Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
A Wii launch title with 100 levels and 50 mini-games.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz is a platform game from Sega, marking the seventh installment in the Super Monkey Ball series and the follow-up to *Super Monkey Ball Adventure*. It launched alongside the Wii console, hitting North America on November 19, 2006, followed by Australia on December 7 and Europe on December 8. An HD version, *Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD*, arrived worldwide on October 29, 2019, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with a Windows release via Steam in December; the Switch and PS4 versions also debuted in Japan on October 31.
The game includes 100 main levels and 50 mini-games, each using the Wii Remote differently—for instance, "Monkey Darts" mimics throwing a dart. All major characters from past games appear. For the first time in the series, Banana Blitz features eight boss battles. Players hold the Wii Remote parallel to the ground, and the monkey character rolls according to the controller's tilt. Jumping is new to the series, performed by flicking the remote up while holding B or pressing the A button. The puzzle stages also introduce character-specific abilities and stats, another first for the franchise.
The 50 mini-games include a "party" mode where players compete in tournament-style gameplay, selecting mini-games to earn the most points. Returning mini-games from earlier titles are Monkey Target, Monkey Race, Monkey Bowling, and Monkey Wars.
The plot introduces a pirate-like villain, Captain Crabuchin (previously confused with Dr. Bad-Boon), who steals the Golden Banana Bunch. AiAi and his friends set out to recover the scattered pieces.
According to Metacritic, the game received "mixed or average" reviews. *EGM* gave it a 6.2, noting the new Wii Remote controls made it overly difficult but praising the large number of games despite some being unfun. *IGN* said the controls had a steep learning curve but, once mastered, were superior to analog stick control. *GameSpot* praised the controls but criticized the single-player mode for being short. All three found the cel-shaded visuals simplistic yet fitting the game's tone. *GameSpot* also called it one of the "best in the series." *Hyper*'s Kosta Andreadis commended the standout party games, Wii Remote use, and multiplayer mode, but criticized the boss battles as tedious and some party games as atrocious.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
- Developer
- New Entertainment R&D Dept.
- Publisher
- Sega
- Director
- Toshihiro Nagoshi
- Designer
- Yukio Oda
- Artist
- Saizo Nagai
- Composer
- Yasushi Asada
- Series
- Super Monkey Ball
- Platforms
- Wii
- Released
- NA · November 19, 2006 · JP · December 2, 2006 · AU · December 7, 2006 · EU · December 8, 2006
- Genre
- Platform, party
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz introduces a new pirate-like villain named Captain Crabuchin, previously confused with Dr. Bad-Boon, who has stolen the Golden Banana Bunch. AiAi and his friends adventure to recover the scattered pieces. The game spans 100 main game levels and 50 mini-games, each using the controller differently—for example, 'Monkey Darts' simulates throwing a dart with the Wii Remote. All major characters from past games appear. The Wii controller is held parallel to the ground, with the monkey rolling based on the slope of the game world, corresponding to the tilt of the controller. For the first time in the series, players can jump by flicking the controller up while holding B, or by pressing the A button. Character-specific abilities and stats are also new to the series. The mini-games include a 'party' mode for tournament-style play, and recurring mini-games from previous titles include Monkey Target, Monkey Race, Monkey Bowling, and Monkey Wars.
Reader's Guide
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz received 'mixed or average' reviews from critics according to Metacritic. EGM awarded a 6.2, stating the new Wii Remote-based control scheme made the game excessively difficult but enjoyed the large number of games. IGN said the controls had a steep learning curve but were superior to analog stick once mastered. GameSpot praised the controls but criticized the single-player game for its brevity, while also calling it one of the 'best in the series'. Hyper's Kosta Andreadis commended the standout party games, use of the Wii Remote, and multiplayer mode, but criticized boss battles as tedious and some party games as atrocious. The game sold 350,000 copies in North America as of December 31, 2006, and 38,600 units in Japan. An HD remake, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD, was released worldwide on October 29, 2019, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and in December for Windows via Steam. The remake features revamped controls, new modes including Time Attack with online leaderboards and Decathlon Mode, unlockable costumes, and Sonic the Hedgehog as a playable character with bananas replaced by rings. It includes enhancements of the ten most popular mini-games instead of the original 50, and a different soundtrack in most worlds due to licensing issues.
Did You Know?
- The game features eight boss battles, a new feature for the Super Monkey Ball series.
- Players can jump for the first time in a Super Monkey Ball game by flicking the Wii Remote up while holding B or pressing the A button.
- The HD remake includes Sonic the Hedgehog as a playable character, with all bananas replaced by rings.
- The HD remake was developed in about six months after being greenlit in February 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz?
It is the seventh entry in Sega's Super Monkey Ball platformer franchise and the direct sequel to Super Monkey Ball Adventure. The title launched as a Nintendo Wii release and packs 100 full levels along with 50 mini-games.
When was Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz released?
The original Wii version arrived in North America on November 19, 2006, with Australia and Europe following on December 7 and 8. An HD remaster called Banana Blitz HD came out worldwide on October 29, 2019, for Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, and a Windows build hit Steam in December 2019.
How many levels and mini-games does Banana Blitz contain?
The game features 100 standard stage levels and an additional 50 mini-games, giving players a large amount of rolling content across both modes.
Is Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz available on modern hardware?
Yes — the 2019 HD re-release brought the title to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with a PC version following on Steam that same year. The Switch and PS4 editions also received a slightly earlier Japanese launch on October 31, 2019.
Where does Banana Blitz sit in the Super Monkey Ball series?
It is the seventh mainline installment and the direct follow-up to Super Monkey Ball Adventure. As a Wii launch title, it also marked the franchise's first appearance on that console generation.
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