@Quig I actually agree with most of your statement, the label comes from how you play as a gamer. I'm just saying that a game like rockband wasn't made to be unlocked over and over again. It's definitely geared as a pick up and play, or if you have some people over that aren't really all that interested in video games to begin with, they can "Casually" pick it up and not make a dedicated effort to like video games. There will always be gray areas as there are always exceptions. But I STRONGLY believe that a casual game CAN be played hardcore, but it doesn't stop the fact that the game itself was geared towards that initial hook of pick up and play.

"Casual" games in my book generally try to focus on multiple players, lack of dedicated story, and a rating fairly safe for all ages lol. Just my two cents on the issue ^^

"hardcore game" is a stupid phrase

Who here remembers the good old days when there was no "hardcore" or "casual" labels and there was only "easy" games and "Ohmygodwhatthehellthisgameissocheap" games...

By the by, for those who have never played it, Monkey Ball fits snugly in the latter category.

Well I have the original Super Monkey Ball for GC, and that game is about as hardcore as they come. Seriously, only a very dedicated player will have a hope of beating it on Expert mode. If Banana Blitz is anything like the original, it's most definitely hardcore.

Edit:  I just wanted to add that I generally find the whole argument of "casual" vs. "hardcore" games stupid anyway.  I enjoy all kinds of games and find it to be a pretty useless distinction.  Especially since it seems that everybody has a different definition of hardcore anyway.

I wanted to buy this game but the reviews were bad and it didn't sell to well so...

 I played it, it was a lot of fun. Go for it.

 It's monkeyball :D Thou shalt love they Monkeyball >_E

the challenge mode is just puzzles but i guess the mini games are hard core
i h8 the controller scheme though and how u have to jump!! (i don't own it but i saw it on u tube)
stick w. the basics sega and u'll make a better game
the best monkey ball is monkey ball 2
possibly dleuxe but. i hate it how the ps2 or xbox do not have the little grommet things like the gc has( it is just round) whille the gc is octaganol
i think...

Wait wait wait, so all fighting games are casual ChronotriggerJM? All those guys in those tournament halls crowded around a TV screen screaming at a parry or combo are casual gamers?

I'd say it's considered casual because it has monkeys.

At least if it's anything like the pure pain in the ass the regular gamecube mode was.