Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania - Switch | Xbox | PS4 | PS5 - REVIEW

Episode
324 - Super Monkey Ball is one of my favorite video games, so let's see how this remake for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X is!
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#supermonkeyballbananamania #supermonkeyball #sega

[@GameSack]

What do YOU think of Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania!

[@Lost_n_Found_1]

I think I have yet another reason to get a GameCube. Thank you for your service, good sir!

[@moonbilal707]

Rank the controllers for SMB Banana Mania.

[@GameSack]

@@moonbilal707 1 - PS5, 2 - PS4, 3 - Xbox Series X, 4 - Gamecube on Switch, 5 - Pro Controller on Switch, 6 - Joycon on Switch. In the end though there isn't a ton of difference.

[@KingRey.]

@@GameSack I gotta ask, what about the gyro controls?

[@GameSack]

@@KingRey. You can enable them, but I never did. Nor would I. Couldn't stand that on the Wii.

[@AnvilSP]

I'm sure a few people have already commented about this, but there's something that can be done specifically in the Steam version (the only one you don't have, of course) to improve the authenticity of the controls by quite a bit. The original GameCube games used a square-shaped deadzone on the stick, which RGG seemed to overlook completely. Steam's controller settings allow you to change the circular dead zone to a square, which gives you far better air control and diagonal movement, about on par with the originals from what I've heard. It doesn't fix the camera issues but it still appears to be a substantial improvement. Hopefully this can be patched into the console versions as the community is making some noise about it, but I doubt anything will come of it and it seems that the PC version is the one to get.

[@crtgamer2355]

It makes sense, since the Gamecube is square shaped, WOOOOOO!!

[@beardalaxy]

Sounds like some weird lost knowledge to me, or maybe it was something they didn't intend originally or something like that. The GC version having a square deadzone might have been because of the nature of the octagonal gate or something, but since newer controllers don't have the notches and are just completely circle they overlooked it or didn't feel like they had to include it.

[@12ealDealOfficial]

Thanks for this comment. A lot of people, myself included, would've never known about this and would've ended up with the inferior version of the game. Looking forward to trying Monkey Ball for the first time.

[@oscarzxn4067]

But in that case why did the GC controller not do any difference to him?

[@crtgamer2355]

@@oscarzxn4067 Maybe only the Steam version has support for the square deadzone on a software level.

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

The majority of the gamecube's games are still great nowadays by the artistic and playability point of view

[@GameSack]

Agreed. The Gamecube was underrated even in its time, I feel.

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

@@GameSack putted a lot of effort on making the game more innovative and funnier, this still holds nowadays . No felling of copycat games on the gamecube

[@JazGalaxy]

@@GameSack the hype of ps2 was too strong. It’s a beloved console, I can’t take that away. But even after the ps2 was over with their were people who bought so deeply into the hype that they still thought it was more powerful than GameCube or Xbox “if developers ever learned to harness its power”.

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

@@Gatorade69 I played recently the gamecube on a HD TV . The antialiasing still holds today the graphics is clean and Colorful + the uge effort into artworks, nowadays is putted into cinematic .

[@asteria9963]

@@GameSack Nobody took it seriously. We weren't sold on it until a friend brought one over. We had so much fun with it, everyone ended up buying one. It was great.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] Sounds like Joe with Super Monkey Ball + the GameCube controller is like me with Super Mario 64 + the N64 controller. The sensitivity and range of movement is almost never replicated correctly with newer controllers and it bothers me a lot. I'll be curious how I enjoy the remakes here since I only really beat Super Monkey Ball 1 and 2 one time each and didn't replay the levels all that often or learned to master them like Joe did. I played through Banana Blitz HD a few weeks ago and had a lot of fun with it. I have no clue how I finished that on the Wii, but I remember doing it. The original game is where it's at, though. The levels in the sequel are way over-complicated, and it always bothered me that every level is 60 seconds. What's wrong with sprinkling in some short and sweet 30 second levels again? That widescreen 480p60 sure is a great showcase for the GameCube, though.

