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SUPER MONKEY BALL
FAQ/Walkthrough by Tom Church
Last Modified: Thursday, January 10, 5:46 PM
Version: 1.5
E-mail:
[email protected]
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Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Version History
3. Tips & Tricks
4. Modes/Menus
5. Walkthrough/Main Mode
5.1 Beginner Mode
5.2 Advanced Mode
5.3 Expert Mode
5.4 MASTER MODE
6. Multiplayer
6.1 Party Games
6.1.1 Monkey Race+
6.1.2 Monkey Fight+
6.1.3 Monkey Target
6.2 Mini Games
6.2.1 Monkey Billiards+
6.2.2 Monkey Bowling+
6.2.3 Monkey Golf+
7. Secrets+
8. FAQs+
9. Disclaimer+
10. Closing+
NOTE:
Any modes with a + are incomplete.
Any modes with a * are forthcoming.
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1. Introduction
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Welcome. This is my first FAQ, so bear with me. If at any time, you feel that
my FAQ sucks and should be taken off the site, you should email me with hate
mail, flames, criticisms, and porn. Wait, scratch the hate mail and flames...
^_^ Seriously, any opinions on the FAQ are welcome, so please feel free to
email me at
[email protected].
Why did I write this FAQ? It's a very good question. The short
answer: it needed one. The only other FAQ up is from the Japanese
version, and it hasn't been updated in over two months. I love this
game, and so I thought I would do a FAQ for it. As you can see, I did...and
I hope you enjoy it.
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2. Version History
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1.5 - Thursday, January 10, 5:46 PM
I finally have a totally complete walkthrough for all of single-player,
thanks to JWishnov the great. Read his FAQ, if you haven't. It's better than
mine in some places...although I'm not going to tell you where, of course...
Expert Extra and Master Mode are now complete, although I would still welcome
any alternate strategies. He also was nice enough to tell me how to get a
Cannon Shot in Monkey Billiards. Jason is cool. Worship Jason. ^_^
1.1 - Wednesday, January 9, 8:59 PM
I'm just adding a lot of contributions, credits, etc. I will be starting on
some of the untouched sections, though, because classes always start out easy.
Oh, and I added a little note to BX 1 about the AV replay that's up on their
site. And Monkey Billiards. And a plea for help on Expert Extra and Master.
And a cookie.
1.0 - Thursday, November 29, 10:40 PM
Expert Mode walkthrough is totally complete. As of now, the only stages left
are the Expert extras, and Master Mode. Nothing else is up, but now that the
walkthrough is finished, this is good enough for version 1.0...
0.55 - Tuesday, November 27, 2:54 PM
Nothing too big, just a couple assorted things that couldn't wait until the
next update... ^_^
0.5 - Saturday, November 24, 5:45 AM
Mostly submissions, added more sites allowed to host my FAQ, added Snap's
play points formula...oh, and added MASTER MODE!! We love you, SnapDragon...
Whoops, and I moved the secrets section above the play points formula now
that it's so big...
0.4 - Wednesday, November 21 11:04 PM
Advanced Mode Walkthrough completed, Expert Mode done up to EX 8, added FAQs
section, updated with info on AD 11 from SnapDragon and ArchO, added speed
vs. bananas and warp scoring info to T&T.
0.1 - Tuesday, November 20 6:34 AM
Everything! Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 all started...
Future Updates: Multiplayer started within the next two weeks, and I mean
it this time. A better disclaimer when pigs fly. Any info or contributions
I get.
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3. Tips & Tricks
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This is mostly just for miscellaneous things that don't really seem to fit
anywhere else....
=============================================
Can I play the Extra stages in Practice Mode?
=============================================
I've been seeing too many questions about this, so I've finally added it.
Yes, you can play Extra stages in Practice Mode. When you are selecting from
Beginner, Advanced, or Expert, just go to the right past Expert. You can
access BX, AX, EX, and Master (if you've got it) This is a great tool for
FAQ writers, because it means that I don't have to go and beat them all every
time I need to look something up...
=============================
Which Monkey should you use??
=============================
It's really up to you - just find which one works best for you. One caveat,
though - once you pick a monkey, I would stay with them, at least for
single-player. If you switch, some of your strategies may not work, and you
will have to develop new ones. I have decided to change monkeys, and so far
I am doing a lot better. I have decided to use Baby, and so far I've been
doing a lot better. He has less inertia, so he's easier to stop, and he's
also much easier to navigate on small platforms, due to his diminutive stature.
I had been using Gongon, but I've been having much more success with Expert
Mode now, and it was much easier for me to get the AX stages again as well.
Go Baby! YAY! >_> <_< *runs*
==================================
What is better? Speed, or bananas?
==================================
In my opinion, getting bananas is much less important, unless it won't affect
your time. Before very long, you should have Infinite Continues, so that lives
will matter even less. Besides, much of your struggle will be to beat the
modes without losing a life, so how many you have won't matter. Contributing
to this also is the fact that you can easily have an extra life by Floor 10
on AD or EX. Even though when you think about it, points don't really matter
either, I would much rather finish with a higher score than with one extra
life. I say speed is more important, but do what you want. It's your monkey...
^_^
One caveat to the above - if you're going for either the Expert Extra stages,
or Master Mode (brave soul) bananas DO help you. Since you get one entire
continue, lives will help you out a lot. This is really the only time when
you need to worry about them, though...
========================
How do warps benefit me?
========================
Well, apart from allowing you to skip levels, which in some cases may be very
aggravating, they give a HUGE boost to your score. Scores for warps are
figured out like this:
(BONUS + Score) * TimeBonus * WarpBonus = FinalScore
TimeBonus is either 1x or 2x. It will be 2x if you complete the level in under
half the allotted time. (This is the same as other levels.)
WarpBonus is equal to the number of levels skipped. For example, when going
from Floor 18 to Floor 25, the WarpBonus is 7x.
BONUS is a constant bonus that is added to your score before any multipliers.
This is the only data I have for them:
BE 2 - 10000
AD 6 - 10000
AD 11 - ???? (I believe it is 10000)
AD 18 - 20000 (red) 10000 (green)
AD 25 - 10000
EX 2 - 20000
EX 3 - 10000
So if you were to get into the RED warp on AD 18 at 0:48:45:
Score = (20000 + 4845) * 2 * 7 = 24845 * 14 = 347830
As you can see, by combining the 350 grand you just earned with the 6 levels
you skipped, using the warps is the key to doing well in Super Monkey Ball,
at least in single player. In multiplayer, your best bet is the ability to
unplug other people's controllers... ^_^
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4. Modes/Menus
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Because I want this FAQ to be as complete as it possibly can, and to avoid
doing my homework, I have typed up all of the menus of Super Monkey Ball.
I suppose it could be helpful if you can't find an option...
Game Start
-> Main Game
-> Normal Mode
Practice Mode
Competition Mode
-> Party Games
-> Monkey Race
-> One Course Race
Grand Prix
Time Attack
-> Monkey Fight
Monkey Target
-> Mini Games
-> Monkey Billiards
-> VS Mode
Tournament Mode
-> Monkey Bowling
-> Standard Mode
Challenge Mode
-> Monkey Golf
-> Stroke Play
Match Play
Options
-> Replay
-> Play Points
-> Ranking
-> Main Game
Party Games
Mini Games
-> Sound
-> Split Screen
-> Controllers
-> Control Stick Adjustment
Rumble Feature
->Game Data
-> Load
Save
Autosave ON/OFF
Original Settings
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5. Walkthrough/Main Mode
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This is IMHO the meat and potatoes of the game, but that may just be because
I don't have any friends. (I think it's my personality.) Still, this is a
great mode, and one that I have spent a huge amount of time with.
*******************************
5.1 Beginner Mode
*******************************
Beginner Mode is easy. That's why it's for beginners. ^_^ The first few times
through this mode, don't feel bad if you have trouble - it's natural. This
mode is mostly designed to teach you the basics of the game, and to get you
used to the controls. I would recommend playing through this until you get
to the Extra stages before going on to Advanced - you can do it earlier, but
it will just be easier in the long run if you work on your skills first.
For all of these stages, you will have choices. You can take risks, but get
through the level faster, or you can take it slow but safe. It's really up
to you. For each stage, I will list the "correct" way to beat it, which is
usually the long way, and then any shortcuts you can take. For any shortcuts,
I would recommend trying them out in Practice Mode before you try it in the
game, because it will save you a lot of aggravation.
1 - Just roll straight forwards. If you die on this level, return the game
to the store, then hit yourself in the head with a hammer... ^_^
2* - You can either just roll around the hole into the goal, or you can go
for the warp. To do that, do you see that little ramp behind you?? You want
to get enough speed that you barely make it over that ramp. You will drop
down and hopefully land on a little stage where you can roll to the Warp Goal.
This one will warp you to Floor 5....
3 - You can either go around the front or the back, it doesn't really matter.
Just loop around and go through the goal.
4 - You can either try to make it across in one try, or you can stop in the
middle and wait. If you do it in one, you'll save time, but you have more
of a chance of dying.
5 - A bonus stage. The time doesn't matter, so take your time. I like to get
all of the outside bananas first, then the inside ring, then I go for the
middle one and the one on the platform last, but it doesn't really matter
on this difficulty. You'll be seeing this stage on AD and EX, though, and
you'll have a lot less time...
6 - You can either go down every ledge, or take the shortcut. If you're going
the long way, make sure to check your speed, so you don't fly off the
platforms.
Otherwise, turn to the right from the beginning and jump down to the first
platform. Stop your bounce, then jump down to the last one. Then just rocket
down the last ledge to the goal.
7 - There's just one shortcut here, and I forgot to include it. RedPh reminded
me that if you move to the left, and then quickly to the right, you can jump
to the next platform. From there, just make your way around the platforms.
8 - This one is fun, and you have two major options. You can try to get all
of the bananas, and sacrifice some time, or you can just go straight for the
goal. Since this is Beginner, I usually just go for it, but it's really up
to you. Just wait until the platform comes to you, then get on. Make sure
you don't have too much speed.
9 - On this one, just roll around to the top of the ramp. Now, when you're
coming down this ramp, you need to be careful. If you're going too slow, you
won't make it to the platform, and if you're going too fast, you'll bounce
off the wall and fall out. I can't give specific instructions, since they
depend on the character, but run it in Practice a couple times to get it down.
