Sega Announces new Nintendo Revolution game!

[Wes]

Original Article - http://www.sega.com/e3/2006/announcements_tp.php?item=pr_20060426a

SEGA ANNOUNCES SUPER MONKEY BALL: BANANA BLITZ FOR NINTENDO'S REVOLUTION CONSOLE

New Controller Revolutionizes Ways to Have Fun with AiAi and the Super Monkey Ball Gang

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (April 26, 2006) - SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced Super Monkey Ball™: Banana Blitz developed by SEGA Studios for the Nintendo Revolution system. AiAi and all his friends have rolled their way onto Nintendo's new console with new mind-blowing puzzle levels and a wealth of new and exciting Party Games specifically designed to fully exploit the innovative Nintendo Revolution controller. Other titles will have a difficult time matching the multitude of possible variations in game control as presented in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz.

"The Nintendo Revolution presents a totally unique avenue for our developers to explore the art of game design," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz will present a mind-boggling array of gameplay innovations that will excite and challenge gamers while pushing the boundaries of imagination forward."

The single-player puzzle levels in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz have been innovatively designed to challenge gamers' skills like never before. For the first time in the Super Monkey Ball franchise, AiAi and his friends will have the ability to jump when players flick the Nintendo Revolution controller in an upward motion. The ability to jump has given game designers another dimension in which to expand the Super Monkey Ball gameplay experience and allows gamers a whole new way to interact with the franchise; this time in true three-dimensional fashion.

The Party Games, for which the Super Monkey Ball franchise is famous, return with more variety than ever. An abundance of new Party Games have been creatively designed to take advantage of the Revolution controller in a multitude of ways. Gamers will find themselves competing in a traditional game of ring toss, or even smacking pesky moles in a game of "Whack-a-Mole." Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz's large library of Party Games is sure to inspire friendly competition anytime.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz is currently being developed by SEGA Studios. For screenshots and artwork, please visit the SEGA FTP site at: http://segapr.segaamerica.com.

Go Sega! Go Sega! Along with Super Monkey Ball Adventure for GC (Being made by Traveller's Tales) I say yes! Support is good! Heh Sega I knew still help their long time rival stil! First the Genesis games and now a confirmed title for Revolution. YEAH!

 

[kingboo30]

Duh. It was pretty obvious that Sega would go support the company that makes their games sell. (Sonic sells better on cube than PS2 and Xbox obviously.) They started now because they now know the power of the revolution while the 360s been shown awhile ago and you don't know if something from sony is real or simply CGI films.

 

[Wes]

I know that! I'm just saying this game proves that Sega are still helping Nintendo!

 

[ArrEmmDee]

I can't find the stuff in the FTP folder-- it's more likely my inability than anything: someone want to help me out?

I don't think it's necessarily surprising Sega's making Revolution games, however, a game like Super Monkey Ball seems similar to other games that people feel were just made for the Revolution in some sense, and even though I've never really played it too much myself aside from at a friend's once, this might be a good launch game or one of the games that releases in the first few weeks, and if the price is right, I will most certainly look into it.

 

[ShiningClefairy]

Awesomeness! There's two Monkey Ball games on the horizon. I'll watch for it during the E3 coverage. You know Sega's going to have an awesome booth this year!

 

[Cacophony]

Oi, Adventure isn't being made by the good folks at Amusement Vision? And they've delegated the task to Traveller's Tales of all people? News to me. ;_; I'll still be giving it a look, though.

Good to see a Monkey Ball for the Rev, too. I'm not sure how I feel about the jumping, though. I suppose the levels will be modified for it, but jumping in Monkey Ball? Isn't that like cheating? If's a launch game, then all the better; the original Super Monkey Ball was by far the Cube's best launch title, hopefully this will be a similar success. Monkey Ball rocks! Spread the word!

 

[MidnightScott]

Sega Rocks period! I can't wait to hear more of the Sonic games, but this game sounds interesting. More-so with the Rev controller.

~Scott;229;

 

[MoltresGuardian]

^I think you mean the Wii controller.

Anyway, I'm never played a Super Monkey Ball game. Are they any good?

 

[Ryusuke Hikari]

Go Sega! Go Sega! Along with Super Monkey Ball Adventure for GC (Being made by Traveller's Tales) I say yes! Support is good! Heh Sega I knew still help their long time rival stil! First the Genesis games and now a confirmed title for Revolution. YEAH!

