29 Oct
Blog

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Review: It Won’t Make You Go Ape

GonGon rolls over a stage full of bananas.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania

RRP $ 40.00

"Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is a welcome but imprecise remake that lacks detail."

advantages

  • High resolution graphics

  • Lots of customization options

  • New modes and ways to play

  • Classic soundtrack available as DLC

disadvantage

  • Stages without details

  • Shaky controls

  • Unforgettable story and soundtrack

  • Some weak party games

While 20 years have passed since the original Super Monkey Ball was released, the game remains true to its arcade roots. That coin-op influence is still felt in Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania, the franchise's newest installment.

Banana Mania is an "extended" HD remake for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S. It brings together all of the courses from the first three games in the series: Super Monkey Ball, Super Monkey Ball 2, and Super Monkey Ball Deluxe, the last of which was just a compilation of the first two games, effectively making Banana Mania a compilation of a compilation. The game was developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku, a Sega-affiliated development team with strong ties to Amusement Visions (the developer of the original game) and published by Sega.

I went to Banana Mania and I was expecting the best. Super Monkey Ball was a staple of my childhood: spending long hours huddled around the TV with my younger sister, handing the controller back and forth as we tried to torment our way through the expert level. We yelled at each other as we blew our monkeys up in Monkey Race and pushed each other off the stage in Monkey Fight. We both played the original game so many times that at this point it was mostly muscle memory. In stark contrast, I mostly played Banana Mania alone, curled up on my sofa, trying to figure out each phase for myself.

While the game is undeniably Monkey Ball, it felt like Monkey Ball through a filter: warped and just different enough to get me off my game. It's more of a chore than a fun flashback.

The main attraction

Banana Mania draws its narrative and many of its stages from the Super Monkey Ball Deluxe story mode. The friendly monkeys AiAi, MeeMee, GonGon and Baby just want to enjoy some bananas, but the nefarious Dr. Bad-Boon steals them all and sends the monkeys on a journey through the world of the game to get their yellow fruits back. The story plays a much smaller role than in Deluxe; There is no dialogue and very little actual story content. It's more of a disgustingly cute loose thread that connects the game's themed worlds. After seeing the first short cutscenes, I wanted to skip them and just get on with the stages. Narrative is not really a strong (or necessary) part of Monkey Ball. The complete courses of Monkey Balls 1 and 2 are also considered part of the main game and are referred to as "Challenges".

AiAi tries to avoid a rotten banana in Dark Banana Mode.

The gameplay retains the arcade-like, point-oriented feel of the original titles while doing a few tweaks to ensure Banana Mania doesn't look like it was ripped out of an arcade cabinet. I no longer had to worry about using up my entire life or losing my points after falling off a stage too many times, which made things easier. The stages range from frustratingly satisfying to simply frustrating: nothing compares to that Dark Souls-like feeling when you finally make it through a difficult period, but most of the time you just want to spam the new helper mode or use points to skip stages. The game aims to remove many of the frustrations that come with getting stuck at a certain stage, but make no mistake, Banana Mania is just as tough as the other games in the series.

It doesn't feel improved, just different.

Even so, the harshness often feels unfair. Much of Deluxe's ​​time-based level design won't hold up in 2021, and the new levels are tricky rather than challenging. The controls feel both too stiff and too sensitive, and fighting the camera was often more difficult than actually completing a level. The challenge courses of Monkey Balls 1 and 2 feel mostly the same, but the physics and movement potential are just so different that my GameCube muscle memory has failed. It doesn't feel improved, just different.

Side shows

The game includes a variety of "party games" from the history of the series. These mini-games range from the more traditional ones like Monkey Bowling and Monkey Soccer to the more unusual ones like Monkey Dogfight and Monkey Boat. The quality of the games also ranges from pretty good to terrible. Monkey billiards is a lot of fun and the A.I. is strong enough to keep you going. It also includes a new user interface that will help you aim your shot better than ever. Monkey Baseball, a simplified form of baseball very similar to the Toy Field mode in Super Mario Baseball, is also fun once you master the stiff controls.

The game includes a variety of "party games" from the history of the series. The quality of these mini-games ranges from pretty good to terrible.

On the other hand, Monkey Boat is terrible. Despite HD and 4K upscaling, the water textures retain the transparency of the GameCube era and the courses are boring in both graphics and gameplay. Monkey Target takes away all of the fun of the original by skewing the controls to the point where it is almost impossible to land on the targets, which above all makes it a frustrating exercise. Most of the other games are just … fine. Many of them now contain archaic, meter-based mechanics for determining strength that feel antiquated in the era of motion control.

Sonic stands triumphantly next to some rings in the Storm world.

