Computerandvideogames.com has gotten their hands on a copy of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz for the Wii. From what they’re saying, it’s an extremely difficult game with easy training levels. There seems to be a huge learning curve with everyone getting used to the Wiimote. The first few titles will all probably feel this way until you get used to how delicate and sensitive it is.

This hands-on experience that CAV is interesting because it shows that developers have another issue at hand. They have to decide how sensitive certain parts of their titles are at other times. What angle do you have to hold the controller for max effect, or how long does each action take to affect what’s on screen? You don’t want to make it too sensitive because then you’ll be flying everywhere constantly.

One thing, other than the controller itself, that will throw out your judgement at first is the fact that the maximum tilt gradient has been softened. We’d say 100 percent tilt in Banana Blitz equates to around 70 percent tilt in the GC games, so your control over the ball is nowhere near as harsh or punchy.

Accelerating is considerable slower, which we assume Sega intended, to make the game easier for beginners. But the lighter tilt gradient also means that when the ball does eventually pick up speed, slowing it down takes a lot longer.

That’s not the only new gameplay mechanic for you to master. Most notable is the monkey’s newfound ability to jump. For the first time in Monkey Ball you can make your primate friend take a small hop by pressing the A button, and the new levels have been built to accommodate for this new ability.

Super Monkey Ball seems like the perfect title to make the transition from simple button pressing to motion sensing control. New controls such as a jump, and balance with a motion-sensing controller will be interesting to master.

Look for Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz at the launch of the Wii on November 19.