When the term ‘jungle warfare’ was first coined it is unlikely associations of monkeys hurling bananas at each other ever came to mind. Manic Monkey Mayhem is a user’s manual in the art of using bananas as deadly projectiles and throws plenty of entertainment into the bargain.

After creating a user account you will be prompted to choose from one of eight monkeys, some boasting intriguing names such as Nanny Narna, Furious George, Professor Z and Clint! Having selected your primate participant, you will embark on a series of missions spread across eight different locations, including barren and rocky wasteland, the treetops of a dense jungle, the frozen plains of the Arctic Circle and even amongst the dizzy heights of the starlit cosmos. With Wii remote in tow your throwing skills will be put to the test here.

There are four modes to Manic Monkey Mayhem but only one is available at the outset – Campaign. To ensure you adapt to the controls of the game there is a brief tutorial that will show you the various aspects of monkey banana warfare including throwing across varying distances, avoiding your opponent’s fruity missiles and even altering the trajectory of hurled bananas to ensure they hit your evasive foes. Once the tutorial has been completed the rest of the game modes are instantly unlocked offering you a myriad of action-packed challenges.

The Campaign mode is divided into three sections – easy, medium and hard – and requires you to face one mission in turn which must be successfully completed before you can progress onto the next one. The missions you face begin with your chosen character standing on a podium and usually armed with a small amount of bananas. An early test involves a duel with another monkey whereby bananas are thrown back and forth until one opponent is eventually knocked from their platform. As well as being accurate in your aim you also need to judge the distance for your throw: too hard and the banana will head harmlessly over your opponent, too soft and it will fall short of your intended target. Other challenges include hitting a series of crates in an allotted time limit, facing off against a group of opponents on separate podiums in a fierce last monkey standing battle, bazookanana throws in heavy artillery to dispatch your foes in a fierce exchange, while pass the parcel requires you to hurl a ticking box as quickly as possible to nearby foes before it explodes. The missions become more challenging as you progress but they’re great fun.

The other modes in Manic Monkey Mayhem are Greatest Ape where you begin with three lives and a limited supply of bananas and must dispatch your fellow primates to be crowned the greatest ape. Minute Monkey is an intense battle where every successful hit gains you 5 points and you must achieve the highest score against your opponents before the clock runs out. Finally, Ape Team is a three against three tussle to knock each other from your respective podiums and win honours for you and your allies.

The main issue with Manic Monkey Mayhem is that it can get difficult as you progress. Many missions, especially Pass the Parcel, require you not only to throw the box quickly but accurately to your opponents before it explodes. With a series of podiums arranged in a circle, the distance between you and fellow monkeys varies so judgement becomes a big challenge. For those that love to be tested then this will suit you just fine. The only other concern is the long-term appeal of the game once you have played through all the missions but this is a low cost game so this limitation is perhaps perfectly reasonable.

Manic Monkey Mayhem is a tricky but rewarding experience and will appeal to gamers of all ages. Longevity may be an issue but the game offers plenty of scope with a multi-player option with fellow Wii users and at a cost of just 1000 Wii Points (less than £10) offers very good value for the cheeky antics you will be treated to.

**Review by David Brown**