When you are tired of the main story and party games, you can spend a little time decorating your monkey and trying out new modes. The game features a large number of playable characters from Sega history, including Sonic and Tails, Kazyma Kiryu from Yakuza, and Beat from Jet Set Radio. There are a variety of costumes and ball styles that can be purchased with points earned through the main game and party games. The shop also sells unique stages that come with different modes that do everything from reversing the starting point and destination area of ​​the stages to converting the normally scoring bananas into items to avoid.

Banana Mania is pretty generous with its points: I was able to buy pretty much anything I wanted in the store simply by playing a couple of the main story worlds and each of the party games once. The costumes are cute and I like to customize my monkey.

The devil is in the details

In many places the game has made a conscious decision to optimize or adapt details from the original Monkey Ballgames, especially when it comes to the sound. While some of the sound effects are nostalgic, others have been removed altogether – why doesn't there make a sound when your monkey's ball is moving extremely fast? The speaker's voice is also a bit annoying, but it has never been Monkey Ball's forte. (Why is "foul" pronounced like "foal" in Monkey Baseball ?!) One thing that was the show's strong point was totally botched here: the music. Banana Mania's soundtrack is absolutely memorable and pales in comparison to the funky grooves of the original Super Monkey Ball. Do yourself a favor and get the Original Soundtrack DLC for $ 5.

One thing that was the show's strong point was totally botched here: the music.

You'd think that in an HD remake it would make sense to upgrade the original game's environments to at least the standard of today's Switch games, but the environments look the same as in the original game, only sharper. In many cases this means that part of my screen has been taken up by a huge HD area of ​​relative nothing. I would have loved to see more details, or at least some upgrades, to the 20 year old Super Monkey Ball worlds of Monkey Mall and Desert, but they look essentially the same, and that's not a great thing.

Baby is floating through a plane.

Our opinion

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania should include everything fans love about the series: skill-based difficulty, great music, fun mini-games, and excellent replayability with a good group of friends by your side. Unfortunately, this collection feels like a hasty remake that throws the precise controls and stellar music of the original tracks overboard. The charm and fun gameplay of the original games are still there, but this remake doesn't feel like a huge improvement over the classics.

How long it will take?

Super Monkey Ball games are infinitely repeatable and Banana Mania is no exception. The game features online leaderboards and time leaderboards, which means that players who really want to get the best of times will have plenty to do. Those who are less competitive are better off sticking to local multiplayer of party games.

Is there an alternative?

If you're looking for newer levels, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz is available for Nintendo Switch. If you want to experience the original stages in all their arcade glory, check your local retro game store for a copy of Super Monkey Ball or Super Monkey Ball 2.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If you're new to the series and want to try it out (or don't own a GameCube or Wii), Banana Mania is worth a try, if only to experience the original stages and music. But if you've never been curious, this imperfect remake of the series isn't going to sell you.

Editor's recommendations



29 Sep
Blog

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Won’t Make You Go Ape

GonGon rolls over a stage full of bananas.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania

RRP $ 40.00

"Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is a welcome but imprecise remake that lacks detail."

advantages

  • High resolution graphics

  • Lots of customization options

  • New modes and ways to play

  • Classic soundtrack available as DLC

disadvantage

  • Stages without details

  • Shaky controls

  • Unforgettable story and soundtrack

  • Some weak party games

While 20 years have passed since the original Super Monkey Ball was released, the game remains true to its arcade roots. That coin-op influence is still felt in Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania, the franchise's newest installment.

Banana Mania is an "extended" HD remake for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S. It brings together all of the courses from the first three games in the series: Super Monkey Ball, Super Monkey Ball 2, and Super Monkey Ball Deluxe, the last of which was just a compilation of the first two games, effectively making Banana Mania a compilation of a compilation. The game was developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku, a Sega-affiliated development team with strong ties to Amusement Visions (the developer of the original game) and published by Sega.

I went to Banana Mania and I was expecting the best. Super Monkey Ball was a staple of my childhood: spending long hours huddled around the TV with my younger sister, handing the controller back and forth as we tried to torment our way through the expert level. We yelled at each other as we blew our monkeys up in Monkey Race and pushed each other off the stage in Monkey Fight. We both played the original game so many times that at this point it was mostly muscle memory. In stark contrast, I mostly played Banana Mania alone, curled up on my sofa, trying to figure out each phase for myself.

While the game is undeniably Monkey Ball, it felt like Monkey Ball through a filter: warped and just different enough to get me off my game. It's more of a chore than a fun flashback.

