console. Innovative, inventive and original are the three most popular words used to describe Monkey Ball. Oh, and insane simian madness.

The classic Marble Madness themed puzzler is now getting a second outing on the Cube, packed with better graphics, more mini-games and many, many new courses. A plot is currently non-existent, but who cares? A game this fun doesn't need one. All you need to know is that you are a monkey. In a ball. Who needs to reach the goal. Simple.

Visually it is better looking than the original game, but not by much. The graphics are as sweet as they were before, featuring new, amazing looking backdrops and stellar animation. It doesn't go as far as say, Starfox Adventures Fur look, but it still looks excellent. Even in some of the game's faster parts, like the racing, the games visuals never let you down, keeping up a very impressive frame rate. Some complaints about the first was the lack of much scenery, but those fears for the sequel can now be abolished. Some of the new backgrounds look stunning, and really have to be seen to be believed.

Here is where it counts. Gameplay. This game is soooo addictive in part thanks to the intuitive controls, and excellent camera, which is improved on considerably over the original Super Monkey Ball. But the game's best feature has to be its multiplayer mode. The first game had some excellent mini-games, like bowling and snooker, and the sequel has noticeably improved on them, and added some totally new mini-games. On top of the original six party games, a few more have been added. These are Monkey Football, Parachuting, Tennis, Baseball, Target and rafting are the six brand new games. The four-player mode is still in place, and will no doubt add insane replayability. One new feature worth noting is the Story mode, which allows you to lead your monkey through ten vast detailed worlds of puzzling pleasure. The standard gameplay has been re-done with a whopping 150 new courses. Wow! Also a new monkey is rumoured to be joining the original posse of Aiai, Meemee, Baby and Gongon. This new monkey has been seen in the new Monkey Target game. Fingers crossed!!

Outlook:

In closing, this game is looking to be one class act. So long as Sega don't change too much from the original, this will be undoubtedly the best puzzler on the GameCube. Sega has fixed the most popular niggles of the original, and they added some nice new features. Sega rarely let us down when it comes to any games and sequels, so hopes are high for this latest instalment in this insane monkey-fest. The game is set for a Christmas release, but it will most likely be announced officially in Sega's near-approaching Game Jam event, so watch out for that. Regardless of the release date, you should all go pick up a copy on launch day, even if you are new to this simian series.