Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll FAQ/Walkthrough for Nintendo DS By Mikael �hman E-mail: [email protected] ****************************************************************** About me: This is my first FAQ / Walkthrough. I am Swedish so I hope there won't be any problems with the comprehension. You are welcome to email me if you see anything wrong with the grammar, misspellings etc. If you have questions about some certain level or just want to discuss the game, feel free to email me. Just write Super Monkey Ball or something similar in the message line to ensure that I'm gonna read it. ****************************************************************** Introduction This walkthrough is for the Main Game in Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll. The game consists of totally 12 worlds, and each world has 10 different levels, many of them similar to stages in Super Monkey Ball 1 & 2 for Nintendo Gamecube. Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll is not a very hard game, at least not compared to the other games in the series, especially SMB 1 and SMB: Banana Blitz. So even if this game has some challenging levels, it shouldn't be too hard to complete, especially if you have played the earlier games in the series. The difference to Super Monkey Ball 1 and 2 is that you start with 5 lives, you get an extra life for every 10 banana you collect and you only have to complete 10 levels in a row to clear a world. Not a too bad deal! When you start the game, only 3 worlds are playable. You have to clear the 3 worlds (a cleared world will be marked on the screen with a star) in order to unlock new worlds. To unlock world 11 and 12, you will have to meet some certain conditions, see under world 11, respectively world 12 for details. In the walkthrough I have put my own strategies for each level and I have also rated each level's difficulty from 1 to 10. I hope this guide will be helpful for you in order to complete the game. With some practise I am very confident you can make it through the whole way! Enjoy another fun Super Monkey Ball game! The worlds in Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll are: World 1: Wet 'N' Windy World 2: Junglistic Journey World 3: Blistering Sands World 4: Fantascene Falls World 5: Palarvar Lava World 6: Ice Lolly Land World 7: Tempest Storm World 8: Meteorite Mayhem World 9: Big Bang Boom World 10: Zero G Station World 11: Studio One World 12: Mesh Mosh ****************************************************************** Control To control your monkey, you have two options: using the Control Pad or using the Stylus. I prefer normally the latter and I advice you to do the same. In earlier stages, the Control Pad works just as well as the Stylus but you should get used to the Stylus-way right from the start. In levels with thin and/or curved tracks it's gonna be really hard to control your monkey with the Control Pad. In some levels, though, I prefer to use the Pad and sometimes I even combine both the Stylus and Pad at the same time (!) ****************************************************************** Walkthrough ****************************************************************** World 1: Wet 'N' Windy Level 1-1: Elementary Difficulty: 1 Just go straight ahead to the goal, take all the bananas if you want Level 1-2: Sine Wave (1-2) Difficulty: 1 Follow the curvy track and take the bananas along the way. You have a good option here to get to learn how to use the stylus for controlling your monkey; see if you can keep in the middle of the road without touching the walls Level 1-3: Curvature (1-3) Difficulty: 2 You can either follow the track all the way or you can take a shortcut. You have plenty of time so if you are after bananas you there's no reason for not going the whole way. Just remember to pull your stylus back to break before you get down the ramp or you might fall off. The track gets a bit thinner later on in the stage so you need to be quite steady with the stylus and not go too much out off the centre of the track. The shortcut-way is to immediately turn to the right and over the red edge and pull the stylus a bit back when you fall down to the next platform. If you pull back too much you will also fall off so practise 'til you master! Level 1-4: Progenitor Difficulty: 2 Just hold a moderate speed and there shouldn't be too much problems. When you go downward on the rails you can just let go of the stylus and when the rails go upward just hold up Level 1-5: Bare (Bonus stage) Your first bonus stage! Just pick all the bananas, you have loads of time! Level 1-6: Anaconda Difficulty 2 Just follow the track down, be sure not to go too fast in the curves or you might fall off Level 1-7: Fluctuant Travelator Difficulty: 3 This stage could be a bit tricky the first few tries. You should keep a moderate speed and always try to have your monkey in the middle of the path. Aim forward all the time. If the moving-up-blocks push you at one side, you must immediately steer your monkey a little bit to the other side so you don't fall off. Level 1-8: Swathe Difficulty: 3 The first stage with a moving platform! When you get on the swinging bridge, steer your monkey in the same direction as the bridge moves. Not too hard, though, cause then you will fall off the lane. Be a bit careful also when you cross the bridge so you compensate for the motion the bridge cause your ball when it's swinging. Level 1-9: Assimilate Difficulty: 5 It's getting a bit harder now. This stage consists of 5 moving blocks and a green, non-moving platform. You have to be careful when you move from block to block. You must keep the right speed to be able to cross the blue bumps. Don't go too slow, or you won't make it over to the next platform. If you, however, keep it too fast you will quiet likely bump out and be dragged down to the depths. So what you need to do is move forward, and when you get over to the next platform pull the stylus a bit back so you don't fall off. It's also possible to traverse more than one platform at a time. From the non- moving green platform I normally go all the way to the goal platform. It's