Couch multiplayer games feel at home on a Nintendo system, which makes Monkey Pirates a great fit. The entire game is built around a local multiplayer experience, which calls to mind the Wii U eShop launch title Chasing Aurora. What Monkey Pirates does different is how it presents itself, with a colorful and bright spectacle and a goofy sense of humor.

In the multiplayer, each player controls their very own monkey captain. The captains all have a special set of abilities and advantages. For example, the boat of Gibburt Lancaster turns quite easily, while the cannons of Inigo Mandrilla's boat reload quickly. The developers did great work balancing the strengths and weaknesses.

Nine completely different maps are available with three regular multiplayer modes to conquer. Stand by the Board is an all--out battle where you have to put your skills and items to the test. In Jolly Roger mode, things become a little crazy. The first pirate to shoot down an opponent becomes the Jolly Roger and has to keep defending themselves from that point onward. A Jolly Roger can't pick up items, which makes the whole battle extra stressful. Finally, there is Banana Race where you try to collect as many banana barrels as the ship can carry. The winner in these games is decided by who scores the most points. Each mode is distinctly different, making them all fun to play.

Next to these modes, which only use Wii Remotes, the Sea King mode lets you play with the GamePad. Here you have one person that selects a deed, which he/she has to make sure the others complete. You can lay back and see everything that is happening, but it is more fun to screw or help people with items that can be found on the touch screen. There is not much benefit to reach the goals, but it is fun to plot dastardly schemes through your evil machinations. The shame is that Monkey Pirates does not do a great explaining what the GamePad player can do.

While the multiplayer experience is really fun, there is barely anything for the lone player. The four challenge modes are built for single-player but they run their course quickly. You could play on your lonesome and fight against AI opponents, but like most couch multiplayer games, playing by yourself isn’t much fun.

Monkey Pirates is meant to be played with people and it truly comes together when the right crowd gets together. The various modes and options are well thought out and toying around with items makes for crazy intense matches. If you have a bunch of people coming around, consider putting this on the playlist.