| Super Monkey Ball | |
|---|---|
 Logo used from 2006–2019 | |
| Genres | Platform,party |
| Developers | Amusement Vision (2001–2004) Sega (2005–2012) Traveller's Tales (2006) Marvelous AQL (2012–2018) Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (2019–present) |
| Publisher | Sega |
| Creator | Toshihiro Nagoshi |
| Platforms | |
| First release | Monkey Ball June 23, 2001 |
| Latest release | Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble June 25, 2024 |
Super Monkey Ball is a series ofplatform video games initially developed byAmusement Vision (nowRyu Ga Gotoku Studio) and published bySega. The series debuted in 2001 with the arcade gameMonkey Ball, which was ported toGameCube asSuper Monkey Ball later that year. Several sequels and ports have been released.
The gameplay involves moving one of several monkey characters in a ball through an obstacle course to a goal, with a time limit. Bananas can be collected for extra points. In addition, several minigames can be played, making the seriesparty games as well.
| 2001 | Monkey Ball |
|---|---|
| Super Monkey Ball | |
| 2002 | Super Monkey Ball 2 |
| Super Monkey Ball Jr. | |
| 2003 | Super Monkey Ball (N-Gage) |
| 2004 | |
| 2005 | Super Monkey Ball Deluxe |
| Super Monkey Ball: Touch & Roll | |
| 2006 | Super Monkey Ball Adventure |
| Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz | |
| 2007 | Super Monkey Ball: Tip 'n Tilt |
| 2008 | Super Monkey Ball (iOS) |
| Super Monkey Ball: Tip 'n Tilt 2 | |
| 2009 | Super Monkey Ball 2 (iOS) |
| 2010 | Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition |
| Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll | |
| 2011 | Super Monkey Ball: Ticket Blitz |
| Super Monkey Ball 3D | |
| 2012 | Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | Super Monkey Ball Bounce |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2019 | Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD |
| 2020 | |
| 2021 | Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania |
| 2022 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2024 | Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble |
As opposed to normal games where the player takes control of the character itself,Super Monkey Ball has the player move their character around in agachapon ball by tilting the direction gravity pulls them down (the exception of this beingSuper Monkey Ball Adventure). By tilting gravity at various angles, players can control the speed and turning of the character. The goal of each level is to reach the goal gate before the timer runs out, and without falling off the floor. Bonus points and extra lives can be earned by collecting bananas on the stage. Early games use traditional controllers to play while many recent titles utilize modern technology, such as the accelerometers of the Wii and iPhone titles. The gameplay is similar toAtari Games' 1984 arcade video gameMarble Madness.
The originalMonkey Ballarcade cabinet featured three playable characters: the primary protagonist AiAi, his wife MeeMee, and their son Baby, who hastraveled back in time from the future; a fourth, AiAi's best friend and former rival GonGon, was added in the game'sGameCube port,Super Monkey Ball.[6][7] These four have become the primary characters of the series, appearing in every subsequent title to date. Two new characters, the martial artistlemur YanYan and the amnesiac scientist Doctor, were introduced inSuper Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, while another two, athletic trainer Jam and AiAi's archrival Jet, first appeared inSuper Monkey Ball: Step & Roll andSuper Monkey Ball 3D, respectively. Another character was introduced inSuper Monkey Ball Banana Rumble named Palette, an adventurer. Several games feature unlockable variations of these characters wearing alternate costumes, along with occasional guest playable characters such asSonic the Hedgehog. Some games such asSuper Monkey Ball 2 andSuper Monkey Ball Adventure have also featured variousnon-player characters, such as the villainous Dr. Bad-Boon, a scientist from Baby's time who travels to the past to prevent MeeMee from marrying AiAi and take her as his bride.[6]
Characters from theSuper Monkey Ball series have been featured in other Sega titles. AiAi has appeared as a playable character inSonic Riders,Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and as freedownloadable content inSonic Racing: CrossWorlds,[8] while both AiAi and MeeMee make playable appearances inSega Superstars Tennis andSonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. AiAi was also featured inArchie Comics' adaptation ofSonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed in issue #45 ofSonic Universe.
By December 2006, the franchise had sold 4 million copies.[9] As of July 2024, the franchise has sold over 5 million units.[10]
The iOS version in 2008 was one of the first games on the App Store and was the best selling app on launch day.[11]
In 2009,Edge ranked the firstSuper Monkey Ball #39 on its list of "The 100 Best Games To Play Today".[12] Writing in1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die, Christian Donlan describedSuper Monkey Ball as "one of Sega's grade-A triumphs".[13] An enhanced engine of the GameCube games was used inF-Zero GX,[14] which was critically acclaimed[15] andNintendo considered a step forward for the franchise.[16] The developers ofSuper Monkey Ball went on to make theLike a Dragon series.[17][18]
When commenting on the differences of the franchise between the GameCube games and the Wii entries withBanana Blitz andStep & Roll in aTokyo Game Show 2009 interview, Toshihiro Nagoshi stated that they were made easier for kids and families. However, he stated that if they got the chance, they definitely would like to go back and make a game in the style of the old games that particularly the fans overseas want.[19] Due to the older demographic of the PlayStation Vita, the difficulty forSuper Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz was made more on par with the GameCube entries.[20]
In 2015, the mobile games were removed from App Store and Google Play.[21]
The 2020battle royale gameFall Guys: Ultimate Knockout has been described as "Super Monkey Ball for theFortnite generation" by Tom Wiggins ofStuff magazine.[22]
In 2023 the emulatortouchHLE was released, supporting the 2008 original iOS version of the game.[23][24]