Prerelease:Super Monkey Ball 2
This page details prerelease information and/or media for Super Monkey Ball 2.
 | To do: There are some differences found between pre-release screenshots of the party games and the final games - these are found on IGN. Also, the SMB1 HUD images may potentially have higher quality, watermarkless versions. If anyone has these, updating the included images would be greatly appreciated. |
This page contains notes about Super Monkey Ball 2's development, and the differences between pre-release media and the final game.
Contents
Pre-Release Differences
Triangle Holes
On the back of the cover art in many regions, the upper-rightmost ball shows Triangle Holes in the Challenge Mode version of the whale. While Triangle Holes is featured in Advanced Floor 25 of Challenge Mode in the final game, Advanced Floors 21 through 30 take place in the forest with the boiling pot (World 6). Triangle Holes makes an appearance inside the whale in Story Mode (World 4-5) in the final, but that version of the whale does not open its mouth to reveal the ocean.
The color of the floor texture in the screenshot matches up exactly with the World 6 floor textures seen in the Challenge Mode version of Triangle Holes in the final, and the whale is notably brighter. The lighting appears to match that found in World 6 in the final minus the "steam" texture placed over the camera. This isn't a result of any potential modifications to the image, as AiAi looks normal. It's possible the whale background was used as a placeholder for this level at this point in development or the whale was supposed to be featured in Advanced Floors 21 through 30.
Super Monkey Ball 1 HUD
Some images released to various video gaming media outlets show the game with the HUD of its predecessor. The HUD appears to be from the Japanese edition of the game (speed reported in km/h, 'banana' instead of 'banana(s)'), with no time bomb. The level display reads 'FLOOR 1', possibly indicating that the level was launched from the stage selection screen of the debug menu. These screenshots feature the nearly-final level background designs, though the stages on which the screenshots were taken are not known. The only date associated with these images is May 19th, 2002 for the first screenshot in the following gallery. The dates of the rest are unknown.
An unknown stage set in the Volcanic Magma world. The 'NEW_GOAL' model can be seen in the distance. The geometry of the level is similar to that of the test levels found in the game's files.
A stage set on the Space Colony world that appears to be an early version of the level 'Slopes'. This early version doesn't seem to exist within the game's files.
An early version of the level 'Hollow' set in the Volcanic Magma world with a wormhole gate visible.
An unknown stage set in the Jungle Island world. The floor texture visible is found within several test levels in the game's files.
A stage set in the Jungle Island world. This level appears identical to the early version of Switches found on stage 183.
A stage which appears to be Bumpy from the final game. Interestingly, the floor texture does not match the world theme.
Press Images
A series of images of the game were apparently released to various gaming media outlets prior to the game's release. The earliest date associated with these images is April 30th, 2002. There are various differences between these screenshots and the final game. No floor names are present in these screenshots, and the environments for the beginner level seems to change more times than in the final game. Interestingly, some of these levels, such as Spinning Top, have properly textured level elements that fit the theme of the world, along with fitting floor textures as well. It is unknown if this intended to be in the game, or if it was simply to show off the game's environments.
The goal post texture is slightly different, and the bananas have no branding.
Slightly different reflections and world background.
The stage progression data, visible when playing with debug mode, is visible in these official screenshots. The stage is in the Amusement Park world in the final game, and the textures of the spinning top are themed accordingly.
This stage is in the Amusement Park world in the final game, and the landing area is themed accordingly.
Slightly different fonts and UI, and level difficulty measured out of 5 rather than out of 10. Identical to the pre-release demo.
The floor texture for this stage is the one used for the Lovely Heart Ring stage in Monkey Race 2. In the final version, there is no pink or purple on the floor textures.
Slightly different floor texture and goal post texture.
This stage is in the Jungle Island world in the final game.
This stage is in the Amusement Park world in the final game.
E3 Trailer
The E3 trailer for the game has a few differences from the final, released game. The stage clear and cutscene dialog fonts are different and much thinner. Stage names are missing, and the greater diversity of stage backgrounds seen in the above press images is seen. The circular logo that is found in the game's files is also used as the main logo for the game.
IGN Trailer
The IGN trailer appears to have the same differences from the final game as the E3 trailer. The still frame following the SEGA and AV logos at the start is formatted similarly to the game's title screen, with a different background and the unused circular logo. The date associated with the IGN trailer is May 16, 2002.
Looking closely at the footage (same with the other videos but a bit more noticeable here), one (might) notice Aiai's running animation being the same as in SMB1, where his arms moved rather awkwardly. In the final release, as well as the playable demo, his arms animated sturdier, with more natural swinging.
In addition, footage of the Monkey Race 2 and Monkey Boat minigames show that they used the main game timer, much like what SMB1's minigames did, whilst the final changed it to be a smaller one that was positioned at the top-right (except for Monkey Fight 2, which retained the timer and its position as shown in the trailer).
IGN Gameplay
IGN released a gameplay video prior to the release of the game on May 23, 2002. The stage clear font is much thinner, and the monkey blasts off immediately after passing the goal tape. The lower camera found in the July demo version of the game is noticeable here.
