Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. AusGamers
    Oct 7, 2021
    70
    The themed levels are fine, but leaning into more SEGA history would have definitely added to the celebratory feel of Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania. A fine return to monkey-in-ball form, by the way of past glory and frustration.
  2. Stevivor
    Sep 29, 2021
    70
    Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is weird, expansive and tricky. I just know die-hard fans are going to love that combination, but I’m not sure about anyone else. While its party games are pretty good, there are other compilations out there with a better assortment… and online play, and the capacity more than 4 players. Countering all my complaints, Banana Mania is competitively priced, so might warrant a look if you’re familiar with how the franchise plays. How’s that for a backhanded endorsement?
  3. Pure Xbox
    Sep 29, 2021
    70
    Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania isn't going to win any game of the year awards, but it's undeniably fun. While it's perhaps not the entry that will put the series back into the mainstream, fans of the original will likely have a good time and newcomers will see what the fuss is all about. While there are some questionable design choices, such as a finicky camera and microtransactions that feel out of place, this is an enjoyable adventure with AiAi and his friends.
  5. GameOver.gr
    Nov 4, 2021
    60
    Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is full of content and a joyful multiplayer to compete with your friends, but its beauty seems to be matched only by its insane difficulty.
  6. Jeuxvideo.com
    Oct 5, 2021
    60
    After Banana Blitz HD deemed too simple by the majority of players, the Super Monkey Ball saga decides to go back to its beginnings to offer early fans what they expect: a level of difficulty. Unfortunately, even if the challenge is indeed present, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania disappoints. The 4K / 60fps combo available on next-gen is not enough to hide the many flaws of this remaster, starting with the camera which lacks flexibility and the general level-design which plays too much with chance. However, if you hang on to the formula, note that you get what you pay for. The content is more than generous, the replayability is strong and the store is a pleasant surprise that adds extra interest.
  7. But Why Tho?
    Oct 2, 2021
    60
    Nostalgia might have some fans of Super Monkey Ball trapped in the little ball with them, running their little feet, futile against the inevitability of gravity. But for those not already on the inside, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is skippable.

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
73
#73 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. imoviesreview
    Oct 7, 2021
    9
    It's a great recreation of the the first 2 monkey ball games. I love the first 2 games, but pretty much nothing else in the series. This forIt's a great recreation of the the first 2 monkey ball games. I love the first 2 games, but pretty much nothing else in the series. This for the most part thankfully changed that. However, it's not prefect. The physics are not one to one. I can't blame Sega on that since I think it's just one of those things where even having one minor variable slightly off can really throw off the physics. So it is impressive that the game is close. But it does make a few stages really hard. I'm also not sure what to think of the removal of lives in challenge mode. On one hand, it removes one of it's appeal, but it also makes it more relaxing. Maybe an option would have been nice. Or at the very least, make the extra stages the reward for not falling out too much. But it does have all of what I love about the first 2 games. The extra stuff makes what already 2 great games in one even more great. I still had the same I had when I played the original games over a decade ago. And honest, I think that's what matter here!… Full Review »
  2. SuperkenGaming
    Oct 15, 2021
    7
    Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania
    This game will drive you bananas.
    Super Monkey Ball is a collection of over 300 remastered stages from    Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania
    This game will drive you bananas.
    Super Monkey Ball is a collection of over 300 remastered stages from Supermonkey ball, supermonkeyball, 2 and super monkey ball deluxe.. howere unless im missing it you don’t get to specifically choose each game, its all merged into one giant package…
    Theres a great amount of content here, from its story mode, to its charcters you can unlock from complete in game challenges, to mini games you can play with up to 4 players.
    I loved banana blitz, so I was excited to go back and see how it all started.. and well.. it started with tears…
    Banana Mania will have you raging.. this game is ridiculously frustrating to play through.. most courses in fact just seem down right unfair.. which is my biggest gripe with this game.. its more frustrating than it is fun.. I didn’t want to play over and over and over because I neverfelt like oh I almost had it, Instead I was mashing my head against the wall trying to get lucky… now there is a helper option here that highlights a path and you can make things go slowmo, which is very hepful in a handful of levels, but for the majority its pretty useless… thankfully you are able to spend your ocins on not only charcters, cosmetics, and even the ability to jump if youd like as there is no defaut jumping.. you can instead spend 2000 coints to skip a level… coins aren’t all too easy to come by though, this is about 8-10 levels completed worth of coins to be able to just skip one… and trust me yall, I was skipping… I was frustrated for most of my time here.. but I get it, that’s what monkey ball fans love, and to them I say – enjoy
    Theresa also12 minigames you can play here again either solor or with up to 4 people.. from racing compelte with 12 tracks and item drops to minigolf, tennis, soccer.. and theyre okay.. nothing amazing here.. you may have fun for a day or two with a friend.. but you wont be itching to play.. as all the modes just have a weird clunkyness to them that never make them feel quite fair or enjoyable while playing..
    Overall if you love punishing yourself, rolling a ball with a monkey inside through a hoop, youre in luck..
    But if youre looking for some casual fun time, look elsewhere
    I give Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania
    a 6.5/10    … Full Review »
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