iPhone Application Review: MonkeyBall

Monkeyball, the first Apple Appstore rockstar, is a very fun and challenging game. Made by Sega, the creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, in this game you are a small monkey encased in a sphere and must ‘roll’ yourself from start to finish of each level. The game uses the iPhone accelerometer and the gamer must move the iPhone in order to make the sphere move in the correct direction, at the correct speed. Purchase game at iTunes

This game has been out for awhile, and this review has been a long time in the coming. After playing the game a ton right after its release, and subsequently removing it from my iPhone for a few months, I recently upgraded to the latest build (version 1.02) and added it back. I am determined now to finish every level.

The game takes you through 5 levels of play, each with 20 maps. And each level gets a little tougher. Most reviewers knocked the game for actually being too hard, analysis I found rather harsh and somewhat whiny. The game is hard, and I think its perfect in its difficulty. I have watched my 5 year old play and have a great time (though he fairs much better playing SpaceMonkey, review coming soon). And I have also seen my 30 something peers struggle to get pass the first level.

The essence of the game lies in the subtlety of mastering the way to use the accelerometer. It takes a light touch, but also adds in the skill you need to acquire in knowing when to rush through a part of a maze, or when to go through as slowly as possible.

The bottom line: this is a simple game to understand, yet very hard to master. I recommend it to anyone, all skill levels, all ages. Its a perfect mobile game.

Purchase at the iTunes store