[@adesignersperspective]

in my experience thus far the new control setup in banana mania (at least on the xbox) offers WAY more precise movement and abilities than the gamecube ever could. the fundamental difference is that it's just a dual-stick game now - the game really is designed to expect you to tweak the angle you're pushing from periodically with the right stick, but for me this really didn't take very long to get used to - the initial learning curve is about the same as the original games were - and the whole game actually feels better than the originals and the new control scheme allows for a lot of precise movements that just weren't possible in the originals. 🤷‍♂️ i have no complaints.

[@skins4thewin]

Don't blame yourself Joe. This is supposed to be a remake of the first two games, meaning they should have at least gotten the basics right but they didn't. It's not your fault that they botched the physics & controls. That is THEIR fault, not yours.

[@adesignersperspective]

i'm gonna agree to disagree. i've been playing the xbox version of banana mania for a while now, having played the original gamecube games to death and back back in the day, and for me these new controls have ruined absolutely nothing and i have no idea how joe had so much difficulty with them. the camera stick allows for much more precise fine-tuning of movement that just wasn't possible on the gamecube - the new controls took me a very brief bit to get used to but now it's 2nd nature and a substantial improvement over the original game. 🤷‍♂️

[@skins4thewin]

@@adesignersperspective Hm, guess it is subjective. Will have to try it for myself & see I suppose. Are you a high level player tho or just a casual one? There is a big difference.

[@adesignersperspective]

​@@skins4thewin i was pretty high level with the originals back in the day, though i'm not as well practiced as i used to be. i will freely admit that the new controls do have a learning curve, but it's a very reasonable one. the most fundamental difference is that banana mania really does basically require you to use the right stick in addition to the left one in certain scenarios - it's a dual stick game now - and i feel like joe just didn't want to adapt to that, but if you do, it becomes very clear very quickly that you can now make precise and fast movement adjustments and even death-saves that were straight up impossible with the gamecube's single-stick configuration, and you can still get into that same zen-like flow state the original game produced so perfectly. it feels to me like sega made a real effort to improve the game while keeping seasoned veterans in mind, as the overall fluidity, intuitiveness, and learning curve of the new controls is every bit as good as the original controls were - it's just a different approach that allows for more nuanced movement, since the game now expects you to control the ball and sometimes tweak the camera / angle you're pushing from simultaneously, much like virtually every other modern 3d game. overall it opens the game up substantially in terms of the sort of moves you can pull off. it feels fresh and i like it just fine. people are just going to have to approach it like they did when first playing the originals and give themselves time to learn all the new nuances.

[@Lost_n_Found_1]

They changed the physics. Me: Hmm, that's weird. They ruined Monkey Target. Me: *Ai-ai-ai-ai-ai-ai-ai-ai!*

[@Redfoxe]

Probably played Monkey Target more than the main game personally.

[@animalhouse8849]

They really caught lightning in a bottle with the originals on the gamecube.

[@JazGalaxy]

I like how Joe is clearly an opinionated guy but always manages to be extremely fair.

[@mattjindrak]

And if YOU don't like well he doesn't care! Whooooaaaaaa so impressive

[@JSchaffer214]

@@mattjindrak Sadly, that is impressive considering how judgmental people are today. Take your reply for instance: You couldn't help but be a smartass because someone made a comment you found to be ridiculous. You really just proved their point.

[@isunshin999]

@@JSchaffer214 completely agree with you

[@TheJadeknight7]

I wish they had focused on making the controls and the physics the same as the original ones in their physics based video game rather than including extra content.

[@getdrinking]

The new actraiser remake has the same unity problem with duplicate frames i believe. Its an easy fix according to john linneman from digital foundry, but devs still keep doing it. Smh

[@GameSack]

Correct.

[@DesertRainReads]

Haven't had any major problems with Actraiser Renaissance here. But this looks to be a bit messy.

[@ZappahVideo]

Always sorta wished the announcer lady from Neo Turf Masters did the announcements for Monkey Ball. Apply the charm of "On the GREEEEEEEEEEN!" to everything here and you'd have a winner! Or "a great champion".

[@MattX28025]

Now if only Sega would make a new Jet Set Radio game. I'd be so happy.

[@Zoibek]

I mean we have the original director and a team of Jet Set Radio fans working on Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. The only thing missing is the contributing songs from Shibuya-kei artists and Beastie Boys

[@TheSiriusBull]

As someone who has played the original games extensively, I thought the control in mania, although slightly different, made navigating thin platforms much easier. Not sure why he claimed to have such a hard time with it.

