Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz

 PlayStation Vita
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Oct 23, 2012
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz Image
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 24 Ratings

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  • Summary: The puzzling primates return with all-new worlds, original mini-games and updated graphics adding a fresh new vibrancy to Super Monkey Ball for PlayStation Vita. Players can manage each monkey's momentum to navigate narrow ledges, moving platforms and loads of challenging obstacles. RollThe puzzling primates return with all-new worlds, original mini-games and updated graphics adding a fresh new vibrancy to Super Monkey Ball for PlayStation Vita. Players can manage each monkey's momentum to navigate narrow ledges, moving platforms and loads of challenging obstacles. Roll your chosen ape to the goal by taking full advantage of the capabilities offered by the innovative new PSVITA handheld console and challenge up to four friends in Wi-Fi enabled multiplayer modes. Fans can also enjoy revamped classic games such as the much-loved Monkey Target, along with brand new additions. … Expand
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Super Monkey Ball - Announcement Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Hardcore Gamer
    Oct 25, 2012
    80
    While its party games may be largely disposable, the core gameplay alone is worth the budget price tag.
  2. Play UK
    Nov 27, 2012
    78
    A surprising turn for the Super Monkey Ball franchise. [Issue#224, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. NZGamer
    Oct 23, 2012
    75
    The difficulty ramp is well designed, with occasional spikes to tease you with what the designers have planned for you later, and to a level, the game is fun to play. It's occasionally infuriating, but never frustrating; if you fail, you know it's because you need to perfect your technique, not because there's something fundamentally wrong with the game.
  4. Gamer.nl
    Oct 23, 2012
    70
    Super Monkey Ball Banana Splitz does exactly what you expect it to do, but nothing else. The gameplay is as addicting and challenging as it's been for years and uses the Vita's tilt-sensor. The quality of the mini-games it comes with isn't as consistent as the main game, but the good ones form the majority here. It's not a 'must have', not by a long shot. But it does expand the Vita's library by adding onto it with yet another good game.
  5. Everyeye.it
    Oct 27, 2012
    65
    Super Monkey Ball Banana Splitz do not represent a big debut on the PS Vita. It is surely a funny game but the problems on the level design side of the game show every limit of the title.
  6. Impulsegamer
    Nov 10, 2012
    60
    There is plenty of levels that will take hours to get through, it is ultimately a repetitive experience, it can also be very addictive. There is a lot to do here, it is a premium price point for what is a simple game with simple and addictive game play. If you are looking for an enjoyable pick up and play title for the Vita this may be the one for you, simple to play with a steady difficulty curve.
  7. Machinima
    Nov 8, 2012
    35
    The solo game in Banana Splitz is competent and enjoyably challenging. Every other component of this package is a challenge to enjoyment.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. lukem0597
    Feb 10, 2017
    10
    If you are looking for a monkey ball game to rival the originals, this is the game to play. You can play with the joystick and the levels areIf you are looking for a monkey ball game to rival the originals, this is the game to play. You can play with the joystick and the levels are challenging and well made. Don't play it for the minigames though, they are pretty bad.… Expand
  2. GamecubeLover
    Jul 27, 2016
    9
    In metascore I would give this a 90 cause this game is almost like banana blitz and this game is fun cause you can play almost anywhere youIn metascore I would give this a 90 cause this game is almost like banana blitz and this game is fun cause you can play almost anywhere you want to play it.… Expand
  4. Friendzie
    Jan 7, 2014
    9
    I'm a former Monkey Ball master, having completed 100% of the first two games for the Gamecube, and again on the Xbox. I was disappointed withI'm a former Monkey Ball master, having completed 100% of the first two games for the Gamecube, and again on the Xbox. I was disappointed with the other handheld and Wii versions of these games, as they moved away from the hardcore tough-as-nails rewarding ball-rolling madness, and more into kiddie mini-game fests with weird controls and uninspired levels. Banana Splitz brings back the classic formula, with a regular game sure to challenge even the most seasoned Monkey Ball fans, using the same classic analog controls of old. The mini games aren't amazing, but are par for the course. Buy the game for the tough single player normal mode! Another feature I liked was the ability to generate a random level from a photo. Initially these random levels are far too easy, but if you buy a cheap downloadable upgrade, it adds some crazy variety to it that can make some of the random levels nearly impossible. Add to all this the ability to share replays and levels directly through the game itself, and you have a Monkey Ball title finally worthy of the original two.… Expand
  5. MrTacoBob
    Sep 16, 2017
    8
    This is the game players wanted but didn't add anything new but it does still do good. And, it's a good improvement over Step and Roll.This is the game players wanted but didn't add anything new but it does still do good. And, it's a good improvement over Step and Roll. Overall, it's a fun game but doesn't keep the series on a good and original road.… Expand
  6. chrisx213
    Aug 10, 2020
    8
    A return to form for the series, but it’s just to hard. It’s a huge plus that you can play multiplayer with one vita; passing it back andA return to form for the series, but it’s just to hard. It’s a huge plus that you can play multiplayer with one vita; passing it back and forth, but there are only a couple of modes for this.… Expand
  7. Untitled94
    Oct 6, 2017
    8
    This game was unexpectedly good. I never was interested in the Monkey Ball series, but thanks to this one, I have more of an interest in itThis game was unexpectedly good. I never was interested in the Monkey Ball series, but thanks to this one, I have more of an interest in it now. This wasn't my first one, but I wish I would've started with this one. Very fun mini games, the main game is alright, and it's just got a lot to it. If the other Monkey Ball games are this good or better (except the one on 3DS, the one I first played), then I'm pretty excited to see what they're like.… Expand
  8. pichuscute
    Jul 24, 2022
    1
    Some of the most infuriating level design in the history of the medium, using a lives system that should have died with the NES (and it didSome of the most infuriating level design in the history of the medium, using a lives system that should have died with the NES (and it did with the second game in this series, for the record). Even after cheating to get unlimited lives, the game often feels intentionally malicious towards the player and, when not, tedious as all hell (and level gimmicks are lazily re-used often). Levels often have less to do with skill and more to do with sheer patience and luck. This is especially true of the levels that incorporate the previous background objects. Many of them were simply not designed to be interacted with, but are for some reason being used anyway (the dinosaurs and trains being particularly bad examples). The Vita's control stick often is ill-suited for the game's levels, especially later on, since it lacks the control needed for small adjustment (it's usually all or nothing) and can be difficult to get angles specific. I fail understand why they thought a console with controls like this needed the hardest (and most obnoxious) SMB game ever made, but it was the incorrect decision.

    I'd started playing this game looking forward to a return to form for the series. Instead, I'm just mad now. It's not worth your time or energy,    … Expand

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best PS Vita Game of 2012
54
#54 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2012
41
#41 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2012