10 - Ooh, a worthy final stage - well, for Beginner, at least... ^_^ From
the beginning, just go straight across the ledge, then turn around and come
back on the next one. On the stairs, just keep your speed checked - they'll
act like a ramp in that regard. The just pick one of the two ledges, and head
up the ramp. Now, on the curvy part, you're really going to have to use that
analog control. It's better to keep a constant speed than to be jerky, because
jerky movements on a small ledge = fall out. There's only one shortcut for
this, but on the second platform, at the end of the first ledge, you can jump
off, onto the third platform (at the bottom of the stairs) saving a lot of
time. It's not too dangerous, especially if you've practiced it in Practice
Mode....
EX 1 - I usually take this whole stage in one run, because it is easier for
me if I can keep up my speed, but it may be easier for you to take it in two
or even three trips. It's really up to you, just when you do go, take a
"straight" diagonal path along - you shouldn't really be moving horizontally
at all. Just move along each platform, then roll right into the goal.
Just one notice - there is a video up from AV themselves, and I don't know
how they did it. I've tried, and I can't get anywhere close to even getting
started. Basically, what they did was go forwards a little, then turn left
and get on the rim of the stage. Once the platforms passed, they turned around,
went to the corner, then turned left, went all the way up the side of the
stage, and then around and into the goal.
EX 2 - This one is more of a gimmick stage, and it really doesn't take any
skill to beat. Just wait until you can get in, and pop through the gate.
EX 3 - On this one, the biggest problem may be seeing where the stage is!
Once you get onto the circular platform, head pretty much straight, right
between the letters. Once you're all the way through, stop, turn around, and
come back right through the goal. Congratulations! You completed
Beginner.....now on to Advanced...
NOTE: Any number with an * denotes a stage with a Warp of some kind.
NOTE: To open up the Extra stages, beat the entire mode without losing a single
life. You may die and use continues on any of the extra stages, but you have
to get there without dying once. This applies to Beginner and Advanced modes.
*******************************
5.2 Advanced Mode
*******************************
Advanced Mode is, well....advanced. It's more difficult than Beginner by far,
but none of the levels will jump out of your Gamecube and scream at you, "You
will never beat me!" until you start to cry. (Just wait until Expert...)
Anyway, so far Advanced is my favorite level. It's difficult enough that it
actually requires skill, at least in the later levels, but not so hard that
I am completely exasperated. Some levels are pretty easy, some are
excruciatingly hard, but it all evens out into a remarkably fun experience.
(Now try beating it with one life... ^_^)
1 - Just go straight ahead. It's theoretically possible to die, but I really
hope you're not that bad...
2 - This one is actually kind of interesting. Hard to die, really, as long
as you just go through normally. Head straight forwards, snag the hand of
bananas in the air, then slow so you don't bounce back too much. Weave in
and out of the path, avoid the bumpers, and hop right over the gap into the
goal.
Interestingly, though, my best time was achieved nothing like this. I was
messing around in Practice, and I found that I had somehow made it into the
goal at 0:53:47! I had headed forwards, then angled to the right off the second
jump, hit the edge of the long platform on the right, bounced back onto the
level over the "maze", over the bumpers, and through the goal in 6 seconds.
I haven't been able to duplicate it, though....
3 - This one is pretty simple. I head forwards around to the right and get
onto the first platform. When they pass, I try to get onto it going parallel
to the original direction, and I can usually keep this direction going right
back onto the fixed platform, which saves time. If you want to be risky, you
can get onto the second platform at an angle, then go straight and hit the
fixed platform on the left of the hole. Then just swing around and hit the
goal.
4 - It is possible to take this track in one go, but it is much safer to do
it in two. To do this, just start out slow, snagging the bananas along the
way, and stop near the end of the spinning ledge. Wait until it spins back,
then roll to the goal. To do it in one try, you will need to start of fast,
pop up a little onto the spinner as soon as possible, and you will have to
jump a little at the end. Not too too hard if you keep your speed up...
5 - Bonus Stage, same as BE 5, except that now the time limit is 30 seconds
instead of 60. Still, just take the outer circle, then the inner one, and
you should be able to make it in time.
6* - To do this normally, I would say to wait until the platform is coming
down, but is almost horizontal. Roll up the slope as close as you can get,
then as the slope drops you can make it in. For the warp, just turn around
and jump down off the ramp onto the platform below. Control your bounce and
roll to the warp. Pretty much identical to BE 2... Warps you to Floor 10.
NOTE: None of these levels are necessary, since you can skip all of them with
the AD 6 warp, and get more points that way too. However...
7 - On this track, you can obviously take the long way, following the track
all the way around. With WALLS on these wide tracks, there is almost no way
that you could fall off, so the only thing that you are sacrificing is time.
On this track, there are two main shortcuts. The first, and IMHO the harder
of them, is to just go almost straight from the beginning. (You will actually
be going a little to the right of straight at first and then turning back
left.) You should drop down to the end of the first, tiny loop, going
"backwards" the other way from how you would normally. Then, just keep going
straight and you should land on the end of the next loop. Then just go to
the end normally. This can save you about 10 seconds by cutting off the first
and second loops.
The other shortcut is to drop to the right immediately, and turn around as
you do so, so you are facing the other way on the next track down. You will
have skipped the first loop. Then, follow the second loop around until almost
the end of it, then jump to the right. Immediately turn around, and you will
have skipped the third loop. Since the third loop is longer than the second,
this one can theoretically save you more time, but I find that the time it
takes me to turn around makes them both about equal. I usually do about a
second or less better with this method. It all comes down to which is easier
for you...
8 - This level is very easy. If you keep your speed down, you shouldn't have
any trouble with it, and even if you speed up it is still pretty easy.
(Apologies to anyone who has trouble with it... ^_^) Just weave in and out
of the obstacles.
9 - This is just a twisted version of BE 8. The only difference is that there
is a hole in the middle, which means that you can't roll across in one turn
anymore. Just roll halfway, wait, get a banana bunch if you want, then go
the rest of the way the next time. Pretty simple.
From rawisjericho24 -
"You can make it across in one try, you just have to do it pretty fast, and
don't wait until the floor is all the way back together. You will probably
have to roll over a small gap to end up on the far corner of the center section,
but it doesn't cause any problems."
10 - Another Bonus Stage. Does it seem to you like these stages are really
just graphical showcases?? Anyway, my strategy is to take the outer circle
first. Sometimes, I will hit a groove and be able to get every single banana
in the circle in one go-round; other times I will get less than half. The
key seems to be if I can time the waves right. If I can swerve to the left
every time a wave hits, I can avoid "surfing" the waves and keep going around
the circle. If I mess it up, the wave sends me out to the outside and I lose
a lot of time and miss the bananas. Anyway, after I get the outside circle,
I go for the inside one. Even if I've missed a lot of them, my main objective
here is to get the 1-Up. After that, I just go around randomly picking up
any that I've missed.
11* - Just pick a path and get across. The smaller ones are closer, so they
may save you a little time, (and net you some bananas) but you had better
be pretty confident in your balance. If you want to play it safe, just take
the path on the left. Go all the way to the right end of the platform at the
end, go up the ramp, and into the goal. Pretty simple, really...
I received two great emails today about how to achieve the warp goal on this
level. Rather than mangle their contributions, I'll let their letters speak
for themselves...
"To start with, I'd recommend picking the Baby monkey, because he tends to
be best on the small platforms such as this one. Also, unless you're on
Practice Mode, it's a good idea to open up Infinite Continues, as you'll
probably be spending a good while trying to figure everything.
Once you're in level 11, go directly to your right from your starting
position. Go all the way to the end, then count the squares from the end of
the wall. Align the center of your ball in the left part of the third square,
and straighten yourself up as well as you can. After you're lined up, simply
push the stick forward and don't move it at all. If you aligned correctly
(and have a bit of luck), you should be able to ride straight across the
platform. The warp gate takes you to level 14.
I hope this helps you in being able to reach this warp. It requires a good
eye, steady hand, and lots and lots of luck, so be sure to give this method
a good effort before you give up on it should you have trouble." - William
Blatt (aka ArchO)
"I've gotten the warp in A11 a number of times, but it is really really
difficult, and not worth the trouble unless you're going for a high score.
It only goes to A14, and A12 and A13 are easy anyway. Take note of where the
path is in relation to the checkerboard floor so you can get lined up on it
even before you pick up the banana bunches. Then get onto it quickly. The
most important thing after that is to keep rolling forwards (but slowly) and
making VERY minor adjustments if you detect a slight drift. If you're lucky,
you'll find that you're not drifting at all; in this case, instantly move
the stick to straight up and burn rubber right to the warp. If you can't
eliminate your drift, then you'll probably fall off before you reach the warp.
Another helpful tip is to take a look at the line of the track in the distance.
If you're lined up properly, it should head straight up into the center of
the Time counter. (If you're lined up perfectly, the line will point near
the left edge of the M in TIME)." - SnapDragon
I've tried it, and these strategies work...
I've just received two more emails, one from kcin and one from Chad Kulesa,
both with similar strategies. I don't really have space to quote them all,
but thanks to everyone who sent in their strategies....
12 - Pretty simple. I usually do it in two rounds, you can do it in one as
well. Just jump into the bowl and roll around until you make it through the
goal. For me, the best strategy is to jump in, roll under the goal the first
time around, then roll around right at the level of the bananas. Right before
you get to the goal, you may want to angle yourself up the bowl wall a little,
but it's not essential.
From rawisjericho24 -
"If you roll forward a tiny bit and then angle yourself off the left corner
of the platform, (with practice of course, you can angle yourself to land
directly in the goal with 28.06 remaining on the clock each and every time."
This can help you garner a few more points from this level, but it's not very
difficult in the first place.
13 - This level aggravates me, but usually that is just because I screw up
a relatively easy level. Just roll forward until you are fully on the shooter
thingy - you don't want to be flung backwards. Just jump up the first two
- it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. For the last one, I find it
easier NOT to use the shooter. I just wait at the back of the platform until
the red things have just gotten to the shooter, then I roll forwards. I go
over the shooter right after it comes down, and I make it to the goal just
fine. If you want to get a boost, you can, but I have found that I hit the
top of the goal too often.
14 - I doubt that you'll have trouble with this one...you have a full minute,
so you should be fine. One very important thing that I have been informed
of, and I'm mad that I didn't notice myself - the punchers tilt with the stage.
