Super Monkey Ball 3D

by Sega

• Let yourself be completely immersed in the world of Super Monkey Ball like never before. Watch as your favorite monkeys truly come alive in front of your eyes.
• Three compelling gameplay choices in one. Enjoy classic Super Monkey Ball puzzles, frantic car battles in Monkey Race and all-out manic brawls in Monkey Fight.
• Choose to use either the motion sensor or Slide Pad to navigate the puzzle mazes with complete precision. Balance speed and skill to collect as many bananas as possible within the time limit.
• Compete via wireless connection with up to four players in Monkey Race and Monkey Fight in the best 3D social experience you can have in the palm of your hand.
• Utilize the advanced features of the Nintendo 3DS to enhance gameplay options like you never thought possible.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B004HM279O
• Product Dimensions: 4.9 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches ; 2.4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 27, 2011
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,302 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #5 in Video Games > Nintendo 3DS > Games > Puzzle

Product Description

Amazon.com

Super Monkey Ball 3D is a unique Action-Party game for the Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming system.* Blending the classic banana-collecting puzzles and manic action gameplay that the Super Monkey Ball franchise is known for with handheld 3D visuals and functionality only possible with Nintendo 3DS, the game is an excellent introduction game to the 3DS hardware, as well as a sure hit with both new and longtime fans of the Super Monkey Ball franchise. Features include: 3 full game modes, crisp adjustable 3D graphics, four-player wireless multiplayer in select modes, your choice of control options and more.

Nintendo 3DS take Super Monkey Ball into a whole new dimension.
View larger.

Super Monkey Ball Goes 3D

This is Super Monkey Ball as you've never experienced before. In Super Monkey Ball 3D players join AiAi and friends as you tilt and roll your way in to the world of 3D. Lose yourself in each vibrant world as you twist, turn and aim to collect every banana in the fastest time possible. Not just a world to explore on your own, Super Monkey Ball 3D allows you to play together with friends and be the first to cross the finish line in Monkey Race or get ready for a manic melee in Monkey Fight. Everyone's favorite monkeys are jumping out of the screen with excitement. Are you ready to join the fun!?

Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DS is a groundbreaking hardware release that brings 3D gaming to the handheld market for the first time. The fourth major release in the DS product line, the Nintendo 3DS utilizes 3D Slider functionality and an improved top LCD display to present a glasses-free 3D effect in compatible games, while giving players the option to moderate the effect as they see fit. Taken together with additional features including full analog control in 3D game environments, motion and gyro sensors that transfer the movements of the handheld into the game, 3D camera functionality, an adjustable stylus and full backwards compatibility and you have not only a must-have system, but a revolution in handheld gaming.

Key Game Features

• All-new 3D Super Monkey Ball Action - Let yourself be completely immersed in the world of Super Monkey Ball like never before. Watch as your favorite monkeys truly come alive in front of your eyes.
• 3 Full Game Modes - Three compelling gameplay choices in one. Enjoy classic Super Monkey Ball puzzles, frantic car battles in Monkey Race and all-out manic brawls in Monkey Fight.
• Perfect Control with Nintendo 3DS - Choose to use either the motion sensor or Slide Pad to navigate the puzzle mazes with complete precision. Balance speed and skill to collect as many bananas as possible within the time limit.
• Crazy Multiplayer Action - Compete via wireless connection with up to four players in Monkey Race and Monkey Fight in the best 3D social experience you can have in the palm of your hand.

Additional Screenshots

4-player wireless support. View larger.

Franchise famous puzzle play. View larger.

3 full game modes. View larger.

Your choice of control options. View larger.

* Nintendo 3DS sold separately.

Product Description

Let yourself be completely immersed in the world of Super Monkey Ball like never before. Watch as your favorite monkeys truly come alive in front of your eyes

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Too short, too easy, too little. March 27, 2011

By Mr.Servbot

Fun: 3.0 out of 5 stars   

Super Monkey Ball 3D is another shoehorned Monkey Ball game for SEGA to rush out just to be released at launch. Sad too, since the last time I checked, Super Monkey Ball was a fantastic franchise filled with excellent Marble Madness inspired gameplay, wonderfully designed stages, goofy stories, and awesome mini games. But as of late SEGA has really gone off the deep end with our favorite ballin' monkeys. Gone are the glory days of Super Monkey Ball 1 & 2 for Gamecube where SEGA actually cared about creating a challenging experience, now Monkey Ball has been reduced to the go to franchise for SEGA to develop glorified tech demos for upcoming consoles. Banana Blitz, Step & Roll, and now 3D.

For anyone who doesn't know, Super Monkey Ball requires players to guide our simian friends through hazard filled obstacle courses to reach the goal within... 60 seconds! While seemingly simple at first, the gameplay ramps up in difficulty once the ball REALLY starts rolling. Don't let the cute graphics fool you, Monkey Ball is pretty challenging. Venturing through the through colorful stages while reaching the goal is always a satisfying experience even on the most easiest of stages leading anyone to always come back for more monkey fun!

