Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a fast-paced arcade platformer developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Review Overview
What is Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble?
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble’s all-new Adventure Mode follows AiAi and friends on their quest to find the Legendary Banana before evil forces can get to it first. Spanning a worldwide adventure across various countries and stages, AiAi and friends need to conquer whatever challenges they meet to make sure that the Legendary Banana doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble features:
⚫︎ 200 all-new stages
⚫︎ Online multiplayer for up to 16 players or local multiplayer for up to 4 players.
⚫︎ Adventure Mode Single and Multiplayer Experience
⚫︎ Over 300 New Cosmetics
⚫︎ New Spin Dash Mechanic
⚫︎ Fast-Paced Time Driven Gameplay
⚫︎ Cute and Colorful Aesthetics
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble's gameplay and story.
| Platform | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Switch |
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| $49.99 | |||||
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Creative, Fun, and Dynamic Levels Intuitive Controls Spin-Dash should be a Staple Mechanic |
Multiplayer Problems Some Bugs and Frame Dips |
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Overall Score - 80/100
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a fantastic sequel that feels as fresh as a perfectly ripe banana while also paying homage to the original. It still has those wonderfully chaotic and crazy-level designs, but it ramps up the fun with new twists. However, it does have its share of issues like bugs, frame drops, and a disappointing multiplayer mode. Luckily, these issues should be ironed out with some patches, and could potentially turn this game into the ultimate, chimp-tastic Monkey Ball experience. It's a perfect entry point for newcomers and a thrilling challenge for seasoned veteran apes alike!
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Story - 7/10
Banana Rumble’s Adventure Mode is short and sweet, so don’t expect this RGG title to have the intricately deep storytelling you’d find in a Yakuza game. Banana Rumble's story is simple, funny, and lighthearted, providing a fun goal beyond finishing levels.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Gameplay - 9/10
This is likely the best Super Monkey game yet when it comes to gameplay. The controls feel way better than in previous games, and the new spin-dash mechanic is a fantastic addition that sticks around. The level designs are super creative, ranging from pretty easy to ridiculously ape poop bananas hard. However, the multiplayer, though fun in local play, isn't the best part of the game and could use some polishing.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Visuals - 8/10
The game is vibrant and colorful, with standout level designs that look fantastic, especially the backgrounds. I also appreciate the new character designs for some of the characters. However, there are some low-poly textures in a few backgrounds, and it doesn't look quite as good on handheld.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Audio - 7/10
Just like the story, the game’s overall audio is very simple and cute. It isn’t anything special but it does have a few catchy tunes such as the main menu theme.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Value for Money - 9/10
Banana Rumble costs $50, which might seem a bit steep, but there's a lot of replay value with numerous stages and modes to enjoy. If you've never played any of the games before, this is definitely a great entry point. Trust me, there's plenty to love in this game.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Review: This Game is Bananas!
I'm absolutely bananas for the Super Monkey Ball franchise! This game is pure addictive fun that activates your Ooh Ahh Ahh monkey brain and feels like a thrilling blast from the past when arcades were a thing. So you bet your monkey’s paw that I couldn't wait to dive into Banana Rumble. Despite feeling recent entries didn't quite match up to the originals, my excitement was sky-high.
Let me tell you, Banana Rumble is a total blast! It not only introduces exciting new twists to the franchise but also stays true to the classic formula in some truly awesome ways.
If you're new to Super Monkey Ball, Banana Rumble’s gameplay is all about precision puzzle platforming on dynamic, ever-moving stages. Picture yourself rolling around in balls, dodging obstacles, and navigating vibrant levels with gravity, bouncing skills, and tricky slopes to reach your goal as swiftly as possible. It's a wild ride that keeps you on your toes!
This game is a perfect blend of easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay. With its slippery slope levels that keep you on edge, every challenge feels incredibly rewarding—exactly what makes this franchise stand out.
Recent entries may have lost some of that risk-reward balance that made the original entries so gripping, where you felt in control and truly inside the ball. Fortunately, Banana Rumble nails it. It's the best in terms of bringing back that classic control and calculated movement, and the new Spin-Dash feature, inspired by Sonic's boost, adds a fresh twist that I never knew I needed. It's a game-changer that opens up so many new strategies for tackling levels.
The level designs themselves are a marvel—each one uniquely crafted to test your skills and keep you challenged. Inspired by countries around the world, they're not just difficult; they're stunning to behold. Repeating levels never feel monotonous because of their diversity and beauty.
In my opinion, this is the best single-player experience in any Monkey Ball game yet. There are plenty of new time trials and bonus levels waiting to be conquered, ensuring hours of enjoyment.
