Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD Reviews
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is the return of the beloved franchise, but is this HD port bananas or does it slip on a peel?
Back in the day, we gave the Wii version a crushing 4/10 score and said 'if the controls were good then you could double the score'. Little did we know that over a decade later, our words would ring (almost) true. With more usable controls you can finally enjoy this batch of 100 levels for what they are, but the wider game is let down by weird leaderboard decisions and those lacklustre mini-games. The best monkey-in-a-ball game since Super Monkey Ball 2, sure, but not quite a return to the series heyday.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is a solid remaster of a sub-par Super Monkey Ball title. The visual style works for the series, and most of the party games that were included represent the best ones from the original release. The online leaderboard integration for the Decathlon and Time Attack modes is a great addition. There are unlockable outfits, and even Sonic the Hedgehog has been added to the game. All of the original music from the Wii release has been replaced due to licensing issues.
A bargain price benefits this remastered re-release; while it’s better without motion controls and a majority of uninspired mini-games, there’s not a terrible amount to do in the end.
Instead what we've got here is a HD misfire of a motion-control misfire from over a decade ago.
If you're an avid fan of the Monkey Ball series you may find some entertainment here. Otherwise, I'd say you should pass, or wait until it's on sale as Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is not the grand return of the series it could have been
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD could be a wonderfully fun and enjoyable game. Sadly, control difficulties and horrendous camera mechanics greatly diminish the fun to be had.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is a respectable entry into its series. The gameplay is as fun as ever, but camera issues and brevity keep it from becoming a true classic.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD isn't a perfect recreation of the original game due to some things being improved and others being taken away.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is a great remake that solves many of its predecessor's problems, but it's still plagued by a wacky camera and a general lack of content.
Review in Italian | Read full review
While I don’t believe that this is the first step in the revitalization of the franchise, and doubt we’ll see a new Super Monkey Ball game any time soon, it’s still awesome to see this game come back to life for people like myself who never got into the series back then.
For what it is, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD knocks it out of the park. From the simplicity, approachability, and variability of the gameplay to the fun aesthetics and music, Banana Blitz HD has a level of quality and self-awareness that many games (especially those for younger audiences) lack nowadays. At the end of it all, this game is a complete joy to play, full stop.
While it's welcome to see one of Sega's most original IPs return to modern consoles, Banana Blitz HD is far from the series at its best and one that purists will find wanting.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is a beautiful remaster of an oft-maligned entry in the series. It's far from perfect, but there's a lot of fun to be had mastering its courses.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is a game with a simple proposal, but it turns out to be quite challenging in the final stages. The difficulty becomes frustrating, depending on your interest in the game. Minigames are something else, but nothing that makes you spend a lot of time on them, even in multiplayer. In the end, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD ends up offering little content to the player.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Not the entry fans of the series would have preferred to see get ported, but Banana Blitz HD is worth checking out for anyone that never played it on Wii, or those that just couldn't deal with the motion controls back then.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD has a novel concept, but the incredibly fidgety camera puts a ghastly stain on the overall package.
After spending time with Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD, I'm still confused as to why this specific game was the pick to revive the franchise. The 10 mini-games included aren't that strong and the main game is mediocre at best, dragged down by the motion-focused level design and abysmal boss battles. On one hand, I was happy to play Super Monkey Ball again, but on the other, I wish I could play a better Super Monkey Ball game.
If you’re an ardent Super Monkey Ball fan then you might want to pick up Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD, but you probably won’t be having the best time of your life with it.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is one of the most disappointing video game remasters ever.