actually not too hard to go with full speed from the start and traverse all the platforms and steer yourself into the goal. With some practise it can be mastered. Level 1-10: Spiral Staircase Difficulty: 3 Follow the course and don't go too fast and you should be fine. When you go from one step to another, tap back a little so you can land safely. Then steer yourself towards the next step etc. ****************************************************************** Wold 2: Junglistic Journey Level 2-1: Mini Bump Difficulty: 1 Just move forward Level 2-2: Double Scepter Difficulty: 2 Just follow the course and watch your speed. Be extra careful if you intend to take the bananas near the edge. There is also a banana bunch in the middle of the route, which I have never managed to catch. So good luck with that one! Level 2-3: Offsetting Incline Difficulty: 3 This level can be a bit tricky. You need to keep a steady pace upwards the hills or you might fall off. Practise till you master the level Level 2-4: Pincer Difficulty: 3 In this stage you have to avoid the spikes, or you will fall off. You should move forward slowly but in a controlled way. After some practise you will get it Level 2-5: Depressions (Bonus stage) Try to move around and catch as many bananas as you can. There are two banana bunches in two of the corners so take them at least. It's not too hard to get all bananas, just take them in a systematic way Level 2-6: Starfish Difficulty: 6 This level is similar to "Reversible gear" in Super Monkey Ball 2. I didn't like that level then and I don't like it now. Here is what you need to do: Step off the start platform and turn left immediately when you drop down. Stop in the middle of the back part of the octagon that is just to the left of the start platform. Line up so you have the rotating thing centred in front of you and when you see the opening getting near, you must quickly go with full speed into the opening and break the goal ribbon Level 2-7: Deviant Drop Difficulty: 2 Follow the track, go down the ramp from the blue arrow and tap to the left when you land on the platform so you don't fall off Level 2-8: Receding Curves Difficulty: 2 Easy as it gets. Just follow the curvy road. Watch your speed so you don't fall off. You have plenty of time, so no need to rush Level 2-9: Displacement Difficulty: 3 Step on the small moving platform and when it conglomerates with the other platforms rush over diagonally to the one closest to the goal. Again, watch your speed so you don't rush too fast and fall out. There are two banana bunches that you can take if you feel you can master the movements Level 2-10: Labyrinthine Difficulty: 4 At start, I normally use the Control Pad instead of the Stylus. Just press it up and after you have passed the bump, just tap back (and mayby slightly to the right). Now you can use the Styles again. Line up carefully to one of the paths to the right. I prefer the leftmost one. Be sure to keep a straight line when you cross the path. Break when have got up the hill so you don't fall off. After that keep a moderate speed and just follow the way towards the goal ****************************************************************** World 3: Blistering Sands Level 3-1: Racket Difficulty: 1 If you just press forward you'll go straight into the goal Level 3-2: Difficulty: 2 This is a fun stage. Go into the bowl and use the centrifugal force to cross the goal ribbon Level 3-3: Parasite Difficulty: 2 You can keep a quite good speed in the tunnel, slow down when you are about to get out of it. Then try to keep a straight line towards the goal Level 3-4: Web Matrix Difficulty: 2 Just follow the outer path and you will eventually reach the goal Level 3-5: Reverberate (Bonus stage) To get all bananas in time, you will have to go between the bumpers diagonally. Just have a decent speed and keep a straight diagonally line and there shouldn't be any problems getting all the bananas. Level 3-6: Beveled Edges Difficulty: 4 This one can be a bit tricky. I normally take the left route. First, go to the first swinging platform then quickly traverse the second when it is lined up with the first and land on the third platform. The quickly turn right and continue towards the goal in a controlled manner Level 3-7: Betting Course Difficulty: 5 When you drop down from the start platform, keep the Stylus back. Turn left and align your monkey towards the leftmost lane, where the red spinning gear is moving. Just when the red gear moves away from you, go with full speed slightly diagonally so you get under the lilac fence before the red gear comes back to you but after the green gear has passed. Level 3-8: Halo Difficulty: 3 Turn left or right and just follow the track. Slow down a little bit when you are getting closer to the goal Level 3-9: Infinity Difficulty: 3 This stage is only about controlling your speed. You have plenty of time so don't rush too fast. Especially on the second part you should be a bit careful not to go too fast Level 3-10: Millipede Difficulty: 3 This stage is actually quite simple. Just follow the track. If you wanna be sure, stop before the marked red lines and when the yellow sticks have hit the road, move on forward. You will kick through this stage in no time! ****************************************************************** World 4: Fantascene Falls Level 4-1: Epicenter Difficulty: 1 Just follow the track. You cannot almost die on this stage Level 4-2: Wavy Brick Road Difficulty: 2 Keep a decent speed and there shouldn't be any problems to complete the stage Level 4-3: Rollercoaster Difficulty: 4 I prefer using the Control Pad for this stage. Hold up and keep a moderate speed until the rails go downward, then let go of the Control Pad for a very short while, about one second, then press up again and go as fast as you possible can. If you have done it right, you will cross the goal Level 4-4: Descending Rings Difficulty: 3 A quite boring stage. You have to watch your speed and keep in the middle of the track all the time. So be careful, but don't be too slow so you run out of time Level 4-5: Cells (Bonus stage) It's not very easy to get all the bananas