Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz

 Wii
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Nov 14, 2006
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 89
  3. Negative: 28 out of 89
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  1. Ducky418
    Oct 20, 2010
    6
    Super Monkey Ball is actually worse with the Wii controls than with the regular controller. As always, you tilt the course around to try and get your monkey to the goal. In this game, they incorporate boss battles and have fifty minigames to play. The main game itself is still a lot of fun and the tilting works okay, if a little tricky. What drags it down is the terrible boss battles thatSuper Monkey Ball is actually worse with the Wii controls than with the regular controller. As always, you tilt the course around to try and get your monkey to the goal. In this game, they incorporate boss battles and have fifty minigames to play. The main game itself is still a lot of fun and the tilting works okay, if a little tricky. What drags it down is the terrible boss battles that have no right to exist in this kind of game and by far are the most frustrating part of the game, except for the minigames. Out of the fifty minigames included, maybe five of them are fun to play due to absolutely terrible controls and lack of sophistication. The new Monkey Ball can be fun at times, but due to some major annoyances brings the series way downhill.… Expand
  2. AntonBalck
    Jun 9, 2008
    5
    It wasn't that bad the first few days, but its weaknessess soon showed up. The main game is too easy in the beginning, too unfair and difficult in the end and overall too shallow and stale. Graphics and sound are hardly memorable and controls and physics just don't at all work how you'd wish them to.

    There's a giant pile of minigames, which can provide some    It wasn't that bad the first few days, but its weaknessess soon showed up. The main game is too easy in the beginning, too unfair and difficult in the end and overall too shallow and stale. Graphics and sound are hardly memorable and controls and physics just don't at all work how you'd wish them to.