When you tilt to the left, so do the punchers. You can obviously use this
to your advantage when going through the stage. (I got this info from
SnapDragon and also from Schmeerskahooven) When getting through this level,
you can try to go straight through the middle, or skirt the edges - it's all
the same in the end.
15 - This level is evil. It's not all that hard, it's just very unforgiving.
If you fall too low down the slope, you won't be able to get back up. Anyway...
From the beginning, head straight, jump down to the next platform and stop.
The first few shouldn't be too hard, but you will need to slow yourself down
as soon as you crest the "hill" on the last two. For all of them, you want
to take it in a curve. If you try to move over, then up, it will be a lot
harder. Just curve quickly around, and then press up quickly to ascend the
slope. Especially on the last one, you do not want to take the turn too loosely,
because you will lack the momentum to get back up, and you will crash and
burn and die... ^_^
I have been reminded that if you need to get up a slope on this level, but
lack the momentum to make it straight up, you can still save yourself. If
you wiggle back and forth in a "sidewinder" motion, you can slowly make your
way up the hill. I've forgotten who tipped me off to this, though, so if it
was you, please email me so I can give you credit.
16 - This level is pretty easy, and after the insanity that is floor 15, it
will feel like a walk in the park. Just weave in and out...you shouldn't even
have to worry about keeping your speed down.
17 - I don't really like this stage, but it's not as hard as it looks at first.
For most people, just as on EX 7, the problem will be making it to the goal
in time. There is one huge shortcut that can save you enough time to make
this level much easier, and one easy one at the beginning. As soon as you
start, move to the left, then move quickly to the right. You can jump the
gap and make it to the third platform. (I was reminded of this shortcut by
Alex (munchia)...thanks.) If you don't want to do this, you will need to go
straight from the beginning. Curve back around and take the next ledge, then
power up the inclined ramp. Now just roll across one path or the other, it
doesn't matter. This is where you will need to make a choice. If you want
to play it safe, and have lots of time, roll down the stairs. Then just roll
around the curvy part, making sure that you keep a steady speed. If you are
out of time, enjoy taking risks, or just want some more points, you want to
take the shortcut. From the platform before the twin ledges, you need to make
sure that you have some speed when crossing them. If you don't stop, but
instead just keep going, you will land on the platform that the goal is on,
and you can roll right in. The only caution that I would have is to make sure
that you don't hit the goal, because you will fall out if you do.
18* - On this level, there are 3 gates, and each takes you to a different
level. The closest one, the blue one, will take you to floor 19, and gives
you no bonus. The green one, if you can catch it, will take you to floor 20.
If you're going for either of these, just floor it and try to catch them.
One strategy that has worked sometimes for me is to swing wide, and then cut
the corner in a straight line. Gives you better acceleration, so you can catch
the gates faster. There really is no reason to ever get either of these gates,
though, because this level contains both the easiest and the best warp in
Advanced Mode. At the beginning, just jump off to the right, control your
bounce, and wait for the first gate. When you get it, it will warp you to
Level 25 and give you upwards of 350000 points. If you want to get more points,
you can try to chase it down earlier, but this is more trouble than it's worth,
in my opinion.
NOTE: You really shouldn't ever be doing these stages, since you can skip
all of them with the AD 18 warp, and get more points that way too. Unless
you're just doing them for fun, you don't need these...
19 - This is a lot like BE 9, and although it's a little harder, it's still
not a big deal. The first ramp can be taken pretty slow, although you still
need to avoid going either too slow or too fast. From here, wait until the
moving platform comes back over, then get on it. Roll off and along the path
until you come to the top of the next ramp. Since there are bumpers at the
top and bottom of this one, you can't take it straight. Just take a straight
path, but move your starting position a little to the left. Control yourself
once you get to the bottom, then roll through the goal.
As with most levels, there is also a shortcut here. If you go backwards and
to the right from the beginning, you can fall down onto the second ramp. Try
to land on the ramp, hit the jump again, and get into the goal. You can beat
this level in under 4 seconds. I personally don't really use this shortcut,
but that's because I never do this level. If it helps you, use it; if it's
just too risky, take the normal way.
20 - Another bonus stage, but this one is filled with those bumpers. If you
want, you can just let yourself be bounced around by them, but I can almost
guarantee that you won't get all the bananas. The secret to this level is
to take it diagonally. If you look at it from an angle, you can see that there
are clear paths through the bumpers. Start at one end, and cut through the
corner of the square, then turn around and take the next path over. If you
do this, it is much easier to get a Perfect on this stage...
21 - From the beginning, move forwards a little. Wait for the next bumper
to pass, then quickly move in behind it. Move at a constant speed on the first
leg, and you should be fine. Be careful at the intersection; the path in the
middle is the hardest part of this stage, because there are twice as many
bumpers. Let the bumper coming towards you go by, then immediately get onto
the middle section. It will turn to the left, so continue following it. At
the other end, just get out of the line and go for the goal.
22 - There's no way to jump the barrier, so you're going to have to go around.
Just roll around the outside, then straighten up and roll right next to the
goal.
23 - There aren't really any shortcuts here, but the level is pretty easy.
At first, just go straight at the farthest right of the rows of gaps. You
should just bounce right over them all. Continue this until the level opens
up on your right, then turn right. Be careful coming down this small ramp;
if you have too much speed, you'll fall into the holes. Go straight on the
path, then take a right at the top. Take whichever of the paths you prefer,
although the closer one may save you
half a second. Take a right, and take a right at the end. Then just roll into
the goal.
24 - This one looks hard, but it's really not. Just floor it from the
beginning, and correct for the tilt a little in the middle. It should tilt
back to normal before it becomes a problem, and you can roll right into the
goal.
25* - At the beginning, just make your way through all of the bumpers and
holes. There really is no "right" way to get through here, although an
interesting strategy that seems to save a little time is to hug the left wall,
control your rebound, then head to the right. You can use this on the first
and third sections of the bumpers and holes. Anyway, after you get through
these and make it up the ramp, you need to make it through the "punchers".
This isn't really very hard; the only real danger is when they retract for
a moment, then shoot out again. As long as you can avoid these, you should
be fine.
To get the warp on this level, just go straight, avoiding the bumpers, and
try to hit the hole that is straight in front of you. You should pop up into
the air, and bounce straight over the railing into the warp. This one will
warp you to floor 28.
It is also possible to get the warp without using this trick, but it is so
difficult that it is not at all worth it. You have to get all the way through
the level to the goal, then control yourself so that you do not go into the
goal. (This is hard enough by itself.) Then, turn to the left, come back,
and roll forwards again. From here, there are many different ledges of
different widths, just like AD 11. At the far end is a wide one, 1.0, but
it you go all the way out there you may not have time to get to the goal.
When you get to the goal, there are conical spikes waiting, and they can easily
send you off of the stage here. All in all, it is much easier to just beat
26 and 27 than to try for this warp the long way.
NOTE: None of these levels are necessary, since you can skip all of them with
the AD 25 warp, and get more points that way too. However...
26 - On this level, you can just go all the way around the outside. If you're
going to, just go to the end of the first platform, get a little bit of a
start, and drop onto the spiral. Keep your speed up and stay in the middle
and you should be fine.
However, if you want to take a shortcut, just drop off of the first platform
right down to the goal. In my experience, what works best is to wait until
almost exactly on the third beep, and drop off of the platform at a gentle
angle. You should bounce a little and roll right into the goal with almost
no control needed.
27 - This one is really very easy. Just run into one of the walls at the
beginning, then hold forwards. This will get you onto the second ledge at
the right angle. When you get to the end, just curve a little back towards
the center and you should make it into the goal just fine.
28 - Just make sure you keep your speed down. Just move at a constant speed,
so that you are always in the middle of the empty space. Once you get out,
just tilt it forwards and get in that goal.
29 - On this level, you can try to make it across in one turn, or you can
try it in two. If you're taking it in two, I would say to just get onto the
second platform on your right. It will tilt backwards, and you will be in
danger of falling into the gap between this and the first platform, but just
fight against it and you should be fine. By the time the slope pulls you back,
the gap will be too small to fall into. Then just roll all the way into the
goal. The last platform will be tilting up, so just fall right off it into
the goal.
If you want to try to make it across in one turn, you have to hurry from the
beginning. You want to get across all the platforms as fast as you can until
you get to the last one. Here, fight the slope until it gets back to horizontal,
then rush into the goal. Either way, it's pretty easy.
30 - This level looks almost impossible, but it's really not that hard. It's
not exactly a piece of cake, but anyone who tried this for hours (like me)
will be kicking themselves when they finally figure it out. Or read it in
the next paragraph. ^_^
When I first saw this stage, I tried to take it one platform at a time, and
while it may be possible to beat it this way, it is VERY hard. I wouldn't
recommend it for anyone except masochists... However, there is a much easier
way. Just go straight from the beginning. Line up the first two platforms,
and keep heading straight. You'll bounce over the next gap, and if you just
steer around the bumper, you can easily get right into the goal. This will
get you in about 3 seconds.
If you're going for the Extra Stages, though, or if you just like playing
it safe, try this strategy I received from rawisjericho24:
Roll onto the first platforms, and get onto the platform with the bumper.
The bumper should be on your left. Stop there, and then instead of taking
the first platform that comes past, take the next one, and you will roll across
3 more platforms directly into the goal. This will get you into the goal in
about 6 seconds, and it is much safer, since you don't have to worry about
the vagaries of your bounces. Thanks for your strategy, rawisjericho...
EX 1 - This level is exactly identical to BX 1, with one small difference:
you have 30 seconds instead of 60. Since you can easily make it across in
this time, it really shouldn't make any difference.
I usually take this whole stage in one run, because it is easier for
me if I can keep up my speed, but it may be easier for you to take it in two
or even three trips. It's really up to you, just when you do go, take a
"straight" diagonal path along - you shouldn't really be moving horizontally
at all. Just move along each platform, then roll right into the goal.
EX 2 - This level is much like BX 2, but the goal spins faster. It wil
eventually slow down a little, and you can chance it, but I never bother with
that. Just stay where you are until 0:23:50, then floor it forwards. You
should get right into the goal.
