The last Super Monkey Ball game to launch for Nintendo Switch was a remake of the original two games, compiled under the banner of Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania. And it wasn’t so good, as Matt explains in his review. Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble, the next upcoming game in the series, is hopefully different because it is completely new and not a remake of something that used a completely different controller. It relies heavily on multiplayer battle modes, though there is also co-op and story (adventure) modes. Information on Adventure Mode was shared in this trailer from two weeks ago, but details on the important multiplayer battle modes remained scarce… until today!
I’m going to take a quick back look at what’s been previously announced so everyone is caught up. Despite the heavy focus on multiplayer modes, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble’s Adventure Mode was outlined first. AiAi and the gang are visiting a tropical island when they meet an adventurer searching for the Legendary Banana. They join her on her journey, collecting special parts that are key to locating the relic. Optional assist features available include Rewind, Ghost Guide, Route Guide, and the ability to (sometimes) restart at a checkpoint. Adventure Mode features 200 new stages to be tackled alone or with up to three others in four-player co-op.
Okay, it’s multiplayer time. In Battle Mode, up to two local players or up to 16 online players can battle across five different modes. Regardless of which is chosen, players can choose to have up to 15 bots join them – yep, multiplayer battle mode can be played individually. Whacky! In all five modes, item boxes will provide anything from banana peels to make someone slip to a heavy ball that slows down anyone it hits. Some characters even have unique items.
The battle modes include:
- Race: It’s a simple race against the others, but be careful because if you fall off the stage you’ll have to return to the last checkpoint passed. Lots of fun obstacles will keep you on your toes!
- Banana Hunt: Collect as many bananas as possible when the Banana Cloud randomly appears in the sky, raining down bunches of banana bunches. Once the last 30 seconds of a match begins, so too does Fever Time. Bananas everywhere!
- Ba-BOOM!: Ever played hot potato with monkeys in balls? Pass the bomb to your opponent and roll away quickly. When the round ends, those not holding the bomb get points; the player with the most points after five rounds wins.
- Goal Rush: In this team challenge, roll through goals to gain points while working together to outscore the opposition. Every goal matching a team colour is tabulated at the end, and whoever earned the most wins.
- Robot Smash: Smash! Robots! Two teams complete by hitting giant robots. Damage depends on the character’s weight and how quickly they’re moving. The team with the most damage (points) at the end wins.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble will be available in three versions: Digital Standard, Digital Deluxe, and a physical Legendary Banana Edition. Digital Standard is the base game; the Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, the Sega Pass (DLC containing six additional playable characters from Sega franchises), and a bundle of Sega-themed bonus items. The Sega Pass is also available to purchase on its own. The Legendary Banana Edition of the game includes the base game, a slipcover for the box, a 40-page artbook, and reversible cover art. It’s worth noting that the Digital Standard Edition and the Legendary Banana Edition cost the same amount.
Developed and published by Sega, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble will be released for Nintendo Switch on June 25.
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