April 26^th, 2006 (3:16pm) - It had been rumored for quite some time that a new Super Monkey Ball game would launch with Nintendo’s Revolution game console as the first game in the series launched with the GameCube years ago. The Revolution’s controller, conceptually at least, lends itself well to the simple gameplay mechanics of the Super Monkey Ball games and SEGA has released this. So, with all of this said, SEGA has finally announced that a new Super Monkey Ball game is in development for Nintendo’s new generation game console. Making its debut at E3 this May is Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, developed by SEGA Studios exclusively for the Nintendo Revolution.

AiAi and all his friends have rolled their way onto Nintendo’s new console with new mind-blowing puzzle levels and a wealth of new and exciting Party Games specifically designed to fully exploit the innovative Nintendo Revolution controller. Other titles will have a difficult time matching the multitude of possible variations in game control as presented in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz.

"The Nintendo Revolution presents a totally unique avenue for our developers to explore the art of game design," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz will present a mind-boggling array of gameplay innovations that will excite and challenge gamers while pushing the boundaries of imagination forward."

The single-player puzzle levels in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz have been innovatively designed to challenge gamers’ skills like never before. For the first time in the Super Monkey Ball franchise, AiAi and his friends will have the ability to jump when players flick the Nintendo Revolution controller in an upward motion. The ability to jump has given game designers another dimension in which to expand the Super Monkey Ball gameplay experience and allows gamers a whole new way to interact with the franchise; this time in true three-dimensional fashion.

The Party Games, for which the Super Monkey Ball franchise is famous, return with more variety than ever. An abundance of new Party Games have been creatively designed to take advantage of the Revolution controller in a multitude of ways. Gamers will find themselves competing in a traditional game of ring toss, or even smacking pesky moles in a game of "Whack-a-Mole." Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz’s large library of Party Games is sure to inspire friendly competition anytime.

First screens and any further information regarding the game are expected to be revealed at E3 this May.