[@TrevorFosterTheFosterDojo]

I love his subtle humour at every turn

[@mikematei]

Watched your entire video. So they messed up the camera and the controls and took away the challenge. Which in turn, ruins the whole game. Not surprised by this at all. I will continue to play the original Super Monkey Ball on a real Gamecube. Excellent review.

[@GameSack]

The originals are what I'd recommend for sure. They really can't beat perfection.

[@jamesburchill7522]

Clearly, the sequels were lesser because they lost the Dole endorsement.

[@NintenDub]

I'd still like to see you get this game and put your perspective out there.maybe on a podcast episode or segment..

[@bonesjackson81]

I've never been into these games but I'm at the point of just rooting for all Sega games in the hope they do well enough that they do the remakes or new iterations of the hundreds of ips i do care about.

[@qmto]

Hey hey, it’s the Matrix master himself, Bones Jackson! Good seeing you’re also a fine consumer of KZbin videos!

[@ViktarTheBarbarian]

It really is unfortunate that recent remakes haven't been up to snuff, especially when Sonic mania, the wonder boy remake, and streets of rage 4 we're so outstanding. Maybe internal Sega divisions have lost their touch?

[@dutmala]

But sonic mania was made by a studio that actually cares about sonic

[@ccricers]

It’s when Amusement Vision stopped making the games.

[@adesignersperspective]

i've been playing banana mania all afternoon - and i played the original gamecube titles to death - and i honestly have no idea what joe's problem is. the new controls, to me, feel like a massive improvement, not a detriment. the right stick camera control allows for much more precision movement that wasn't possible on the gamecube at all, and took roughly 10 minutes of playtime before it just started feeling like 2nd nature. i'm able to perform nuanced moves much faster and easier than i could on the gamecube, and it's 100% because the controls in this version offer for more precision, not less. i love joe and i'm glad he gave his own honest review, but when he asked "is it me?" yes, it's definitely joe. the new controls aren't giving me any problems whatsoever and feel like a total improvement over the gamecube controls. 🤷‍♂️

[@charizardoreo]

Thank you, someone else noticed the stuttering on the PS5 version! It's driving me insane, it's extremely distracting for me. The PS4 version (Played on PS5) doesn't seem to have this issue as much. Glad I bought the PS4 physical copy

[@Nukle0n]

I think you can do a lot of good things with Unity but you need developers that know what they're doing. Same with that Actraiser remake.

[@beardalaxy]

Cuphead and Ori were made in Unity :)

[@3dmarth]

@@beardalaxy Cuphead was buttery-smooth the majority of the time, but I saw a few brief bouts of annoying stuttering, only every so often (probably every 15-20 minutes, at most). They knew how to avoid this weird hitching issue seen in Actraiser and Monkey Ball, anyway!

[@3dmarth]

​@Jamie McLaughlin Yeah, Unity really doesn't seem like an especially smooth or well-optimized engine, though it can produce pretty good results in the right hands. That said, it has a reputation as an easy way for newbies to get into game development, which then leads to a disproportionate number of games by less skilled or experienced devs. Which then leads to it looking like a bad engine!

[@MizfitZer0]

So to sum up Joe’s thoughts of this game in a nutshell. “look how they massacred my boy”

[@itsGeorgeAgain]

It's not dropped frames, it's not syncing the ticks with updates. C'mon Sega, it's a setting ...

[@thosedays_3180]

Thank you for this review from a level headed and talented SMB player. Thought I might sell my sealed GC copy of 2 with this "better" version coming out but this series is no longer a focus for Nagoshi. It's highly unfortunate because I do not at all care for the gameplay of the Yakuza games. F-Zero GX and SMB 1 and 2 are the AV holy trinity and three of the best games ever made!

[@GameSack]

I scanned the credits for Nagoshi's name but didn't notice it.

[@thosedays_3180]

I just looked online and you're right, which makes even more sense to me as to why this version isn't quite as good. I'm guessing he wasn't programming the physics engine but he was the director and producer for the first two games.

[@thosedays_3180]

Also I was referring to you in the first part. I'm decent at best but I've never even completed the story mode. Sega made challenging games even then, for sure.