here. You have to move in a quite steady pace and it's probably best if you move around with circular movements. Don't go too fast when you are near the edges or you will easily fall off. Level 4-6: Scythe Difficulty: 2 Just follow the road. Tap back a bit when you go down the peaks Level 4-7: Serrated Difficulty: 2 Move slowly and there should not be any problems Level 4-8: Oscillating Waves Difficulty: 3 The goal is a bit to the left of the start platform. So move up a bit diagonally. Avoid the bumpers; it's helpful to hold back a bit when you go down the hills Level 4-9: Oblivion Difficulty: 5 A fun stage! Follow the arrows and go down from platform to platform. Hold back when you fall down so you don't fall off. The hardest part of the stage is the last fall. You will bounce 3 times here so it's important to watch the bounces and steer your monkey thereafter. Practise this level 'til you get the right feeling for how bounces affect your monkey Level 4-10: Whirl Difficulty: 4 Follow the track and get on the spiral. Try to keep in the middle of the lane the whole time. If you get too much to the right you have to put the Stylus up-left and vice versa. When you're getting closer to the goal platform, make sure you are a bit to the left of the track so you can steer yourself towards the goal, instead of falling off before you catch it. There are some shortcuts on this stage but I recommend you to follow the normal path ****************************************************************** World 5: Palarvar Lava Level 5-1: Deviation Difficulty: 2 If you just take it slowly, this stage should be no problems at all Level 5-2: Sword Difficulty: 3 Go over the hills with some speed, slow down a bit when you go down. Go slowly around the islands and when you get to the big circular platform, avoid the bumpers. Be careful when you walk around the bumper closest the goal. Align your monkey so your ball is centred up to the where the goal is. Then go with full speed and jump over the small hole and then into the goal Level 5-3: Slot Difficulty: 2 This one is not too bad. The quickest way is to turn left immediately, then go onto the first moving platform. When it is about to line up with the second moving platform, get carefully on, and then over to the goal platform Level 5-4: Long Winding Road Difficulty: 3 A stage with almost the same name as the Beatles-song, unfortunately the stage is not as cool as the song. Follow the fairly thin and curved track and don't rush too fast or you might fall off. Level 5-5: Pit (Bonus stage) This stage consists of a big basin with all the bananas put in an oval alongside the edge of the basin. It is difficult to take all the bananas, I haven't managed so far and I doubt I ever will. Try to get some speed and aim for the edge and try to steer your monkey so you can take a few bananas at a time Level 5-6: Conveyor Difficulty: 8 A tricky one, especially if you haven't played this stage in Super Monkey Ball 1. In this stage, you have to move around on a quite thin line with bumpers that move rather fast. A tip for the corners is to slow down before you traverse. It can be helpful to go a bit diagonally so you don't have to make a 90-degree turn. At start, wait for a bumper to pass and when you feel ready, move after the bumper. Be careful not to move into the lilac edge or you might lose control. You must use very fine movements with the Stylus in order to cope with this stage. Practise and try to get the right sense for it. The corners are the critical parts of this stage so practise them until you can handle them. On the straight, keep a steady line and have your monkey just behind the bumper. When you come to the cross-section, you must take action immediately, cause another bumper is coming after you. When the first bumper is about to turn right see so you don't have too much speed, it's easier to take the corner if you slow down just before it. In any case, when the bumper turns right you must quickly move after it, get a decent speed, then slow down and quickly turn left so the second bumper doesn't knock you off. After this continue towards the goal Level 5-7: Formation Difficulty: 6 Another difficult one. I advice you to take the left track and go on the outer (left) side of it. When you are falling down to the next platform, aim so you also land on that platform's outer side and tap back so you can land safely. Never rush too fast or you will fall out. The last platform is the trickiest one, be extra careful with your landing here and then run towards the goal Level 5-8: Swing Difficulty: 6 This stage can be tricky if you don't know the trick. I use the Control Pad and not the Stylus for this stage and recommend you to do the same. Hold up from the start and let go of the Control Pad just before you land on the first swing, which will take you to the yellow swing. Just before you land on the yellow swing, hold up the Control Pad once again and let go of it when you're up in the air. Push the Control Pad forward once again a little before you enter the lilac swing and hold up until you are about to enter the goal platform, then tap back a bit to land safely Level 5-9: Tunnel Vision Difficulty: 6 You can either try to rush the whole way and aim for the goal or you can do it the slow way and take one tunnel at a time. The goal is attached to the inside of the last tunnel so when you have reached the tunnel you must control your monkey so you don't fall out of it. Aim for the goal when it is about to line up with you Level 5-10: Leviathan Difficulty: 7 I am glad they choose not to include Expert 7 from Super Monkey Ball 1. This one is, still, quite hard. Immediately hold up, I prefer using the Control Pad the first ramp because it is already centred. Tap back a bit just before you get up the first ramp so you don't fall off the platform. Then quickly turn right and down the second ramp and go on like that until you come to the last part. Don't go too fast on the last curved path or you might fall out. Instead, watch your monkey, especially your monkey's feet, and keep a steady and controlled rhythm ****************************************************************** World 