Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
{{Short description|2006 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}{{Infobox video game
| title = Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
| image = Monkey Ball Wii.JPG
| caption = North American Wii box art
| developer = New Entertainment R&D Dept.
| publisher = Sega
| director = Toshihiro Nagoshi
| producer = Toshihiro Nagoshi
| designer = Yukio Oda
| artist = Saizo Nagai
| series = Super Monkey Ball
| platforms = Wii
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|November 19, 2006|JP|December 2, 2006|AU|December 7, 2006|EU|December 8, 2006}}
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|Super Monkey Ball Ukiuki Party Daishūgō|スーパーモンキーボール ウキウキパーティー大集合|Sūpā Monkī Bōru Ukiuki Pātī Daishūgō|lead=yes}}}} is a platform game developed and published by Sega, the seventh title in the Super Monkey Ball series, following Super Monkey Ball Adventure.{{cite web|url=http://www.sega.com/news/?n=1916|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216181811/http://www.sega.com/news/?n=1916|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 16, 2013|publisher=Sega|title=SEGA Announces Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz For Nintendo's Revolution Console|access-date=April 26, 2006}} It was released as a launch title for the Wii system on November 19, 2006, in North America, December 7 in Australia and December 8 in Europe.
An HD remake, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD,{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball|たべごろ！スーパーモンキーボール|Tabegoro! Sūpā Monkī Bōru|lead=yes}}}} was released worldwide on October 29, 2019, for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and in December for Windows via Steam.{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=July 16, 2019|title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD coming west for PS4, Xbox One, and Switch on October 29, PC this winter|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/07/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd-coming-west-for-ps4-xbox-one-and-switch-on-october-29-pc-this-winter|website=Gematsu|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717053156/https://gematsu.com/2019/07/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd-coming-west-for-ps4-xbox-one-and-switch-on-october-29-pc-this-winter|url-status=live}} The Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 versions were also released in Japan on October 31.{{cite web|script-title=ja:シリーズ最新作「たべごろ！スーパーモンキーボール」|url=https://supermonkeyball.sega.jp/tabegoro/|website=supermonkeyball.sega.jp/tabegoro|access-date=July 23, 2019|archive-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717170152/https://supermonkeyball.sega.jp/tabegoro/|url-status=live}}
Gameplay
The game spans a total of 100 main game levels, and 50 mini-games that each use the controller in a different way (e.g. "Monkey Darts" has players simulate the action of throwing a dart using the Wii Remote) as well as the appearance of all major characters featured in past games.{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/703/703834p1.html|title=IGN: Wii Interview: Super Monkey Ball|website=IGN|access-date=September 24, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212222810/http://wii.ign.com/articles/703/703834p1.html|archive-date=December 12, 2010|url-status=dead}} Unlike previous games in the Super Monkey Ball series, this game features eight boss battles, a feature new to the franchise.{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2115|title=Screens: Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz (Gaming-Age)|website=N-sider|access-date=August 28, 2006|archive-date=November 15, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115015647/http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2115|url-status=dead}} The Wii controller is held parallel to the ground, with the monkey character rolling based on the slope of the game world, directly corresponding with the relative tilt of the Wii controller. For the first time in a Super Monkey Ball game, players are able to jump by quickly flicking the controller up while holding B, or by simply pressing the A button. The game also features character-specific abilities and stats for the puzzle stages, previously unseen in any other game in the series.{{cite news|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/06/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-uk-review|title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz UK Review|website=IGN|access-date=January 9, 2015|archive-date=September 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910121132/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/06/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-uk-review|url-status=live}}
=Mini-games=
There are 50 mini-games in total in Banana Blitz.{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/708/708207p1.html|title=E3 2006: Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz|website=IGN|author=Matt Casmassina|date=May 11, 2006|access-date=September 17, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201041346/http://wii.ign.com/articles/708/708207p1.html|archive-date=February 1, 2010|url-status=dead}} There is also a "party" mode whereby players can choose tournament-type gameplay, selecting mini-games in an attempt to accumulate the most points. Recurring mini-games from previous titles include Monkey Target, Monkey Race, Monkey Bowling and Monkey Wars.
