The Game:
When the Wii first launched, I reviewed Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, a launch title that I panned without mercy. Shocking as it may seem, remaking that game just a few months after its release with less features and even worse controls was not exactly a great idea.

But that's exactly what you get with Kororinpa: Marble Mania. When I first heard about this game, I imagined something like a Wii version of Marble Madness, a game I've always held near and dear to my heart. Alas, to my great disappointment, the actual content of the game amounts to nothing more than a stripped-down version of Monkey Ball. Essentially, all you have to do is maneuver a marble across a board, collecting red gems, and getting to a goal post. You move the marble by tilting the playing field so that the marble is impelled by gravity to follow.

Sounds familiar? It should. It's the same boneheaded control scheme implemented so poorly in Banana Blitz. But while that game had its controlled tuned too tightly, this one is far too loose. You have to make wide, sweeping movements to change the course of your marble, thus making it almost impossible to execute some of the hairpin turns and changes of direction required to complete each level. The same issue with the way you hold the controller is still present here, with a lot of wrist-pinching motions.

Even worse, the camera essentially maintains one angle no matter where your marble is or how you're angling the playing field, which often leads to confusion or the inability to see obstacles, gems, or goals. Combine this with the under sensitive controls, and you have a bona fide stinker.

There are a few gameplay tweaks that attempt to add depth to the game. As you unlock levels, you get new marbles (many patterned after animals, with noises to match). There are also green gems you can collect that unlock even more content. There is a multiplayer mode, where in split screen you attempt to collect all the red gems and reach the goal before your opponent. There are also some unlockable challenge modes and one that lets you run courses backwards. In other words, nothing too compelling.

The Graphics:
Clearly not intending to be a graphics powerhouse, Kororinpa: Marble Mania attempts to create some sort of stylistic look, with bright colors and the details on the marbles. Nothing really gels, however, leaving a mishmash of imagery. The game doesn't even offer a 480p option.

The Audio:
Again not showing much effort, the game allows you to select a few different forgettable tunes to waft through the room as you play. Several of the marbles also make noises (for example, the cat marble meows), but they make the same noise repeatedly and it becomes quite tedious.

The Conclusion:
Subpar in every way, Kororinpa: Marble Mania makes other bad games look good by comparison. Skip It.