Sheesh, down boy. Anyway, yeah, it probably would be a good idea to put a Super Monkey Ball title for Wii with its gameplay and all, since it kinda ties into Wii's controller.

 

[Wes]

Sorry but hey I can't help it. Anyway interview from IGN! about the game with Nagoshi!

http://revolution.ign.com/articles/703/703834p1.html

Wii Interview: Super Monkey Ball
Toshihiro Nagoshi-san fills us in on the details of Banana Blitz. Read more.
by Matt Casamassina

April 28, 2006 - Earlier this week, SEGA officially announced that it is working on a Wii-exclusive sequel to the Super Monkey Ball series. The project, called Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, will be shown in playable form at the Electronics Entertainment Expo 2006 in Los Angeles. IGN Wii asked game producer Toshihiro Nagoshi about the ambitious sequel, who responded to our questions in the interview below:

IGN Wii: A long time ago, a Japanese magazine printed that Super Monkey Ball 3 was in development for GameCube and would enable up to 8-players through LAN. Was this true and if so, what happened to the title?

Nagoshi: It's just a rumor. I wonder when "a long time ago" is.

IGN Wii: When did you decide to make Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz for Revolution and why?

Nagoshi: When I formally heard about the spec of Revolution, I felt the gameplay of the Monkey Ball franchise would match it perfectly. The Revolution's opening up our imagination for new gameplay as well.

IGN Wii: How big is the team working on the game?

Nagoshi: I cannot answer the exact number. However, I would say almost the same size as regular Monkey Ball team.

IGN Wii: Will Banana Blitz launch with Wii later this year?

Nagoshi: Yes, we are trying to release this title as a launch title. With all the possible ways to control AiAi and friends, this will be a must have title to go with anyone's purchase of the Revolution.

IGN Wii: Does the game have a single-player storyline, as in other titles? What is it?

Nagoshi: This time, we didn't plan for a story mode, such as previous series. However, we created greater variations and more unique gameplay. Not having a story will allow players to get right into the unique gameplay faster.

IGN Wii: How many board puzzle levels are in the game? Are there any differences with these puzzles and other Monkey Ball games?

Nagoshi: I would keep details secret. Of course, you'll never feel the volume is decreased. The novelty and ingenious design of each stage has actually increased.

IGN Wii: How is the Wii's controller being used in-game? Can you give us some examples?

Nagoshi: You can fully enjoy the game, maximizing all the functions of Revolution's controller. Some games will require you to twirl the controller, others will have you flicking the controller, while others will feel like using the Revolution controller like a joystick.

IGN Wii: Do you think the Wii controller makes the Monkey Ball experience more intuitive?

Nagoshi: I think so. Originally, the Monkey Ball series was introduced with gameplay that used a controller stick. Thus, the gameplay becomes more natural by tilting action with the new controller.


Super Monkey Ball 2 on GameCube. Nagoshi says the Wii version will be even more intuitive.
IGN Wii: How are you using the Revolution controller with the mini-games? Can you give us a couple of examples?

Nagoshi: Also, I want to keep details secret, but I'll be excited for you to actually experience the excitement of the Revolution controller through the most extensive variety of mini-games ever in the Monkey series.

IGN Wii: What types of mini-games will be featured in the title?

Nagoshi: Again, it's secret. There are some inherited from previous series, but also, there are many new mini-games.

IGN Wii: Will Banana Blitz make use of Wii's nunchuck attachment?

Nagoshi: Yes, it will. We have had an objective that we will cover all the Revolution controller functions in this title.

IGN Wii: Will the title feature an online mode of any kind?

NagoshiL No, it will not.

IGN Wii: How are the visuals different from the GameCube version, if at all?

Nagoshi: There are some differences due to new memory and some new functions. I believe the real appeal of Revolution is the controller, and the new gameplay it opens up.

IGN Wii: Does the title run in progressive scan and 16x9 widescreen mode?

Nagoshi: Yes, it does.

IGN Wii: What characters can you play as?

Nagoshi: You can select all the characters from previous series.

IGN Wii: Are there any instances in the game where you'll need to turn the Revolution controller on its side, or use it in a completely different way, to effect on-screen movement?

Nagoshi: There are many scenes that you are asked to use differently. It'll be all part of the fun.

IGN Wii: Microsoft and Sony are going with HD graphics and more horsepower. Nintendo is going with a new way to play games. What excites you more and why?

Nagoshi: I believe each has its own uniqueness. One approach is to focus a game as a toy, and the other is to expand the focus to graphics and network. I believe both approaches are necessary for the future of gaming.