Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania - Is It Any Good? [Mini-Review/First Impressions]

I was initially going to wait to talk about Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania, a remake of Monkey Ball 1, 2, and Deluxe, but I got a review code from Sega and I had some strong thoughts, so I decided to get this out there for you guys. :) Is it any good?

[@GregCubed]

No ocean fish, unplayable

[@NBDbingo5]

Bro i noticed that too tryna go out of bounds on organic form

[@DannoTheArtist]

I LOVE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT NOTICED!!

[@thecoolbroscoolman4672]

What ocean fish?

[@mazda9624]

I've been playing this game for several days now and I've just about seen all the content it has to offer, yet it wasn't until I watched this video that I realized you can't play the main game with other players. I literally just introduced Monkey Ball to my group of friends a few weeks ago with where we played the multiplayer and everyone had a blast. We were all super excited to play the new game and now I'll have to break the news to all of them during our next game night...

[@joniivee]

I guess it's time to pass the controller around :(

[@TheFloodFourm]

Honestly it just makes me happy to see a physical monkey ball game case on my shelf for a console as new as PS5. Great review!

[@RyanMan767]

Strong opinions about the old announcer? I'm really curious to hear what you mean, care to elaborate? (I'm conflicted myself too for what it's worth, definitely a weird circumstance with him and him and this game)

[@NigelMelanisticSmith]

I've been playing this on Steam Deck, very fun. Steam Input definitely elevates it above, plus the benefits of PC Modding too

[@supercamborg4218]

I was going to emulate the original games since they weren’t being sold anymore and I can’t afford to try to track down good copies of the originals and a Gamecube controller to replace my old broken one from when I was young, but now that this is out I really want to get this when I can. I want to contribute to sales so this series can stay alive and it’s just better to have a game officially, especially when there’s just so much in it.

[@feIon]

really good vid. the whole brian matt situation was so damn bizarre

[@brandilasagna]

I totally agree with your in informal review. I am absolutely adoring the main game. The fact that it feels somewhat like the original but not exactly has made it fun trying to beat all the levels over again. Totally agree on the party games feeling unpolished. I couldn’t put my finger on why but you explained it extremely well. Do you think the devs are going to actually patch the game? Or is this what it is. Regardless I’m super excited for the future of the franchise. Great video bro!

[@TheFloodFourm]

There’s two post launch DLCs coming so they at least have some sort of post release support planned.

[@IndieLambda]

Wait, you too customized Yanyan into a rollerblading catgirl Sega fan? Is it something that just makes that set fit her well or, a strange coincidence?

[@rubenakaskrubby8676]

This was a really well made quick review and helped me on going on to make my purchase of this soon since I've been very very happy about this remake!! Thanks on the nice video!! Tho ik you said you weren't going into it in the vid but I never actually caught wind the controversy on the OG announcer so I'm really out of the loop on that part;; if anything an optional thing would've been OK like the og music idk just an idea since ik Japan's 2 announcer is different there but the new ones do a very nice job!

[@masterplanes10]

One thing you forgot was monkey dogfight you can no longer do dodge tricks.

[@nolanor7221]

Monkey ball should have an online feature to play against other players like the party games

[@MrElbowsmash]

Monkey Baseball used to be my boy. We don't talk much nowadays. I love the main game though, new physics and all.

[@UltimateTS64]

I'm not even a Monkey Ball fan and when I heard how they botched Monkey Target, I went and bought the og Monkey Ball 2 at my local retro game store since my friends and I loved playing it at the gaming lounge we used to go to for Smash Bros. tournaments

[@CLopez63]

Honestly I'm really looking forward to that Brian Matt video

[@ATalkingSock]

Can't believe youtube didn't put this in my sub box smh. But yeah, I'm totally gonna pick this game up soon. No turn taking multiplayer in the main mode is disappointing though. That's how my siblings, cousins, and I played on the Gamecube back in the day.

[@matthewevans6169]

he said he would be but i think he said that before sega said he didnt

[@carlwheezer6473]

They remade Monkey Ball, but nothing Pac-Man is getting the same treatment, a soul for a soul.....

[@prime7213]

I mean those are two different companies. But I getcha, new Pac-Man would be sweet

[@PinataTime]

Monkey target absolutely killed me. Killed my excitement for the game. I can’t understand why it’s so hard to port some thing you made 20 years ago! And on the main game I feel like the camera angles way too low. It’s hard to see in front of you. The game is probably not even this bad as I’m making it sound it’s just when you had your excitement so up it’s hard to get invested.

[@callinater6133]

‘I can’t understand why it’s so hard to port some thing you made 20 years ago!’ Actually, it’s incredibly difficult. Different game engine, and one that was designed with outdated architecture in mind. It was either a choice of emulating the original ROMs or build the games from the ground up on a more modern engine, and the latter is what they did.

[@ProfMannion]

Now we have to know your problem with Brian Matt. I just figured he did record for them, but was fired for breaking the NDA.

[@fanb1536]

So. Did they ever patch, like, anything that people had gripes over? Or... or do there exist fanmade mods that address them yet? I-It's been half a year...

[@zzzs]

Wait I lowkey need to know your opinions on Brian Matt what's the tea?!?

[@MrProg-ey3tl]

I'm not sure how you came away from this being optimistic about the franchise. From what I heard, basically the only good thing about this game was the original level design. Everything else was hit or miss at best. Can you clarify what you meant?

[@NotArmani30]

Now that we have DLC let's hope they make the Sega Pico a character :D

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

The DLC has stopped since November.

[@NotArmani30]

@@ChiefMedicPururu Real shame :(... Could've had a Sega Nomad.

[@seanlutzke1694]

There should be an original physics mode.

[@JarlStaubhold]

Ok... Will wait for your review before I consider a buy.

[@keeby4]

I have a GameCube and ps2 so would you suggest getting SMB 1 and 2, SMB Deluxe, Or SMB Banana mania?

[@joniivee]

I think 1+2 or Banana Mania are your best options. PS2 Deluxe is crusty.

[@keeby4]

Alright, I think I’m leaning towards getting 1 + 2 but it depends on the prices

[@notarmani4804]

Hello Banana can’t beat Banana Blitz HD’s main theme for me. Change my mind.

[@RyansChannel0203]

I highly disagree with Race being better in Banana Mania for the sole reason that the use the exact same music track for every single race course. If you’re not gonna bring the music for the party games back, at least remix everything instead of just doing the bare minimum.

[@CinnamonOwO]

Diagonal movement is harder cause you accelerate faster,

[@matthewevans6169]

are we both meeemee mains?

[@joniivee]

Yep!

[@Sai-hh5pn]

I have found my kind, the meemee mains

[@radiokunio3738]

yanyan is mine

[@Daroachie]

daroakey (don't worry everyone gets it wrong haha)

[@joniivee]

I wasn't sure haha Is it Da Roach Ee?

[@fanta_ferret]

@@joniivee dayro aw chee

[@Daroachie]

@@joniivee that one's the correct way!

[@calebpowell7418]

Da Baby

[@cyanryann64]

Let's gooo

[@thedude4063]

You can tell what's scripted

[@Maxxieuguu]

The game is different from my precious SMB 1,2 and deluxe. So it is bad in my opinion.