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'Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania' comes to consoles and PC on October 5th
Sega is releasing a bundle featuring remastered versions of the first three Super Monkey Ball games to coincide with the franchise's 20th anniversary.
Sega is becoming its weird and wonderful self again
Sega is in an unexpectedly good place right now. The company was never on top of the industry; it's been beaten by Nintendo, by Sony, by the decline of the arcade. It spent years nursing the wounds from its fall from grace in the '90s, and through the '00s and early '10s could seemingly do little right.
There's a new 'Super Monkey Ball' game on its way
A new Super Monkey Ball game will be arriving later this year -- at least, it will in Japan. Game magazine Famitsu confirmed this week in a blog post that a new entry in the popular series will be available for PC, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The game, apparently titled Tagogo Super Monkey Ball, is scheduled to be available on October 31st in Japan. There's no word yet on if there will be a western release for the title. Update: The game has been officially announced for PS4, Switch, PC and Xbox One, with a US release date of October 29th.
Super Monkey Ball Bounce is a round peg for square mobiles
Sega says Super Monkey Ball Bounce is inspired by the uber-popular Japanese arcade game pachinko. On a completely unrelated note, Peggle was also inspired by pachinko. The latest adventure starring Sega's super primates promises 120 levels as well as 8 7 playable characters [update: Sega corrected an earlier press release], each with their own abilities. Look out for it as a free download - we suspect with in-app purchases - when it hits iOS and Android sometime this summer. [Image: Sega]
Sega's Fourth of July sale includes iOS, Android, PSN and XBLA savings
If we've learned anything from the world of digitally distributed video games, its that virtually any American holiday is a good excuse for a sale. Not that we're complaining, mind you, we're as into the idea of a discount as we are blowing up a good chunk of our back yard once a year.Sega's contribution to the festivities comes in the form of discounted iOS, Android, XBLA and PSN titles, including House of the Dead III and various mobile Monkey Balls. The full list of deals can be found after the break and, while some last longer than others, you should be fine so long as you make your purchase on the fourth itself.
Sega Valentine's Day sale starts today for mobile titles
For some, Valentine's Day is a sweet occasion. Happy couples the world over will be lounging back, nibbling on an array of chocolate delights before partaking in the annual somersault contest that ensues. You know, like how our parents used to do before they got all old and stuff.For us loners, the holiday is a day of self-indulgent sobbing and darkness, but it doesn't have to be. If you're in the market for some iOS or Android games, you can snuggle up to Sonic and company through Sega's Valentine's Day sale starting today and running through the 14th.Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 and Sonic CD lead the charge of discounted downloads for iOS and Android users, both half off, while iDevices also see considerable price cuts down to $.99 on Streets of Rage, Golden Axe and Super Monkey Ball. Gunstar Hero, Altered Beast and Virtua Fighter 2 are also on sale for a buck each.For the full list of what's on sale, hit the source link below.
Super Monkey Ball rolling to Vita
As sure as the sun will rise and set, there's gonna be a Super Monkey Ball game for the PlayStation Vita in early 2012. Sega accidentally exposed as much this past weekend, but now the publisher has confirmed the game, which will make full use of Vita's "dual analog sticks and front/back-touch controls." The Vita version will add new worlds, game types and updated graphics. It will also support up to four folks playing with their monkey balls across WiFi. Sega is also adding a revamped version of "Monkey Target" mode. Some version of Super Monkey Ball is currently available on ... wait, let's make this easier: Super Monkey Ball is currently not available for your Commodore 64. %Gallery-133163%
Rumor: Super Monkey Ball coming to PS Vita
Sega of America's Flickr stream teased three images for Super Monkey Ball labeled for PS Vita earlier today. Sega has yet to officially announce Super Monkey Ball for Vita, and it has since removed the images. We assume an eager employee accidentally posted them, or someone was monkeying around the Sega offices. Sorry. We had to. To apologize, below are the three images, which look extremely similar to previous versions of Super Monkey Ball.
Super Monkey Ball rolls out on Windows Phone 7
Try as one might, one cannot stop the forward momentum of a simian locked inside an impregnable, high-velocity plastic sphere. Yes, Sega's highly tiltable Super Monkey Ball franchise has crashed through the barriers of yet another mobile platform: Windows Phone 7. It's available through the Marketplace storefront today for $4.99. So, what's new with this version of the oft-ported game that makes it worth your consideration? Here's a quick list of all the benefits: More codified monkey vectors Bananas enriched with additional potassium Both of those things are made up Doesn't cost $40
Select Sega downloadable games on sale until January
In a heartwarming, post-ghost Ebeneezer Scrooge-like manner, Sega has discounted a wide array of its downloadable titles from the PSN, Xbox Live and iOS platforms. On top of the recent, permanent price reductions applied to some of those games, purchasing titles featuring impossibly acrobatic rodents and extremely rollable simians has never been so cost-effective. Check out the full list of discounted games -- which will remain discounted until January 3 -- after the jump.
Sega permanently drops prices on its iPhone and iPad titles
If you've purchased an iDevice as a holiday gift for that certain special someone, Sega's made it a bit more affordable for you to load it up with some solid interactive apps. Nearly all of the publisher's games for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch have received permanent, sizable price cuts.