[@TeamRemForever]

I'm so excited to play this! Super Monkey Ball was my childhood! Even though it's been about 17 years since I've played the originals, I'm sure once I start playing this, the nostalgia will come flooding back!

[@NipplesTheEnchilada2323]

My god, that end skit was dark!

[@BainesMkII]

In regards to controls, it may be the controller itself rather than the port. I beat every stage of SMB1 and 2 on the Gamecube with a Gamecube controller, and the controller felt perfect for those long super-thin platforms and precision movements. A while back, I tried playing SMB1 emulated through Dolphin using a wired Xbox 360 controller, only to find the controls felt off and simply not as precise. I wondered if emulated SMB would feel better using one of my legit GC controllers, but I couldn't try that as I don't own one of the USB adapters that was released for the Wii U.

[@smallspacearcade8158]

Great review. The depth of detail is fantastic....shame it couldn't match the original in the most important aspect.

[@zanychelly]

The ending skit, every “pro” journalist when a new From Software game comes out.

[@Spintechfilms]

I really do dig these in depth reviews between episodes and the like, i really do like you serious break downs of the game and use previous history of past games also

[@zg-it]

My college buddies and I are going to get together and play this as a little reunion. I missed a lot of classes playing Super monkey Ball

[@chiissu]

Take a drink every time he says ball or stage.

[@Geekyhomer]

Joe, the frame issue you talking about on the PS5 version despite a perfect 60fps is frame pacing issues, it's exactly as you describe, the frame update on screen is inconsistent. This unfortunately is still a common issue for many games in which even if a game gets either a steady 30fps or 60fps uneven frame pacing causing the juddering slowdown effect. Ideally It may be patched out but sometimes it doesn't depending on the game support.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I wonder if part of the control issues could come from an increased poly count and the shape of the collision boxes. It's possible that on the gamecube the collision box was less spherical and therefore less slippery. I seem to recall that issue in particular causing trouble in a few stages in the Crash Bandicoot remakes.

[@computerkid1416]

Also, you can disable the new camera feature which makes it play much more like the originals.

[@GetToThePointAlready]

As someone who loved the original and was thinking of getting this game, I think I'll just pass. The three things I loved the most about the first game was the announcer voice, monkey target, and how buttery smooth the controls were. The fact that ALL THREE of those things were changed for the worse is a hard pass for me. I dunno, maybe someday they'll fix the issues and give us the "classic announcer" as an unlockable option. Til then I'll stick with the old stuff.

[@user-xw2tj1kn1f]

This is a damn competent review! It's a joy to get the generation spanning perspective and in depth analysis of the differences to the original. Hats off man and thank you! 🔥❤🔥

[@316whatupz]

Gotta get me some of them Git Gud inhalers. I love me some Winter Mint

[@GameSack]

*WINNER mint

[@Lost_n_Found_1]

Gaming inhalers... This is how far we've come, folks. *Coming soon:* Gaming syringes and IV therapy

[@MadX8]

Finally a review that mention and compare the different versions. MY GOD THANK YOU

[@tanukistrider6541]

A lot of these recent remakes+reboots remind me of the amateur musician thing, where you start trying to shred and learn crazy tricks before getting your fundamentals 101% tight. SMB was a "less is more" game. This collection was my most anticipated game of the fall, but I'll probably be giving it a skip at least for now. Was psyched to play it handheld on Switch, but looks like best bet is to hope some talented modders so something with the Steam version. Thanks Joe!

[@coldyblue]

this is honestly a really good review, thanks very much for this! lots of detailed insight w/o unnecessary bias clouding the game.

[@evan2902]

That's what I like about this channel. I think a lot of reviewers tend to give devs too much praise and don't really give enough attention to both the pros *and* cons of a game. I'm also glad that Game Sack doesn't rate stuff based on a number system. Too many people will give a pass/fail to shit they haven't even played based on whether or not the game gets above or below a 7/10.

[@t.c.b4722]

I've been playing SMB in HD for years thanks to Dolphin! Nothing will ever beat that gorgeous Gamecube analog stick though.

[@rgm4646]

Joe is funny as hell, Git Gud inhalers? LOL

[@lowlifestyle]

the point of the ramps at the beginning of smb2 stages is to give the player some room to build up speed by bumping off the sides before the level starts. many speedrunning strats would have been impossible without them.

