Sega has just announced that Super Monkey Ball will be back on the banana hunt in a new Vita version, designed exclusively with the handheld’s features in mind.
The classic arcade game is back, bringing AiAi, MeeMee, Baby and GonGon along for a ride through tilting levels and momentum induced challenges. The official press release states that the latest iteration to the long running series will specifically use the Vita’s hardware to continue the motion based gaming established in previous games, as well as front and back sensor controls and both joysticks. Of course, updated graphics are also part of the plans to use Vita’s power, as demonstrated with a few pictures and teaser trailer, which otherwise left me in the dark.
Besides the usual slew of levels filled with narrow ledges, moving platforms, and other challenges, Super Monkey Ball will also have new mini games, worlds to explore, and four player multiplayer through the use of WiFi. Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SEGA Europe and SEGA of America also commented on the upcoming release, stating:
Since evolving onto the current generation of consoles, the Super Monkey Ball franchise has always offered innovative game design, challenging the hardware capabilities for all the consoles it has released on. Super Monkey Ball on PlayStation Vita is a great opportunity to experience the exciting features that the PlayStation Vita offers, and the SEGA development team are bringing a exciting new experience whilst staying true to the franchise.
Super Monkey Ball for the PlayStation Vita is currently slated to release sometime in 2012.