6: Ice Lolly Land Level 6-1: Meandering Road Difficulty: 2 Shouldn't be any problems for you by now. Just stick to the middle of the path the whole time and don't go too fast Level 6-2: Slalom Difficulty: 1 Easy as it gets! Just follow the track Level 6-3: Coil Difficulty: 3 If you just take it fairly slow you shouldn't need to bother about this stage Level 6-4: Tilted Stretch Difficulty: 4 Watch out for the swinging bridge. You need to compensate for the tilts of the bridge so steer your monkey in the opposite direction when the bridge is about to reach its bottom- respectively top positions Level 6-5: Roulette (Bonus stage) A fun bonus stage! To catch the banana bunches on the top you need to go up with full speed. Tap back when have reached the top so you don't fall off when you're going downward again Level 6-6: Acute Difficulty: 7 If you haven't played this stage in Super Monkey ball (or the "Warp" stage in SMB 2), this stage can be quite hard. Go forward from the start and tap left with the Stylus when you land so you don't fall off. Then follow the path and try to round the curves on the inner side. If you get close to the edge it's quite big risk you fall off cause they're tilting a lot. Taking the inner curve is especially important on the last section. Slow down before you get close to the goal so the goal doesn't knock you off Level 6-7: Menacing Conclusion Difficulty: 6 Very similar to level 5-10 Leviathan, just a bit shorter and easier to take shortcuts on. Hold up from the start (I prefer using the Control Pad when going up the first ramp). Brake when you come up to the next platform. From here you can, if you want, drop down to the next platform and tap back before you land. With some practise you will master it. If you wanna be on the safe side, turn right and go down the next ramp etc. The final curved path is quite thin so carefully watch your monkey's legs when walking on it. I guess I need not say you shouldn't go too fast here and especially on the very last curve. Instead keep a modest pace and you should be fine Level 6-8: Impediment Difficulty: 4 Wait until the raising block has passed, then move down the path. Be careful when the raising board is about to move up in front of you. You need to steer your monkey when you get knocked up in the air so that you can get back on the track again Level 6-9: Free Ride Difficulty: 2 Very easy. Just stay on the cart and tap back a little when it moves and let it transport you the whole way to the goal Level 6-10: Fluctuation Difficulty: 9 The hardest stage so far. It's similar to Expert 4 in Super Monkey Ball 1 but harder, simply because the finishing part is so thin. You must take actions immediately from the start. Round the first big platform and go up and down the hills and make sure you land on the first moving platform. Important here is to break in time. You have to rush fast in order to make it in time. But if you manage, you'll save more than 10 seconds. And since time is crucial on this stage, I recommend you to learn to do it this way. From the first moving platform, move on to the next one and then go diagonally over to the platform that will take you up to the next hill. From here: move forward and jump over the gap and the small threshold. Then quickly turn right and hold forward so you get over the steep hill. If you have a good speed you might also catch the banana bunch. You must break before you cross the bumper section. Carefully move diagonally between the bumpers, and then align in front of the thin curved line that will take you to the goal. This part is difficult. Keep an eye at your monkey's feet all the time. You must be very careful with your movements. Just a slight correction with your Stylus may cause you to fall off. After the curved part you must keep a fast speed, otherwise you won't make it up the hill. Practise this stage until you feel you can handle it fairly well. ****************************************************************** World 7: Tempest Storm Level 7-1: Deception Difficulty: 1 Just hold up from the start and you will jump into the goal! Level 7-2: Lateral Undulation Difficulty: 5 Like Level 4-7 (Serrated), but with moving platforms. You have to be quick when you switch between platforms, cause they will not be united for long time. In addition, you must learn how the movements of the platforms affect your monkey. When you know how to adjust your ball's movements when the platforms rotate, this stage will not be too hard Level 7-3: Suspension Difficulty: 6 This stage is just piece of cake on Super Monkey Ball 1. In this version, I find it surprisingly hard. The platform is long, thin and rotates rather fast. The main problem is to get on and stay on safely. The best way I've found out is to move straight and stop just in front of the rotating platform. When it comes by, carefully get on by steering your monkey up a bit diagonally in the same direction as the platform. After you have got on, you might need to tap back a bit, so you don't fall off. Try to keep your position on the centre of the platform. Don't rush too fast when you move on the platform and be careful when you get off of it Level 7-4: Undulating Road Difficulty: 3 Just follow the track and don't rush like a maniac Level 7-5: Skatepark (Bonus stage) Unfortunately, this is one of the bonus stages where it's quite impossible to get all of the bananas. Try to, at least get the banana bunches in the corners plus the four ones in the middle Level 7-6: Congealment Difficulty: 5 Wait for the platform to come and get on. Follow it and wait for the platforms to conglomerate. Then rush towards the square in the corner to the left (or the right, your choice). Again wait until the platforms again unite, then rush to the square closest to the goal. Take the banana bunches in the corners if you feel confident enough to make it Level 7-7: Plummet Chasm Difficulty: 5 The only tricky section on this stage is the moving platform after you got down from the first ramp. When you get on, quickly steer your monkey in the same direction as its movement and then break slightly before it is about to change