[@spritefroggy]

I'm glad that you gave this game a fair shake. In any case, I love the updated visuals/soundtrack, and I love the new announcer.

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

The purple bananas stage has the classic 8bit frustration

[@dinohermann1887]

Ninja Gaiden comes to mind when I hear "8-bit frustration", even though I never owned an NES (I only owned a PS2, PS3, DS and Switch Lite).

[@3dmarth]

@@dinohermann1887 I think Ninja Gaiden's reputation is exaggerated, although the final boss bug that sends you back to the start of world 6 is just BS. It ruins the game for me. That said, the game is no cakewalk. Battletoads is the classic example of insane NES difficulty (with its infamous Turbo Tunnel... and the game just gets harder after that). I'm also rediscovering how brutal Castlevania III can be, though it's still not on the same level as Battletoads.

[@k1d1carus]

"Ok, one more hit! Aaaaargggh!" LMAO!

[@dwood78part23]

Thanks for the review. Another late Saturday night, another new GameSack video!

[@leokeo6871]

I just finished watching you play through the GameCube one while I was working out and just now I see this. Nice!

[@Jbayz]

Oil up and hit the gym with them monkies balls

[@leokeo6871]

@@Jbayz they should make a yoga ball with a monkey inside lmao I would throw it around and pretend it's Joe struggling on level 7 😂

[@maegnificant]

work out for me so I can lose weight

[@Godsgood111]

Same bro, I love pumping weight with the sack

[@immortallix]

Man really designed a whole product packaging for a gag lmao

[@Swordkirby9999]

It seems to primary reason the controls feel so off compared to the originals is that it takes longer for the stage to tilt, since it always eases into it before fully tilting. The originals were much snappier.

[@HerecomestheCalavera]

You didn't mention that Dave was an expert at Monkey Target!

[@jackcreamer9144]

Prob my favorite game cube game growing up, me and the fam still break it out on the OG game cube over holidays along with mario kart double dash. Man gamecube games were just something else

[@ScottX68000]

Remakes can be hit or miss unfortuately, I usually stick with the original versions unless the remakes are really well done. Speaking of remakes have you tried Cotton Reboot? Will you be doing a review of it + the re-release of Cotton 2 + Boomerang?

[@GameSack]

I got a press kit for it but it didn't come with a game.

[@evan2902]

I'll be honest and say I actually like the Reboot version of the original Cotton...might even prefer it over the original game honestly. It's probably the one instance in which I can actually say that in good faith, but I also didn't have any experience with the series before Reboot besides Marchen Adventure on the SNES/SFC.

[@8BitHorse]

My first Super Monkey Ball experience was with the Deluxe version on Xbox, which I assumed to be the definitive version, but I found the controls frustrating and couldn't understand why GameCube owners liked these games so much. Years later, I picked up the GC original and discovered its smooth and buttery controls, so now I'm a fan... of the original anyway.

[@6vibe150]

Game Sack a Certified super monkey ball player 🔥

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

you really ordered those things from Amazon. Bravo.

[@overkill1473]

Its Sunday, i am putting the gamesack dude on, then walk away to cook. And when i come back with food, he has finished. And the whole ritual makes me feel like i have annoying gamer friends. KZbin is priceless.

[@LeoStaley]

Surprised nick Robinson didn't get his review out first.

[@Kawa-oneechan]

Joe, get the banana.

[@Septer_Sever]

"It's you, Joe...it's always you." - slighted game developer

[@Level1Sword]

Joe, we think you may have a problem. You're not showing up for work, your relationships are suffering... But we're here to help.

[@GameSack]

It's OK let them suffer :)

[@officialdazer]

I lost this channel for years! I always wanted to find it again but I just couldn't find it anywhere. Love your guys style. Always great content worth watching. Very respectable gamers who's opinions I value.

[@bitwolfy]

It's a shame that unity + Switch had to hold the game back even farther than the devs were already doing themselves. Really hope they can tune up the physics and controls.

[@GameCubeGalaxy]

If there was ever anyone to listen to about Super Monkey Ball, Joe is the man. Super Monkey Ball 1 is still my favorite installment in the series by a long shot. Super Monkey Ball 2 I also found not as good as the original (weaker soundtrack and some weird level designs). It’s a shame that even with the original team behind this remake, the physics and controls being altered can definitely break this game for fans of the original. I’ll still get Banana Mania at some point, but once it drops in price. Hoping they patch the issues Joe pointed out. Awesome video as always!

