PLATFORM: Steam Deck via Banana Blitz HD, and Android via Dolphin Emulator
GOAL: Clear Story Mode
PROGRESS: Up to World 8's boss in HD, up to World 5 in Wii
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz is a bad Super Monkey Ball game. Going from a physics-based puzzle game to a 3D platformer with jumping and boss fights is a concept that very much ignores why this series is so beloved.
That being said, with both Banana Mania and Banana Rumble under our belts now, along with the originals still being great and having a ton of fanmade level packs, I went into Banana Blitz with an open mind, and found that the fusion of Monkey Ball and 3D platforming led to a pretty unique experience. You still have ball physics and stage tilting, and despite the shift in philosophies, I think they still understood how to make a great set of levels. It's just in a different style now!
That's not even mentioning the controls, the biggest difference between Wii and HD. Uh... yeah there's a reason I played HD first. I don't think motion controls are inherently bad, but the way you hold the Wii Remote doesn't make me feel like I'm truly tilting the world. The mobile games definitely had a better feel of control and were more immersive, which was definitely shown when I started emulating the game on my phone. Neither control scheme quite replicates a perfect Monkey Ball control set, but I can get behind either.
Some other big changes are boss battles, individual character stats, and the removal of Challenge Mode, none of which I'm the most fond of. For bosses, I like World 4 and 7's bosses, can tolerate the rest, and 2, 5, and 8 suck lol. For character stats, I managed to feel lucky that YanYan was already my favorite, and even then I switched to AiAi sometimes (7-1 is a particular sour spot, as YanYan doesn't want to properly get in the Goal). For the removal of Challenge Mode, I don't entirely mind the World structure, and the levels incorporating some more natural obstacles is cute, but I would've liked some more Advanced and Expert-tier courses.
The actual level design does definitely feel a little neutered for motion controls, but there's still some moments of fun, like jumping all the way from the start to the goal, getting the right amount of tilt for dash panels, or manuevering treacherous rails (said rails being made MORE treacherous in HD, hehe). I do wish this was an analog stick game from the start, just so they could go further...
Let's talk about aesthetics and how HD changed them. I quite like the art style, going for a colorful cel-shaded look, though I do miss the aesthetics of 1 and 2. The music, on the other hand, is phenomenal! Jungle Island, Smooth Sherbet, Cobalt Caverns, and Ultra Heaven are my beloved. However, this is an aspect that HD... well, sidegrade is the sweetest word I could use. The entire soundtrack, aside from Smooth Sherbet, was replaced, and while new compositions like BANANA~NA In Love, Landing On A New Island!, Khafre's Trials, and Swamps Of Side Chain might honestly outclass the Wii soundtrack, the rest of this new OST is reused from 1, 2, and 3D, for some reason. I do still like most of the replaced tracks, but it's a shame that Chihiro Aoki wasn't contracted for the full thing.
In conclusion, while Banana Blitz fails to capture the spirit of Monkey Ball, it still manages to do the best it can with an odd idea, creating a 3D platformer with ball-rolling physics and (semi-optional) motion controls, making for a novelty I'd honestly go back to as much as the first game, despite the tough act not being followed. It's a 7/10, and a 7/10 I like.
GOAL: Clear Story Mode
PROGRESS: Up to World 8's boss in HD, up to World 5 in Wii
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz is a bad Super Monkey Ball game. Going from a physics-based puzzle game to a 3D platformer with jumping and boss fights is a concept that very much ignores why this series is so beloved.
That being said, with both Banana Mania and Banana Rumble under our belts now, along with the originals still being great and having a ton of fanmade level packs, I went into Banana Blitz with an open mind, and found that the fusion of Monkey Ball and 3D platforming led to a pretty unique experience. You still have ball physics and stage tilting, and despite the shift in philosophies, I think they still understood how to make a great set of levels. It's just in a different style now!
That's not even mentioning the controls, the biggest difference between Wii and HD. Uh... yeah there's a reason I played HD first. I don't think motion controls are inherently bad, but the way you hold the Wii Remote doesn't make me feel like I'm truly tilting the world. The mobile games definitely had a better feel of control and were more immersive, which was definitely shown when I started emulating the game on my phone. Neither control scheme quite replicates a perfect Monkey Ball control set, but I can get behind either.
Some other big changes are boss battles, individual character stats, and the removal of Challenge Mode, none of which I'm the most fond of. For bosses, I like World 4 and 7's bosses, can tolerate the rest, and 2, 5, and 8 suck lol. For character stats, I managed to feel lucky that YanYan was already my favorite, and even then I switched to AiAi sometimes (7-1 is a particular sour spot, as YanYan doesn't want to properly get in the Goal). For the removal of Challenge Mode, I don't entirely mind the World structure, and the levels incorporating some more natural obstacles is cute, but I would've liked some more Advanced and Expert-tier courses.
The actual level design does definitely feel a little neutered for motion controls, but there's still some moments of fun, like jumping all the way from the start to the goal, getting the right amount of tilt for dash panels, or manuevering treacherous rails (said rails being made MORE treacherous in HD, hehe). I do wish this was an analog stick game from the start, just so they could go further...
Let's talk about aesthetics and how HD changed them. I quite like the art style, going for a colorful cel-shaded look, though I do miss the aesthetics of 1 and 2. The music, on the other hand, is phenomenal! Jungle Island, Smooth Sherbet, Cobalt Caverns, and Ultra Heaven are my beloved. However, this is an aspect that HD... well, sidegrade is the sweetest word I could use. The entire soundtrack, aside from Smooth Sherbet, was replaced, and while new compositions like BANANA~NA In Love, Landing On A New Island!, Khafre's Trials, and Swamps Of Side Chain might honestly outclass the Wii soundtrack, the rest of this new OST is reused from 1, 2, and 3D, for some reason. I do still like most of the replaced tracks, but it's a shame that Chihiro Aoki wasn't contracted for the full thing.
In conclusion, while Banana Blitz fails to capture the spirit of Monkey Ball, it still manages to do the best it can with an odd idea, creating a 3D platformer with ball-rolling physics and (semi-optional) motion controls, making for a novelty I'd honestly go back to as much as the first game, despite the tough act not being followed. It's a 7/10, and a 7/10 I like.
Could've been good - the whole idea of SMB involves rolling and in principle, that would fit great with motion controls, but the Wii didn't allow the precision needed to make it enjoyable.
Not gonna sugarcoat it or make a funny, this games not good. the party games are fine but the main game simply drags in a way i find hard to describe...its gamefeel is off. I prefer Banana Mania, but as a first entry (for me) this nearly turned me off the franchise.