Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,050 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Game Cover
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is a loving recreation and just pure, uncomplicated FUN!
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"Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania" is a fun-filled game with over 300 stages from the original Super Monkey Ball games. It includes 12 minigames such as racing, soccer, and bowling, and allows players to customize characters and balls. The game also offers a story mode with comic-book-style storytelling and online leaderboards for competitive play. *300+ stages from Super Monkey Ball games *12 minigames & character customization *Story mode & online leaderboards

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,050 reviews
music43 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • The game features a nostalgic return to classic levels from Super Monkey Ball 1, 2, and Deluxe, providing a wealth of content for fans.
  • The graphics and music have been updated, creating a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • New accessibility features, such as the removal of lives and the addition of a helper mode, make the game more approachable for newcomers.
  • The physics and controls feel different from the original games, leading to frustration for veteran players who are used to the precise mechanics.
  • Many party games, particularly Monkey Target and Monkey Baseball, have been poorly implemented and feel unplayable compared to the originals.
  • The absence of online multiplayer for the main game and the requirement to purchase the original soundtrack as DLC are disappointing omissions.
  • music151 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the new tracks for their quality and catchiness, while others feel they lack the charm of the original soundtrack. A significant point of contention is the decision to lock the classic music behind a paywall, which many reviewers see as a greedy move. Overall, while the new music is generally well-received, nostalgia for the original compositions remains strong, leading to recommendations for players to purchase the classic soundtrack DLC for the best experience.

    • “Everything about it, from the music to the level design to the characters all just scream style and fun.”
    • “The new soundtrack slaps, the new visuals are gorgeous, and overall it feels like RGG actually tried.”
    • “Highly recommend the original music DLC since the original soundtrack is fantastic!”
    • “Locking the classic soundtrack behind a paywall is a scumbag maneuver, and there is no good reason to do so besides 'give us all of your money'.”
    • “The music is very generic, the sound effects are very lackluster and overall the game feels hollow.”
    • “Making the original soundtrack paid DLC is a sin.”
  • story116 mentions

    The story mode in this game has received largely negative feedback, with many players finding it shallow and poorly presented, relying on still images rather than engaging cutscenes. Critics note that the lack of a compelling narrative and the absence of multiplayer options detract from the overall experience, making it feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable journey. While some appreciate the challenge of the gameplay, the storytelling aspect is seen as a significant downgrade from previous installments, leaving much to be desired.

    • “Completing the story mode of SMB2 is definitely up there with my greatest gaming achievements!”
    • “The game's bells and whistles are super cool too, adding multiple 'missions' to every story mode level makes for fun challenges once you've finished the rest of the game.”
    • “SMB2's story mode, in its entirety, is preserved with a different presentation this time around, so I love that inclusion.”
    • “The story mode cutscenes have been watered down so much that they might as well not even be there, and it's weird to me that none of the guest characters have unique sound effects or voice clips.”
    • “The overall story is shallow, but for a game like this, where its premise leans more towards arcade-oriented gameplay, that’s to be expected.”
    • “The 'story mode' really isn't great, but the party game section is really where this game shines.”
  • gameplay75 mentions

    The gameplay of "Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania" is a mixed bag, with many praising its nostalgic charm, addictive loop, and refined level design, while others criticize the core mechanics and physics as disappointing compared to the originals. Although the game offers a wealth of content, including mini-games and accessibility options for new players, issues like poor camera controls and inconsistent ball physics detract from the overall experience. Ultimately, while the game retains some fun elements, it struggles to fully capture the essence of its predecessors.

    • “The gameplay is fun and the level design is unique; it feels so refreshing to go back to levels to find new ways to beat them.”
    • “Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania boasts a triumphant return for everyone’s favorite primate puzzler, bringing along with it potentially hundreds of hours of gameplay that long-time fans and newcomers alike will easily go bananas for.”
    • “With Monkey Ball, gameplay is king.”
    • “The main gameplay mode suffers from terrible ball physics (especially mid-air), bad camera controls, and no power-ups to ease completing stages (or at least making them more interesting/fun to complete).”
    • “Gameplay not faithful to the original, feels awful in comparison.”
    • “Sadly the controls and physics don't feel tight and precise - which is kind of the one mechanic that the game has.”
  • graphics60 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the bright and colorful art style that enhances the nostalgic experience, while others criticize the new aesthetic as inferior to the original. Some players appreciate the graphical updates and overall presentation, noting that the visuals are a significant improvement over previous titles, but there are complaints about the absence of the original art style and certain graphical issues. Overall, the game is seen as visually appealing, though opinions vary on how well it captures the essence of the originals.

