Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz

 PlayStation Vita
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Oct 23, 2012
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
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  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 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 theI'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.… Expand
  2. 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 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 aA 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.… Expand
  3. GamecubeLover
    Jul 27, 2016
    9
    In metascore I would give this a 90 cause this game is almost like banana blitz and this game is fun cause you can play almost anywhere you want to play it.
  4. Untitled94
    Oct 6, 2017
    8
    This game was unexpectedly good. I never was interested in the Monkey Ball series, but thanks to this one, I have more of an interest in it now. This wasn't my first one, but I wish I would've started with this one. Very fun mini games, the main game is alright, and it's just got a lot to it. If the other Monkey Ball games are this good or better (except the one on 3DS, the one I firstThis game was unexpectedly good. I never was interested in the Monkey Ball series, but thanks to this one, I have more of an interest in it now. This wasn't my first one, but I wish I would've started with this one. Very fun mini games, the main game is alright, and it's just got a lot to it. If the other Monkey Ball games are this good or better (except the one on 3DS, the one I first played), then I'm pretty excited to see what they're like.… Expand
  5. lukem0597
    Feb 10, 2017
    10
    If you are looking for a monkey ball game to rival the originals, this is the game to play. You can play with the joystick and the levels are challenging and well made. Don't play it for the minigames though, they are pretty bad.
  6. MrTacoBob
    Sep 16, 2017
    8
    This is the game players wanted but didn't add anything new but it does still do good. And, it's a good improvement over Step and Roll. Overall, it's a fun game but doesn't keep the series on a good and original road.
  7. 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 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). LevelsSome 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,    … Expand

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Play UK
    Nov 27, 2012
    78
    A surprising turn for the Super Monkey Ball franchise. [Issue#224, p.77]
  2. PSM3 Magazine UK
    Nov 26, 2012
    70
    Classic Monkey Ball, with some nice stages. Lacks depth, though, and the shoddy use of Vita's controls takes the shine off. [Christmas 2012, p.103]
  3. Games Master UK
    Nov 25, 2012
    65
    Too much monkeying with the recipe lets the side down after a promising start. [Christmas 2012, p.85]
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