EX 3 - On this level, your main enemy is time. It's not exactly very hard
to complete, it's just that you only have 60 seconds to do it in. To get through
in the allotted time, there are two main shortcuts you should use. First,
from the beginning, floor it. As soon as you hit the next platform over the
gap, turn right. This is actually easier than it looks, and you will almost
always be on the next platform out, heading right. At the end, you will need
to turn right for a little bit. Then turn around and floor it. If you have
enough speed, you can jump the gap, and you will be on the other side. Now
just follow the path all the way around. If you take these two shortcuts,
you should have plenty of time, so you won't really need to hurry too much.
Just be cautious and make your way to the goal.
EX 4 - This is the AV level, the same as BX 3. Same strategy, for the most
part....
On this one, the biggest problem may be seeing where the stage is!
Once you get onto the circular platform, head pretty much straight, right
between the letters. Once you're all the way through, stop, turn around, and
come back right through the goal.
EX 5 - I love this level. It's such a great way to end Advanced Mode...it
is cool...I want to have its baby.... Ehrm...well, anyway, this level can
be really fun, or it scan be really frustrating. If you don't know how to
do it, this level can seem impossible. But that's why I'm here... ^_^
Anyway, from the beginning, you want to take it much the same as you did AD
30, although you may need to go a little slower to avoid falling off. You
should end up at a place where three or four platforms come together. Get
to the outside one and head right. You should pass some going the other way,
so get on them and follow them until you get to a radial platform. By this
I mean one of the platforms that points out, not around. You'll know it when
you see it. From this one, you can get onto the second platform from the
outside.
Here, there are two strategies. My favorite, because it gives me a sense of
danger, is to go right in front of the goal. Now just wait until the vertically
rotating platform is almost up. Roll forward, get hit by it, and hopefully
land right in front of the goal. Your other option is to roll around the
outside until you get to the halfway point, where the vertical platform
rotates around. Get on the side where it is coming upwards, and just roll
across very quickly whn it is almost horizontal. Now just roll around to
whichever goal you prefer.
Also, I will eventually update with a guide on how to complete Advanced Mode
without losing a life. Until then, here's a quick sketch:
1-6 -> 10-18 -> 25 -> 28-30
-> means WARP TO
You can beat Advanced Mode in only 19 levels... ^_^
*******************************
5.3 Expert Mode
*******************************
When was the last time you cried about a video game? Expert Mode is the spawn
of the devil. I seriously doubt that anyone could beat this without Infinite
Continues, (See Section 7 - Secrets) and I would go so far as to say that
no one will beat this on one life. Ever. (Except SnapDragon. He just loves
making me eat my words...) This mode is like Advanced Mode, redone by
superhuman masochists who enjoy torturing themselves. Over and over. Make
sure you have some extra money lying around, because you'll be needing a lot
of new controllers....
1 - Pretty simple, just hold forwards. Hop the gaps and you're in.
2* - You can either take the left path, and go to Floor 3, or you can try
for the warp, and get an extra 120000 and a 6x multiplier. If you are going
for the normal one, just head to the fork in the road, and take the left,
wider path. Roll to the end and you're done. If you're going for the warp,
you will need to get some pretty good acceleration up the slope. If you don't,
you'll slide back down and die. Pick up all those nice bananas and get yourself
through that goal.
3* - On this level, it's possible to get the warp, but it is really pointless.
All it does is skips you to Stage 5, and you can warp there from the previous
level. If you really want to, though, you will want to wait maybe a half or
a third of a second at some point, just a short hesitation that gives the
rotating platform time to get aligned. You want to head to the right from
the beginning, and then hesitate and head straight for the goal. You should
bounce right over the corner of the hole straight into the goal.
If you're doing it the normal way, you want to just wait until the blue one
comes up again. The rotation is going to stop and go the other way, so you
should have plenty of time to get into the goal.
4 - This one's pretty hard, but still doable. From the beginning, just weave
around the path. Go up over the hump, and wait for the moving platform to
come back to you. (If you did the first part fast enough, it might still be
there from the previous time.) Go from the moving platforms onto the fixed
one at the end, then wait and get on the next moving one. (It's moving in
a vertical circle.) From there, make sure you have enough speed to jump the
gap, then brake after it. Turn to the right and get enough speed to snag the
banana bunch when you go off the jump, then immediately brake so that you
don't hit the bumpers. Slowly make your way through them and onto the thin
path. After you make it past the curved part, you will see a straightaway.
YOU MUST FLOOR IT. If you don't, you won't have enough speed to make it up
the other side, and you'll feel pretty stupid... As long as you have enough
speed, you can just roll right up and into the goal.
For those of us who have beat Master Mode, or who are crazy, you can try to
beat this as fast as possible. Go forwards, turn right, and go the end of
this platform. Now, you will have to turn around, hit the edge, and somehow
land on the ongskinny platform and roll all the way up to the goal. It is
incredibly hard, believe me...
5 - Gonna just copy what I said from AD 5, since they're exactly the same
stage...
It's another Bonus Stage, same as BE 5, except that now the time limit is
30 seconds instead of 60. Still, just take the outer circle, then the inner
one, and you should be able to make it in time.
6 - It has been annoying me to hear people saying that they can't beat this
stage, because IMHO it's really not that hard. I can beat it every time now...
First of all, you need relatively good balance. You don't have to be perfect,
but you need to know when not to hold the stick down all the way. OK, since
the direction you go really doesn't matter, pick whichever way you want to
go. My description will assume you go to the right, but it shouldn't be that
hard to reverse it.
For these descriptions, the platforms go like this:
NW N NE Each one TL T TR
is made
W E up of L R
Platformettes:
SW S SE BL B BR
OK, start out by going to the right. Stop right before the end of the platform.
Now, wait until the moving platforms have fully expanded. The top right
platformette of the SE platform and the bottom right one from the E platform
should come together right next to you, so get onto the BR - E platform. Stay
on it until the E platform comes back together, then quickly roll to the top
left platformette. When all of the platforms come together in the middle,
you want to roll very quickly from TL - E all the way to BR - NW. Now, as
NW moves to the outside, move to BL, L, TL, T, or TR. Then just get onto the
outside platform and into the goal.
This may sound confusing, and it is, but once you know what you're doing,
it is really quite simple. And once you get it down, you shouldn't have too
much trouble reproducing it...
7 - Go straight from the beginning. As you near the end of the first ledge,
ease up on the control stick to slow down. As soon as you actually reach the
platform, move to the left side and stop. (Find out in Practice how to
recognize where to stop. Count blocks, if you have to.) Then turn around and
head right up the bar. As soon as you crest it, let go, and possibly hold
back on the stick a little. Once you've stopped, head down the stairs. Not
too hard. At the bottom, you have to cross this lattice of blocks. To pick
up just the right amount of speed, you have to start from a stand-still
position at just the right distance from the blocks. Then, just run straight
for them, aimed at one row in from either the left or the right, and bounce
across. Once you make it across, you'll need to slow yourself down so you
don't fall off. From here, it's just a windy track, but remember to watch
the time. You may be forced to take this section faster than you would like
if you want to make it in time. (Strategy for block lattice contributed by
chmcalbro)
There is another strategy for the block lattice, which may work better for
some people. If you've been having trouble taking it at a run, try going across
it diagonally. As you come down the stairs, slow down a bit, but instead of
going to the right, take a left and go across the blocks. At the end, stop
completely, turn, then go forwards. Turn to the right and get to the end of
the platform. Now just get into the middle and continue for the rest of the
level.
8 - This level's really very easy, it's just that sometimes you can run out
of time. From the beginning, fall off to your right, and pull back a bit once
you land. From here, I usually just take all of the normal platforms, and
I almost always make it to the goal in time. If you want to be riskier, however,
you can try jumping off again. This time, though, you'll need more speed just
to make it to the platform, so it will be much harder to control your bounce
once you land.
9 - Ooh, look, the guitar stage - only with the wide path, with no warp gate,
and CURVED!! Despite your first reaction, this level really isn't as hard
as it looks. Just take your time, and you should be fine. My favorite strategy
is to go around the outside, minutely changing between straight forwards and
forwards-left as needed. Keeps me at a pretty good speed, and I don't really
have very many problems falling off. Since there's no warp gate here, the
only real reward for taking the smaller ledges is the bananas - although if
you're going for Master Mode and you know you can take them, those bananas
may help you on a later level.
10 - The same Bonus Level as AD 10. Is Sega running out of stage ideas? Not
a chance. Just wait until you see the rest of Expert Mode...
Anyway, my strategy is to take the outer circle first. Sometimes, I will hit
a grove and be able to get every single banana in the circle in one go-round;
other times I will get less than half. The key seems to be if I can time the
waves right. If I can serve to the left every time a wave hits, I can avoid
"surfing" the waves and keep going around
the circle. If I mess it up, the wave sends me out to the outside and I lose
a lot of time and miss the bananas. Anyway, after I get the outside circle,
I go for the inside one. Even if I've missed a lot of them, my main objective
here is to get the 1-Up. After that, I just go around randomly picking up
any that I've missed.
11 - Ooh, this level is pretty fun. As for speed - well, you can speed it
up or pull back and slow down, but I find that I do the best if I don't mess
around with it at all. I just steer left and right and that speed seems to
be fine.
It goes like this, looking down from the top:
X X
XX
X X
X
XX X <-- Point A
X XX
XXX
XXX
X XX <-- Point B
XXX
XXX
|--|
GOAL
The first ones are relatively easy, up until "Point A". Just practice this
one until you can make it through easily. It's more of the same, for the most
part, until you get to Point B. Here, you're just coming back from the edge,
and you have to squeeze through a small gap. The one other warning that I
would have for you is at the end, make sure you can make it into the goal
after the last row of bumpers. Many a time I've made it past the gol-durned
bumpers, only to miss the goal and die.
12 - This is the "gears" level...not too hard, and there's really no strategy.
The one hint that I would have is to move around the gears in the same direction
that they're turning - but you could have figured that out yourself. At the
end, don't try to rush across the <--> and into the goal; you should have
plenty of time, so just wait until you come around right in front of it.
13 - Either I seem to get lucky a lot, or this level is just easier than I
think it is. Anyway, there are really a lot of ways to take the beginning
part of this level. The only goal you need to complete is to get across without
falling in the holes, so do whatever works best for you. Here's my strategy,
though...
