Though the controls hurt it some, this is the same Monkey Ball you've come to know and love!
Gameplay: The way you play the game is simple. You pick from four different monkeys, (the selection being Aiai, Meemee, Gongon, and Baby) and get them from point A to point B of the given stage. The apes themselves are encased in a little plastic ball that you must help roll to the goal, all the while picking up those yellow delicacies, (bananas) to aid the primate with points and extra lives. You are presented with 10 stages a section and there are two sections to each world, and 5 different worlds in total. Each area carries with it an abundance of obstacles that you must overcome if your monkey is to taste the sweet flavor of victory. These can range from ramps, bumpers, moving platforms, et cetera. A lot of the later levels can really keep you on your toes, thanks impart to the tricky maneuvers needed to succeed. It is because of this winning combination of puzzle and platforming that the series has done so well over the years, and the same applies here!
Controls: Now as fun as this app can be, the controls can more often then not leave you frustrated. This is due to the really sensitive accelerometer, (the thing that allows the game to be played by tilting the device,) which can have the tendency of throwing you off course. Example, when you start up a level the ball will begin rolling backwards even if the iPhone is on a flat surface. And unless it's pointed in a slight downward position, this will happen every time you start a stage. Also, trying to turn corners can wind up being disastrous if your not extremely careful. These control quirks don't render it unplayable, but it will lead to more then a few cheap deaths. If you're patient then it shouldn't pose too much of a problem, but its an annoyance all the same.
Graphics: If you've ever seen "Touch & Roll" in motion, then it can be agreed that the look of this game is every bit as identical as that DS outing. Which, considering phone standards, is quite nice! The levels are displayed in colorful 3D, while the monkeys are kept to a more simpler 2D style. The two might seem at odds, but it's never something that detracts from the cheery appearance. So through an through, it's good stuff!
Sound: Nothing that'll rock your socks off, but it does enough to get by. Each world has a unique theme to it, and while generally short in length and repeated on a loop, it's catchy and fits within the confines of the bright atmosphere. The various grunts and yells of the monkeys are about as far as sound effects go. And fortunately, they don't ever get on the nerves.
Value: You won't be able to do much more outside the main game other than play levels you've already completed. There's no multiplayer to speak of, and mini games remain absent in this installment. Still, with 100 stages to master, its hard not to justify the 3.99 asking price.
Overall: If you want to have fun either minutes at a time or in one long session, then this app has got you covered! The jumpy controls do it back from 'must own' status, but even with that said, this is still a quality puzzler that's worth a look if you like a challenge. Just don't expect that challenge to always be a fair one.