The main attraction

Banana Mania draws its narrative and many of its stages from the Super Monkey Ball Deluxe story mode. The friendly monkeys AiAi, MeeMee, GonGon and Baby just want to enjoy some bananas, but the nefarious Dr. Bad-Boon steals them all and sends the monkeys on a journey through the world of the game to get their yellow fruits back. The story plays a much smaller role than in Deluxe; There is no dialogue and very little actual story content. It's more of a disgustingly cute loose thread that connects the game's themed worlds. After seeing the first short cutscenes, I wanted to skip them and just get on with the stages. Narrative is not really a strong (or necessary) part of Monkey Ball. The complete courses of Monkey Balls 1 and 2 are also considered part of the main game and are referred to as "Challenges".

AiAi tries to avoid a rotten banana in Dark Banana Mode.

The gameplay retains the arcade-like, point-oriented feel of the original titles while doing a few tweaks to ensure Banana Mania doesn't look like it was ripped out of an arcade cabinet. I no longer had to worry about using up my entire life or losing my points after falling off a stage too many times, which made things easier. The stages range from frustratingly satisfying to simply frustrating: nothing compares to that Dark Souls-like feeling when you finally make it through a difficult period, but most of the time you just want to spam the new helper mode or use points to skip stages. The game aims to remove many of the frustrations that come with getting stuck at a certain stage, but make no mistake, Banana Mania is just as tough as the other games in the series.

It doesn't feel improved, just different.

Even so, the harshness often feels unfair. Much of Deluxe's ​​time-based level design won't hold up in 2021, and the new levels are tricky rather than challenging. The controls feel both too stiff and too sensitive, and fighting the camera was often more difficult than actually completing a level. The challenge courses of Monkey Balls 1 and 2 feel mostly the same, but the physics and movement potential are just so different that my GameCube muscle memory has failed. It doesn't feel improved, just different.

Side shows

The game includes a variety of "party games" from the history of the series. These mini-games range from the more traditional ones like Monkey Bowling and Monkey Soccer to the more unusual ones like Monkey Dogfight and Monkey Boat. The quality of the games also ranges from pretty good to terrible. Monkey billiards is a lot of fun and the A.I. is strong enough to keep you going. It also includes a new user interface that will help you aim your shot better than ever. Monkey Baseball, a simplified form of baseball very similar to the Toy Field mode in Super Mario Baseball, is also fun once you master the stiff controls.

The game includes a variety of "party games" from the history of the series. The quality of these mini-games ranges from pretty good to terrible.

On the other hand, Monkey Boat is terrible. Despite HD and 4K upscaling, the water textures retain the transparency of the GameCube era and the courses are boring in both graphics and gameplay. Monkey Target takes away all of the fun of the original by skewing the controls to the point where it is almost impossible to land on the targets, which above all makes it a frustrating exercise. Most of the other games are just … fine. Many of them now contain archaic, meter-based mechanics for determining strength that feel antiquated in the era of motion control.

Sonic stands triumphantly next to some rings in the Storm world.

When you are tired of the main story and party games, you can spend a little time decorating your monkey and trying out new modes. The game features a large number of playable characters from Sega history, including Sonic and Tails, Kazyma Kiryu from Yakuza, and Beat from Jet Set Radio. There are a variety of costumes and ball styles that can be purchased with points earned through the main game and party games. The shop also sells unique stages that come with different modes that do everything from reversing the starting point and destination area of ​​the stages to converting the normally scoring bananas into items to avoid.

Banana Mania is pretty generous with its points: I was able to buy pretty much anything I wanted in the store simply by playing a couple of the main story worlds and each of the party games once. The costumes are cute and I like to customize my monkey.

The devil is in the details

In many places the game has made a conscious decision to optimize or adapt details from the original Monkey Ballgames, especially when it comes to the sound. While some of the sound effects are nostalgic, others have been removed altogether – why doesn't there make a sound when your monkey's ball is moving extremely fast? The speaker's voice is also a bit annoying, but it has never been Monkey Ball's forte. (Why is "foul" pronounced like "foal" in Monkey Baseball ?!) One thing that was the show's strong point was totally botched here: the music. Banana Mania's soundtrack is absolutely memorable and pales in comparison to the funky grooves of the original Super Monkey Ball. Do yourself a favor and get the Original Soundtrack DLC for $ 5.

One thing that was the show's strong point was totally botched here: the music.

You'd think that in an HD remake it would make sense to upgrade the original game's environments to at least the standard of today's Switch games, but the environments look the same as in the original game, only sharper. In many cases this means that part of my screen has been taken up by a huge HD area of ​​relative nothing. I would have loved to see more details, or at least some upgrades, to the 20 year old Super Monkey Ball worlds of Monkey Mall and Desert, but they look essentially the same, and that's not a great thing.

