Super Monkey Ballsaw its first release back in 2001 with the arcade game that kickstarted the series, but its first console release was on the GameCube the same year. Though some may not have heard of it, the franchise is still going strong twenty years later, celebrating the anniversary withSuper Monkey Ball: Banana Mania, which remasters the first three console games into one package for next and last-gen technology.
Like past games,Super Monkey Ball: Banana Maniawill include the usual characters: AiAi, MeeMee, Baby, and GonGon, as well as two fromBanana Blitz:Doctor and YanYan. In addition to other unlockable characters like Jam and Jet from more recentMonkey Balltitles and the guest character Sonic the Hedgehog, players will be able to purchase DLC packs that include even more characters from neighboring franchises. The most notable crossovers areSanrio’s Hello KittyandPersona 5’s Morgana.
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Super Monkey Ball: Banana Maniais due out next month, meaning there’s still time for even more DLC packs containing guest characters to be announced, following suit ofSuper Smash Bros.Ultimate, which has an ever-growing roster of unexpected guest appearances. It’s easy to imagine what characters could be included in those free DLC packs. For example,Animal Crossing: New Horizonsis one of Nintendo’s most successful first-party titles, meaning the crossover would likely bring in some fans toBanana Mania.
How Nintendo Markets Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing, and especially designs relating to the Switch installment known asNew Horizons, has become iconic for Nintendo and its collaborations. Nintendo especially enjoys using Isabelle, who first appeared inNew Leaf, as its mascot. Though she only debuted in the second-most recent installment of the franchise, she’s quickly overtaking Tom Nook’s representation ofAnimal Crossing. Aside from outside crossovers like theBuild-A-Bear stuffed animals, she’s also appeared as a fighter inSuper Smash Bros.Super Monkey Ballalso wouldn’t be the most outlandish appearance she’s made; Isabelle’s even shown up inMonster Hunter 4 Ultimate.
Otherwise,New Horizonsdesigns like Tom Nook and Isabelle’s leaf shirt print have become common in pop culture.Animal Crossing: New Horizonshasn’t received a major update in quite some time, to fan dismay, though it’s rumored that a large update containing thehighly-requested Brewsterwill arrive later this year. BecauseSuper Monkey Ball: Banana Manialaunches soon, perhaps the crossover is the perfect opportunity to market both games, gettingAnimal Crossingback in the minds of fans before the update hits, if the leak is correct.
Animal Crossing Fits Monkey Ball’s Theme Perfectly
Some truly wild characters are joining theSuper Monkey Ballroster, includingYakuza’s Kazuma Kiryuin chibi form and the eyeball known as Suezo fromMonster Rancher. But Isabelle would fit the adorable art ofMonkey Ballperfectly with little adjustment needed, as would Tom Nook and renditions of the player character.
It’s unclear if this crossover would ever come about, but it’s possibly one of the most expected ones, especially if Sega wanted to do something exclusively for the Switch version ofSuper Monkey Ball: Banana Mania. And because it’s borrowing characters from other major publishers likeAtlusand Koei Tecmo, it’s not impossible that the highly popular Isabelle may enter some races.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Maniareleases June 11, 2025 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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