    There's a giant pile of minigames, which can provide some multiplayer fun, but most of the games suffer from serious control problems or bad design.    … Expand
  3. AndyF.
    Mar 1, 2007
    3
    If you have ever played another monkey ball game, skip this one. If you play this one, it will make you wonder why they had to butcher such a great concept. The standard game has potential, and is fun to control to a point. Bu the boss battles are boring at best, and the levels get too difficult too fast. The fact that you must choose the level you want in between each level really slows If you have ever played another monkey ball game, skip this one. If you play this one, it will make you wonder why they had to butcher such a great concept. The standard game has potential, and is fun to control to a point. Bu the boss battles are boring at best, and the levels get too difficult too fast. The fact that you must choose the level you want in between each level really slows down the game. The game has no pause menu at all and the mini games are just worthless.… Expand
  4. NatalieS.
    Jan 27, 2008
    4
    Between the eye scorching colours, annoying sound fx, inadequate controls, strange games and unoriginal, sonic-like feel, the game proved to be a big disappointment for me. Sega tried to make a sonic-like game and it feels just as such, except without the fun platform games, adventures and good controls. Its level-games strive to resemble Mario Galaxy but when the controls fail to respond Between the eye scorching colours, annoying sound fx, inadequate controls, strange games and unoriginal, sonic-like feel, the game proved to be a big disappointment for me. Sega tried to make a sonic-like game and it feels just as such, except without the fun platform games, adventures and good controls. Its level-games strive to resemble Mario Galaxy but when the controls fail to respond to the user's attempts and the screen spins out at a nauseating speed, you can see just how, well, out of control it is.… Expand
  5. Hank
    Jul 7, 2009
    7
    If you played previous Super Monkey Ball Games and enjoyed them, then you will probably enjoy this one as well. I actually loved the single player on this game, it is extremely entertaining. The reason that it is only a 7 is because the multiplayer is not nerarly as good as the previous two entries for gamecube. Instead of having 6 very fun minigames, you receive 50 minigames that rangeIf you played previous Super Monkey Ball Games and enjoyed them, then you will probably enjoy this one as well. I actually loved the single player on this game, it is extremely entertaining. The reason that it is only a 7 is because the multiplayer is not nerarly as good as the previous two entries for gamecube. Instead of having 6 very fun minigames, you receive 50 minigames that range from horrendously boring to average and appear to have very little thought to them. I would however still recommend getting it with the price down to only $20 new.… Expand
  6. MattD.
    Dec 12, 2006
    8
    The best version of Monkey Ball I've ever played. The single player game just makes sense with the Wiimote. Yes there are a lot of odd and a few unplayable minigames but there's some real gems too in there. So it's no terribly original or different from its earlier versions, but then neither's Zelda and that's a classic still on the Wii. It probably won't win The best version of Monkey Ball I've ever played. The single player game just makes sense with the Wiimote. Yes there are a lot of odd and a few unplayable minigames but there's some real gems too in there. So it's no terribly original or different from its earlier versions, but then neither's Zelda and that's a classic still on the Wii. It probably won't win over many folk who disliked earlier games, but fans will be pleased I'm sure.… Expand
  7. It'sanawesomegame
    Oct 28, 2007
    10
    Everything is great about this game controls, graphics, stages, gameplay, replay-value! Buy this game!!!
  8. Nerdygamer20
    Jul 8, 2020
    9
    The first time ever that super monkey ball put boss in this game fifty party games evening though that half of them are good and bad they are still good to play!
  9. JonathanCarrier
    Aug 7, 2009
    1
    I hate this game most of the mini games aren't fun, the single player manages to be the hardest thing ever and yet the bosses are easy because they actually give you hit me here weak spot arrows as if saying you're stupid. You'll watch as you careen your monkey balls out of control and wonder why it's so bad...well it just is...it just is.
  10. AndrewG.
    Dec 20, 2006
    5
    I give it a 5 for the minigames, which are (on the whole) very bad. I've played about half of them, and only three were good: Hurdles (very simple), Red Light Green Light (frantic fun), and Monkey Wars (pretty good for a mini game). But for most of the minigames the controls are terrible. I would not want to play the minigames again. Single player is as fun and creative as usual, but I give it a 5 for the minigames, which are (on the whole) very bad. I've played about half of them, and only three were good: Hurdles (very simple), Red Light Green Light (frantic fun), and Monkey Wars (pretty good for a mini game). But for most of the minigames the controls are terrible. I would not want to play the minigames again. Single player is as fun and creative as usual, but the reason why I bought the old Monkey Ball game was for Monkey Target and Monkey Battle - the first of which is dumbed down, and the second of which I haven't seen yet in this version. Disappointing.… Expand
  11. ToddH.
    May 7, 2007
    4
    We bought this specifically for playing together as a family. Unfortuantely, many of the mini games were frustrating for my 9 year old. She said can't we play a game with a normal controller. If you're interested in the minigames, I'd look elsewhere first.
  12. RobM.
    Jul 7, 2007
    5
    The mini games are lackluster, and only a few are worth playing more than once.... the single player is fun, but it is way too short, and the levels jump from really hard to really easy to really hard again....rent it first.
  13. BobClarke
    Feb 4, 2008
    8
    Aside from a few mini-games that weren't fun and somewhat touchy controls, we had a blast playing with 4 players and didn't even get to all the games. Haven't played single-game mode yet, but at $29.99, it was a good value! If you want twists on familiar party games, check this out!
  14. FedorH.
    Dec 19, 2006
    1
    The best game ever made!
  15. IanI.
    Jan 29, 2007
    6
    On a system plagued with mini game games this is by far the worst, I would think that Wario ware and even Ravin Rabids would fill the need for games of this type, but if your 6-8 and love the seriese it does have its moments. The explanation of the controls on each mini game is overly complicated though, possibly alienating the only audience that should be buying this game.
  16. TotalJ.
    Oct 30, 2007
    7
    I would recommend this game to rent and have fun with, or as a cheap used buy only. The game was fun when the Wii first came out because it was a chance to try out the new control scheme and see what it could do. About a year later, it's clear the game has little replay value. The main game is kind of fun until it becomes too hard and frustrating. The mini games are mostly badly I would recommend this game to rent and have fun with, or as a cheap used buy only. The game was fun when the Wii first came out because it was a chance to try out the new control scheme and see what it could do. About a year later, it's clear the game has little replay value. The main game is kind of fun until it becomes too hard and frustrating. The mini games are mostly badly executed and hard to control. There are a few fun ones like the monkey target game.… Expand
  17. RobG.
    Mar 10, 2007
    5
    The single player mode works well and is quite fun. The series is inherently frustrating and this game no different. The series has been crying out for the Wiimote and it uses it effectively. I found it painful to play for too long (>2 hours) as you have to have your arms free to control the wiimote proplerly, you really can't play this lazily. But enough of the positive, you can get The single player mode works well and is quite fun. The series is inherently frustrating and this game no different. The series has been crying out for the Wiimote and it uses it effectively. I found it painful to play for too long (>2 hours) as you have to have your arms free to control the wiimote proplerly, you really can't play this lazily. But enough of the positive, you can get that from Sega. The only decent multiplayer mini-games are so hard to find because there are so many terrible ones. You will be pulling your hair out with most of them or falling asleep.… Expand
