SUPER MONKEY BALL BANANA RUMBLE: A MONKEY IN A BALL, AND FINALLY A BANANA FOR ME
7.5 of 10 bananas. SEGA's first brand new Monkey Ball in over a decade: 200 tilting obstacle courses, a new spin dash, and a 16 player online Battle Mode. Pure, frustrating, joyful rolling, with a thin story and a few modes that miss.
By the Alpha. Switch cartridge listing. Updated Oct 29 2026.
Honest note: This is not a fresh hands-on playtest. I built this verdict from launch reviews, critic consensus, update history, and what is known about the game today. If I put real hours in on stream, I will update the score and say so.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch only (developed by RGG Studio, published by SEGA, released June 25 2024). It also runs on Switch 2. The Amazon button is the Launch Edition Switch cartridge. At my Oct 29 2026 check it was sold and shipped by Amazon.com at well under the original price. Sellers and prices change, so look at the seller before you pay.
Get Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble for Nintendo Switch on AmazonStore check, Oct 29 2026: new copies on offer, sold and shipped by Amazon.com. Prices and sellers change, so look before you pay.
Sit with me a moment. You know I had to review this one. A monkey in a clear ball, chasing bananas across a course that hangs over nothing. My troop has been doing this since the GameCube, and the language in the room has never been family friendly.
What It Wants To Be
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a tilt the world platformer. You do not move the monkey; you tilt the stage and let the ball roll to the goal before the clock runs out. It packs 200 courses, a new spin dash for bursts of speed, a light story mode, and Battle Mode with modes like Banana Hunt and Ball Fight for up to 16 players online. Four players can share the adventure on one Switch.
What Works
Critics placed it in the mid 70s on Metacritic, and the praise is for the core: the rolling physics feel right, the course design climbs from gentle to devilish, and the spin dash adds a skill layer for speed runners. Online races with a full lobby are loud, chaotic fun, and the price is now low for a game this packed.
What Breaks
Listen well. The story is filler, and local four player co-op on one course can be more confusing than fun. Some Battle Mode games feel half baked next to the classic races. The later courses can be cruel, and the camera does not always help. If you want the old minigames like Monkey Target, they are not the focus here.
Who Should Play
Play it if you love precise, one more try challenges or want a cheap, loud party game for the Switch. Skip it if fiddly physics make you throw controllers; Kirby is kinder.
STRENGTHS
- 200 courses that climb into real challenge
- Spin dash adds speed and skill
- 16 player online Battle Mode
- Sold by Amazon at a low price at my check
HONEST COSTS
- Story mode is filler
- Local co-op gets messy
- Some Battle Modes are weak
- Late courses can be cruel
Affiliate note: this Amazon link supports the troop at no extra cost to you. One CTA per review. Platforms listed honestly above.