Hug the right side of the first platform, then swerve to the left before the
end. On this next platform, stop, come back around to the line one row in
from the right, and floor it to the next platform along the "bridge". (Where
the gap is smaller.) I go around, getting the banana bunch, then come back
through the middle row - I can get enough speed to clear the gap, and I am
in a good enough position to just swerve onto the middle ledge. Once you're
across here, and have turned to the right, floor it. When you get to the end
and hit this gap, you need to turn to the right, hard, so that you don't fall
off the edge. Just roll to the end of this platform, and then across the split
one. Then into the goal you go....
14 - I really don't like this level, even though I've gotten pretty good at
it. To ameliorate my displeasure at having to write a walkthrough for it,
I'm going to indulge my penchant for bad ASCII art to "help" you with it.
Don't say I didn't warn you...
You can just hold forwards to avoid the first three bumpers - you really don't
need to worry about them at all. As for the next two - well, you'll need to
almost follow them around. To explain, how about some bad ASCII art? ^_^
|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯| X = bumpers
| X |
| | O = you, the monkey
| |
|_O___X _| | _ ¯ = edges of the platform
|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯|
| X |
| |
| |
|_X___O _|
|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯|
| X O |
| |
| |
|_____X _|
And off you go. It's a lot simpler in practice, of course... For the next
one, they move back and forth, so you'll need a slightly different strategy.
|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯|
| <----> |
| |
| <----> |
|________|
|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯|
| X |
| |
| |
|__X__O _|
|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯|
| X |
| O|
| |
|___X____|
|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯|
| X O |
| |
| |
|_____X _|
The next two just move up and down, so you shouldn't even notice them. It's
the last three that are tricky. With these, really all you can do is hug the
edge as close as you can and hope for the best. You have to pass the bumpers
on the side, without falling off - not an easy task. Once you get past them,
though, you can just go straight across that tiny ledge into the goal.
15 - For this one, you know how the monkey will bounce twice? Well, as soon
as he lands on his second bounce, floor it. You should make it in with no
fuss at all...
16 - I really don't like this stage at all. For me, it's still entirely based
on luck, which defeats the purpose of SMB. Anyway, as I'm sure you have already
figured out, you can't just roll to the goal - you are going to have to bounce
in. For me, what works the most (although certainly not all the time) is to
wait until you stop bouncing, then head up and left at a slope of about -2,
for you math majors. That would mean that you go up two units for every one
you go over. Anyway, you should hit the middle platform, and then just hold
down and left, (This seems to work for me. If not, try something else.) and
hopefully you should bounce into the goal. If you hit the golden ball, try
holding down more in the air.
Our mutual friend Brain Ebert has kindly informed me that it's not as bad
as I say. He says:
"It's not as evil as you think it is. From the start position, there is a
small (probably 0.5) ledge that you can ride to the end. Jump down and hold
the control stick at about 10 or 11 o'clock. With skill, not luck, navigate
yourself over the corners of the holes, transferring onto the middle platform,
and once again to the opposite side. Then turn so you are headed straight
down the level, and hold the stick all the way back. When you have a line
into the goal (preferrably inside or hitting the inside lower pole of the
goal, not the upper pole) you're done."
17 - I love the design of this stage, and the whole idea, although I don't
love the level as much as I would expect. Ah well...
OK, you're going to need to swerve out to the sides (while avoiding the bumpers)
and then swing back in, making your way up the train. To start out, I would
recommend taking two sections. Just move to the right from the beginning,
then as soon as the bumpers pass you, swing out and back in. Cross across
the center, and repeat. Just keep doing this until you get to the front. A
word of warning, though - there is a bit of a ledge on the very front platform,
so you'll need to get way out to the sides, then move in quickly. It's not
as hard as it sounds, though.
18 - This level is VERY easy if you know what you are doing. From the beginning,
go on, and almost try to fall of the right side. You want to be, after only
a few seconds, pushing as hard as you can to the right. This is the only thing
that will keep you from falling off. Once the stage goes back towards
horizontal, ease up, but transfer to the other side. Start leaning to the
left soon after it passes horizontal, and slowly increase the pressure. All
the while you should be moving forwards, so by now you should be almost in
the goal. You shouldn't need to be on for any longer than that...
19 - Ah yes, the "pie crust" level, as I like to call it. Anyway, there are
really only two major things that you will need to remember on this stage.
First, when coming down the little hills, remember to stop on the flat parts.
Similarly, when you're going up, you'll need to get up some speed, but
remember to slow down. Just make your way over to the goal...nothing really
too complicated here.
Oh, and you can try holding forwards from the beginning - if you can pull
it off, it can get you half, most, or all of the ways across the stage, but
it's too risky for my liking. I can take the easy way, thank you very much...
20 - Another repeat Bonus Stage. Don't worry, though, because you won't be
seeing any more repeats...
If you want, you can just let yourself be bounced around by them, but I can
almost guarantee that you won't get all the bananas. The secret to this level
is to take it diagonally. If you look at it from an angle, you can see that
there are clear paths through the bumpers. Start at one end, and cut through
the corner of the square, then turn around and take the next path over. If
you do this, it is much easier to get a Perfect on this stage...
21 - Ah, the infamous EX 21. Personally, I didn't find this stage very hard,
and I actually kinda liked it, but I can see where some people might have
had trouble. Anyway, once you get the hang of this stage, it will become almost
automatic, and you won't really have to worry about it at all.
As soon as you start, you're going to want to head forwards. Since the right
bumper is coming towards you, you want to tap it to the left just a little
bit once you get on. As soon as the bumper hits and starts moving away, tap
a little to the right. You want to be moving mainly forwards, but you need
to be on the right side by the time the next bumper comes in. If you're moving
fast enough, you should be done by now, but you may need to avoid one more
collision if you were going slowly. Either way, just get into that goal
quickly, and be happy that you have finished this devilish level.
22 - Whoa, if I didn't know better, I'd think there was some kind of subliminal
advertising on this level! ^_^ Anyway, there are so many different strategies
for this level, and I really can't figure out which ones work better. So far,
it seems that people get the best results with the strategies that they have
come up with themselves - I know that doesn't really help you, but I'm sorry.
Still, I'd love it if everyone could send in their strategies for this level.
I don't want to put mine up yet, simply because I don't think that it's the
best way, but I'd like to see what other strategies people have. Rest assured
that as soon as I get another strategy to put up here, mine will be alongside
it. (Although I don't know why you'd really want my strategy... ^_^)
Oh, and one thing - if you're having trouble with bouncing in random
directions, try hitting the gaps as close to straight on as possible. The
straighter you hit them, the less chance you'll bounce off somewhere. Trust
me, it helps...
Brian Ebert was kind enough to contribute his strategy for this level, and
now I feel obliged to put it up. Ah well, you don't have to read it if you
don't want to... ^_^
"It's hard, though; if you are on the outside of the S (that is, the inside
of the lower half and the outside of the upper half) you cannot get to the
"E" because the top left corner of the "E" is rounded. Also, I find it
difficult to get from one half of the "S" to the other. If I luckfully get
onto the correct half of the "S", I then go to the top left inside corner
of the "S" and floor it towards the "E" I get over both cracks so I am now
on the inside upper of the "E". Once again, floor it towards the "G", but
not to the inside, stay on the outside. Go around the bottom of the "G" and
up the right of the "A" (thank god they're connected) and around the top back
to the bottom right. Then, not too fast but not too slow, transfer from the
bottom of the A to the little slanted section of the inside. Turn as you hop
off the corner, ensuring that you will stay on the board. Then a quick
straightaway and you're in."
23 - This is a pretty fun level. You will follow a curvy path, just like the
one the blocks are showing you, but it actually won't be as curvy. As you
move forwards, just focus on rolling onto the next platform, and you should
be fine. You will still be winding back and forth, though, although the only
time when this might present any trouble at all is at the very end, and it's
still easy then.
24 - When I first saw this level, my first thought was "I guess they just
let those level designers do whatever the heck they wanted..." This level
looks very....messed up, although it is really pretty straightforward...
Your biggest problem, by far - time. You can take this easily by going slow,
but you'll never make it in time if you play that way. No, you'll need to
gain a lot of time at the beginning, and maintain a pretty fast speed
throughout. From the beginning, accelerate and go around the turns. You
should be able to take them almost at speed until the fifth turn, when you
will need to start slowing down. Pretty soon after this, you will start going
uphill, and you will actually have to push forwards to go anywhere. As you
go up, your path will start to look more and more triangular, and then the
angels will keep increasing, until you are making 180s on the last turns.
On the sharpish turns, try holding right and back, and you should slow enough
to turn, while still maintaining a little speed. When you get to the top,
speed up, but not enough that you miss the sideways goal.
25 - The key to this level is NOT to hold forwards for the whole level. If
you do, you will get stuck on the sixth dip, and it will be almost impossible
to get out. (Although it is possible, it is MUCH easier to just avoid getting
stuck.) What you need to do is this: when on the ground, hold forwards, but
when you are in the air, just let go. What will result is that you will make
it over the top of each dip, then you will roll down the other side, picking
up enough speed to make it over the next one. It should work perfectly, and
there's not really any huge amount of effort involved....
Halfway done! And if you've already used more than half of your lives, don't
despair - the general consensus is that it gets easier from here...
26 - I love this level. It's not hard at all, but it is very cool. To finish
it, pretty much all you have to do is follow the arrows. Just fall off the
first platform, turn right, fall of the second, etc. On the fourth platform,
there is a little bridge-like thing extending backwards, but the only thing
on it is a banana. The same is true of the next platform. Now, once you fall
off here, you won't see any more platforms. So where's the goal? On that bridge,
right behind you. Roll backwards and in, and you're done...
27 - On this level, Baby is a big help. (Although unless you've used him
throughout, you don't really have that option...) I almost always take the
left side, because it's a lot easier for me, although I can take the right
side if I need to. Since you probably just want to get through without dying,
though, just take the left side. There is only one small shortcut - heading
for the first corner in the lattice, when you would normally turn, just floor
it and you can easily pop onto the next platform. From there, just go to the
end. It isn't very hard, considering that you get a "landing pad" that doubles
as a build-up-speed place.... ^_^
28 - You can either go all the way around, with a better chance of making
it, or you can just jump into the goal. To do this, go forwards until 0:56:45,
then ease yourself off the edge. Your angle should be gentle, but you should
maintain speed. If you're going around, there is one other shortcut. From
the beginning, go forwards a bit, then turn around and go perpendicular to
the platform, with a little bit of angle backwards... You should land on the
spiral platform going the right way, and you can just go from here. Or, you
could try going all the way around - it really doesn't matter. Just remember
that while you may have to watch how hard you push towards the outside/inside
of a curve.
