Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania

I really wanted to enjoy this remake, but it's really hard to ignore the blatant problems this game has. In most cases, the problems I have with this remake aren't present in the original. The controls feel far less precise than they did in the original, making the game feel way more frustrating to control. The entire score system of Challenge Mode has removed thus destroying the gameplay loop that the original did so well. The Story Mode has also been completely downgraded, lacking the fully animated cutscenes, and a proper Level Select screen. On top of that, you have to pay $5 just to get the original soundtrack. the multiplayer in the main game is also completely absent in this remake. 3/10 just play the originals.

Physics are not the same anymore and worst part is that Xbox One controller isn't supported. I recommend playing Super Monkey Ball 2 on a Gamecube emulator.

I haven't played much of this game, but I know that it's essentially a compilation of all the various Monkey Ball games that have come before it. Personally, I'm really enjoying the package. Just going through the story mode right now and from what I understand, I'm about half-way through that content. Far from mastering all the levels, but at least passing them. No complaints. I'm playing it on the Deck and it runs flawlessly. It is what it is, there aren't any graphics settings to mess around with, and the controls are pretty minimal. You move the left stick to move the world around which propells the monkey in the ball. Each of the monkeys (or different SEGA characters as you unlock stuff) have their own inertial quarks and/or weight to them, and each feel slightly different. The physics react how you expect them to.

HELLO BANANA

HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO BANANA

I got this for $9.99 due to the steam sale a year or two ago. Honestly as much as people have issues with the original soundtrack being DLC exclusive (which to be clear is a fair complaint) I still love this game as I do all super monkey ball games. There's also a decently big modding community over at gamebanana so I recommend checking that out if you want more bang for your buck. If you want all the DLCs, wait for sales as you can get the full game with all DLC for $9.99 like I did. Super monkey ball has been one of my favorite game franchises for as long as I can remember, from being a little kid playing on my gamecube, to now, I've always held this series in high regard, besides a few odd-ball releases. Some I have complaints about, yes, but I've still enjoyed at least something about them regardless. Banana mania, at it's core, is a mash-up of sorts, consisting of levels from super monkey ball 1, 2, and deluxe. Unlike those games, they did away with the lives system and added the jump mechanic from banana blitz, which costs in-game points and can be toggled on or off, and disables time attack, so you won't get a best time if you use jumping. It also adds a lot of hand rails…