[@ErinPlays]

It would be funny if when they no longer were sponsored by Dole, Chiquita stepped in. Anyway, I’m not an expert (or even kind of decent) at the original games, so I’m curious to see how I’ll react to playing this new one. Great overlook on the games!

[@GameSack]

I would actually give it props if all the Dole stuff was replaced by Chiquita. That'd be a giant FU to Dole which would make me laugh just because.

[@kingravenous]

8 in the morning here. A new sack episode right before my 3h trainride? Perfect. Much love from switzerland. ❤️

[@StormsparkPegasus]

I like how Swiss can force progressive scan on any game, whether it supports it or not, with zero side effects. It can force widescreen too...but that can come with side effects depending on the game. Some games handle it fine, some glitch. I can't believe the PS2 version only runs at 30fps...I know the PS2 was severely underpowered, almost a full generation behind the Gamecube, but wow. 30fps, why even bother, the game would be unplayable.

[@3dmarth]

I wonder why any games skipped over progressive scan in the first place, if there are no downsides to including it. Some PS2 and N64 games actually ran at a lower res internally (like 512x224 or 640x240), so forcing them to 480p, if possible, would slow down performance noticeably. But I've never heard of GameCube doing this. I still think it's fascinating that an emulator-like widescreen hack can be done on real hardware! In my experience, this introduces a lot of issues, but some games work so well that it's absolutely worth it. PS2 was definitely weaker than GameCube, but it wasn't a generation behind, nor was it less than half of the GCN's power, as some ports would have you believe (SMBDX, Tales of Symphonia, Sonic Heroes, etc.). It really needed games to play to its strengths, though, and to be coded in such a way to avoid bottlenecks.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

@@3dmarth There were no downsides to it on the Gamecube, it didn't affect performance at all. Sometimes certain regional versions of games removed progressive scan support for no reason (PAL version of Metroid Prime is a great example here). Swiss gets around this nicely on the Gamecube, on the PS2 there are some things you can do, but it's a lot more limited than Swiss...plus the hardware is significantly less powerful than the Gamecube, so on the PS2 progressive scan can actually reduce performance in some games. The reason the PS2 was so much less powerful was because of the GPU, or the poor excuse for a GPU rather. It could do a lot of polygons, but it had to do a separate pass for every texture layer, and every light source. The Gamecube could do 8 texture layers and 4 hardware lights in ONE clock cycle. The Gamecube's GPU as way more than twice as powerful as the PS2, it was an entire generation ahead. The CPU's were a lot closer, in some ways the PS2's CPU could be better...but it doesn't really help that much in most situations because the GPU was so bad.

[@3dmarth]

@@StormsparkPegasus I have to wonder if it was a playtesting thing- some studios didn't want to check the game in 480p and 480i modes, so they just tested the one they knew basically everyone would use. I still doubt that the GCN's GPU was multiple times more powerful than the PS2's. It was much better, for sure, but even the PS2 could deliver some great results when its power was harnessed properly. Of course, a game with layered textures would have to be downgraded for PS2, or else be reduced to insanely slow performance! The GCN avoided bottlenecks that could cut the PS2's performance by 75-90%, but other aspects like polygon processing power were a lot closer. It's hard to make direct comparisons, though: Games made for PS2 typically just aimed for parity on GCN, and games made for GCN tended to play to its strengths, and were either impossible on PS2, or would have to be butchered during the conversion.

[@GameSack]

Swiss is amazing.

[@BladeBlur]

I'll confess. I use the jump in this game because the physics change in this game make a lot of the levels A LOT harder than in the gamecube version. It's not that I even use it to bypass gaps, but sometimes if I jump in place I can stop my downward momentum and reset my direction input. The recreation of the levels is faithful, but maybe TOO faithful.

[@GameSack]

Right? That's ANOTHER workaround they used for the bad controls. I should've put that in the workaround section.

[@Michael-im5mq]

That was probably the best post credits skit ever.