29 - Not too complicated in theory, although it is a bit harder in practice.
Just wait until each of the platforms almost touch, then roll across the gap.
Just get to the end. Oh, and when on one that goes the wrong direction, just
turn around and watch the platform in front/behind you, since they always
move at the same time.
30 - Finally, a new Bonus Level! This one has all of the 50 bananas on top
of tiny little pyramids, although it doesn't provide any real barrier to your
sweeping them up. Just run around to get them. Don't get too much speed, or
you could be in danger of flying out of the stage.
31 - This stage is really easy. Just back up to the back of the platform,
then floor it directly at one of the next two. Then do the same to get to
the goal.
32 - This is pretty much just a spiral, with one difference - the platform
keeps getting narrower. You shouldn't have any trouble with the first few
parts, and you can almost take it at speed up until the last two or three.
Here, just slow down and take it nice and carefully. The hardest part is the
very last turn, and even this isn't that difficult...
33 -This one, for me, is still mostly luck. You obviously want to avoid hitting
the posts, but the way to do this is not exactly clear. What works the best
for me is to turn right immediately, then go mostly straight, just following
the curve of the bowl. It's still hard, though, so if anyone has a better
strategy, email me.
One other strategy that works some of the time is to go forwards, passing
the first post on your right, then head almost straight for the bowl. You
should snag the banana bunch on your way by. If you hold left here, while
still going forwards, you should miss all of the posts, bounce off the wall
thingy, and stop up on that top platform. I have been getting better results
with this strategy, although it is by no means perfect.
34 - This one looks hard, but it's really not. Just wait at the beginning
until 0:28:45, then floor it towards the left side of the cylinders. (You
should either pick up the first banana bunch, or just narrowly miss it.) You
should make it onto the last platform easily, after picking up both of the
other bananas. Then just turn to the left a bit and roll into the goal.
35 - This is a level of minute adjustments. There is one spot in the curve
where it is flat at any given time, and you want to stay as close to that
spot as you can. Since that spot will move forwards, just follow it until
you get to the end.
36 - This is a lot like AD 21, but harder. You want to let the first bumper
pass, then duck into line behind it. You want to station yourself about
halfway between it and the one behind it. One way to do this is to make it
so that the top of your ball is exactly on the round thing encircling the
bumper. This only works with Baby, of course - you'll need to find your own
guidelines with other people. Anyway, when you get up here, you want to let
the bumper that is coming at you go past, then get in behind it quickly. This
can be tricky, but just practice it. From here, it's easier, since you can
just follow this one to the end. When you get to the last platform, just jump
out of line and into the goal.
37 - This level is cool. You can either go around the whole thing, just jumping
one barrier at a time, and you should be fine. It's not very risky, and you
shouldn't realy run into any trouble at all. Or, you could try to make it
across in one turn. What you will need to do is just hold forwards from the
beginning. You will bounce, land, and then bounce into the air, again. As
soon as you go into the air here, hold back. You should slow down enough to
stay on. Now just let it pop you up to the goal.
38 - Very easy level, just go from one platform to the next when they come
together, then wait and go to the next. I don't think I have ever died on
this level.
39 - This level looks almost impossible, but it's really not. What you need
to do is stay on each one near the bottom, and then as they move down, loop
back to the same place, on the next curvy platform. It's very hard to explain,
but basically - you need to be close enough to the bottom that you can loop
around in time, while far enough that you don't fall off when it gets to its
steepest. Once you get it, it will be easy, but it's hard to understand from
my description.
40 - Your last Bonus Stage in the game, and it's almost impossible to get
all of them. Just try to take out rows at a time, and you should be fine.
You're getting near the end, so you hopefully shouldn't need too many more
lives...
41 - I must say that I love this background. Very cool. Anyway, this level's
not that hard. (I've been saying that a lot, haven't I?) Just jump in to the
right, whip around, and tilt towards the rim to make sure you make it in.
It gets even easier with practice...
42* - I don't like this stage. I'm not very good at maneuvering platforms
like this, so I fall of a lot. Anyway, you have three choices. The blue goal,
on your left, is the easiest, and it will take you to 43. The green goal is
also pretty easy to get to. The red one is the hardest to get, but it warps
you the farthest. Thanks to the kindness of Brian Ebert, I can tell you that
the green goal takes you to EX 44. See below for big shiny letters. And thanks
to Chris Rogers, who told me that the red one takes you to EX 45. Thanks!
EX 43 is pretty hard, though, at least for me, so I usually take one of the
warps. You don't have to, though - it's up to you.
#### #
# #
# # ### ### ### ###
#### # # # # # #
# # # # #### # #
# # # # # # # #
#### # ##### #### # #
***** *
* * *
* **** *** *** *****
**** * * * * * * *
* * * ***** * *
* * * * * *
***** **** **** * ***
^_^
43 - This one is very cool in design, but frustrating in practice. Roll over
and wait for the first platform. You want to stand back aways, wait until
it is almost level, then roll forwards. As soon as you get on, brake hard
and fast. Once you're on, wait until you're up high, then just drop onto the
next platform. From here, get onto the next moving platform using the same
strategy. From here, though, you will need to wait until you are almost right
at the top, then roll forwards slightly. You should land on the other platform,
which will then rise to allow you access to the goal.
44 - This stage looks pretty easy, and it's even easier in reality. Just make
sure that you stay on the green line, and you shouldn't have any trouble.
Just roll around and get to the goal.
45 - Many people have had trouble with this stage, but it's made very simple
with a trick discovered by Joakley. (My arch-nemesis and fellow SMB FAQ
author.... ^_^) Getting across the first platforms shouldn't be any trouble,
but getting across the second ones can be hard. The secret that he discovered
is to tilt diagonally, and go across like that. We don't exactly know why
but you can get across much faster using this, and you won't really have to
worry about speed at all.
46 - There's not really much I can say here other than just get around the
circles, keep up a moderate speed, and make sure you don't fall off at the
end. Oh, and don't go for the warp goal either - EX 47 is one of the easiest
stages in the game, so you don't need to take the risk.
47 - I had heard that a lot of people had had trouble with this stage, so
I sat down with it in Practice and discovered the secret to getting up the
ledges. What you need to do is to hit them at an angle, then immediately swerve
to the other side. What works best for me is to move more towards the center,
and just move forwards. Right before I hit the ledge, I will swerve to the
left, and as soon as I hit, swerve to the right. Once I'm on, I'll turn straight
again until the next one. Using this strategy, I can beat this level every
time, just about. It really helps...
48 - The key to this level, and the point that many people miss, is that when
getting around the banks, you don't want to use your speed. Just tilt against
the slope, while keeping your speed down, and you should be fine. Get around
all of the loops, while steadily moving forwards, and you can get ino the
goal without any major problems.
49 - Turn to the right, and wait until around 0:28:50. Then floor it just
to the left of where you think you should go, and you should slide right past
the bumpers and into the goal. Of course, you can also try for the bananas,
but I can't help you there. Use the same strategy, but you'll have to find
your own benchmarks to move from.
50 - This is it....the last level...and it is cool. Not too hard, especially
not compared to some, but still very cool. When you get across, you will
actually be tracing out a diagonal path, while the cube spins around you.
At the beginning, you can't do anything, so wait for it to come back. As soon
as the green platform comes up, get onto it, and wait as the cube closes over
you. When the red platform becomes horizontal, roll onto it, and then onto
the blue. All the while keeping your speed at a moderate level, roll onto
the next green side, then the purple one, and then onto the one with the goal.
If you don't make it all the way there, you will be flung into it if you are
close, but don't depend on that.
I finally got the shortcut to work on this level, and it's pretty cool to
do. If you fall off the very first platform before the green one is all the
way up, you will be flung into the air. Then just try to get hit through the
goal, which will be sideways on the left wall of the cube. There's no real
reason to try this other than points, but it's fun...
Congratulations! You have now completed the game! Well, except for the extra
stages...and Master Mode... ^_^ Still, this is a big accomplishment, and you
should be very proud. Go brag to your friends about how you are a bigger Monkey
Baller than them. *cough*heehee*cough* At this point, you can either start
practicing these stages to get the extras, or you can recognize your
limitations. If you're giving up on signle-player, go find three friends,
and have yourself a Monkey Ball party. I know you can beat them...
Believe it or not, there are Expert Extra stages, and they were first unlocked
by that Super Monkey Ball god...
SnapDragon!!
NOTE: Due to an unfortunate accident with little cousins in my house over
break, I don't have the Expert Extra stages anymore. What's more, my skills
have atrophied and I can't get them again. I know I will eventually, but until
then, any strategies, from anyone, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
VERY IMPORTANT: To unlock the Extra Stages on Expert Mode, you DO NOT have
to beat it without dying. You do, however, have to beat it without continuing.
This makes it much easier, but it is still almost impossible...
Thanks to the infinite kindness of SoulstreakX, or Jason Wishnov, I am able
to help you out with this. He has kindly allowed me to use his strategies
for Expert Extra and Master Mode. None of this is my own work in any way,
except I typed the little "EX 3" before each description. All the rest is
his and any flames go to him. So stop writing me. ^_^
EX 1 - This stage has worn out its welcome...same as Beginner Floor EX1 and
Advanced Floor EX1. Same strategy applies.
[Ed. This is my strategy here...]
I usually take this whole stage in one run, because it is easier for me if
I can keep up my speed, but it may be easier for you to take it in two or
even three trips. It's really up to you, just when you do go, take a "straight"
diagonal path along - you shouldn't really be moving horizontally at all.
Just move along each platform, then roll right into the goal.
EX 2 - A series of squares, which alternatingly drop. Since you don't have
enough time to make it square by square, you will need to corner a few of
the squares. You also MUST do this near the end, when there are gaps in the
squares. Be sure to hurry when you corner, and take it slowly otherwise.
EX 3 - Well, at least you should be good at this level now...same as Beginner
Floor EX2 and Advanced Floor EX2. Same strategy applies.
EX 4 - Pretty easy. Roll straight off onto one of the platforms (should have
a banana on it). Now, this may be the only stage that this is useful in, but
press the A button to zoom out on the map. This should give you a clear idea
where the goal is, since the camera angles are strange on this floor. Roll
off onto the goal platform and break the ribbon.