direction and immediately turn right. If you have problem with the moving platform, you can always take the shortcut from the start; just turn around and fall down a bit to the left and land on the path that leads to the second ramp Level 7-8: Tornado Difficulty: 4 Just keep in the centre of the spiral all the time and you should be fine: As I told you before, don't go to fast! Level 7-9: Rippling Road Difficulty: 2 Very simple. Just go ahead and, as usual, not too fast Level 7-10: Rotary Bypass Difficulty: 8 You might feel some frustration over this stage. It took me some time to figure out how to tackle it. And after a while, I started to like the stage, believe it or not. At first, rush forward with a slightly left touch so you traverse the first platform and land on the second. Brake in time so you don't fall off and sink down deep below the clouds. Change platform to the third one when it is about to line up with the second. It's important that you follow the movements of the platforms all the time and that you are prepared to take action before you enter a new platform. When you're getting on a new platform, you must push your Stylus in the same direction as the new platform move, otherwise you will be knocked off. The latter platforms have no edges to hold on to, which makes it essential to always stay in the centre of the platform, i.e. go in the direction - and keep the same speed - as the platform has. ****************************************************************** World 8: Meteorite Mayhem Level 8-1 Hollow Diamond Difficulty: 1 This stage is almost too easy. You won't need a guide for this one, that's for sure Level 8-2: Spiral Under Stars Difficulty: 7 This stage is a real pain. I cannot do it consistently and there is no accurate shortcut that works 100 %. Try to see the spiral as a normal spiral without steps when you walk it down and it's getting a bit easier, just see so you slow down after the second banana. It is, as far as I see it, impossible to go down every single step. Instead, if you carefully walk down the spiral to about where the third banana is, you will se the goal below. With a little speed forward, you can jump down to the goal platform and then dash for the goal. If you try to jump before the third banana, there's a big risk that you bump into one of the tiny steps closest to the goal and get knocked off. The most accurate way for me is to move down to the platform with the third banana and via the platform beneath bump down on the goal platform. Practise till you get a hang of it Level 8-3: Back Round Difficulty: 8 Another of these Super Monkey Ball 1 floors with thin paths, this time in a curved shape. Start with full speed and slow down as the curve becomes increasingly thinner. The last part is a tricky monster. I wish I could just say "take it easy and you should be fine". What you need to do is to keep a steady movement over the last curve i.e. you should more or less be able to keep the same position with the Stylus over the whole last curve. For me it works best if I stop before the last curve and align with the last curve so the ball is in the very centre of the path (watch the monkeys feet). Then I take the last curve quite slowly and look at the monkey's feet all the time and also pray that I don't get an evil 1 up that can ruin my day Level 8-4: Staircase Difficulty: 5 This one could be tricky but I've found out an excellent trick. From start to goal, use both the Control Pad and the Stylus. Hold the Control Pad forward simultaneous as you put the Stylus in the middle of the upper part of the Touch Screen. If made correct, you'll hit the goal in no time. If not made correct, you have probably not made it past the last step. If so, turn around, go back to the beginning of step 3 and go in a straight (or consequent diagonal line) towards the last step. If you miss again, try to adjust for the bump so you don't fall off and repeat the procedure Level 8-5: Spinning Sun (Bonus stage) A lovely little bonus stage. It's not hard at all to grab all of the bananas. Just watch your speed when you take the titbits at the ledges, especially the bunches Level 8-6: Parallel Peaks Difficulty: 4 One of my favourites! I use the Control Pad for this. Hold forward but let go of the Pad before you enter the first hollow so you land on the downward part of it. As soon as you land, hold up. Before you land on the next hollow, tap back a bit and then hold up again until you're up in the air again. Continue so until you reach the goal platform Level 8-7: Circular Waves Difficulty: 6 This stage can be a bit tricky, but it can be mastered. The most reliable way is to go down ring by ring. There is, however, a quick option, in which you from the start immediately turn left almost 90 degrees and jump down all the way to the blue ring. If done correct, you will land very close to the goal. In the ring-by-ring option, just go forward and drop down to the green ring. Stay there until the red ring sinks below the green one and jump down on it. When you continue your jumping, make sure you don't bump into any bumpers. From the orange ring, you can either wait until the goal gets near you on the blue ring or you can just jump down and follow the rotation on the blue ring until you get close to the goal. In the latter method, you need to backslide between the bumpers on the way towards the goal. It shouldn't be too difficult to handle by now Level 8-8: Obstacle Course Difficulty: 8 Similar to level 2-10, Labyrinthine, but much harder. At start, hold up the Control Pad and slow down immediately after the bump so you don't fall out. Under the rest of the stage I use the Stylus. Line up in front of one of the paths to the right, take the middle path if you want the bananas and get up to the hill on the other side. Now it's time for the crucial part. You have to get over to either the green path or directly to the orange platform after the gap at the very end of the orange path. I prefer the first alternative. To do this, carefully line up your monkey at the very back of the hill and go with full speed over the gap. You can actually use both the control Pad and the Stylus