[@TobiasWiggle]

I watched the rest of the video now and was curious what you thought of the gyro controls on the Switch and possibly on the Playstation, if the game has that option. Seems like it would be very well suited for that control style. Tilting your switch sort of like tilting an actual wooden maze with a ball in it. Is that a thing? If so, is it good?

[@atom_zero5413]

I love taking pictures of my monkey for Tinder.

[@JohnnyLeven]

Coming from a SMB1&2 background (plus some mods) the first day I played, the controls were frustrating. But since then, I've been perfectly happy with them (Steam + ps5 controller). I actually feel I have more control than I did when playing the originals. A lot of old skips and tricks don't work though due to the new physics, but that's okay. It's forced me to actually complete some of the stages as intended now.

[@Melchiorblade7]

Agreed

[@streetmagik3105]

Darn, that's a little heart breaking. I'm a huge fan of the first two games. I've already preordered it so I'll give it a chance.

[@computerkid1416]

When I found out you could use the GameCube controller on Banana Mania on the Switch, that changed everything for me. These games really did have the GC controller in mind, with those notches to help your aim.

[@obviusthemaxim2509]

Minus Monkey Target this is a totally fine version of these games

[@Jouzujoe]

Gamesack: "I got the Xbox version here b/c it supported 480p." PS2: **Sobs uncontrollably in interlaced**

[@zoiks6631]

Ugh. I was really hoping this would have good controls. This game seems to include the main thing wrong with modern video games - Instead of fixing the crappy controls, developers release wonky workarounds for the crappy controls.

[@luiscanamarvega]

Been waiting for this one. Thanks!

[@Code7Unltd]

Good episode. Has anyone noticed the distinct lack of new Sonic games as of late, or is it just me?

[@NintenDub]

Sonic is dead.and that's on sega

[@segamon]

I'd rather there not be a new Sonic game every year. Sega needs to focus on new IP and some of their other legacy IPs.

[@Code7Unltd]

@@NintenDub It's more like the developers seem to be inconsistent, based on the people's opinions swinging from "Sonic games are good" to "Sonic was never good" with no middle ground in sight, and the games tend to be either be great games or total oddballs at the worst (except Sonic '06, that was an obvious beta). My take, the Sonic game franchise wasn't (and you could argue it still isn't) consistent.

[@TerrorOfTalos]

Why would anyone even really want one atm except for fanboys? Mania is the pinnacle of 2D sonic in general despite lack of originality and the 3D games and spin offs have always been hit and miss.

[@fernandosalgueiro7297]

A Metroid dread review for next sunday would be nice!! A nintendo ds full review even better!

[@markwebster4996]

The GC is such a fantastic console. It still blows my mind it only sold 22 million units. Great form factor, great controller, pound for pound a fantastic game library. The image the console outputs is really nice even today. It didn’t play DVD’s or have GTA but it was a must own console that generation. The irony is that the GC was basically delivering what some people want from Nintendo today. A technically powerful console without “gimmicks”

[@3dmarth]

Did the market change, so that another GameCube would be successful today, or is it just a vocal minority asking for this? Or both? I really think today's market would be more accepting of a GameCube 2. I guess in today's terms, that'd be a PS5-like console, with some clever cost cuts, plus the Nintendo exclusives that really define them.

[@markwebster4996]

@@3dmarth It’s probably a vocal minority but a certain group of people that hated Wii and the new direction for Nintendo think they should make a “powerful” traditional console. It’s not going to happen with the hybrid success of Switch and the tech arms race with Sony and Microsoft. Switch is kind of the “most serious” console they’ve had since the GC in a lot of ways.

[@3dmarth]

@@markwebster4996 Yeah, I don't know how any of Nintendo's leaders or shareholders could be convinced to approve a system with higher manufacturing costs at a similar price point, when they can have sky-high profit margins and still see their system sell! I have to wonder, though, how much money they're leaving on the table- or not. I know I'm not the only one who lost interest in Nintendo consoles after the Wii. On the other hand, I can't completely ditch them, since they have so many good IPs. There's an untapped market for a serious Nintendo game console, and I have no doubt that it's larger than the GameCube's total sales base. But how much larger?

[@jompe84]

It’s an all right compilation, but needs a little workaround in the partygames-section. Some of the levels in the main game feels rushed and sometimes annoying because they are almost perfect but ruined by an obstacle. Adding a custom level editor plus server as a complement to the collection would be nice!