EX 5 - Really, REALLY annoying until I figured out the trick. Instead of trying
to catch the ribbon while simultaneously falling to your death, simply follow
the walkway around, reach the end, turn around, and charge forward directly
into a ribbon.
EX 6 - Heheh. Corkscrew! The trick to this level, is going at the fastest
speed you can, while rotating your control stick IN THE DIRECTION OF THE
ARROWS. The arrows on the inside are for your benefit, and if you follow them,
you should easily have enough velocity to get over the last hump and out of
the pipe. From there, just control your bounce and go into the goal. The holes
in the pipe are not really a danger, they're just there to kill you if you
get stuck, so DON'T GET STUCK IN THE PIPE. Maybe they're also there to give
a plausible reason as to why there's light in there. = D
EX 7 - This level is very annoying. I think the best way to do it is to get
to one of the end platforms as fast as possible, because it is very difficult
to balance and control your camera angles if you try and stay stationary.
Also, the steeper the angles you need to turn are, the harder they are to
make. Wait for the platform to extend and move on to the next floor.
EX 8 - (yawn) We've all done this before. Same thing as Beginner Floor EX3
and Advanced Floor EX4, same strategy applies.
EX 9 - The most difficult floor in Extra Expert. There isn't much in terms
of strategy I can give you, expect to practice and try and get a feel for
how fast you should go. Try and control your speed on the last half of the
platforms, and especially on the final one. Leaning back by some degree is
almost always necessary. Good luck...
EX 10 - Easy. Really easy. Just follow the hammer around the platform until
he hits the center six times, then roll into the goal. The supposed danger
is that on the seventh time, the hammer knocks away the entire floor, but
the game gives you plenty of time for an easy roll-in.
*******************************
5.4 Master Mode
*******************************
Yes, there IS a Master Mode.
And as you probably expected, it was unlocked by...
SnapDragon!!!!
The guy's a SMB god, I'm telling you! (There, I credited you... ^_^)
If you can beat all of Expert Mode and all of the Expert Extra stages without
continuing, Sega has included a beautiful surprise for you...
Ten more levels, and to quote SnapDragon, "They are friggin' INSANE. They
make the Expert levels look like Beginner levels. It's so rare that I see
game developers put content in their games that only a few people will end
up seeing... I'm so glad Sega actually did this! Sega rocks!" By popular
consensus, M3 is the hardest level in the game by far...
For anyone who can get there, enjoy, and for the rest of you...well, it gives
you something more to look forward to... ^_^
NOTE: Due to an unfortunate accident with little cousins in my house over
break, I don't have the Master stages anymore. What's more, my skills have
atrophied and I can't get them again. I know I will eventually, but until
then, any strategies, from anyone, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
M1 - Welcome to the first of the Master stages. While this may seem difficult,
it pales in comparison to the later ones... = D This stage must be done as
quickly as possible. I believe you can make it to the goal in time by moving
two platforms at a time without fail, but that's REALLY hard...what I do is
wait till the first platform makes one back-and-forth, then charge forward
at FULL speed. You should bounce fairly high into the air on about the seven
or eighth platform. At this point, hold back on the control stick, and you
should safely land. At this point, move two platform at a time, but if you
think you won't make it, don't hesitate to only go one. I find that the best
strategy for crossing the platforms is when the platform is moving backwards,
stay as close to the front end as possible, and when it starts moving forward,
turn around just long enough for the camera angle (annoying) to shift, then
charge forward. You'll always bounce on the second platform, but you should
have enough speed to make it. With a little practice, this level will become
pretty easy.
M2 - The easiest of all master floors. It consists on pretty multi-colored
steps that move in and out like a cheap Japanese fan. Just go on the
black-and-white platform, wait til the steps to unfold, move to the next
black-and-white, and repeat until goal. This is the calm before the storm,
folks.
M3 - PART I - Welcome to Master 3, EASILY the most difficult level in Super
Monkey Ball, and possibly the most difficult video game challenge I have ever
completed. To illustrate how truly insane this floor is, I decided to divide
it up into three sections, because the level consists of three distinct and
very difficult challenge. I believe each ONE of these could have made at least
an Extra Expert floor, but the evil creators of this game decided to shove
all three into one level. This level took me around 400 to 500 lives to beat.
I hope I help you make it go faster. Anyways, the first part of Master Floor
3 is a large V, similar to the one in Expert Floor 7, except that it's narrow.
VERY narrow. And long. And high. Immediately from start, move backward and
left, and try and line yourself up with the V between the fourth and fifth
squares from the end. Steady yourself, and charge full speed at the V. If
you need to (you will need to), make VERY slight adjustments to your course
to stay on. This V is about 0.2 or 0.3 units thick, so this isn't easy by
any means. Coming down is a bit better, though, because gravity helps you
Keep a straight line. Hold back the hold way down, though, because the
post at the end WILL knock you off if you have any speed at all. Now on
to the second challenge.
M3 - PART II - This is the most difficult part of the floor. It makes you
navigate fast moving squares, which you must CORNER. (i.e. going from one
square's corner to another square's corner, like in Expert Floor 42)It's
insane. Now personally, I went to the right, but the same strategy works with
the left. Get on the first big square, and move immediately from that square
to the small one directly adjacent, then IMMEDIATELY to the one right and
behind it, the one that's two squares long. Wait there, shift the camera angle,
and do this two more times to get to the final block that's two squares long.
If you don't take these two at a time, not only will you have a time problem,
but waiting on a single square is HARD. Now, on the final two square long
platform, align yourself with the next two small platforms as quick as you
can, and roll from the big platform across the first small platform to the
next small platform. Now you must balance on this til the next cornering
opportunity arrives. This will be a constant struggle to stay on, no matter
what. As soon as it's possible, move from this square to the next. Balance.
Then move to the next square. Then balance. Finally, move quickly to the next
square and immediately to the final large square, similar to what you did
for the first part of this challenge. Stay on the platform til it reaches
the walkway, and shift on.
M3 - PART III - This consists of a tightening spiral down a beanstalk, like
one of the ones in the background. This is by far the easiest challenge in
the floor, but the problem is that you're going to get to it so sparcely that
you won't be able to practice it much. Move onto it slowly, quickly gathering
speed. You cannot sacrifice much speed and still stay on, so stay on the middle
of the spiral as much as possible. If you're on the middle at the end of the
spiral, you'll goal through the goal, and probably get down on one knee and
thank God. If you break the ribbon on this level, I deem you a Monkey Master,
and you deserve the highest video game praise anyone can give. = D It only
gets easier from here.
M4 - This floor is quite literally "rolling out the red carpet" for you. Pretty
straightforward, just move down the carpet as fast as possible, and wait on
the first platform. Wait 'til it unfurls again, and move to the second. Repeat
twice more, and you've got the goal (which, FYI, is ON the end of the carpet.)
M5 - This level is very, VERY hard. It's very difficult to stay on for more
than ten seconds, and though it's possible to do it randomly, it's much easier
to use a precise method. In the beginner, move slowly toward the left. As
the square splits open again, run forward as fast as possible, veering toward
the left as you go. With a little practice, all the square should bypass you.
Now, on the left edge, move to two squares from the corner. If this is done
correctly, none of the squares should hit you. Now turn right, and follow
the strategy from the beginning again. If this is done, you should go right
into the goal.
M6 - Perhaps mine and many other's favorite level in all of Super Monkey Ball.
This level is a big dodecahedron [Ed. "My angles are many, my sides are not
few, I'm the Dodecahedron - who are you?"] with holes in it, and for some
reason, with walls that are transparent from the outside and opaque from the
inside. (Really. Look at the beginning of the level, and the walls are
transparent.) Anyways, all you need to do it follow the red-shaded part of
the floor, because that's the way the thing is going to rotate. Do this twelve
times, and roll into the goal.
M7 - This level is pretty tough. Move the far edge, and watch one of the four
buttons that lie in the background. When one is pressed, move slowly onto
the 45-degree angle floor, then once again onto the side (now the floor) of
the thingy. Now, move to the left side, and wait for the button again. This
part is harder, since it's a straight 90-degree rotation, but the floor gives
you some room to stop yourself. If you can do this, move to the inside corner,
and as soon as it starts to rotate, just move slightly left and you'll hit
the barrier. Now wait for the level to straighten itself, and roll into the
goal. Major practice is needed here.
M8 - This level is pretty fun. Though it looks easier, I do not recommend
taking one of the side paths, since you start with no guiding circles, and
the pegs seem to always knock me off. Fall onto the platform, timing and
manuevering though the circles for the first half of the level. When the
circle go away, just sit from a safe point and look for an opening. When you
see it, charge forward to the goal.
M9 - Second-hardest level in master, IMO. It is a simple (yet not simple)
walkway level that starts at about 1.0, and ends at the dreaded 0.1. If you're
wondering how thin this is, try the right-most guitar string in Advanced Floor
11. FYI, this level contains the one and only banana in Master Mode. = D Try
and move as fast as you can through the first part of this level, so you can
move slowly through the second. Notice the walkways don't quite line up right?
They do, but for the first time, you should notice a glass covering over the
floor. This makes it more difficult to judge angles, so get used to it. Move
incredibly slowly on the last part, and on the short 0.1, try and go a little
bit of the way, then jam forward to get to the goal platform. Congrats if
you beat it.
M10 - An appropriate final floor...in the shape of my favorite monkey, Aiai.
[Ed. Baby is better for single-player and Gongon is just cool. Silly
Soulstreak doesn't know what he's talking about.] The foot doesn't move at
all, and the head moves wildly. Get onto his stomach (you can basically just
hold up from start, except maybe with Gongon) and move slowly onto his head.
The trick to getting the goal is to wait until the head is at one end or the
other of it's movement, since it stops for a tiny bit. Get as close to the
hair (yeah, where the goal is) as possible during the movement, and when it
slows down, rocket forward into the goal. Takes some practice, but this is
the final floor of the game...savor it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
6. Multiplayer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*******************************
6.1 Party Games
*******************************
=========================
6.1.1 Monkey Race
=========================
I will have tracks, strategies, items, (and when to use them) and just general
tips that no Monkey Racer should be without.
Controls:
Control stick - Roll the ball.
A - Use item.
Start - Pause Menu.
=========================
6.1.2 Monkey Fight
=========================
Monkey Fight is complex in its simplicity, but there is still enough for me
to cover. I'll have strategies for the various stages and items, and tricks
to use on your friends.
