”Wait, is that it?” you might think at first. Rolling a monkey inside a ball to reach the goal—that is the basic rule of Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania. However, as soon as you actually try it, you will notice something. Even though you are just rolling, your fingertips and brain are working at full capacity. Tilt it a little too much and you plunge off the edge; be too cautious and you start worrying about the time limit. That exquisite balance is what makes you say, ”Just one more time.”

To be honest, the volume of this game is nothing short of surprising. There are over 300 stages in the main game alone, ranging from jungles and volcanoes to outer space, with a progression that naturally sparks conversation about where you might go next. Moreover, it is not just about the quantity; the required controls and ideas differ for each stage, so there is no time to feel bored. While playing, you will find yourself muttering, ”It was so easy a moment ago, but now it is getting serious,” and that feeling is quite pleasant.

The controls are very intuitive, and there is no need to memorize complex commands. Despite this, even a slight tilt or a delay in judgment leads directly to the result, so your eyes naturally become serious as you stare at the screen. This coexistence of simplicity and tension is exactly why the Super Monkey Ball series has been loved for so many years, and that charm has not faded in the remake. The gap between being able to start casually and finding yourself completely focused becomes addictive.

The fun of this work does not end with playing silently by yourself. It includes a wealth of party games like tennis, racing, and billiards that up to four people can enjoy together, and laughter naturally erupts whether you win or lose. The time spent playing while arguing, ”Wait, wasn’t that a foul?” might stay in your memory even more than the game itself. There are few titles as reliable as this one for a casual get-together.

The monkey customization feature, a first for the series, is another element that tickles one's sense of playfulness. Even though it only changes the appearance, it strangely builds an attachment, making you think, ”I want to go all the way to the end with this one.” When rolling a monkey customized to your liking, even if you fail, you can’t quite bring yourself to hate them, which interestingly leads to the motivation to try again.

Being a remake to commemorate the 20th anniversary, it gives the impression of carefully compiling the most popular content from the series. It is simple enough for anyone to play, yet offers a solid challenge if you dive deep; that ”just right” (tabegoro) balance is exquisite, just like the title suggests. I felt this is a work that reminds you of the experience of intending to play for just a bit, only to realize you have completely forgotten the time.