* Super Monkey Ball for the Nintendo GameCube

* Master Mode Walkthrough Version 3.5
* By Matthew England (wowbaggers@aol.com)
* Last updated: March 5, 2002  (FINAL UPDATE)


* Revisions:  3/3/02 - Added advice section.  Made clarifications on
                       Master 3 strategy.
              3/4/02 - Added High Scores and Master Extra Progress sections.
              3/5/02 - Removed "High Scores and Master Extra Progress"
                       section.  Edited intro and Expert Extra 9 walkthrough.
                       I also fixed some spelling errors and made
                       clarifications on a few Master levels.  This is the
                       final version.  Hope this FAQ helped!


* Table of Contents

  I.  Introduction
 II.  Master Mode Walkthrough
III.  Expert Extra 9 Walkthrough
 IV.  Advice


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I N T R O D U C T I O N:  

This FAQ is meant for those having trouble clearing a Master Mode Stage, or 
the perfectionists who have already cleared them all but need foolproof 
methods to pass them all consistently.  If you need help with different 
difficulty levels there are plenty of other FAQ's to check out.  If you have 
any questions or comments about my strategies, feel free to e-mail me.  

NOTE:  If you read/use this FAQ, please contact me.  Criticisms, praise,      
         anything's welcome.  If I don't hear anything by Wednesday, March 
13,               I'm taking it down.  After all, an unused FAQ is like a 
flower that                      never blossoms...or something, heh.

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M A S T E R   M O D E   W A L K T H R O U G H S :

I've rated each stage on a scale of 1-4 monkeys, (1 being the easiest) 
compared to the other Master Stages.  It took me several hours to perfect all 
of these floors, and lots and lots of Practice Mode.  ;)  So if you still 
have trouble after reading this, it just means you need to practice more.  So 
without further ado, here they are.

Master I:
Rating - @(^_^)@

First of all, don't move from your landing spot.  You will need to wait for 
the first platform to leave, and arrive again.  When it looks like it's just 
about to connect again, floor it.  While you're running, look at the cracks.  
If they're getting further and further apart and are moving away from you, 
you need to go a lot faster, or you're a goner.  But if the ledges are moving 
further apart but are still moving towards you, just let up on the gas and 
let yourself roll until the gap is almost closed again.  Then accelerate 
again, and you will most likely make it to the goal without making any more 
adjustments.


Master II:
Rating - @(^_^)@

You will notice a gate running the length of the top circular platform, and 
there is a gap immediately to the left of you.  Hold forward somewhat gently 
until it comes around and you go through.  Once you get to the first 
wedge-shaped platform, wait there until the rainbow staircase starts to 
unfold.  Watch the map to be sure when this happens, then walk down it until 
you reach the next wedge.  Don't go too fast or you will bounce out of 
control.  Go too slow and you won't make it in time.  When the staircases 
retract, your wedge will move forward.  Stay near the upper part (the 
direction where the staircase was) of it to avoid falling off.  Continue on 
to another two wedges, until you reach the goal.


Master III:
Rating - @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@

When you first land, you will see a triangular ramp leading to an L-shaped 
platform.  This triangle should look familiar, it's similar to the second 
ramp from level 7.  This one however, is higher, longer, and thinner, making 
it about 5 times harder.  Slowly move behind you until you are on the edge of 
your starting platform, and line yourself up the best you can with the ramp.  
You have plenty of time, don't go for it until you're ready.  Keeping 
straight, jam forwards and make tiny little adjustments to the left or right 
if need be until you're up and over.  Then brake on the way down to avoid 
hitting the post in front of you.  Continue on this platform until your feet 
reach the very bottom of the uppermost-righthand square.  Your feet must be 
aligned with the center of the square.  It needs to look like the bottom of 
your ball is balancing on a ledge, if you will.  You also need to completely 
stopped.  0 mph.  Also, you need to be facing in the general direction of the 
temple in the background.  Don't take too much time aligning your ball, 
either, or your monkey's momentum will shift the ball out of position.  When 
all this is done.  Hit the gas straight off, and don't let go.  You are 
aiming for the left hand side of the goal (the lower part).  If you did 
everything right, you will smash right through that ribbon.  This takes 
practice, but you'll get the hang of it.

Note:  You can also take the path of the moving platforms and corkscrew,
       but I don't recommend it unless you like to test your luck.  ;)


Master IV:
Rating - @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@

Roll down that first ramp, and stay far to the left.  When you see the carpet 
finish rolling towards you, begin slowly moving forward and floor it when it 
begins to unroll again.  When you come to the first platform, hop on and stay 
far to the left.  (Otherwise the carpet's attached bar will send you sailing 
into oblivion).  Wait until you see red on the screen, and floor it again 
towards the next platform.  This time stay far to the right.  Repeat this 
until there are no platforms left, and then run onto the carpet and through 
the goal.


Master V:
Rating - @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@

Slowly start walking to the corner in front of you, and the second the Dole 
square to your left begins to move, you break a hard left and start running 
towards the edge (the one that was to your left when you began).  If you did 
this right, you will run in between the blocks and when the square re-forms 
it will narrowly miss you.  Next, position yourself so you are facing the 
corner of the inside square hole. Run towards it until you are 3 diagonal 
squares away from the corner.  The next dole block should form around you.  
Run towards the goal.  You will probably need to break for a split second to 
avoid touching the block in front of you before it re-forms.