[@Matt-gh2zm]

To anyone who's played i, how does the Steam version with a gamecube controller feel as compared to the original gamecube version?

[@SelfIndulgentGamer]

I like a bit of "WUB WUB WUB!" :D

[@shannonhill3356]

Super Monkey Ball is ALWAYS in context.

[@chaotik900]

I think the controls just take getting use to. Thier definitely a learning curve. I'm an original player, the game took a little while to adjust too , but most of the skips are very doable if you know the new method. Like the one on world 4 is possible to pull off, just different. I know cause I have done it. The game is all about improving as you learn the controls. As they say easy to get into hard to master.

[@FrankFrankly711]

I can't tell if Joe is sponsored by Git Gud, making fun of Git Gud, or both?!

[@greyman1104]

Bought it on the Switch, it came with an artbook. Really enjoy it.

[@infasis]

All these half-assed rereleases are part of the reason I do so much gaming on PC these days. It feels like almost every time I need to do some community fix or use a mod, just to make "remasters" or "definitive" versions, or whatever, actually feel up to par with their original release :/

[@DaveGamesVT]

Yeah, I get what you mean. Those are usually called frame pacing issues. 18:16

[@3dmarth]

Frame pacing issues involve rendered frames showing up at uneven times, though. Unity appears to be rendering every frame at the right time, but some objects (e.g., the camera) stop moving on certain frames. It's more like how NES games like Ninja Gaiden could look a bit choppy- it was because the characters would only move, say, 50 times a second, even when the game was running at 60fps.

[@myopiniondoesntmatter7068]

Love the reviews of these remakes especially. I'm usually on the fence about wasting time + money on them (Aside from things like the Dragon's Trap remake) so these help me feel better about avoiding them if they aren't near perfect.

[@oxwah]

I always wanted to play the original Super Monkey Ball but didn't have a Gamecube. From the start, it was generally known that the sequels and ports weren't as good as the original, so I didn't bother, aside from the 2002 mobile game, which I did get. So, for me experiencing the game for the first time here, I am actually pretty happy with it so far on the Switch. If they do decide to patch it, it will only get better.

[@bootmanbill6973]

The triangle holes strat still works btw, I did it myself

[@WayPastCool]

man i got motion sickness just by watching the gameplay in full screen. damn

[@CassiDS]

19:55 You were right - just like with Deluxe, the GameCube logo stage got replaced with the stage "Destiny".

[@nintyfan1991]

They really couldn't add that in the Switch version as an exclusive, mixed with the PS2/Xbox content? Ugh...

[@CloakedPerv]

I never owned the original ones as I didn't own a gamecube, so I only played them at the supermarket - I'm loving Banana Mania, but like you I am struggling a little bit with the high sensitivity of the controls!

[@necromax13]

It's not you, Joe, it's a thing of dead zones and stick travel. The GameCube controller has both a minimal Deadzone and a huuuge space to travel, meaning that minute inputs are not just possible, they're easy. Xbox controllers (especially 360), have basically no travel, precise controls be damned. The PlayStations offer excellent deadzones, but they don't have just enough travel distance. Also, the Deadzone shape makes a huge difference. Diagonals in xbox/playstation controllers have always been a pain in the ass. It's as if diagonal inputs are 0.75 less than x and y.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

Props to the Gamecube controller for making this game a riot.

[@G.M.M.]

I haven't played much of the original gamecube games, but I can definitely agree with the camera not being great and something about the controls leading to way too much course correcting. I switched to using a gamecube controller and using the square deadzones someone mentioned here, but it doesn't fix everything. I was barely able to beat that first level of original mode by using the keyboard and turning on a stupid aiming reticle on my gaming monitor. I need to try out the gamecube version more to see how much better the control actually is.

[@challengerjakku1943]

From my experience the game feels a hell of a lot closer using a Gamecube controller, it's still not 1:1 however my muscle memory was able to carry me through unlike on the PS5 where I was dying due to the complete inaccuracy of the turning. If you're a newer fan and you've never played the originals, you can get away with any platform since you won't need to adjust but if you're a veteran like the rest of us; PC and Switch are the definitive versions of Banana Mania simply for the Gamecube Controller Compatibility.