  18. Cdn-playa
    Mar 8, 2007
    7
    Controls can be frustrating but enough of the mini games are fun enough to play over and over again.
  19. Blaze
    Jul 20, 2007
    9
    This is a really cool game. It has TONS of minigames that bring sasitfaction to me and sometimes, a bit of a challenge. I also like the new boss fights. The music is extremely satisfying and is one of the greatest tracks I have ever heard.
  20. SimonG.
    Sep 5, 2007
    7
    I only played this game a few minutes. A friend brought it over to my place and never played the game again, which is a shame because I really enjoyed it. The main adventure mode is great and feels right at home on the Wii. Tilting the maze feels totally natural in the Super Monkey Ball universe. I would pick this game over Mercury Meltdown or Marble Mania at any time. It
  21. HippieB.
    Nov 20, 2006
    1
    This game is so dum even for a hippie like me. The will should come out with much better games then this, it is hard to control the monkey its like trying to find a needle in a hay stake. Just don't buy this game.
  22. RustyS.
    Dec 3, 2006
    8
    A good game. The controls are difficult at first, but you can get used to them in due time. In fact, I actually prefer the controls for this game now with the wiimote. However, this game doesn't retain the original's cool, arcade stylings which I miss, and the monkeys have gotten annoying. Good single player, but sometimes the levels are so frustrating that they make me want to A good game. The controls are difficult at first, but you can get used to them in due time. In fact, I actually prefer the controls for this game now with the wiimote. However, this game doesn't retain the original's cool, arcade stylings which I miss, and the monkeys have gotten annoying. Good single player, but sometimes the levels are so frustrating that they make me want to hurl a GameCube. The party games are always good for a laugh, and there are 50 of them. If you're a fan of Monkey Ball you should check it out.… Expand
  23. JoeC.
    Nov 1, 2007
    8
    Fun game, with lots of variety in mini games.
  24. ShawnP.
    Nov 8, 2007
    8
    The single player isn't great, but the mini games are fantastic. Great fun for multiple players.
  25. LexingtonD.
    Dec 27, 2007
    2
    The controls are absolutely awful, and range from unresponsive to oversensitive. We kept losing our on-screen positions and could not recover. The games were either too short or too long, and the single-player mode was tired after the first few levels. This game has a very overt feel as having been developed for use with the Gamecube controller with the motion controls tacked on The controls are absolutely awful, and range from unresponsive to oversensitive. We kept losing our on-screen positions and could not recover. The games were either too short or too long, and the single-player mode was tired after the first few levels. This game has a very overt feel as having been developed for use with the Gamecube controller with the motion controls tacked on afterwards. This was a free rental for which I am going to pursue a refund or exchange. Just plain terrible.… Expand
  26. CloverG.
    Jan 9, 2007
    2
    The controls on this game are not good. I don't have any problem with the game concept, but you could have the best concept in the world (which this isn't) and if the controls don't work well then the game is useless. BTW, I haven't had any problems with the controls on other Wii games so my problems are not related to Wii setup issues.
  27. SamF.
    Apr 23, 2007
    0
    This game is the worst game I have played on the Wii so far. I cannot believe how Sega have taken one of the most popular and entertaining games from the Gamecube and turned it into the must turgid and disappointing experience it is possible to get on the new and brilliant Wii. It seems to me they have taken the motion sensitive controller and invented ways of using it rather than This game is the worst game I have played on the Wii so far. I cannot believe how Sega have taken one of the most popular and entertaining games from the Gamecube and turned it into the must turgid and disappointing experience it is possible to get on the new and brilliant Wii. It seems to me they have taken the motion sensitive controller and invented ways of using it rather than thinking of ways it can be used to actually improve the game play. 50 minigames? What a joke... they have even ruined perfectly good minigames like Monkey Golf and Monkey Target with convoluted and awkward motion sensitive controls (that hardly work anyway). Avoid like the plague. How the magazines and review sites managed to give it more than zero points is beyond me.… Expand
  28. JorgeV.
    Dec 2, 2006
    7
    It's not the greatest game out there, but the multiplayer modes are very fun. I would also agree that the learning curve for using the wii remote is fairly high, especially for those of us already learned in the button mashing, analog stick ways, but once you figure it out, it's worth it. Some of the games use of the remote is too finicky. Overall, it's worth it for the It's not the greatest game out there, but the multiplayer modes are very fun. I would also agree that the learning curve for using the wii remote is fairly high, especially for those of us already learned in the button mashing, analog stick ways, but once you figure it out, it's worth it. Some of the games use of the remote is too finicky. Overall, it's worth it for the multiplayer fun.… Expand
  29. [Anonymous]
    Apr 28, 2007
    5
    50 minigames for $49.99 sound like a best value. It not even worth it! Playing it make me feel like I play flash online game. Want Monkey in a ball and nice control ,buy Super Monkey Ball 1/2.Want mokey in a ball,but hate money buy this game.
  30. AllistairP.
    Nov 26, 2006
    4
    Boring, annoying, and frustrating. It controls awful with the Wii. It was kind of a fun Marble Madness throwback with a controller, but with the wii it's unplayable. It might just be a learning curve, but as of right now I don't even want to pick it up again.
  31. MisterT.
    Dec 26, 2006
    0
    Please, do yourself a favor and ignore any positive reviews this game received. It is the worst controlling game I've ever played and easily one of the most frustrating experiences I've ever had with a game.
  32. TheQuietGamer
    Feb 19, 2011
    7
    The thing that surprised me the most about this game is the controls, they work wonderfully during the single player campaign, but they don't always work on the mini games, the graphics are great, and the sound is good, the real problem with this game is the fact that a lot of the mini games are boring, but all in all this is one of my favorite Wii games, and one I would really recommend.
  33. Carooff
    May 4, 2013
    3
    I have no problems with this game at all apart from the contols. The controls can only be described as abysmal. I found it far to difficult to jump over even the smallest of gaps. Also the way the game never tells you how to do things. I was stuck on the first boss for ages simply because I had no idea what to do. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz gets such a low mark for these reasons only,I have no problems with this game at all apart from the contols. The controls can only be described as abysmal. I found it far to difficult to jump over even the smallest of gaps. Also the way the game never tells you how to do things. I was stuck on the first boss for ages simply because I had no idea what to do. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz gets such a low mark for these reasons only, they're that bad. This has to be the worst game I've played for the Wii (I sold my copy on eBay last year and I feel sorry for the poor sod that bought it).… Expand
  34. jakethesnack
    Oct 24, 2013
    3
    The only reason this game gets a three is because the main mode stages are still fun and the music is as awesome as always, but that doesn't save it from having too many minigames and barely any of them being fun i'm pretty sure I only liked 5/50 games, and the boss battles are so pointless and add to that bad controls and it equals the worst Monkey Ball game I ever played.
  35. kirbman101
    Oct 17, 2013
    3
    I loved the first two Super Monkey Ball games for the Gamecube. I was excited to play this game, but ended up returning it within a week.

