Rediscovering the Joy of Super Monkey Ball with Banana Rumble

Every evening for the past week, I have been immersed in the world of Super Monkey Ball with the latest installment, Banana Rumble. Initially skeptical due to the focus on chaotic 16-player online battles, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Banana Rumble offers the best traditional Super Monkey Ball levels since the GameCube era. The game features tight mechanics that provide players with complete control over the challenging obstacles, making it a must-play for fans of the series.

Classic Gameplay with a Modern Twist

Banana Rumble boasts an impressive collection of 200 courses spread across 20 vibrant worlds, each containing 10 stages. The gameplay is simple yet engaging: navigate your monkey from start to finish within 60 seconds while overcoming various obstacles. The early stages serve as a gentle introduction to the mechanics before ramping up the difficulty, reminiscent of the beloved GameCube classics.

Challenge Accepted

As a seasoned Super Monkey Ball player, the first 80 levels posed little challenge. However, the game picks up the pace in its second half with the unlockable EX worlds, offering a satisfyingly tough experience for veteran players. The diverse challenges and clever level design kept me engaged for hours, pushing me to improve and conquer each stage.

Mastering the Art of Control

Super Monkey Ball’s success hinges on precise controls, and Banana Rumble delivers in this aspect. The game allows players to control the stage rather than the monkey directly, offering a seamless and responsive experience. The addition of a spin dash mechanic adds a new layer of strategy, enhancing both speedrunning and exploration in the game.

This is easily the best-feeling Super Monkey Ball since the first two.

Multiplayer Madness

Multiplayer makes a welcome return in Banana Rumble, allowing players to tackle all 200 stages in split-screen local multiplayer or online co-op. The cooperative gameplay adds a strategic element to the experience, encouraging teamwork and communication among players. While the battle mode may fall short of expectations, the robust single-player adventure more than makes up for it.

Endless Fun

With hundreds of stages to complete, optional missions to conquer, and cosmetic items to unlock, Banana Rumble offers hours of entertainment for players of all skill levels. Despite some shortcomings in the battle mode, the core Super Monkey Ball experience shines through, making it a must-play for fans of the series.