Master VI:
Rating - @(^_^)@

Whenever the figure begins to rotate, make sure that you are on top of the 
red slab, and pressed up against its connecting wall.  When it rotates, you 
should seamlessly transfer from the red slap to the new floor.  Repeat this 
eleven times, then slam through that goal.  It's best to go slow on this 
level to avoid falling through the gaps.  Don't go too slow though or you 
might not make it to the red boxes in time, causing you to bounce out of 
control.


Master VII:
Rating - @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@

Don't move from your landing spot, until the button in front of you is 
completely depressed.  You must move the instant it's pushed down.  Now move 
to the right corner of the square, gently hoist yourself on top of the blue 
face, and make a hard left (and slightly forward) and brake.  Next, wait in 
the center of the first full square from the front of the green face.  Wait 
for just a moment while it rotates, then ever so slowly hold forwards, and 
brake the second you are on top of the face.  Next, go to the inside corner 
of the L, slightly on the right hand side of it.  When the figure rotates, 
you can go up and then jam to the left.  A blue wall protects you from 
falling off.  Go through the goal.  You will need to practice to get a feel 
for the right speed.

Master VIII:
Rating - @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@

Hold forwards even before you land, and jump off the right edge of the 
starting platform and head straight for the right-hand edge of the floor 
without stopping.  A set of green and red pegs will come from the left, 
interlock to your right, and leave again.  You must stay far enough left to 
avoid the interlocking action.  However, going too far to the left spells 
catastrophe.  You're goal is to end up 3 or 4 squares from the edge, so you 
will have to start braking just after the edge of the last red circle.  It's 
important that you go right a little bit once you get there too, or else a 
purple peg will knock you off.  Now without changing position, face towards 
the goal which is to your left.  Okay, you see those blue and green pegs 
occasionally interlocking to your left?  Well, when they line up perfectly, 
that's your chance to head straight for the goal.  Don't slow down and don't 
stray too far left or that's the end of you.  This level requires practice in 
order to get a feel how to get the above-mentioned pathway down pat.

Master IX:
Rating - @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@

Go reasonably fast for the first 11 platforms, turning/braking at those 
brownish squares at the end.  For the rest of the level, watch your monkey's 
feet.  Try to make them stay in the center as best you can.  Slow down as you 
near each corner, completely stopping when you get there.  It's also best to 
turn towards the next platform, in case you still have some momentum.  On the 
last one, just make sure you're on at least a little bit, and run onto the 
goal platform.  Careful not to fall off.  This floor involves more luck than 
any of the others, but it still doesn't hurt to practice often.

Master X:
Rating - @(^_^)@ @(^_^)@

Wait until the goal swings most of the way left, and then jump onto Aiai's 
leg.  Keep on running until you get to the pink of his face.  Wait inbetween 
his eyes until the goal starts to slow down.  Then, run into the goal.  It is 
a good idea to edge a bit to the left or right too, depending on where the 
goal is heading.

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Expert Extra 9 Strategy:

I've been hearing that alot of people have problems with this level, so I 
went ahead and discovered a foolproof method to beat it.  Here it is.

(The above was written before I realized that 4,389,821 people knew about 
this  before me, sorry about taking credit, everyone.  :P )


Run to the edge of the platform so you are aligned with the row of checkered 
pods ahead of you.  Your feet need to be at the very front of the second 
square from the front of the platform.  Make sure you're completely stopped 
too.  Now, aim toward the goal the best you can, and floor it, and never let 
go.  It's essential that you stay straight.  If you must go left or right to 
adjust, always do it in the air, or you will mess up the flow.  Eventually 
you will bounce for the last time, and you will probably need to adjust 
slightly to the left or right in order to bounce into the goal.  And no 
matter what it looks like, never brake, and never let go of the gas.

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A D V I C E:

Bananas: 

Through the entire Expert and Extra mode, EVERY banana counts.  So if you 
think you can get one without having much risk of dying, take it.  Trust me, 
I once made it to Master 7 with 99 bananas, only to die.  If I had collected 
just one more banana on any of the other stages, I may have made it to 10.


Practice:

It's important to know which levels are your weaknesses.  If you always die 
on a certain level, or it takes a few deaths to beat it, go into practice 
mode and get it down cold.  This is much more preferable to making it all the 
way to say, Extra 6 and just counting on luck.

 
Composure:

Another factor in ensuring your success is making sure you remain focused.  
For example, if you're at Master 2 and still haven't continued, you might get 
cocky and start thinking about the levels to come instead of the task at 
hand.  That's a mistake, and you will pay for it.  Also, if you start 
panicking halfway through a level, just pause the game and shake yourself out 
a little bit.  Calm down, then regain focus and unpause.  I was once at 
Master 5 rubbing up against the goal ribbon, but couldn't muster the finger 
strength to go through because I was nervous (lol).  A second later, I was 
knocked off.


Lives:

The most important factor if you want to reach Master.  ;)  If I'm going for 
either of these, if I die on any stage before level 21, I'll quit and 
restart.  Each life lost is less of a chance you have to make it to Master.  
And never got cocky if you get up to something like 7 lives.  That doesn't 
mean you can die without worry, it only means that in the event that you do 
die, you can keep on playing.

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Copyright 2002 Matthew England
           wowbaggers@aol.com