to get an extra speed boost. After you've landed on the green path, the rest should be a walkover Level 8-9: Pinball Pursuit Difficulty: 7 This level involves a whole bit of luck, nevertheless it's a cool stage. Go down the ramp and place your ball on one of the flippers, the further out you put the ball, the further up the flippers will shoot you. Try to aim for the goal when pushed up on the pinball board Level 8-10: Road to Nowhere Difficulty: 9 You will have to rush through this stage if you're gonna make it in time. Fortunately, it's possible to take a shortcut at the fifth corner. Just line up with the path below, get some speed and control your landing. After some practise you will find this shortcut is quite accurate. With the shortcut you'll save around 10 very valuable seconds, still you have to be rather quick on your way up to the top. Be careful, though, in the corners so you don't fall out. And please don't rush into the goal itself and get knocked out ****************************************************************** World 9: Big Bang Boom Level 9-1: Gyration Difficulty: 2 Another very easy (and sort of meaningless) first stage Level 9-2: Converse Difficulty: 3 Go to the right section of the start platform and when the blue goal platform is about to line up, get on and steer your monkey through the goal Level 9-3: Motion Gear Difficulty: 4 Don't worry too much about this stage. You have plenty on time and you don't even have to move on the gears to be able to make it in time. The only somewhat tricky part is when you switch between two gears. Just take it careful and you should be fine. On the last gear with only two cogs, just stay on the one you enter and wait there 'til it takes you to the goal Level 9-4: Deflecting Protrusion Difficulty: 4 In this stage, you have to steer your monkey, so that it pass through the gaps of the red walls that pop out of the ground now and then. The bananas are placed in the middle of these gaps, so just follow them and you should be fine Level 9-5: Rotary (Bonus stage) It shouldn't be too hard to take the bananas inside of the bowl. For the outer ones, just keep your momentum and hold your Stylus in a fixed position in the upper right corner. The banana bunches are tricky to take, you're definitely gonna need to build up some speed and then do your best to aim for them. I have never taken more than two banana bunches and I doubt I ever will Level 9-6: Armada Difficulty: 7 This stage is somewhat similar to "Flock" in Super Monkey Ball 2. At start, go forward down the ramp and don't rush too fast. Wait at the end of the ramp for the first platform to move down below you. Enter it and choose a path. I prefer to follow the outer platforms on the right side, but the left one should work just as well. Be careful when you cross the fifth square, it moves very fast. Take the banana bunch on the platform in the corner and continue your way towards the goal Level 9-7: Trail Difficulty: 3 At start, move over to the right ledge and stick to it when you move on forward. When you're getting close to the goal you cannot hold on to the ledge anymore. Instead, take the right middle path in order to avoid those holes on the sides Level 9-8: Pendulum Difficulty: 8 Wait until the clock is around 58.50. Then hold up the Control Pad and be prepared to take actions with the Stylus. Immediately when you get on the grey pendulum, steer your monkey around the middle section and get prepared to enter the red pendulum. As soon as you get on it, you probably have to steer a bit to the left in order to not fall out. Then quickly move on towards the goal Level 9-9: Wheel of Fortune Difficulty: 7 This stage could be a pain if you intend to do it the proper way. Instead, turn around so you can see the goal. Then line up with one of those yellow platforms to the right of the goal. When the yellow platform is about to line up with a green platform it's time to take action. What you're gonna do is to rush over the yellow, green and brown platform, traverse the green platform with a bumper on it's right side, hit the next yellow and green platforms and steer your monkey into the goal. Sounds complicated? It ain't. Just practise 'til you master Level 9-10: Starlight Express Difficulty: 8 Follow the path. Make sure you have some speed when you get on the spiral. When you're about to enter the goal platform you should be on the left side. In order to hit the goal you need to have a decent speed and you must steer your monkey quite much to the left. This is the trickiest part of the stage and you probably need to practise a lot until you can master it ****************************************************************** World 10: Zero G Station Level 10-1: Ascension Difficulty: 2 Easy as it gets. Take the bananas and walk up the hills to the goal Level 10-2: Rails Difficulty: 3 Another easy one, just follow the leftmost curve. Pick the rightmost if you're up for a real challenge Level 10-3: Perpetual Motion Difficulty: 4 This stage is not particularly difficult, but if you don't control your movements it can be deadly. What you need to avoid are those red punching rotating weights. Your safest option is to pass one weight at a time. Wait on the top of the hill for one to pass, move on to the next hill etc. Level 10-4: Scraper Descent Difficulty: 5 This is fun! Line up with the centre of each hill and move down the slope and up the ramp to the following platform. Break when you land and continue forward towards the goal. It's extra important to be lined up with the thin ramp that goes up to the goal platform; you will fall out if you miss it Level 10-5: Drop Downhill Drop (Bonus stage) Another fun bonus stage. If you hold up all the time you will get 36 out of 50 bananas, which is a quite good option. In order to take more bananas than that, you have to slow it down and steer your monkey after the bananas. It's possible to take them all, but then you also take a risk of getting knocked out Level 10-6: Entwined Difficulty: 5 If you just watch your speed, especially on the second ring, you should be ok Level 10-7: Intertwined Difficulty: 6 Don't go too fast on this