Plot
Banana Blitz introduces a new pirate-like villain named Captain Crabuchin, previously confused with Dr. Bad-Boon. He has stolen the Golden Banana Bunch, and AiAi and his friends are on an adventure to recover the scattered pieces of it.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| GI = 6.75/10{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/D51AACA2-BD1D-4181-A9F6-7D405C9A895F.htm|title=Poor Monkey|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=December 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302112254/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/D51AACA2-BD1D-4181-A9F6-7D405C9A895F.htm|archive-date=March 2, 2008|url-status=dead}}
}}
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. EGM awarded the game a 6.2, stating that the new Wii Remote-based control scheme made the game excessively difficult but enjoyed the large number of games even if a few were not fun, whereas IGN said the controls simply had a relatively steep learning curve, and once the player is used to them, are superior to control using an analog stick. GameSpot also praised the controls but criticized the single player game for its brevity. All three found the new cel-shaded visuals a little simplistic, although noting that it was well-suited to the tone of the game. GameSpot also stated that Banana Blitz was one of the "best in the series". Hyper's Kosta Andreadis commends the game for its "standout party games, great use of Wii-mote for main game and its multiplayer mode". However, he criticized its boss battles, stating that they "can get tedious [and] certain party games are atrocious".{{cite magazine|last=Andreadis|first=Kosta|date=January 2007|title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz|magazine=Hyper|publisher=Next Media|issue=159|pages=56, 57|issn=1320-7458}}
= Sales =
As of December 31, 2006, the game sold 350,000 copies in North America.{{cite web|url=https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/settlement/2007/e_200703_3q_pre.pdf|title=Fiscal Year Ending March 2007 3rd Quarter Results|publisher=SEGA SAMMY HOLDINGS INC.|page=16|last=|first=|date=February 7, 2007|access-date=March 7, 2023|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011144931/http://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/settlement/2007/e_200703_3q_pre.pdf|url-status=live}} The game sold a total of 38,600 units in Japan.{{cite magazine |title=Game Search |url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |magazine=Game Data Library (Famitsu sales data) |access-date=26 December 2022 |archive-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424035430/https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |url-status=live }}
Remake
{{Infobox video game
| title = Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD
| image = Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD.jpg
| collapsible = yes
| caption = PS4 western cover art
| developer = Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
| publisher = Sega
| director = Masao Shirosaki
| producer = Masao Shirosaki
| designer = Taisho Kin
| artist = Yukio Oda
| composer = Yuri Fukuda
Hidenori Shoji
Chihiro Aoki
| engine = Unity
| series = Super Monkey Ball
| platforms = {{ubl|Nintendo Switch|PlayStation 4|Xbox One|Windows}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|October 29, 2019}}|
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4{{vgrelease|WW|October 29, 2019|JP/AS|October 31, 2019}}
Xbox One{{vgrelease|WW|October 29, 2019}}
Windows{{vgrelease|WW|December 10, 2019}}}}
| genre = Platform
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
The HD remake under the title Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD was announced in July 2019, via a Famitsu issue, along with screenshots of the game and the box cover.{{Cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201907/16179604.html|title=『たべごろ！スーパーモンキーボール』がSwitch/PS4で10月31日発売。Wii『ウキウキパーティー大集合』リメイク作でSteam版も。名越氏が語る本作の魅力とは？【先出し週刊ファミ通】|date=July 16, 2019|website=ファミ通.com|language=ja|access-date=October 6, 2019|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120072409/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201907/16179604.html|url-status=live}} Shortly after, Sega officially announced the game for a worldwide release.{{cite tweet|number=1151159556392783872|user=SEGA|title=We're not monkeying around, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD lands on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbo… |date=16 July 2019}} Development began after Masao Shirosaki was pondering what to work on next after finishing development on Judgment; before that, they had a tough time getting a team together. However, after Judgment, him and a few others had some downtime and got together in January 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-game-director-remastering-a-classic-title-1250767|title='Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz' Game Director on Preserving Charm of Original Characters in Remaster|first=Trilby|last=Beresford|date=October 29, 2019|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=December 20, 2019|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213214945/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-game-director-remastering-a-classic-title-1250767|url-status=live}} The project was greenlit in February and development lasted for around 6 months. According to Shirosaki, some of the levels would've been too easy with the stick input, as they were originally designed with the Wii remote in mind. This means that some levels had to undergo some adjustments to become more enjoyable with current controls. Tweaks were made all the way up until the end. When asked in a later interview of why Banana Blitz specifically was chosen for a remaster, Shirosaki revealed that due to the time and budget they had, it was the most reasonable choice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/fr/anime-feature/2019/12/02-1/find-out-why-segas-masao-shirosaki-revived-monkey-ball-more|title=Find Out Why SEGA's Masao Shirosaki Revived Monkey Ball & More!|first=Nicole|last=Mejias|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=2019-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220221219/https://www.crunchyroll.com/fr/anime-feature/2019/12/02-1/find-out-why-segas-masao-shirosaki-revived-monkey-ball-more|url-status=live}}
