Super Monkey Ball

 GameCube
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 83 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 83
  3. Negative: 5 out of 83
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  1. TierneyTalib
    May 15, 2013
    10
    Such a refined and polished game. You can tell they thought a lot about every single detail of this really "hardcore" game. The "escalating" of the level difficulty is really great. The main game is very addictive and it can really make you rage. And if you get tired of it, you also have mini games like bowling, pool or golf. This game is from the era when Amusement Vision made awesomeSuch a refined and polished game. You can tell they thought a lot about every single detail of this really "hardcore" game. The "escalating" of the level difficulty is really great. The main game is very addictive and it can really make you rage. And if you get tired of it, you also have mini games like bowling, pool or golf. This game is from the era when Amusement Vision made awesome games and the AV on a cover of a game was a seal of quality.… Expand
  2. MrTacoBob
    Sep 16, 2017
    9
    Sega is not only known for Sonic, well for the time but in the early 2000's this series came around. Super Monkey Ball has so much charm and fun gameplay it is probably one of the best Gamecube games.
  3. JadenX(can'ttellrealname)
    May 13, 2006
    2
    Uh...Try again. Some of these levels are so hard, (especially Master) that people give up playing these games. Sega, Next time, don't make levels a prick away from impossible.
  4. d8uv
    Jan 1, 2002
    9
    I hate this game. I honestly hate this game. Sure, the multi-player functions are maddingly fun, but it's the main game that irritates me so much. It's the main game which makes me throw down the controller in a tantrum and want for me to rip out the eyeballs from everybody who worked for this game. It's fun, addicting, but fiendishly difficult at the same time. In short, I hate this game. I honestly hate this game. Sure, the multi-player functions are maddingly fun, but it's the main game that irritates me so much. It's the main game which makes me throw down the controller in a tantrum and want for me to rip out the eyeballs from everybody who worked for this game. It's fun, addicting, but fiendishly difficult at the same time. In short, get this game. It's extremely fun, if a bit challenging. Well, not as much 'challenging' as 'impossible.'… Expand
  5. BruceC.
    Mar 8, 2002
    8
    A cute lil game - it's essentially Marble Madness updated for GameCube. The mini-games are good too - especially Monkey Billiards!
  6. RyanM.
    Feb 20, 2004
    5
    I don't see what is so great about the monkey ball series. It's got some enjoyment, in the mini-games and the puzzles, bt it gets SO repetitive that it takes the fun out of the whole experience. Roll...roll...roll... your way through so many levels...every one the same frustrating ride as the last.
  7. GrantB.
    Apr 13, 2005
    8
    Great little game, although a little short on the multiplayer side, which is a shame, as it is in multiplayer mode that this game really shines. Single player is very difficult on all but the easy settings, and I found that sliver thin tracks always defeated me. Still, after borrowing this game from a friend for a week, I did go out and buy myself a copy. I do find that most of my time is Great little game, although a little short on the multiplayer side, which is a shame, as it is in multiplayer mode that this game really shines. Single player is very difficult on all but the easy settings, and I found that sliver thin tracks always defeated me. Still, after borrowing this game from a friend for a week, I did go out and buy myself a copy. I do find that most of my time is spent on the party games, playing against friends.… Expand
  8. StephenX
    May 18, 2009
    10
    "Gon-gon you're drunk, give me the keys." This game is a tourney level masterpiece and one of the best titles on the Gamecube. The gameplay for the main game remains fundamentally same throughout the duration, but the dynamic music and beautiful level design keep it from getting boring. I suggest a high end Wavebird or official Nintendo controller for this game. You will need a very "Gon-gon you're drunk, give me the keys." This game is a tourney level masterpiece and one of the best titles on the Gamecube. The gameplay for the main game remains fundamentally same throughout the duration, but the dynamic music and beautiful level design keep it from getting boring. I suggest a high end Wavebird or official Nintendo controller for this game. You will need a very precise control stick. The Xbox won't cut it.… Expand
  9. JosieP.
    Nov 29, 2001
    9
    This game is completely NUTS!! It's too fun! Thank you Sega!
  10. Mick
    Nov 20, 2003
    9
    Excellent Sega Arcade fun, multiplayer even better.
  11. VianyteX
    Oct 31, 2008
    2
    The only reason i got this game was because it got good reviews. I regret buying it, even if i only paid £5. Its repetitive (You just tilt the control stick and thats all there is to it), theres barely anything in the game, half the game you have to unlock, a super boring credits level (Where you roll down an endless path for absolutely effing ages.), no story (Well its a The only reason i got this game was because it got good reviews. I regret buying it, even if i only paid £5. Its repetitive (You just tilt the control stick and thats all there is to it), theres barely anything in the game, half the game you have to unlock, a super boring credits level (Where you roll down an endless path for absolutely effing ages.), no story (Well its a party-puzzle game so i shouldn't be surprised), boring stages and all you do is roll. It tries to be fun and charming but instead, turns out boring and irritating. The reason this manages to get a 2 from me is because it has some challenge and kept me interested long enough to complete easy and half of medium. I would only suggest this game to you if you're the type of gamer who doesn't play games very much or very long.… Expand
  12. [Anonymous]
    Jul 14, 2002
    8
    It was a pretty fun game at first, but like all games it gets boring pretty fast. But if your looking to rent a good game for the weekend this is it.
  13. JanS.
    Dec 12, 2007
    9
    The best thing in this game is monkey target.
  14. Justinavery7074
    Apr 1, 2013
    8
    This game made me want to get a Gamecube but instead got the PS2. But when i did get this game, I played it nonstop for so long. They really need to make games like they had on the Gamecube again. I miss the fun
  15. Sakai
    Oct 19, 2012
    7
    I enjoyed so much this game. It's pretty fun (SEGA style) With friends is marvellous. If you like simple fun, simple gameplay and laught with friends... buy this game.
  16. shado474
    Mar 6, 2017
    9
    This game isn't strong on the multiplayer side, but it succeeds in bringing originality and difficulty that makes completing the harder levels very rewarding. I have replayed the Expert Mode so many times and never got tired of the higher worlds are their immersive atmosphere.
    Crazy hard extra stages, and great soundtrack, too!
  17. obthegeek
    Nov 22, 2020
    9
    super tight controls and polished design, only for the patient. this game rewards you for fast decision making, in some of the best level progression ever.
    such a simple concept executed with the grace of swans doing bank robberies.
  18. GamecubeLover
    Jul 21, 2016
    10
    Sega has amazing series like sonic and nights into dreams and streets of rage but this one could have been the REAL rival to mario and this game has it all I wanted to see.
  19. DarrionVale
    Aug 19, 2019
    7
    My personal rating for "Super Monkey Ball" (GC): 6,9/10 - Good
    Gameplay: 7,5
    Video: 3,5
    Audio: 7
    Scope: 8
    Balance: 7
    Story: -
  20. Daniel_N
    Jul 27, 2021
    8
    A good game that still meets modern expectations, even if the graphics are iffy.
  21. mcpuddingstain
    Jul 2, 2019
    9
    This is by far the most underrated game on the GameCube. It's WAY too fun to be overlooked the way it is. I could play this game for hours. There's tons of variety and different game modes, and they don't get stale. You could play them for fun every once in a while and they're also difficult enough to get good at if you want. Speaking of difficulty, the main game has three of them.This is by far the most underrated game on the GameCube. It's WAY too fun to be overlooked the way it is. I could play this game for hours. There's tons of variety and different game modes, and they don't get stale. You could play them for fun every once in a while and they're also difficult enough to get good at if you want. Speaking of difficulty, the main game has three of them. Beginner, Advanced, and Expert. All of them offer a challenge for their respective audience. Expert, though, might be one of the hardest things to complete in video game history. It's a great party game. I'm talking Mario Kart levels.

    Super Monkey Ball is the best installment in the franchise, and it's the one I'd use to introduce other people to the franchise. It's a shame Sega basically killed the franchise.    … Expand
  22. neojotic
    Aug 26, 2020
    9
    A highlight of Sega's entrance into third party development and this game shows why they dominated at the time!

    Can't help but love the charm this game provides. Awesome levels and the difficulty increases perfectly as you go through the game!
  23. Werten25
    Oct 21, 2021
    9
    Though it is quite dated nowadays, Super Monkey Ball has so many tough levels and addictive side modes that you could probably play this game for 24 hours straight and still not cover everything. The best part is that all of the modes are so well executed, It is just a shame how the sequels try to, and fail to, live up to this timeless classic.
  24. GDsReviews
    Jul 9, 2022
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is brutally hard with a grating soundtrack.

    You can’t enter Extra in Beginner and Advanced unless you are deathless the whole way, (Up to 10 Floors in Beginner and 30 in Advanced without warping.) and while you can enter Extra and Master by not using a continue in Expert, you are stuck with 3 lives max at start and have to gut through a whopping 70 floors without warping, and at least 50 floors with warping if you make it all the way to Master Floor 10.

    The party games are really terrible compared to its sequel in Super Monkey Ball 2 as well.    … Expand
  25. aHard
    Aug 2, 2023
    8
    If you haven’t played Super Monkey Ball on the GameCube, so yourself a favour and play Super Monkey Ball on the GameCube.

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best GameCube Game of 2001
5
#5 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2001
3
#3 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Gamestyle
    90
    This is the perfect game to really see who has the patience and stamina to go all the way.
    Read full review
  2. Cincinnati Enquirer
    80
    A dangerously addictive diversion to monkey around with.
    Read full review
  3. GMR Magazine
    80
    An exceptional game based on a simple concept; some of the later levels will eat you for lunch. [Feb 2003, p.96]
See all critic reviews »