stage. You can choose to follow the left or the right path. I always take the right (blue) one. You have to steer your monkey surprisingly much to the left when you go down in the curves. When you are about to enter the last curve, you must quickly steer first to the right and then, when you have rolled down a bit, steer to the left and dash for the goal Level 10-8: Revolution Difficulty: 10 This stage is a hard variant of Level 7-10, Rotary Bypass. Take actions immediately and steer your monkey somewhat to the right so you get on the second platform. As usual, you need to brake in time so you don't fall off. Be prepared for entering the third platform when it is about to line up with the second. You must push the Stylus in the same direction as the third platform goes in order to get on. When going with any platform, make sure to always go in the same direction as the platform does and try also to keep around the centre of the front part of it all the time. When the thin and long forth platform is about to come by, place your monkey in the very front of the third platform so you easily can move onto the forth one. Push the Stylus a bit to the right when you get on and carefully move up to the very front so you can move onto the next platform. The last two platforms has no ledges to hold on to so do your best to keep in the centre of them by going in the same directions and with the same speed as the platforms. From the sixth platform you have to make a forward leap from its upper position and land on the goal platform. This requires some speed. Practise this level a lot 'til you feel confident with it Level 10-9: Sieve Track Difficulty: 7 This is a fun one but also rather tricky. I use both the Control Pad and the Stylus for this. From start to goal, hold up the Control Pad all the time. Use the Stylus to steer your monkey slightly to the right when you go up the hill and then back to the left so the smashing blocks don't knock you off. Level 10-10: Slinky Difficulty: 7 Be careful when you jump down to the first ring, you should do it just when the first ring is about to go down beneath the start platform. Then go from ring to ring 'til you get to the one just before the goal platform. Try to time your jump down to the goal platform so you don't bump too much and risk to fall out ****************************************************************** Unlocking World 11 You have to go through the secret warp goals in level 8-1, Hollow Diamond, and level 9-2, Converse, in order to unlock World 11. You have to do this in challenge mode. So no needs to practise 'til you learn how to do it. In Hollow Diamond you'll find the secret goal just underneath the start point. Turn around and go with rather slow speed up the thin ramp and land on a thin hillside beneath. Quickly adjust for your bounce and move up the slope and cross the goal. In Converse, the secret goal is the red one on the red part of the rotating platform. This one is tricky. You need to move your ball to the very right side of the start platform. A little before the red platform is about to straighten itself up, rush at full tilt in an angle to the left and hope for the best. Try this and sooner or later you'll squeeze through that eagerly awaited goal ribbon. Congratulation, you've unlocked World 11! ****************************************************************** World 11: Studio One Level 11-1: Backslide Difficulty: 8 The hardest first floor so far and one of the hardest stage on Studio One. Jump down to the main platform. Place yourself on the blue ring, just after the rotating spiral has passed by. Try to stand centred but slightly closer to the inner green circle. Stand also quite still on the blue line so that you, when you get caught by the spiral, don't get too close to it's ledges. If you happen to get stuck to the outer ledge, your speed might increase too much so that you're getting off the spiral. When backsliding up the spiral, try to always have your monkey in the centre. When you're getting closer to the goal, you must turn a little to the inner side of the spiral Level 11-2: Cherry Drop Difficulty: 6 Harder than it looks. You need to go with full speed in order to land on the goal platform. Turn to one of the ledges and then keep a straight line forward up the hills. When you're about to reach the top of the yellow hill, you must steer your monkey a bit to the centre. If you have speed enough you will land on the goal platform. Level 11-3: Truffles Difficulty: 2 A real piece of cake. Just take it slowly and you can't possible fail Level 11-4: Asymmetry Difficulty: 6 Not very hard. You need to traverse several peaks that get thinner and thinner. If you have played Expert 17 in SMB2 or E7 or M3 in SMB1, you will probably beat this level on you first try. For you other guys, it might be a bit trickier. The left path is easier but on the other hand there are five yum banana bunches on the thinner right path. Line up in front of each ramp and traverse it with full speed forward. Brake as soon as you're getting down to the other side. Level 11-5: Scallop (Bonus stage) A fantastic bonus stage. Hop down the bowl. Take the two banana bunches by sticking the Stylus in the upper right corner. Then pick up all the bananas in the lower part of the bowl and continue down to the next bowl Level 11-6: Transience Difficulty: 7 Another stage with moving platforms. This one is a bit easier, though. Get on the first platform as soon as it comes by and try to stay in the very centre of it. You need to be quick when you switch between two platforms cause they are not together for long time at all. Besides, be quick when you switch platform but not too fast or you might fall off if you don't break in time Level 11-7: Divergence Difficulty: 3 Just follow the left part Level 11-8: Wormhole Difficulty: 8 This one is hard. I cannot do it consistently. It doesn't work to take the rotating squares one by one. Instead, the best option is to rush through the whole formation and aim for the goal. Move forward just after the formation has got the shape of a star and steer your monkey a bit to the left (if the squares rotate to the