    • “The graphics and backgrounds are gorgeous, and I think they did a pretty good job of recreating the levels from SMB 1 and 2; however, there are some things left to be desired.”
    • “The game is stunning in its art styles, and this shows in the portrayal of the story worlds you might remember.”
    • “Every area has a graphical re-haul to fit the new age look, and it's quite pretty and colorful seeing the past we grew up with in a sparkling, colorful new look.”
    • “The graphics feel worse than the GameCube counterparts somehow.”
    • “The old aesthetic of the game is missing.”
    • “The music and graphics aren't anything special.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely centered around its absurdity and the antics of a monkey character, which many players find both entertaining and ridiculous. While some aspects can be frustrating, the overall comedic tone, including exaggerated animations and quirky design choices, elicits laughter and nostalgia, making it a memorable experience for fans. The blend of humor and challenge creates a unique dynamic that keeps players engaged, even when they feel the game is poking fun at them.

    • “I find it hilarious that the jump button costs so much that it's not even worth it.”
    • “Aiai wearing shades and a Supreme parody shirt will never not be funny to me!”
    • “A game made in the early 2000s having cut scenes that are more engaging than a remake can pump out in 2021 is just hilarious.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find the storytelling lacking and the cutscenes cringeworthy, others experience genuine joy and nostalgia, particularly from the wholesome music and engaging gameplay. The game evokes a range of feelings, from frustration in challenging modes to happiness in its fun and colorful design, highlighting its ability to connect with players on different emotional levels. Overall, it seems to resonate more positively with those who appreciate its nostalgic elements and enjoyable mechanics.

    • “This game makes me want to cry every bit as much as the original deluxe did when I was 12.”
    • “But I can't really put into words the emotions this game made me feel blasting through the SMB1 challenge stages.”
    • “That opening theme is so wholesome, and I'm having a genuinely good time when I come back after work.”
    • “”
  • replayability12 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its extensive mission system, unlockable cosmetics, and a variety of characters, which encourage players to engage repeatedly. The addition of online leaderboards and competitive play further enhances its long-term appeal, making it a fun and rewarding experience. Overall, players find the game to be packed with content that keeps them coming back for more.

    • “The missions that net these points is plentiful, so the replayability is insanely high.”
    • “Good main game, has replay value with the mission system and a reason to do said missions, the banana coins which unlock cosmetics, special modes, filters, and characters for the main game.”
    • “Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is an excellent time with bags of replay value, potential in its online leaderboards and competitive play, and works a treat in local co-op thanks to the fun, if sometimes superficial minigames.”
    • “Super Monkey Ball, however, loses a significant amount of its replay value when you take away any incentive not to die.”
    • “Nothing the party games and new missions/challenges + achievements don't fix though in terms of replay value!”
    • “The addition of all of the characters, cosmetics, and missions really add to the replayability of an already very replayable game.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often seen as tedious and frustrating, particularly when attempting to achieve 100% completion. Players find the repetitive nature of missions and annoying voiceovers contribute to a lack of enjoyment, making the experience feel slow and laborious, especially in multiplayer modes. Overall, while some enjoy the game, many feel that the grinding detracts significantly from the fun.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Attempting to 100% this game is tedious and frustrating even outside of the main game, and I highly doubt this game will update since it hasn't updated between now and the release day.”
    • “It's fun but I refunded it since I don't see myself getting through all 300 stages as the gameplay becomes tedious after a bit, and the announcer has a very annoying voice and often says the same lines over and over again. Go watch a video of the minigame monkey target and see what I mean; he yells 'hit' every time you shoot an enemy, and my god, it's annoying.”
    • “Even after I learned how the new physics work, it's extremely slow and tedious.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many features and content removed from the original advertising and launch version. Players express disappointment over the reliance on purchasable skins and the absence of previously included elements, suggesting a lack of genuine effort in the game's development.

    • “Game after game was just another soulless cash grab, another punch to an already dead horse.”
    • “Abandoned at launch cash grab with a plethora of features removed from the advertising and original games.”
    • “Feels like a cash grab when they should have been in the base game.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some users experiencing significant issues such as unresponsive controllers despite the game running smoothly otherwise. While many appreciate the content and gameplay, the presence of bugs has led to frustration for some players.

    • “It runs great, plays great, and has some really challenging levels.”
    • “Tons of content, looks and runs great, mini-games are still a blast.”
    • “Bought this game for my son, and after 8 hours of nonstop troubleshooting, the controllers will not work at all.”
    • “Buggy mess”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game is well-optimized, with users reporting smooth performance and no technical issues, even on older hardware. Players have noted that it runs efficiently, contributing to a positive gaming experience.

    • “I have had no technical hiccups or crashes, and the game seems to be fairly well optimized, as I'm running it on a 7-year-old PC.”
    • “The stages are great, and everything runs smoothly.”
    • “For starters, the performance.”
    • “For starters, the performance is abysmal.”
    • “The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “Optimization seems to have been an afterthought, resulting in long loading times and frequent crashes.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development has been criticized for lacking charm and appeal, with many reviewers finding the new character designs off-putting compared to the original. Overall, the character designs are viewed as subpar and detract from the overall experience.

    • “There is no charm in the character designs like there was in the original; the new characters are off-putting.”
    • “Character designs are still bad.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

25hMedian play time
510hAverage play time
8-2000hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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