In an exciting update for video game preservationists and Super Monkey Ball enthusiasts, the elusive Yukie Kawamura DLC for Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz has finally been recovered and preserved.
This unique downloadable content, which was once considered lost to time, has now been confirmed to be present on every copy of the PS Vita title, regardless of region.
However, accessing this content requires a homebrew-enabled PlayStation Vita system. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz, developed and published by SEGA, originally launched for the PlayStation Vita in 2012.
The game was notable for its innovative gameplay, allowing players to use the handheld’s camera to generate custom stages based on real-world objects.
While the core game was released worldwide, certain content remained exclusive to Japan. Among the Japanese-exclusive extras was a special DLC featuring gravure idol Yukie Kawamura.
Distributed via complimentary codes with the Japanese edition, this content unlocked new stages that prominently featured Kawamura’s image as part of the in-game scenery.
Specifically, one course famously used a photograph of her chest as an interactive element within the stage layout.
Due to this somewhat risqué nature, the Japanese version of Banana Splitz was issued a 'C' rating (15 and up) by CERO, Japan’s content rating organization—a higher designation than other entries in the Monkey Ball franchise, which typically earned an 'A' (for all ages). Interest in this DLC was reignited when Jon Cartwright, a presenter for Good Vibes Gaming and former member of Hookshot Media, spearheaded a preservation effort for these missing stages.
Through diligent outreach and community engagement, Cartwright and the preservationist community were able to verify that the Yukie Kawamura content exists within every retail copy of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz.
The discovery is significant for game history, ensuring that even Japan-only content remains accessible for future generations of gamers and researchers, provided they have a modified PS Vita console. Commenting on the overall experience, industry outlet Push Square recalled in their original 2012 review that "Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz is overflowing with creative content, though lengthy load times and awkward menus detract from its overall enjoyment.
While the original Super Monkey Ball remains the series high point, Banana Splitz is still a worthy entry for fans.” With this milestone in game preservation, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz and its infamous Yukie Kawamura DLC have secured their place in PlayStation Vita and SEGA history.
The rediscovery highlights the ongoing efforts of the preservation community to safeguard gaming’s unique and sometimes controversial content.
This unique downloadable content, which was once considered lost to time, has now been confirmed to be present on every copy of the PS Vita title, regardless of region.
However, accessing this content requires a homebrew-enabled PlayStation Vita system. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz, developed and published by SEGA, originally launched for the PlayStation Vita in 2012.
The game was notable for its innovative gameplay, allowing players to use the handheld’s camera to generate custom stages based on real-world objects.
While the core game was released worldwide, certain content remained exclusive to Japan. Among the Japanese-exclusive extras was a special DLC featuring gravure idol Yukie Kawamura.
Distributed via complimentary codes with the Japanese edition, this content unlocked new stages that prominently featured Kawamura’s image as part of the in-game scenery.
Specifically, one course famously used a photograph of her chest as an interactive element within the stage layout.
Due to this somewhat risqué nature, the Japanese version of Banana Splitz was issued a 'C' rating (15 and up) by CERO, Japan’s content rating organization—a higher designation than other entries in the Monkey Ball franchise, which typically earned an 'A' (for all ages). Interest in this DLC was reignited when Jon Cartwright, a presenter for Good Vibes Gaming and former member of Hookshot Media, spearheaded a preservation effort for these missing stages.
Through diligent outreach and community engagement, Cartwright and the preservationist community were able to verify that the Yukie Kawamura content exists within every retail copy of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz.
The discovery is significant for game history, ensuring that even Japan-only content remains accessible for future generations of gamers and researchers, provided they have a modified PS Vita console. Commenting on the overall experience, industry outlet Push Square recalled in their original 2012 review that "Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz is overflowing with creative content, though lengthy load times and awkward menus detract from its overall enjoyment.
While the original Super Monkey Ball remains the series high point, Banana Splitz is still a worthy entry for fans.” With this milestone in game preservation, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz and its infamous Yukie Kawamura DLC have secured their place in PlayStation Vita and SEGA history.
The rediscovery highlights the ongoing efforts of the preservation community to safeguard gaming’s unique and sometimes controversial content.
