Don't be fooled by the goofy story and characters because SMB2's gameplay is fun, exciting and has lots of replay value.
THE GOOD
-Awesome party game
-Superb level design
-Lots of unlockables based on achievement
-Good controls
THE BAD
-Story and characters is very lame
-Camera angles can get funky in single player mode
OVERVIEW
Super Monkey Ball 2 is part puzzle / 3D platformer and part party game. The story mode, which is single player only, lets you play as four monkeys: Aiai, MeeMee, GonGon, and Baby. Each of the four monkeys moves around inside of a ball (like hamsters) as they try to complete a series of 100 platforming levels created by the evil Dr. Bad-Boon. The reason Aiai and friends are doing this is because Dr. Bad-Boon has stolen all the bananas and they want them back. Oh no! Yes, the story is very lame but this game makes up for it with awesome gameplay. The party mode is a place where four people can play against each other in a series of fun events.
GAMEPLAY
The story mode although offers a bad plotline does have exciting gameplay. You'll play through 100 levels each with varying difficulty. The object is to move your "monkey in a ball" from the start line to the finish line within the time allotted. It's basically like playing a huge game of Labyrinth, on steroids. Each of the levels will have you either avoiding objects that try to knock you off the edge, avoiding pitfalls, or navigating on narrow strips of playing field. Each level is unique, provides a good challenge and the design is amazing in this game. There are optional bananas to collect along the way which help you unlock party games. Now, the controls are solid for the single player mode and really simple. The only thing you have to do is move and based on how far you move the joystick depends on how fast your monkey will run. However, the camera angles can make navigation and depth perception difficult in some parts of the game. Along with the story mode there is a challenge mode that lets the user play though a random selection of levels from the story mode but there is a limit as to how many lives you get. This offers a fun but very challenging feature to the single player mode.
In the multiplayer mode or party mode, one to four players can duke it out in a total of 12 mini games. Some mini games are unlocked and some are not. These locked games can be purchased based on your performance though out the entire game. You earn "play points" that not only let you unlock mini games but also purchase additional lives for challenge mode and cut scenes from the story mode. Among the 12 exciting mini games are Monkey Race 2, Monkey Golf 2, Monkey Fight 2, Monkey Target 2, Monkey Billiards 2, Monkey Bowling 2, Monkey Boat, Monkey Shot, Monkey Dogfight, Monkey Soccer, Monkey Baseball, and Monkey Tennis. Now here is a quick run down of each game. Monkey Race 2 lets up to four players race against each other on a series of tracks. Monkey Golf 2 is played like regular stroke golf but the first nine holes look like regular holes and the back nine have a crazy monkey twist. Monkey Fight 2 pins four players against each other in a contest to whack their opponents off the playing field via a punching glove attached to the monkey ball. Monkey Target 2 tests your skills in flying and trying to land on targets below. Monkey Billiards 2 and Bowling 2 are played just like regular pool and bowling with some neat twists. Monkey Boat is a paddle boat racing game. Monkey Shot lets up to four players participate in an "on rails" first person shooter. Monkey Dogfight tests your skills in flying and shooting down your opponents. Finally, Monkey Soccer, Baseball and Tennis are played just like the regular game. Again, all 12 games will provide you and your friends countless hours of fun.
GRAPHICS & SOUND
The visuals for Super Monkey Ball 2 are incredible. Plenty of detail was shown in the characters, backgrounds and level design.
The music for this game is decent. The sound effects and voice acting can get annoying very quick. There is only so many times one can take the screeching of a baby monkey falling to his or her death.
CONCLUSION
Aside from the bad story and sound, Super Monkey Ball 2 is a great game for hardcore and casual gamers alike. With a challenging single player and extremely fun multiplayer, the replay value is through the roof! I would recommend this game to anyone and highly recommend this game for parties.