Baby is floating through a plane.

Our opinion

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania should include everything fans love about the series: skill-based difficulty, great music, fun mini-games, and excellent replayability with a good group of friends by your side. Unfortunately, this collection feels like a hasty remake that throws the precise controls and stellar music of the original tracks overboard. The charm and fun gameplay of the original games are still there, but this remake doesn't feel like a huge improvement over the classics.

How long it will take?

Super Monkey Ball games are infinitely repeatable and Banana Mania is no exception. The game features online leaderboards and time leaderboards, which means that players who really want to get the best of times will have plenty to do. Those who are less competitive are better off sticking to local multiplayer of party games.

Is there an alternative?

If you're looking for newer levels, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz is available for Nintendo Switch. If you want to experience the original stages in all their arcade glory, check your local retro game store for a copy of Super Monkey Ball or Super Monkey Ball 2.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If you're new to the series and want to try it out (or don't own a GameCube or Wii), Banana Mania is worth a try, if only to experience the original stages and music. But if you've never been curious, this imperfect remake of the series isn't going to sell you.

Editor's recommendations



14 Jul
Blog

11 Effective Stability Ball Exercises

You must have bought an exercise ball some time ago. Maybe you used it too and now it is being drained into your storage room. If this happens, don't worry, we will make sure that the money you invested in the stability ball is not wasted.

Did you know that you can burn almost any muscle group with an exercise ball? We bet you're underestimating the use of an exercise ball. While an exercise ball has many uses in your exercise regimen.

Aside from burning off the body's muscle groups, it can also help you improve flexibility, balance, and coordination in no time. And the best thing about the exercise ball is that it's fun and challenging at the same time. This is a great way to challenge yourself to do better the next day.

Here are 11 stability ball exercises that will burn every muscle group in your body.

Stability Ball Hamstring Curl

1. Lie with your back straight on the floor or on the mat. Extend your arms to your sides so that your palms are touching the floor.

2. Bend your knees and place your feet on the stability ball.

3. While squeezing your glutes, straighten your knees and continue rolling the stability ball away from your body until your whole body is obliquely straight from your shoulders.

4. Now bend your knees to return to the pose.

5. Repeat

Stability Ball Hamstring Floor Tap

1. Lie with your back straight on the floor or on the mat. Extend your arms to your sides so that your palms are touching the floor.

2. Bend your knees and place your feet on the stability ball.

3. While squeezing your glutes, straighten your knees and continue rolling the stability ball away from your body until your whole body is obliquely straight from your shoulders.

4. From here, balance, take one foot off the ball and tap it on the floor. Then bring the leg back onto the ball.

5. Repeat alternating legs until you have completed all of the repetitions.

Stability ball squat

  1. Place an exercise ball against a wall and gently lean your tailbone against it. Stand so that your feet are in front of your body and hip-width apart.
  2. Pull your shoulder blades back. Extend your hands in front of you.
  3. Breathe in. Start bending your knees as you roll your ball against your back. Don't move your feet. Keep lowering yourself until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Hold this position for 5 seconds.
  4. Roll up on the exhale and repeat.

Stability ball chest press

  1. Take a pair of 8 to 15 pound dumbbells.
  2. Lie on an exercise ball on your upper and middle back
  3. Bend your knees so your feet are flat on the floor.
  4. Hold the dumbbells near your chest with your palms facing forward.
  5. Now stretch your arms towards the ceiling.
  6. Lower the weights and repeat the process.
  7. Engage the core throughout the exercise.

Stability Ball Reject Pushups

  1. Lie on the floor on your chest.
  2. Raise your torso on the palms of your hands and place your feet on the stability ball. Keep your elbows straight.
  3. Place your palms wider than your shoulders.
  4. Squeeze your abs and keep your body straight without arching.
  5. Bend your elbows and bring the body down without bending the body.
  6. Go down until you touch the ground.
  7. Use your hands to lift the body until they are straight again.
  8. To repeat

V-Up

  1. Lie on your back straight on the floor. Hold the stability ball overhead with both hands.
  2. Tense the core and lift your arms and legs off the floor.
  3. Put the ball between your feet. Grab the ball with your legs.
  4. Now lower your arms and legs back to the floor.
  5. Raise your legs and arms again to bring the ball into your arms.
  6. This is a repetition. Repeat to complete a sentence.

