Super Monkey Ball saw 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 with Super 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 Mania will include the usual characters: AiAi, MeeMee, Baby, and GonGon, as well as two from Banana Blitz: Doctor and YanYan. In addition to other unlockable characters like Jam and Jet from more recent Monkey Ball titles 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 are Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and Persona 5’s Morgana.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is due out next month, meaning there’s still time for even more DLC packs containing guest characters to be announced, following suit of Super 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 Horizons is one of Nintendo’s most successful first-party titles, meaning the crossover would likely bring in some fans to Banana Mania.
How Nintendo Markets Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing, and especially designs relating to the Switch installment known as New Horizons, has become iconic for Nintendo and its collaborations. Nintendo especially enjoys using Isabelle, who first appeared in New 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 of Animal Crossing. Aside from outside crossovers like the Build-A-Bear stuffed animals, she’s also appeared as a fighter in Super Smash Bros. Super Monkey Ball also wouldn’t be the most outlandish appearance she’s made; Isabelle’s even shown up in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate.
Otherwise, New Horizons designs like Tom Nook and Isabelle’s leaf shirt print have become common in pop culture. Animal Crossing: New Horizons hasn’t received a major update in quite some time, to fan dismay, though it’s rumored that a large update containing the highly-requested Brewster will arrive later this year. Because Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania launches soon, perhaps the crossover is the perfect opportunity to market both games, getting Animal Crossing back 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 the Super Monkey Ball roster, including Yakuza’s Kazuma Kiryu in chibi form and the eyeball known as Suezo from Monster Rancher. But Isabelle would fit the adorable art of Monkey Ball perfectly 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 of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania. And because it’s borrowing characters from other major publishers like Atlus and Koei Tecmo, it’s not impossible that the highly popular Isabelle may enter some races.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania releases October 5, 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