Unfortunately... Super Monkey Ball 3D is not satisfying. With a meager 80 courses, possibly the lowest stage count in Monkey Ball history, 3D is just too short and easy. I'm pretty sure any one will be able to breeze through these stages like there is no tomorrow. Shoot, I was able to in about two hours of playtime. I only was legitimately challenged during the 8th world. As a Monkey Ball fan, I was seriously disappointed. What happened to the creatively designed stages, like the Gamecube stage!?! No where to be found here... (A 3DS stage would have been awesome!) Most of the level designs are indeed scraping the barrel of mediocrity. In fact, I think the only reason why the level design is this uninspired because of the tilt control option. All of the stages have been "adjusted" with wider planes and bumpers as the only hazard for this outing. Don't get me wrong, the tilt control is quite intuitive enough, but it just can't beat the classic analogue control option when it comes to precision. Trust me, Monkey Ball is a VERY precise game. I mean, 3D does somewhat capture the same fun monkey-in-a-ball game of previous installments within its little play time, but its largely a shallow experience.

Speaking of shallow, that is exactly what the two supplementary mini games; Monkey Kart and Monkey Fight are. Shallow, poorly thought out, and tacked on. Monkey Kart is a lousy excuse for a Mario Kart clone with sloppy controls and the same applies to Monkey Fight, just replace Mario Kart with Smash Brothers. None of them are worth playing more than 5 minutes of, let alone dreaming the idea of playing with friends. Which is another sad element of 3D... Just two mini games SEGA!?! WTF?? Where is Monkey Golf, Monkey Tennis, Monkey Target, Monkey Race, along with the original Monkey Fight that was actually fun!?! These two uninspired knock-offs cannot hold a candle to those in any way, shape, or form. Mini games are an integral part of Monkey Ball, with them basically being this inept along with the 2 hour main game, Super Monkey Ball 3D is not worth $40. Sure, 3D is somewhat enjoyable and contains some replay value (searching for the superfluous "collectibles" in various stages, which add nothing to the game I might add) while boasting some delicious eye candy in the beautifully rendered worlds almost reaching Banana Blitz level with nice 3D effects for good measure making great use of the 3DS' graphical capabilities, its not enough to justify the asking price. I would recommend readers (especially fans) to wait until the price drops or at least check out the original two games for Gamecube before you play this iteration.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Light, but Decent September 1, 2011

By Ruben Torres

Fun: 3.0 out of 5 stars   

With the series' simple and engaging gameplay, new games always make an appearance on new Nintendo hardware. When it came to the portable edition, they were merely ports of their console counterparts. However, for their latest game, it is a truly new game. Does this mean that it is worth playing, or should they stay out of their balls?

Monkey Ball

As with all previous games, the object is to roll your ball into the goal. With no extra features like items or jumping, the entire game is playing with only the circle pad. With the motion sensing of the 3DS, it is also possible to control the game by tilting the system. However, doing so causes you to move out of the system's 3D spot. This means that you have to choose between 3D visual or motion sensing since using both is not advisable. Regardless which way you choose, the levels themselves feel easier than previous games. With the lower difficulty, it is possible to finish the game in a single sitting. They are fun to navigate, but it is best to ration them over time.

Monkey Race

While past games had multiple minigames, this only has two of them. One of them is a racing game. Unlike past game where your character made little difference, this game makes it an important decision. Based on your character and vehicle choices, it will make things handle very differently. Another difference is the difficulty. In past games, you can give the computer opponents a head start, and you can still win. This time, the computer will put a serious effort into stopping you. Combine it with the items they can use, and this could be a solid game on its own. The tracks need more fleshing out, but that is a small complaint in comparison.

Monkey Fight

The other minigame is a fighting game. Working in a style similar to "Super Smash Bros.," it has four people battling against each other. Unlike that game, the combat is much simpler. The characters have varying stats, but there is not much to tell one character apart from each other. None of the characters have special moves or abilities of the own. Except for a one item that appears randomly throughout the match, it may as well be that all the characters are the same with different skins. It will definitely not replace "Super Smash Bros.," but it will make a decent distraction.

Conclusion

This is a definite improvement over the last game, but the package as a whole feels light compared to GameCube and Banana Blitz games. The offering it has individually are not enough by themselves, but they are good when put together. Waiting for a sale might be a good idea, but it is a good purchase nonetheless.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great game for $19.99! September 7, 2011

By DannyC

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

The game is really three smaller games in one.

The main monkey ball game has only 80 levels, which might disappoint some. BUT the 3D effects are great and the circle pad works great with the 3D. It is almost impossible to play with tilt controls and keep the 3D on, but the tilt control version (without 3D) makes it feel like a completely different game, adding to the challenge to try to beat the game in both 3D with the circle pad and then again using tilt control.

The fighting game provides a simple and fun smash brothers style game, yet it can be random at times.

The kart racing game is clearly a Mario Kart rip off, yet it is a lot of fun and the 3D effects are great and really add to the racing experience. It gets me really excited for Mario Kart 7.

All in all the game is worth $20, if you like the Monkey Ball series.

Pros:

-Good graphics and good use of 3D
-Can play through main game in two completely different ways that provide different skill challenges
-Kart game is really fun to play in the 3D mode
-Good value at $20

Cons:
-Cannot use tilt mode and 3D effect, it is too hard to keep up with
-The Monkey Ball series already had the ability to make folks "sea sick", with 3D this gets worse, so if you have "video motion sickness" tendencies avoid this game (or play it without 3D)
-The game was originally $40