Abdominal rollout

  1. Kneel on the mat.
  2. Hold an exercise ball in front of you. Hold the ball at a distance that is easy to reach with your arms.
  3. Place your hand on the ball with a firm grip. Make sure your elbows are bent 90 degrees.
  4. Roll the ball forward with your hands as you bring your hips forward to straighten your body. Balance is the greatest.
  5. Expand as much as possible. When your chest hits the ball, hold the position.
  6. In the same pattern, slowly return to the starting position.
  7. To repeat.
  1. Lie on an exercise ball so that your middle back is completely in contact with the ball. Put your hands behind your head.
  2. Bring your left knee and right elbow together. Aim to touch them.
  3. Repeat on another side.

Ball climber

  1. Put both hands on the stability ball in front of you. Take a high plank position.
  2. Bring your right knee toward the ball as far as possible. Take it back quickly and switch legs
  3. To repeat.

sprinter

  1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
  2. Take the stability ball in your palms and hold it in front of your chest with your arms outstretched.
  3. Lift your left knee up toward the ball. Quickly lower and switch by bringing your right knee towards the ball. Do the movement as quickly as possible.
  1. Assume a push-up position with the stability ball near your feet.
  2. Place your lower leg on the ball.
  3. Balance and begin lifting your hips as the stability ball should roll until it touches the toes of your feet. Be slow.
  4. Straighten your body up again.
  5. To repeat
07 Dec
Blog

The top Bosu ball exercises that no one ever told you about

Adults over 65 years of age are at high risk of falling and postural instability. As the body grows weekly, the need for training increases enormously. Because workouts help keep the body stable and fit by helping us avoid clumsiness, it is essential for all older adults. Bosu ball exercise is one such activity that will transform the game for you.

That jiggling half-fit ball isn't as useless as it seems. While it looks like it will cause an instant accident, the opposite is true. Some of the main benefits of this exercise are improved postural stability, reduced risk of falling, and increased strength. If you want to improve these elements in your body, now is the time to learn about this exercise.

Are Bosu Ball Exercises Safe for Beginners?

Bosu ball exercises for beginners can be a little tricky. However, once you get the hang of it, this exercise will look like a cake. Bosu ball training is an unquestionable exercise that promises to increase stability, maintain balance, and improve strength in so many ways. There are many ways to do this workout. Because this type of exercise has a multitude of variations to choose from, it will be more convenient for you to learn right away.

Some of the best bosu ball exercises range from front lung, single-leg bridge, forearm plank and side forearm plank. For starters, we recommend starting out with the guidance of a trainer so you can learn the art of balance without getting injured. A trainer will also help you learn the trick of performing exercises on a Bosu ball in no time. This way you can avoid obstacles immediately.

The best bosu ball exercises try now

You see, the truth is that all you need to do in order to perform this exercise is the art of balancing. Performing a bosu ball exercise is like riding a two-pedal cycle – you just need to maintain balance to do it without complications. Hence, below we list instructions on how to do that best bosu ball exercises at home with minimal effort. Also, remember to balance well when you start with this.

1. Forearm plank– Turn the Bosu Ball to the other end. Make sure the flat side is facing down. Now carefully place your forearms on the sides of the ball. Your shoulder should be wide at this point. Move to the plank position to do one of the following best bosu ball exercises by making sure your back is flat. Hold this position for a few seconds, then repeat the workout.

2. Drinking bird– Turn the flat side of the bosu ball. Gently stand with one leg on the other end. Let the other leg flat at the back. Now bend your straight knee slightly and lean your hips forward. Hang your hand straight down near your leg. Now slowly return to your starting position. Make sure your pelvis is level throughout the movement. Repeat that best bosu ball exercises regularly.

3. Step on the Bosu Ball– If that's what you want to learn Bosu ball exercises for absKicks on the Bosu Ball will do the trick for you. First, lie with your hips on the ball. Your legs should extend outward at a 45 degree angle. Try to maintain your lower back and pelvis as much as possible. Move in a controlled and rhythmic manner. Perform at least 15 to 25 kicks on both sides.

4th Front lungs– Place the flat side of the Bosu ball on the floor. Gently step on the ball with one leg. Now try to lower yourself into a lunge and always keep your knee facing towards you. Once you reach the lower part of the lunge, push up with your leading leg to get back to the starting position. Repeat such Bosu ball exercises for beginners also on the other leg. 5. Heel Tapping – First, lay your lips on the Bosu Ball. Make sure your knees are bent and your hips are at the correct angle. As you exhale, gently lower one of your legs to the floor. Now tap the floor with your heel and hold it down for a few seconds. Then return to the starting position. Repeat this Bosu ball exercises for abs also on the other leg.

Take that away

This best Bosu ball exercises are a show dealer if you practice them every day. With the numerous benefits they bring to your body, there is no way you are going to be skipping it for yourself. Try more. We are waiting to know how it will help you.

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