    This was one of the launch titles for the Wii, and the controls show it. Some of the minigames are nearly impossible to control, and across the game there's a gimmicky over-use of the Wii Remote's motion sensors. All of the fun minigames from 1 & 2    I loved the first two Super Monkey Ball games for the Gamecube. I was excited to play this game, but ended up returning it within a week.

    This was one of the launch titles for the Wii, and the controls show it. Some of the minigames are nearly impossible to control, and across the game there's a gimmicky over-use of the Wii Remote's motion sensors. All of the fun minigames from 1 & 2 are gone, replaced by more, smaller minigames. The most fun minigame for me was Rock-Paper-Scissors, which should give you an idea of the complexity and enjoyment value of the others.

    The graphics weren't bad for their time, but they look very childish.

    The story mode is the only redeeming factor, as it is similar to that of SMB2, but the ability to jump makes most stages too easy. You are forced to use the poorly implemented motion controls for everything, which ruined the experience for me.    … Expand
  36. ReshiramReviews
    May 17, 2014
    4
    I absolutely loved the first two Monkey Ball games for the Gamecube, so I couldn't resist getting my hands on this game. However, I WILL resist to play it now. Why, you may ask?

    The control, the character design, and the party games could be described in 2 words: GOD AWFUL. You tilt the Wii-mote where you want the monkey to go, but you are at the MERCY of the loose control. Also, the    I absolutely loved the first two Monkey Ball games for the Gamecube, so I couldn't resist getting my hands on this game. However, I WILL resist to play it now. Why, you may ask?

    The control, the character design, and the party games could be described in 2 words: GOD AWFUL. You tilt the Wii-mote where you want the monkey to go, but you are at the MERCY of the loose control.

    Also, the jump ability, which I swear was there because SEGA knew that the controls were GOD AWFUL, can literally destroy the challenge of various stages. The jump ability can be finnicky at times, leading to a WHACKLOAD of cheap deaths.

    What doesn't help is the incredibly frustrating boss battles that seem to be there just for the sake of having a boss battle. As bad as the control and camera were in the actual stages, the bosses apply it TENFOLD.

    Those would be the worst part of the game if it weren't for the UNPLAYABLE minigames. Sure, a small few of them are okay, but the rest leaves 20,000 TONS to the imagination, due to the horrendous controls on these minigames.

