Conversely, stages like Expert 45 are now much easier to clear. Advanced 15 and Expert 18 now rely heavily on trial and error because you now slip off their numerous slopes much more easily, forcing you to hug the inside corners in a specific way. Doing the same in Banana Mania causes you to overshoot, flying past the flowerpots and off the stage. In the original, you had to approach a ramp at full pelt to fly off and collect it before hitting a flowerpot that dampens your fall. One early stage from Super Monkey Ball (Advanced 2) now unfolds completely differently when played under identical circumstances, its floating banana bunch no longer serving the same purpose. This has the side effect of breaking the intended flow of certain stages, both simple and complex. Having new and different physics is not an inherently bad thing by any means, but the problem is all the stages in this game were originally designed around the physics from the original games. Additionally, mini-games like Monkey Target and Monkey Bowling feature less nuance in their programming. Worse still, the instantly recognisable rolling sound effects from the originals have been neutered, too, producing a strange disconnect between surface and character. Your monkey flies and bounces further now, while also losing momentum faster on slopes. Even the outrageously good party games make a return, including the legendary hot-seat multiplayer game, Monkey Target.Ĭoming from years of muscle memory from the GameCube originals we immediately noticed that the rolling physics feel off in Banana Mania. On paper Banana Mania has everything it takes to be a winner, bringing together over 300 classic levels from Super Monkey Ball, lesser sequel Super Monkey Ball 2, and mid-2000s remix Super Monkey Ball Deluxe. As always with remakes, though, things are a little complicated. With all that in mind, then, new remake Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania – known in Japan as Super Monkey Ball 1&2 Remake – should be a shoo-in for one of the best games of all time. You’ll start out on simple flat surfaces but before you know it, you’re navigating an unfolding cube, or rolling around a shiny SEGA logo. Easy to pick up, difficult to master.Įvery new stage tests your dexterity with the controls just that much further, along with your own understanding of the game’s robust physics engine – so robust that even F-Zero GX later adopted it. In true classic SEGA arcade fashion, the games were graced with an incredibly simple concept that was utilised to the fullest – use just the analogue stick to tilt a floating stage, in turn rolling a capsuled monkey to the goal. Two decades after release and they’ve still yet to outstay their welcome. SEGA’s original early 2000s arcade game Monkey Ball, along with its home console remake, Super Monkey Ball, are both what we like to call “forever gamesâ€.
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