Controls:
Control stick - Move the ball.
A - Punch
Start - Pause Menu.
=========================
6.1.3 Monkey Target
=========================
Since there is already a great Monkey Target FAQ up on GameFAQs, I'm not going
to waste your time with a half-assed one. I would HIGHLY recommend that you
check out PRevolution's Monkey Target FAQ, which can be found at:
db.gamefaqs.com/console/gamecube/file/super_monkey_ball_monkey_target.t
xt
Check it out...
*******************************
6.2 Mini Games
*******************************
=========================
6.2.1 Monkey Billiards
=========================
KidBomb has given me some ideas about what to include in this section, so
I might as well get started...
HOW TO START
Whoever gets closer to the left wall breaks. To break, simply aim at the
triangle of balls. Best results will be acheived by hitting the ball in front,
at the point of the triangle.
HOW TO WIN
Whoever hits the 9 ball in first WITHOUT getting a Foul on the turn they hit
the 9 ball in, wins. Pretty simple, really.
KINDS OF SHOTS
Combination Shot: Hit one of the balls, and that ball then hits another ball
in.
Kiss Shot: Hit a ball, then that ball hits another and the first one goes
in.
Pocket: Hit a ball in without hitting any other balls. (Just a normal shot.)
Ace Break: Hit the 9 ball in during the break. (You win immediately.)
Cannon Shot: Thanks again to JWishnov, who told me how to get this. What
happens here is that first, the cue ball hits one ball. Then, the cue ball
bounces off, hits another ball, and the second one goes in. Usually, you'd
need a hard shot to do this, and also some nice spin. And luck. ^_^
WAYS TO FOUL
You hit a ball first other than the ball with the lowest number.
You don't hit any balls during your turn.
You hit the cue ball in.
After a Foul, the other player will recieve a Free Drop. This means that they
can set the ball down anywhere on the table before lining up their shot.
Usually, you want to set it down so that you have a clear, straight shot at
the lowest-numbered ball, but you don't have to.
CONTROLS
View Mode:
Control Stick - Move <-> to change direction of aim.
C Stick - Move camera.
A - Choose angle and go to Shot Mode.
B - Return to previous camera view.
Y - Switch between top-down 2-D camera and 3-D camera.
X - Show numbers of balls.
Start - Pause Menu.
Shot Mode:
Control Stick - Change impact point on ball.
A - Shoot.
B - Return to View Mode.
Y - Change strength of shot. (Normal/Hard)
X - Show numbers on balls.
Start - Pause Menu.
=========================
6.2.2 Monkey Bowling
=========================
This will mostly be strategies for completing Championship Mode, since
there's not a lot of strategy involved in playing against your friends...
Controls:
Control Stick - Move <-> to change where you throw from.
A - Select:
Throwing position.
Throwing direction.
Throwing strength.
B - Cancel throwing position.
Y - View scoreboard.
X - Change scoreboard. (3 frames/10 frames)
Start - Pause Menu.
=========================
6.2.3 Monkey Golf
=========================
This is going to be a big section, I fear, since I'll have strategies for
every single hole... Right now, though, all I have is the controls...
Putt Mode:
Control Stick - Move <-> to change direction of putt.
Move /\ and \/ to change putting strength.
A - Hit the ball.
Select.
B - Cycle through putting strengths\.
Cancel.
Y - View scoreboard.
X - Change to Camera Mode.
C Stick - Change to Camera Mode.
Start - Pause Menu
Camera Mode:
Control Stick - Move <-> to turn camera left and right.
Move /\ and \/ to move camera forwards and back.
A - Return to Putt Mode, facing in the direction of the camera.
B - Return to Putt Mode, facing in the original direction.
Y - Raise camera.
X - Lower camera.
C Stick - Move the camera point.
Start - Pause Menu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
7. Secrets
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As you play through the single-player game, you will accumulate Play Points.
(See below if you want to know how they are calculated.)
For each 2500 Play Points you earn, you can unlock a Mini Game. (See Section
6.2 - Mini Games) After you have unlocked all three of the Mini Games, you
will start to earn more continues. After 9 Continues, the next will be
Infinite Continues. Like this:
2500 - Mini Game 1
5000 - Mini Game 2
7500 - Mini Game 3
10000 - 6 Continues
12500 - 7 Continues
15000 - 8 Continues
17500 - 9 Continues
20000 - Infinite Continues
Of course, these aren't really "secrets", since they all appear either in
the manual or in the game itself, but hey, I've got a section to fill...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SKIP THIS PART IF YOU DON'T CARE HOW THE POINTS ARE CALCULATED
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: This section is now under construction, awaiting further research into
the Play Point formulas....
After lengthy experimentation, I have figured out a formula for the base value
of normal stages. Each floor beaten gives you a set number of points. For
Beginner, the first stage is worth 21 Points, for Advanced, 22, and for Expert,
23. Each stage after the first is worth one more point, i.e. BE 2 is worth
22 points and EX 4 is worth 26. From this, we can derive a formula for the
points earned on any given game. For this, we will take a base score of 20,
and add to that the floor number and the difficulty bonus, which is 1 for
Advanced and 2 for Expert. This means that for any given turn, the points
earned on that one stage is equal to:
20 + Stage# + Diff. Bonus
From here, SnapDragon and I independently figured out parts of the complete
formula. The Play Points you receive are composed of:
1) The base point value of each level, that you get when you beat it. For
normal levels, this is as described above. (20 + N + B) However, there are
exceptions! On Bonus Levels (BE 5, AD 10, etc. ) and Final Levels, (BE 10,
AD 30, EX 50) the base value of the level is instead 10*N. So the base value
for the Expert levels are, in order, 23, 24, 25, 26, 50, 28, 29, 30, 31, 100,
33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 200, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51,
300, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 400, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69,
70, 71, 500. The base value of the Extra levels is weird. On Beginner, they
are worth 40, 70, and 131 (oddly). We haven't checked what they are in Advanced
and Expert. (Master Mode values can be found below.)
2) The streak bonus. When you pass your second goal on one life, you get an
extra 1 point for that level. When you pass your third goal on one life, you
get another 1 point. After your fourth, you get 2 points extra. Same with
your fifth. After your sixth you get 3 points extra; and so on. The streak
bonus increases by 1 for every two levels you go without dying.
Note that when you warp, you don't get points for the levels you skip. Also,
failing a Bonus level doesn't count as dying (it still counts as passing a
level).
So, suppose you're playing Beginner. You go through levels 1, 2 (warp), 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, dying only once, on level 9. Then you'll get 21 + 22+1
+ 50+1 + 26+2 + 27+2 + 28+3 + 29 + 100+1 = 313 Play Points.
Incidentally, this means that to get the absolute maximum number of Play
Points, you must make it through all 50 Expert levels AND all 10 Extra levels
without dying. Cough. Good luck. :)
(The above was written before SnapDragon unlocked Master Mode... ^_^)
Going to add this here, since it doesn't seem to fit anywhere else yet:
Master Mode Play Point Values:
M1 - 250
M2 - 260
M3 - 270
M4 - 280
M5 - 290
M6 - 300
M7 - 310
M8 - 320
M9 - 330
M10 - 700
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LONG AND BORING FORMULA SECTION ENDS HERE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-----------------------------------------------------------------
8. FAQs
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This will just be a collection of questions I've head about the game.
1) Why won't my game save? I unlocked [something] but when I turned my game
back on, it wasn't there! What's wrong?
A) You need to turn on auto-save. Go into Options -> Game Data and set Autosave
to ON. Now your game should save automatically whenever anything is unlocked.
You could also save the game manually, but I find that autosave is much, much
easier.
2) Is there a Master Mode??
A) Yes. See Section 5.4 - Master Mode for more info on how Snap got it.
3) Does this game rock?
A) Yes. Yes it does. A lot. ^_^
4) Is there a way to watch my replays in slow motion??
A) Why yes, yes there is... Just hit X while watching a replay to stop it,
then hold A to watch it in slow motion. (Contributed by KidBomb)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
9. Disclaimer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Please don't steal my FAQ. I worked pretty hard on it, and I'd prefer it if
it wasn't plagiarized. Thanks. ^_^
The only places this FAQ is authorized to appear, as of now, are:
www.gamefaqs.com
www.neoseeker.com
www.a2zcheats.com
www.cheatcc.com
www.steviemarsh.co.uk
If you see it anywhere else, please contact me.
Oh, and this FAQ is copyright (c) 2001 Tom Church
-----------------------------------------------------------------
10. Closing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to:
Nintendo - If you haven't noticed, you're playing on their console...
Amusement Vision - Making this masterpiece, of course...
SEGA - Producing this game...
GameFAQs - Great site, and the message boards are great...
Jeff "CJayC" Veasey - Putting this FAQ up. (And updating it quickly...*hint*)
PRevolution - For making an incredible Monkey Target FAQ.
SnapDragon (he gets his own section) - AD 11 warp strategies, play point
formula, info on how the punchers tilt with the stage, unlocking the Expert
Extra stages, (and info on them) and unlocking MASTER MODE!! (He also was
kind enough to give me the play point values for all of the Master Mode
stages... ^_^)
SoulstreakX - Giving me his strategies for EX and M, how to get a Cannon Shot,
and for conspiring with me to kill JOakley. Just kidding....or am I? ^_^
ArchO, kcin, and Chad Kulesa - For sending in their strategies on how to get
the warp goal on AD 11.
rawisjericho24 - For his strategies on AD 30, AD 9, and AD 12.
chmcalbro - For his strategy for the block lattice on EX 7.
Schmeerskahooven - Info on punchers and strategy for AD 26.
RedPh - For his strategy for BE 7.
Alex (munchia) - For his strategy on AD 17.
KidBomb - For reminding me to add Slow Motion Replays to the FAQ.
Brian Ebert - EX 16 strat, EX 22 strat, EX 42 warp info. And he's cool.
Chris Rogers - EX 42 warp info.
Steve Johnson - For the nicest letter I've ever received, plus some great
correspondence. And a cool email address. And some other stuff.
Viewers Like You - Reading the FAQ, silly! Contributions accepted...
Any contributions, opinions, flames, questions should be sent to me at:
[email protected]
I will respond to all emails, although it may take a couple days. Contrary
to what you might have assumed from reading this FAQ, I do have a life...
^_^