right, otherwise steer to the right). It helps if you slow down your speed a bit before you enter the goal platform Level 11-9: Prohibition Difficulty: 8 Another hard stage. I go quite fast on this one. Take actions immediately. Pay attention to the green paths. Roll forward and go a bit angled so you follow the green path to the left. When you get to the part of the stage with 3 parallel green paths, steer your monkey somewhat towards the goal. If you have the correct speed and direction you will jump, via the middle part of the fifth moving red thing, to the goal platform Level 11-10: Locomote Difficulty: 6 This stage shouldn't be too hard by now. I normally traverse the first three or four moving platforms in a row. Then I move onto the red platform when it lines up. The only platform to actually worry about is the blue one. When you enter it, steer your monkey in the same direction as the platform moves. There are ledges on all of the moving platforms and also on the goal platform. So when you get off the blue platform make sure you steer diagonally up to the goal platform so you don't get knocked back by the ledge of the goal platform and fall out ****************************************************************** Unlocking World 12 After you clear World 11, a banana counter is activated on the screen in Challenge Mode. Collect all 2006 bananas and you will unlock World 12. If you play through some of the first levels you're gonna make it in no time!! Get ready for the last world. It's not as hard as you might fear ****************************************************************** World 12: Mesh Mosh Level 12-1: Whiplash Difficulty: 9 World 12 start with a challenging stage. Start by dropping down to the main field. Place your monkey in front of one of the moving blocks and get ready for a shoot up in the air. Try your best to land on the first section of the pyramid and then repeat the procedure. Be careful when you land on the second section. Place your monkey in front of one of the shooting blocks that are lined up with the goal and try to align your monkey with the goal ribbon, then get yourself shot right up and try to steer into the goal on the pyramid's top Level 12-2: Lickshot Difficulty: 3 Looks hard but it's not. Move to one of the sides. When the Goal is getting down, it's time to drop down and steer your monkey into the goal. Quite enjoying actually Level 12-3: Spasmodic Difficulty: 5 This stage is easier if you have some speed. I normally go with full speed from the start and just steer my monkey towards the goal Level 12-4: Gesticulation Difficulty: 6 Unfortunately it's not possible to rush through this stage. Instead move on slowly and mind the raising blocks. When the blocks go down, you may speed up a bit but not for very long time Level 12-5: Protuberance (Bonus stage) The last bonus stage of the game. Move forward to the green hillock. Stay there and hope for the best that you catch as many bananas as possible. I have never taken more than 30 bananas on this stage so don't set your expectations too high Level 12-6: Gauge Difficulty: 9 What would a Super Monkey Ball game be without a clockface stage? In this variant, get on the hand and stop by the end of the red ledge until the hand change direction. Then move on towards the goal with sufficient speed. You must, obviously, steer in the same direction as the hand's movement. When you get very close to the goal, you might have to steer a little in the opposite direction Level 12-7: Permeation Difficulty: 6 Avoid those red lines on the stage. For a safe run, traverse one red line at a time, then stop and wait for the combish thing to pass by. Then proceed 'til you reach the goal Level 12-8: Cavity Difficulty: 8 Wow, it's the "Hierarchy" stage from Super Monkey Ball 2. Move forward and drop down the small hole with some speed. Land on the corner of the platform below, i.e. steer into the hole with some angle when you fall and then tap back. The holes of platforms become bigger and bigger. What you need to do is to move with some speed from one corner, drop down the hole and steer so you land on the next corner in the platform below. Don't forget to tap back when you land. Proceed 'till you land on the last platform where the goal is Level 12-9: Aperture Difficulty: 7 Drop down the start platform and into the centrifuge. Carefully drop down through one of the small holes in the rotating bowl. You'll land in another rotating bowl without ledges. If you're getting close to the outer part of the bowl just pull downright with your Stylus and you will get back into the centre. Once again, drop down through one of the holes and you'll land on the last rotating bowl. This one rotates very fast. To get through the goal, you have to steer your monkey to the blue line and keep there 'til you catch up with the goal Level 12-10: Palpitation Difficulty: 10 Another toughie that involves a good portion of luck. Your objective is to use some pushing, circle formed, blocks to throw you up in the air and land on the goal platform. Not the easiest task. At start, immediately rush down and steer yourself slightly to the left so you land a bit after the second red block on the left side. Turn around quickly and time your move towards the red block so you can enter it with some speed and get pushed up in the air. Hold forward the whole time when in air to attain the best possible height of the throw. Aim for the goal and hope that you'll make it. If not, try with another red block with sufficient distance from the goal. Practise till you get a hang of it. I had severe problems with this stage. The method described above is, however, the most accurate for me. ****************************************************************** Congratulations for beating Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll. I hope you enjoyed the game as much as I did and that this guide has been helpful in your progress with the game. If you have tips on strategies for certain levels you are welcome to email me, see details in the intro section of this FAQ. ****************************************************************** Copyright 2008 Mikael �hman