Sonic 1 and 2, Super Monkey Ball, Phantasy Star 2 discounted on iTunes
Sega has discounted four of its iOS games on the US iTunes Store. We contacted the publisher for the specific end date of the sale and all it could offer was that the discounted prices will be in effect for "a limited time" -- frugal shoppers don't have much time to gorge on savings, we assume. Here's what's available (all are $1.99, previously $5.99): Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Super Monkey Ball and Phantasy Star II. Oh, and because you'll inevitably ask: no, sorry, we don't have a launch price for Sonic 4: Episode 1 yet.
Phantasy Star 2 released for iPhone; other Sega games on sale
Sega is temporarily dropping prices of its iPhone games in honor of kids going back to school. You know, it's been a long time since our GameBoy Advance was confiscated for illicit Pokémon Fire Red playing, but we're pretty sure you're still not allowed to play games during class. Oh well -- it's the thought that counts, Sega! Additionally, Phantasy Star 2 launched today on the App Store with a sale price of $2.99 (normally $4.99). See the complete Sega sale details after the break.
From iPhone to iPad: Revisiting Super Monkey Ball 2
There are a lot of great new apps for the iPad, and there are some terrific old ones that have made the move as well. In "From iPhone to iPad," TUAW will revisit some of our favorite games and utilities that originated on the iPhone, and see how they've transitioned to the larger device. Have they made the most out of the new hardware? Is the application worth a separate re-purchase? After all, you can keep running nearly all of your old software in pixel doubling mode. First up? Super Monkey Ball 2. We first looked at Super Monkey Ball a couple of years ago. My kids and I found the game hard to play, although I did appreciate the graphics. I wasn't alone in my negative SMB assessment. Its sequel, Monkey Ball 2, debuted late last year. It was a worthy follow-on that greatly improved on the original's playability, and generally garnered good reviews. The iPhone version currently retails for $7 on App Store. The iPad has now launched, and Super Monkey Ball 2 has arrived as well. Is it worth heading out and spending yet another $9.99 on App Store to purchase this latest version? I can't make buying decisions for you, but I can report that my kids and I really enjoyed testing this game.
Sega All-Stars Avatar items are looking for sales
We may not usually condone the capricious waste of Microsoft Points on Avatar frippery, but we must admit that the Sonic & Sega All-Stars clothing set makes a pretty good argument for the existence of Avatar clothes. And that argument is "here's Ryo Hazuki's jacket." It's available for men and women for 160 ($2). The other available items strike similarly at the heart of Sega nerds, including Beat's sunglasses, a little AiAi-in-Monkey-Ball prop, and a Samba De Amigo sombrero! You can even buy a Crabmeat to decorate your virtual Green Hill Zone (by which we mean your dashboard). See the full set at Xbox Live Marketplace. [Via Sega]
Dress like AiAi for Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll
Though you could just buy a Chiquita banana and call it authentic Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll merchandise, Sega Europe has created some new swag that won't rot and won't result in any comedic pratfalls. The publisher has printed up some replica shirts as worn by AiAi, complete with printed backpack, as a promotional item for Step & Roll. The only known way to get hold of one of these delightful items is through Sega's Free Stuff Friday contest (follow @sega on Twitter and message back key phrases at the right time on Fridays). Just add some cinnamon roll ears and a giant plastic bubble, and you'll be all set for Halloween!
Crucial Super Monkey Ball banana market changes hands
Ever since the series' inception, the bananas in Super Monkey Ball have been adorned with tiny Dole stickers. But now the balance of power has shifted, like a floating checkerboard platform, as Sega announces a partnership with rival banana company Chiquita for the latest Monkey Ball game, Super Monkey Ball: Step and Roll. This changes everything. Well, it changes a few things, at least: in addition to the labels on the in-game bananas (we assume), real Chiquita Bananas will have Super Monkey Ball: Step and Roll branding on their stickers. It also changes the number of "Family Gaming Room Makeovers" being given away by Chiquita to one.
Super Monkey Ball 2 now $5 on iPhone
Good news, fans of ... well, fans of monkeys trapped in hamster balls who are forced to roll through perilous obstacle courses in a sad attempt to collect bananas. Sega recently announced a halving of the price for Super Monkey Ball 2 on the iPhone, which reduces the cost to a mere $4.99. If you've been waiting to fulfill your spherical, simian desires, this might just be your best chance. If rollin' monkeys isn't your thing, check out Touch Arcade for a pretty sizable list of temporarily discounted apps. They'll cater to a much broader range of interests, including poker and zombie pizza-making.
Video of Super Monkey Ball: Step and Roll's minigames
Sega has released a new trailer showcasing some of the minigames to be featured in Super Monkey Ball: Step and Roll. Favorite games make a return, namely the target drop game that's been around since the original Super Monkey Ball on GameCube. There are several other games in the mix, including a firefighting game, a ninja star deflection game, skydiving and ... erm ... hip wrestling. Yeah, that's it. Hip wrestling. See it all in the trailer above. Expect the game to roll onto North American shores February 9.
Super Monkey Ball: Step and Roll gameplay trailer
Super Monkey Ball: Step and Roll is something of a troubling proposition. Sure, it might be fun at first -- something we can attest to -- but it could very easily become the most maddening experience in video games. Remember all the times you fell off the old Monkey Ball levels while using the precision inputs of a controller? Yeah, that's probably going to happen a lot more with the Balance Board. That said, after watching the above video, we'll be darned if we don't wanna give it a try.
