Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Review: A Fresh Spin for Nintendo Switch Exclusive
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble marks a significant return for SEGA’s beloved platformer series, launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch on June 25, 2024.
After more than ten years without a wholly new installment, fans have seen the franchise sustain momentum through recent remakes such as Banana Blitz HD (2019) and Banana Mania (2021) on the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Banana Rumble builds upon this momentum with a brand-new adventure, a suite of local and online multiplayer modes, and five dynamic battle arenas, reaffirming SEGA's commitment to reinvigorating the Super Monkey Ball brand for both newcomers and longtime enthusiasts. At its core, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble retains the franchise’s signature gameplay: tilting complex obstacle courses to guide a monkey-encased ball to the finish, using either the Joy-Con motion controls or the traditional left stick.
The precision-based controls have been further refined for this installment, with responsive physics and highly adjustable camera settings.
Notably, Banana Rumble debuts the “Spin Dash” mechanic—a boost move inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog—which propels your character forward, perfect for experienced players seeking to master shortcuts and speedrunning strategies.
This addition is both intuitive and effective, and stands out as a compelling upgrade for the series. The Adventure Mode features 200 entirely new stages set across the vibrant Juicy Island and can be played solo or cooperatively with up to three additional players, either locally or online.
The story unfolds as AiAi and pals join forces with a new character named Palette to recover seven legendary artifacts called OOPArts.
While the narrative stays lighthearted and approachable, gamers are treated to fully animated, CG cutscenes before each world, providing a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Players can expect to spend a few hours completing the initial set of 100 stages, after which the game unlocks ‘EX’ stages—100 unique, more challenging levels that will push even veteran players.
The world design is approachable yet difficult to perfect, and for those seeking further challenges, each stage includes three optional missions such as collecting special bananas or finishing within a set time.
Online leaderboards and Time Attack modes further enhance the game’s replayability and competitive appeal. Banana Rumble launches with seven playable characters (AiAi, MeeMee, Baby, GonGon, YanYan, Doctor, and Palette), each offering unique stats in speed, break, weight, and spin, with additional characters and over 300 customization items unlockable through gameplay.
The Battle Mode brings five distinct competitive formats: Race, Banana Hunt, Ba-BOOM!, Goal Rush, and Robot Smash.
Online, up to 16 players can compete, while local split-screen is limited to two, a notable constraint given the four-player option in Adventure Mode. Visually, Banana Rumble capitalizes on the Nintendo Switch’s hardware with clean, vibrant graphics and short load times—especially noticeable when playing on an OLED model.
The single-player mode runs at a steady 60fps, while multiplayer battles operate at 30fps, with only minor performance dips observed during particularly intense moments. The title is available as a Standard Edition (€39.99/$49.99) or Digital Deluxe Edition (€59.99/$69.99), with the latter containing the SEGA Character Pass.
This pass unlocks franchise-crossing characters from Sonic the Hedgehog, Jet Set Radio, and Crazy Taxi, and offers an extra 15 customization options.
Owners of the physical edition can also purchase this DLC separately.
While these additions are welcome, some returning fans may question the price point as several DLC characters were previously part of Banana Mania’s base roster at a lower overall cost. Ultimately, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a standout Switch exclusive.
It delivers an engaging campaign, robust and varied multiplayer modes, and a wealth of customization options.
However, the absence of a revamped Monkey Target mode, certain multiplayer restrictions, occasional framerate drops, and the cost of additional DLC mar an otherwise stellar package.
For platforming fans and Super Monkey Ball veterans, Banana Rumble is a worthy addition to the Nintendo Switch library, balancing nostalgia with innovation and multiplayer fun. A review copy of Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble was provided by SEGA for evaluation purposes.
After more than ten years without a wholly new installment, fans have seen the franchise sustain momentum through recent remakes such as Banana Blitz HD (2019) and Banana Mania (2021) on the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Banana Rumble builds upon this momentum with a brand-new adventure, a suite of local and online multiplayer modes, and five dynamic battle arenas, reaffirming SEGA's commitment to reinvigorating the Super Monkey Ball brand for both newcomers and longtime enthusiasts. At its core, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble retains the franchise’s signature gameplay: tilting complex obstacle courses to guide a monkey-encased ball to the finish, using either the Joy-Con motion controls or the traditional left stick.
The precision-based controls have been further refined for this installment, with responsive physics and highly adjustable camera settings.
Notably, Banana Rumble debuts the “Spin Dash” mechanic—a boost move inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog—which propels your character forward, perfect for experienced players seeking to master shortcuts and speedrunning strategies.
This addition is both intuitive and effective, and stands out as a compelling upgrade for the series. The Adventure Mode features 200 entirely new stages set across the vibrant Juicy Island and can be played solo or cooperatively with up to three additional players, either locally or online.
The story unfolds as AiAi and pals join forces with a new character named Palette to recover seven legendary artifacts called OOPArts.
While the narrative stays lighthearted and approachable, gamers are treated to fully animated, CG cutscenes before each world, providing a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Players can expect to spend a few hours completing the initial set of 100 stages, after which the game unlocks ‘EX’ stages—100 unique, more challenging levels that will push even veteran players.
The world design is approachable yet difficult to perfect, and for those seeking further challenges, each stage includes three optional missions such as collecting special bananas or finishing within a set time.
Online leaderboards and Time Attack modes further enhance the game’s replayability and competitive appeal. Banana Rumble launches with seven playable characters (AiAi, MeeMee, Baby, GonGon, YanYan, Doctor, and Palette), each offering unique stats in speed, break, weight, and spin, with additional characters and over 300 customization items unlockable through gameplay.
The Battle Mode brings five distinct competitive formats: Race, Banana Hunt, Ba-BOOM!, Goal Rush, and Robot Smash.
Online, up to 16 players can compete, while local split-screen is limited to two, a notable constraint given the four-player option in Adventure Mode. Visually, Banana Rumble capitalizes on the Nintendo Switch’s hardware with clean, vibrant graphics and short load times—especially noticeable when playing on an OLED model.
The single-player mode runs at a steady 60fps, while multiplayer battles operate at 30fps, with only minor performance dips observed during particularly intense moments. The title is available as a Standard Edition (€39.99/$49.99) or Digital Deluxe Edition (€59.99/$69.99), with the latter containing the SEGA Character Pass.
This pass unlocks franchise-crossing characters from Sonic the Hedgehog, Jet Set Radio, and Crazy Taxi, and offers an extra 15 customization options.
Owners of the physical edition can also purchase this DLC separately.
While these additions are welcome, some returning fans may question the price point as several DLC characters were previously part of Banana Mania’s base roster at a lower overall cost. Ultimately, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a standout Switch exclusive.
It delivers an engaging campaign, robust and varied multiplayer modes, and a wealth of customization options.
However, the absence of a revamped Monkey Target mode, certain multiplayer restrictions, occasional framerate drops, and the cost of additional DLC mar an otherwise stellar package.
For platforming fans and Super Monkey Ball veterans, Banana Rumble is a worthy addition to the Nintendo Switch library, balancing nostalgia with innovation and multiplayer fun. A review copy of Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble was provided by SEGA for evaluation purposes.
