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Super Monkey Ball

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 28 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 15 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Amusement Vision
Genre(s): Puzzle, Action
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: November 18, 2001
Summary
Tilt the stages just right and your monkey will zip down ramps, launch across a vast ocean, and maneuver through party games galore. Because they inhabit a transparent ball, the four versatile monkeys can act as a bowling ball (with pretty impressive spin), golf ball, and billiard ball. Engage in a variety of competitive races in Monkey Race, boxing in Monkey Fight, and flying in Monkey Target. If you fall off the side, simply scoop up more bananas and once you collect 100, you get another life! [Sega]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Adrenaline Vault Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro IGN
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Nintendo Power
Undeniably fun. It's a twitchy test of coordination and precision that'll make a monkey out of any pro, and it's a hard tgame to master and an even harder game to put down. [Nov 2001, p.141]
Cheat Code Central
The most fun I've ever had playing a puzzle game before.
Gaming Age
It is likely that a few months from now, Super Monkey Ball will be one of the few launch titles that you still will be playing, especially if you have friends to play with.
Read Full Review >GameShark
SMB is unique, fun and, most importantly, as playable every day as it was the day you bought it.
Read Full Review >Into Liquid Sky
It's downright fun and you'll find yourself having a hard time pulling yourself away from it. While the single-player feels a little underdeveloped, you will play it enough to unlock the fun mini-games.
Read Full Review >Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
Packed to the rafters with ticklish problem-solving, as you have to complete your goals and collect bananas. [GamesMaster Magazine]
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
Even though this title screams party game, its much more fun to play alone than, say, a Mario Party title. Old school is definitely back, and its a heck of a good time playing it on a GameCube.
Read Full Review >GamePro
What's so super about SMB? The added multiplayer games that turn this enhanced arcade port into one of the the best party games ever.
Read Full Review >Gamestyle
This is the perfect game to really see who has the patience and stamina to go all the way.
Read Full Review >Nintendophiles
Once again, the combination of Sega and monkeys has resulted in an extremely addicting game. Dont pass this game up.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Solid graphics, addictive yet accessible gameplay, and some of the best multiplayer action on the system make it a winner.
Read Full Review >Nintendojo
Yes, it's a frustrating game, to be sure. But its the warm, fuzzy kind of frustrating.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
For a game that's been billed as a modest little action game, that's a hell of a lot of replay value. [Nov 2001, p.116]
GamerWeb Nintendo
One of the best next generation console games out there right now for any platform.
Read Full Review >IGN
With both its finely tuned single-player experience and addictive multiplayer one, Super Monkey Ball has sleeper hit written all over it.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
It sounds like a game doomed from the start, but ultimately turns out to be a stroke of genius.
Read Full Review >Core Magazine
Heres a lesson in elegant game design...as pure and enjoyable a game as any in the GameCube launch lineup.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
May just be the best party game ever made. [Dec 2001, p.254]
Hot Games
With the exception of the very tight turns in the game, it's as easy as shelling peanuts once you get a few practice rounds in.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
The extremely clean graphics, married to addictive, simple gameplay are enough to recommend this title.
Read Full Review >GMR Magazine
An exceptional game based on a simple concept; some of the later levels will eat you for lunch. [Feb 2003, p.96]
GamePen
If you dont mind unique ideas and simple game play, then you cant go wrong with Super Monkey Ball.
Read Full Review >All Game Guide
It's weird, wacky and highly entertaining, and comes loaded to the brim with extras than only enhance its luster.
Read Full Review >Cloudchaser
If you are looking for some quick fun for you and your girlfriend pick this one up, but for anything else, the monkeys are only good for a rental at best.
Read Full Review >Next Generation Magazine
Not unlike "Crazy Taxi," youll have fun every time you play, but the concept gets tiring pretty quickly and youll want to step away for a while. [Dec 2001, p.83]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Stephen X gave it a10:
"Gon-gon you're drunk, give me the keys." This game is a tourney level masterpiece and one of the best titles on the Gamecube. The gameplay for the main game remains fundamentally same throughout the duration, but the dynamic music and beautiful level design keep it from getting boring. I suggest a high end Wavebird or official Nintendo controller for this game. You will need a very precise control stick. The Xbox won't cut it.
Vianyte X gave it a2:
The only reason i got this game was because it got good reviews. I regret buying it, even if i only paid £5. Its repetitive (You just tilt the control stick and thats all there is to it), theres barely anything in the game, half the game you have to unlock, a super boring credits level (Where you roll down an endless path for absolutely effing ages.), no story (Well its a party-puzzle game so i shouldn't be surprised), boring stages and all you do is roll. It tries to be fun and charming but instead, turns out boring and irritating. The reason this manages to get a 2 from me is because it has some challenge and kept me interested long enough to complete easy and half of medium. I would only suggest this game to you if you're the type of gamer who doesn't play games very much or very long.
Jan S. gave it a9:
The best thing in this game is monkey target.
Jaden X (can't tell real name) gave it a2:
Uh...Try again. Some of these levels are so hard, (especially Master) that people give up playing these games. Sega, Next time, don't make levels a prick away from impossible.
Grant B. gave it an8:
Great little game, although a little short on the multiplayer side, which is a shame, as it is in multiplayer mode that this game really shines. Single player is very difficult on all but the easy settings, and I found that sliver thin tracks always defeated me. Still, after borrowing this game from a friend for a week, I did go out and buy myself a copy. I do find that most of my time is spent on the party games, playing against friends.
Ryan M. gave it a 5:
I don't see what is so great about the monkey ball series. It's got some enjoyment, in the mini-games and the puzzles, bt it gets SO repetitive that it takes the fun out of the whole experience. Roll...roll...roll... your way through so many levels...every one the same frustrating ride as the last.
Mick gave it a 9:
Excellent Sega Arcade fun, multiplayer even better.