The remake features revamped controls, such as the ability to use the console's respective controller, as opposed the Wii Remote in the original version. As the game was nearing 13 years old by 2019, they consulted with the designers to rework the UI to mesh with "modern visual aesthetics". The remake also features new modes, such as a Time Attack Mode with online leaderboards, and the all-new "Decathlon Mode", which is a mode where the player "challenges themselves to beat ten mini-games in a row".{{Cite web|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd-interview-remake/2/|title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD devs talk new modes, making the game easier, glitches, and why the time is ripe for a remake|website=Nintendo Everything|date=20 July 2019|access-date=6 October 2019|archive-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208093522/https://nintendoeverything.com/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd-interview-remake/2/|url-status=live}} Players are able to unlock new costumes for each of the returning characters, as well as Sonic the Hedgehog as a playable character, with all bananas replaced with rings.{{Cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY5CBs4oO_4|title = Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD | Sonic Rolls In! | PS4|website = YouTube| date=October 15, 2019 |access-date = 2019-10-15|archive-date = 2021-11-20|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211120072409/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY5CBs4oO_4|url-status = live}}
Unlike the original, instead of the 50 mini-games, it includes enhancements of the ten most popular mini-games.{{Cite web|url=https://peing.net/ja/q/bfcd875e-4629-45e2-b842-a300832e3353|title=Monkey Ball Official／モンキーボール公式の質問箱です|website=Peing -質問箱-}} The game features a different soundtrack in most of the worlds, due to licensing issues.{{cite tweet|number=1157197942505132033|user=SMB_JP|title=@Blueblur98 Licensing. But this song is also good, so I hope you enjoy it! |date=August 2, 2019}}
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (PS4) 62/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=2019-10-05 |archive-date=2019-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101201938/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd |url-status=live }}
(XONE) 70/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=2019-10-05 |archive-date=2020-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906003946/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd |url-status=live }}
(NS) 63/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=2019-10-05 |archive-date=2019-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030060534/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd |url-status=live }}
| NLife = {{Rating|6|10}}{{cite web |last1=Castle |first1=Matthew |title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD Review (Switch) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/super_monkey_ball_banana_blitz_hd |website=Nintendo Life |date=29 October 2019 |access-date=5 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006014330/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/super_monkey_ball_banana_blitz_hd |url-status=live }}
| GSpot = 5/10{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=James |title=Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD Review - All Monkey, No Magic |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd-review-all-monke/1900-6417351/ |website=GameSpot |date=29 October 2019 |access-date=5 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006014328/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd-review-all-monke/1900-6417351/ |url-status=live }}
| Destruct = 7/10{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Chris |title=Review: Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd/ |website=Destructoid |date=29 October 2019 |access-date=5 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006014328/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd/ |url-status=live }}
| PSQ = {{Rating|4|10}}{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Sammy |title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD - Monkey's Paw Paradox At Play in Port of Poor Game |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/super_monkey_ball_banana_blitz_hd |website=Push Square |date=29 October 2019 |access-date=5 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006014330/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/super_monkey_ball_banana_blitz_hd |url-status=live }}
| SN = 5/10{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Asif |title=Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD review - Rotten bananas |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/114698/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd-review-rotten-bananas |website=Shacknews |date=29 October 2019 |access-date=5 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006014325/https://www.shacknews.com/article/114698/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz-hd-review-rotten-bananas |url-status=live }}
}}
Notes
{{notelist}} Translations: スーパーモンキーボールウキウキパーティー大集合: Super Monkey Ball: Exciting Party Large Gathering.
たべごろ！ スーパーモンキーボール: It's time to eat! Super Monkey Ball.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.sega.com/games/super-monkey-ball-banana-blitz/}}
- {{Official website|http://www.supermonkeyball.com/}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{Official website|https://games.sega.com/supermonkeyball/}}
- [http://www.1up.com/previews/monkey-ball-bb_2 Interview with Toshihiro Nagoshi] at 1UP
{{Super Monkey Ball}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Video games about animals
Category:Video games about mammals
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games scored by Hidenori Shoji