Super Monkey Ball is celebrating its 20th year, and Banana Mania is its celebration for the players. Banana Mania is a collection of the stages from Super Monkey Ball, Monkey Ball 2, and Super Monkey Ball Deluxe. All three hundred levels for better or worse within this game; players will thrill at the challenge. This game won’t hold the player’s hand but will give everyone the option to finish the game if they wish.
Monkey Ball follows a simple premise, a monkey in a ball must travel different paths, collecting bananas as they head for the goal. It might seem simple at first, but some of these levels are downright vicious. Rolling down hills and over ramps and bumps are just the beginning. Players never know what they will come up against next, and that is thrilling.
The player will play through the story mode of Monkey Ball 2, which once had full cutscenes. They didn’t use the cutscenes for whatever reason, instead opting for quicker comic book-style scenes, which is a shame. Monkey ball 2 was my first introduction to the series, and I remember spending hours playing it with my younger sister. I’ve improved since playing it then, and the game is even more enjoyable.
Players can also play through the stages from 1 and Deluxe in challenge mode. In challenge mode, players race against the clock through varying difficulties. There are other modes to unlock, from the dark banana mode to some even more challenging courses. Players will need to play a good deal to unlock all variations, but the challenges are worthwhile.
The multiplayer games are back with a vengeance here, and players can play 12 games with up to four players. Monkey Fight is perhaps the best of them and is as fun as I remember. Adding these memorable games back into the game is a solid addition, and playing with friends locally is a treat. Each game might take players a minute or two to get used to, but with intuitive controls, anyone should be able to play them with little trouble.
Players can choose from a few monkeys to start. There’s AiAi, the leader, with his wife MeeMee, and their future baby, Baby. GonGon was originally after MeeMee but has since joined the group, and YanYan and Doctor round out the main squad. Each character plays the same, so players shouldn’t worry about playing the game as their favorite monkey.
Banana Mania adds a great addition to the series, and that is the point shop. In the point shop, players can buy costumes and characters. My favorite character to play has to be Kazuma Kiryu of the Yakuza series, as it is hilarious to run through these levels as the stoic fighter. Players can also unlock different costumes and even Sonic, Tails, and Beat from Jet Set Radio.
The clothing is a great addition, as players can deck out their monkeys in the finest clothes. Players can choose their shirts, pants, shoes, and even headgear. The option to change the ball color is fun too, and customization, in general, is always a positive thing. I always appreciate when games let players change things up, and this game does a stellar job at doing that.
Banana Mania even has a photo mode, and I’ve never thought to myself, I want to take a picture of this stage, but here we are. Players can adjust the view and angle of the shot. They can even buy frames from the point shop to change up their pictures. It’s a good concept, though generally, I want to complete the stage and move on. Someone out there will thrill at this inclusion, and that’s what matters.
Banana Mania has new music too, the theme song is pretty catchy and shows the player is in for a good time. The menu music is not the same as in the original games, which is a shame. I was hoping to hear the classic songs from the original Super Monkey Ball 2. But, the music is decent, and players can always turn it off.
Players can purchase DLC characters like Morgana from Persona 5 and even Hello Kitty. They each collect different items, but at 5.99 might be a little too pricey. Players can even purchase the original music, which is a little shady, but considering many have never played this game makes sense. Players can decide for themselves if the price is worth it.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is a superb game filled with hours of content. Players might find it hard to complete later courses, but the thrill of finally completing a stage makes up for it. The multiplayer games are fun, and buying out the point shop makes playing so long worth it. Ai Ai and the gang have a lot of stages to complete; will the player have a ball with them?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided