Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz

 PlayStation Vita
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Oct 23, 2012
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
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  1. Hardcore Gamer
    Oct 25, 2012
    80
    While its party games may be largely disposable, the core gameplay alone is worth the budget price tag.
  2. Vandal
    Oct 23, 2012
    80
    Loads of content, great mini games and a very complete 'challenge mode'. Except for tiny issues here and there, this Super Monkey Ball is an excellent choice for those looking for a skill-demanding platformer.
  3. Pocket Gamer UK
    Sep 21, 2012
    80
    Banana Splitz is a return to form for the Super Monkey Ball series, and well worth a roll.
  5. Play UK
    Nov 27, 2012
    78
    A surprising turn for the Super Monkey Ball franchise. [Issue#224, p.77]
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  6. 3DJuegos
    Oct 23, 2012
    77
    One of the finest edition of Super Monkey Ball in recent years. It´s fun, simple and varied.
  7. SpazioGames
    Oct 24, 2012
    75
    Fun and joyous more than ever, and tries to introduce something new in series of games too similar one another. Still, it's not perfect and costs way too much.
  8. NZGamer
    Oct 23, 2012
    75
    The difficulty ramp is well designed, with occasional spikes to tease you with what the designers have planned for you later, and to a level, the game is fun to play. It's occasionally infuriating, but never frustrating; if you fail, you know it's because you need to perfect your technique, not because there's something fundamentally wrong with the game.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best PS Vita Game of 2012
54
#54 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2012
41
#41 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 5 out of 24
  1. Friendzie
    Jan 7, 2014
    9
    I'm a former Monkey Ball master, having completed 100% of the first two games for the Gamecube, and again on the Xbox. I was disappointed withI'm a former Monkey Ball master, having completed 100% of the first two games for the Gamecube, and again on the Xbox. I was disappointed with the other handheld and Wii versions of these games, as they moved away from the hardcore tough-as-nails rewarding ball-rolling madness, and more into kiddie mini-game fests with weird controls and uninspired levels. Banana Splitz brings back the classic formula, with a regular game sure to challenge even the most seasoned Monkey Ball fans, using the same classic analog controls of old. The mini games aren't amazing, but are par for the course. Buy the game for the tough single player normal mode! Another feature I liked was the ability to generate a random level from a photo. Initially these random levels are far too easy, but if you buy a cheap downloadable upgrade, it adds some crazy variety to it that can make some of the random levels nearly impossible. Add to all this the ability to share replays and levels directly through the game itself, and you have a Monkey Ball title finally worthy of the original two.… Full Review »
  2. pichuscute
    Jul 24, 2022
    1
    Some of the most infuriating level design in the history of the medium, using a lives system that should have died with the NES (and it didSome of the most infuriating level design in the history of the medium, using a lives system that should have died with the NES (and it did with the second game in this series, for the record). Even after cheating to get unlimited lives, the game often feels intentionally malicious towards the player and, when not, tedious as all hell (and level gimmicks are lazily re-used often). Levels often have less to do with skill and more to do with sheer patience and luck. This is especially true of the levels that incorporate the previous background objects. Many of them were simply not designed to be interacted with, but are for some reason being used anyway (the dinosaurs and trains being particularly bad examples). The Vita's control stick often is ill-suited for the game's levels, especially later on, since it lacks the control needed for small adjustment (it's usually all or nothing) and can be difficult to get angles specific. I fail understand why they thought a console with controls like this needed the hardest (and most obnoxious) SMB game ever made, but it was the incorrect decision.

    I'd started playing this game looking forward to a return to form for the series. Instead, I'm just mad now. It's not worth your time or energy,    … Full Review »
  3. chrisx213
    Aug 10, 2020
    8
    A return to form for the series, but the hard mode takes things to far and is borderline impossible. You have to play as baby and even thenA return to form for the series, but the hard mode takes things to far and is borderline impossible. You have to play as baby and even then I’ve never got through to the extreme difficulty. Even so this looks good and feels great, it’s the best SMB since the second GameCube game. It’s a huge plus that you can play multiplayer with one vita; passing it back and forth, but there are only a couple of modes for this. Far better than the 3ds outing: which was too easy and the 3ds analog stick just couldn’t deliver adequate control.… Full Review »
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