    In short, Banana Blitz is one of the ABSOLUTE WORST WII GAMES EVER CREATED!!!!!    … Expand
  37. wiireviews
    Dec 30, 2014
    1
    The controls are so awful. I can not believe this game was quality tested. Racing and snowboard games are ok the others are mostly unusable. The Frisbee Golf is one of the most frustrating experiences on the Wii I've ever had.
    A game that could have been okish but is completely spoilt by broken controls.
  38. CarlDaShyGuy
    Mar 15, 2015
    1
    Oh my god. This game is BIN MATERIAL. Do not buy this game. It is THE worst controlling game I've ever played. To say the least, these motion controls are abysmal and they severely drag the game down. Can't even use the nunchuk's control stick. Even when you have 50 unique minigames to play, the different uses of motion controls that can be confusing and mostly untrustworthy make theseOh my god. This game is BIN MATERIAL. Do not buy this game. It is THE worst controlling game I've ever played. To say the least, these motion controls are abysmal and they severely drag the game down. Can't even use the nunchuk's control stick. Even when you have 50 unique minigames to play, the different uses of motion controls that can be confusing and mostly untrustworthy make these minigames unplayable. Believe me when I say this, this game has no redeeming qualities. The boss battles are the WORST aspect of the entire game. The quality of the camera view are brought down to a canyon, plus a lot of the bosses are frustrating, even without the change in quality to the camera. They have no right to exist, and neither does this game due to the worst controls I've ever seen, plus a lack of spohistication, no redeeming value, the story being a ripoff of Super Monkey Ball 2, and this game is literally Sega's WORST game, even worse than crap like Sonic Boom.

    Scores:

    Solo: 1/10
    Multiplayer: 1/10
    Controls: 0/10
    Graphics: 5/10
    Sound: 5/10
    Relpay Value: 0/10

    Final Score: 1/10    … Expand
  39. GamecubeLover
    Jul 21, 2016
    9
    This game isn't as good as 1 and 2 but still are amazing. The mixed reviews I don't get. I love this game and people hate it for what reason? I think they just hate the gameplay I guess.
  40. JoaodoSucrilhos
    Aug 7, 2019
    8
    It is certainly a very funny game with a nice level design. However, it can become really frustating sometimes and this is what made me play this game intermittently rather than focus on it almost exclusively. But I think it has more positive than negative points and is very challenging.
  41. MrTacoBob
    Sep 16, 2017
    8
    For it's take on the Wii it does decent. The motion controls are mediocre but the game is still playable. Still a fun game but the series is getting a bit stale.
  42. lilemma420
    Jul 13, 2019
    0
    This game is complete SH!T, The controls don’t fvcking work; it says to do one thing and when I do them the game does the opposite of what it’s suppose to do. A TOTAL FVCKING WASTE OF MY MONEY!
  43. EthanParmet
    Aug 29, 2019
    4
    I wanted to like this game, I really did. I tried to play the main mode, where you use the gyroscope on the wii controller for tilting the ball. For some odd reason, they had us hold the Wii Remote like a TV remote, instead of the way that one would hold it for Mario Kart. This is a problem, as this makes it hard to control, and the controls are overly sensitive. I flailed all over theI wanted to like this game, I really did. I tried to play the main mode, where you use the gyroscope on the wii controller for tilting the ball. For some odd reason, they had us hold the Wii Remote like a TV remote, instead of the way that one would hold it for Mario Kart. This is a problem, as this makes it hard to control, and the controls are overly sensitive. I flailed all over the place. The first 3 levels were way too easy, and then when any hazard came in, everything when whack. The same can be said in the mini-games. This game has some really good elements to it, and I really like certain mini-games and stages, but overall, this game is bad. Not because it has horrible content, but because of a challenging controlling method, and the oversensitivity of the controls in most games make it almost impossible to navigate.… Expand
  44. HerbSmith
    Nov 22, 2019
    10
    m o n k e y . b a l l.

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Wii Game of 2006
5
#5 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2006
16
#16 Most Shared Wii Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 53 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 53
  3. Negative: 0 out of 53
  1. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    65
    So long as you stick with the multiplayer, this game is a decent monkey-filled ball. [Dec. 2006, p.116]
  2. Play Magazine
    80
    Moreover, Sega's done a fine job translating the control scheme for a game that demands precise movements to a controller that is, at best, imprecise. [Dec. 2006, p.58]
  3. IGN
    84
    If you've been on the fence about the Wii controls, put those fears to rest. True, there is a different technique involved, but once you get the hang of it you will be flying through levels with precision and speed. Now that I've played through Banana Blitz, I would not want to go back to the older control configurations.
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