If Super Monkey Ball on GameCube ever felt to you like a quality game on a budget, that’s because it was according to Sega’s CCO, Toshihiro Nagoshi. In an extensive EDGE feature, he spoke about company’s years during the GameCube generation, reflecting on how the CEO was always being changed - with the newest one, at the time, one day asking him why games cost so much money to make:
I told him we couldn't do it any cheaper, but at the same time I was quite upset about it. I decided to make a game with minimum resource, minimum time and minimum budget.
Based on this conversation, a small team then created Super Monkey Ball in time for the launch of the Nintendo GameCube:
Looking back, that's no way to work (laughs). But there are some huge fans of this game. When we gave up on making hardware, we knew the Gamecube was coming, and when it would be launched. We didn't think we had enough time to get a game ready for release day, but (...) Super Monkey Ball came to mind. I think we had ten people on the game, maybe less. We made it just in time somehow.
Did you play ever play Super Monkey Ball on the GameCube? Would you like to see a return of the series on the Switch? Tell us in the comments below.
[source resetera.com]
Comments 46
You know, we REALLY need a Switch edition. Badly. SEGA, you owe us a new Monkey Ball! I really can't think of a more perfect system for it.
We need a switch version with (optional) gyro controls. That’d be incredibly fun.
We also need Katamari on Switch with gyro controls.
@Piscean64
I really think that SEGA is missing out on a really hot seller. The first one did really well on the GameCube. The Switch market is even bigger; based on where sales were in March I'd bet that it's already shifted more systems than the GameCube did in its lifetime. I freaking LOVED Monkey Target and imagine the multi-player possibilities and online leader boards. Mmmm...
Super Monkey Ball is one of the best things Sega has done as a third party.
Love how this clickbait site turned 1 interview into 3 articles.
"we just made it somehow"
@AirElephant you forgot the feeling of gyro in handheld mode or as separated controllers.
It's surprising Monkey Ball hasn't shown up on Switch yet.
Another budget Gamecube game that turned out great is Custom Robo, a shame that Nintendo forgot about that franchise as well.
Sega, just make a 100% monkey target game like in the first game and take my money! I mean my wife hates video games but she loves monkey target.
Used to play monkey target with the whole family, loved it! Would be nice to have one for the Switch
Now a days a game like that probably would have wound up on the mobile market and maybe if we were really lucky a Switch port would have been released, but with obvious mobile platform limitations.
Monkey target is my jam!!!
Great game and the GameCube was the best version a friend had it on ps2 and it didn’t feel quite right the analog control seemed off but on the cube it was perfect .
Monkey target was superb with a bunch of mates also monkey pool
Didn’t super monkey ball and f zero gx use the same game engine?
I would absolutely love Super Monkey Ball 1 and 2 on the Switch. As much as the main game was ingenious, the party modes would be 'perfect for the Switch (tm)'.
Super Monkey Ball and it's sequel were consistantly played in my household for literally years. They were the only games played by my other half along with Mario Kart Double Dash.
Still own Super Monkey Ball for GameCube. Still play Super Monkey Ball for GameCube.
It started as a budget project. So many games seem to work the other way now. What the developers look at as a big project turns out to be budget looking.
Monkey Balls is not on my must have Switch game list.
Me and my brother and sister spent hundreds of hours on those party games! Lots of good memories with this one
It's a shame that a modern Monkey Ball title probably would not hold up, since Amusement Vision are no longer active developers.
Other Monkey Ball titles developed since AV just haven't been that great, and the 3DS title was particularly lacklustre having been designed for motion controls, but featuring unchallenging and static stages with guard rails and bumpers all the way to the finish.
Would be great for the fans. I never cared for this game though. Just not my cup of tea
Loved Monkey ball great game for GameCube
I enjoy Super Monkey Ball from the first one up til Banana Blitz on the Wii, after that the series just disappear for some reason. Guess Sega doesn't know what else to improve on it or evolve it even further.
Loved it on the cube, the controller was just so perfect for it... later iterations couldn't hold up the magic.. did buy the vita version recently on a sale, that's quite nice too
I loved super monkey ball 1 and 2 (apart from monkey target 2 which was an abomination). the 3ds one gave me a migraine as the 3d effect was awful, the wii balance board one was a bit naff and the adventure style game was a bit odd. Original monkey target is to me the ultimate local multiplayer game to this day.
So, Super Monkey Ball on Nintendo Switch ?
Add with Samba de Amigo & MaiMai, the Hype will be crazy.
1 and 2 please!
Well, if we can get a Monkey Ball, a Katamari and a Kururin I would be over the moon.
@Nintendo_Alski I think you'll have to take some of the blame for that yourself, as the 3D effect is fine for me, though I do have the super stable 3D of the N3DS.
I have to say the GBA version was also very, very solid. One of my favorite GBA games actually.
Monkey Bowling mini game, loved that
Amusement Vision remains "The one studio I would bring back if I could" of any studio in the world. Loved them.
This was a fun series. I could go for a new game.
As one of my day one games I still treasure it in my Gamecube shaped heart.
This is a perfect example of a game being appealing to both casual players and more traditionnal gamers. Simple game mechanics, cheerful atmosphere, some game modes can be played party-style, main campaign with ramping difficulty, etc...
This is indeed a proof that simple ideas can lead to awesome games, and be comparable to big budget releases.
Come on SEGA. Even the Vita got a new Monkeyball game... I'd even settle for a compilation of the first two games... provided you don't tackle in forced motion controls... (just make them optional if you absolutely want to push them in).
Spent many late nights playing super monkey ball on the GameCube. I can’t believe I survived not having it on the switch! How on earth did we manage in those days....? 😂
That's actually pretty amazing when you think about it. Sega had pretty much had one foot in the grave with the Dreamcast still on shelves but discontinued, and their first thought was "hey, let's put something on the new Nintendo console as fast as we can!" I didn't think the Sega acceptance of Nintendo would have started while the DC wasn't cold yet.
super monkey ball 1 + 2 were really really good.... i wish they didn't let the series go so downhill
The first 2 were amazing, after that the quality dropped off quite a lot. I'd love to see a return as long as they went back to how the originals played, particularly the more focused mini games which were largely excellent
@gcunit hahah i also have a super stable n3ds xl but when i played it it was on my wobbly old original 3ds. seem to remember the 3d effect wasn't up to par with other games of the time though but it could just be my terrible eyes that are to blame 😂
@jasminedragon ooh yeah forgot about the gba version that was a good port! 😎
I loved money ball 2 because of all of the good mini games. There were some lackluster ones as well of course. But I loved monkey target and boxing.
For the love of God, please bring back Monkey Ball. Package 1+2 together as remasters and I’d buy that instantly. I loved the music, it made me so happy.
I literally just picked up Super Monkey Ball 2 on GameCube this weekend. What a fun and stupid game.
@Thewiseone82 You have just taken your first step into a much larger world.
@BionicDodo Me too sir. Me too.
Port the original with the best bits of the sequels. Render in HD. Add Online multiplayer/leaderboards. Add Donkey Kong characters in the balls.
Hey presto, Super Donkey Kong Ball.
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