Besides the adventure mode, I was really excited about the multiplayer battle mode. I was curious to experience a 16-player Monkey Ball game and see how chaotic it could get. However, more often than not, it turned out to be a letdown—sometimes fun, but mostly disappointing and quite boring.
If you were looking forward to the multiplayer mode, I hate to say it, but as it stands, it really needs more modes, maps, and better matchmaking as quite often than not, I was being paired with bots.
Pros of Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
| Things Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Got Right |
|---|
|
Creative, Fun, and Dynamic Levels Intuitive Controls Spin-Dash should be a Staple Mechanic |
Creative, Fun, and Dynamic Levels
The stages in this game are absolutely bananas and probably feature the best-level designs in the entire Super Monkey Ball series. They're fair, yet packed with creative ways to tackle and exploit them. Plus, there are plenty of stunning stages, with the Rose Garden being my favorite. Even the battle modes have great-looking stages, and I hope they make a return in future installments. I really can’t wait to see speedruns in this game as watching the game is just as fun as playing it.
Intuitive Controls
The franchise has had its ups and downs with controls, especially in recent entries. Thankfully, Banana Rumble gets it right, offering a perfect balance of control and precision while keeping you on your toes with the need to maintain proper balance. As always, the game is easy to learn but hard to master, requiring practice to improve your speed and find ways to exploit stages with technical skills. It really feels like you’re the one in the ball, and tilting and tipping have never felt more rewarding.
Spin-Dash should be a Staple Mechanic
The controls are more intuitive and fun thanks to the new Spin-Dash mechanic, similar to Sonic’s spin-dash, letting you “gotta go fast.” It's surprising it took over ten entries to realize we needed this feature, but now that it's here, it's a game-changer. The Spin-Dash makes the level design more exciting, offering new ways to tackle and speedrun levels. It’s a fair risk-reward mechanic that gives you an extra boost but can also lead to your downfall if you fall out of the level. Plus, you can’t spam it due to its cooldown. I really hope this becomes a staple in future games.
Cons of Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
| Things That Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Can Improve |
|---|
|
Multiplayer Problems Some Bugs and Frame Dips |
Multiplayer Problems
The game has a multiplayer mode that's quite fun when you’re playing locally, but online, it can be an absolute nightmare. You can play adventure mode with 2 players, but the main attraction is the battle mode, which supports up to 16 players online and 4 players locally. It’s reminiscent of party royale games like Fall Guys since you can’t choose the level and it’s just as chaotic. However, the modes aren’t as fun.
There’s a typical race game that's frustrating with a lot of players because your movements are limited compared to Fall Guys, and the ball is very slippery, so you end up bumping into people and falling a lot. Goal Rush is another mode that's quite boring; it’s like capture the flag, but every time you score a goal, you get sent back to the starting point, which becomes repetitive and annoying. The best mode is probably Ba-Boom, which is like hot potato and can be fun for the first few rounds.
Unfortunately, the matchmaking is horrible, and with so many opponents on screen, there are significant frame drops. I also noticed that I often get matched with bots, as their behavior and usernames give them away. Overall, while multiplayer can be fun at times, it feels very unpolished and can get boring quickly.
Some Bugs and Frame Dips
Unfortunately, this game does have quite a few bugs, but thankfully, they're not too severe. However, the most frustrating issue is the erratic frame drops, which can happen randomly but are especially noticeable during multiplayer sessions.
Is Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Worth It?
Yes, it's an Ape-Tastic Entry Point
Despite its flaws, the single-player gameplay and levels more than makeup for it. There are plenty of levels and bonus stages to explore, and the wide range of customization options for your monkey helps keep things fresh. If you’re completely new to the series and looking to dive in, this is definitely a great starting point. However, I must mention that $50 might be steep for some, but it’s undeniably a fun game, especially when playing with family and friends as a party game.
| Platform | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch |
|||||
| $49.99 | |||||
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble FAQ
Can You Play as Sonic in Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble?
Yes, Sonic and his pals Tails, Amy, and Knuckles are playable if you purchase their DLC for $4.99.
How Many Players Can Play for Local and Online Multiplayer?
For Local Multiplayer, 2-4 people can join as long as the game, and for online play, you can only have up to 2 players playing on the same Switch.
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Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Product Information
 |
|
| Title | SUPER MONKEY BALL BANANA RUMBLE |
|---|---|
| Release Date | June 25, 2024 |
| Developer | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Supported Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Arcade, Party, Action |
| Number of Players | 1-16 (Online Multiplayer) |
| ESRB Rating | E (Everyone) |
| Official Website | Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble |
