Sega Wants Super Monkey Ball to Become the Company’s Next Sonic the Hedgehog

Sega Wants Super Monkey Ball to Become the Company's Next Sonic the Hedgehog

As a long-time fan of the Super Monkey Ball franchise, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and optimism when reading about the series’ future ambitions. Growing up with the original games on the GameCube, I remember the sheer joy and frustration that came from navigating those intricate maze-like stages as Aiai and his monkey pals.


For over two decades, the Super Monkey Ball franchise has been a mainstay in the gaming world, producing several highly-rated games throughout its tenure. Although it enjoys a dedicated fanbase in North America, it hasn’t achieved the same level of fame and success as Sega’s top three properties – Sonic the Hedgehog, Persona, and Yakuza/Like a Dragon – in Japan. However, it appears that the company has ambitious plans for the franchise’s future. In a recent interview with Famitsu (translated by Nintendo Everything), producer Nobuhiro Suzuki of Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble discussed potential avenues for series expansion and increasing its reach to new audiences.

Suzuki mentioned that to boost recognition for our product, we’re thinking about venturing into areas beyond just game development. By showcasing the allure of our characters through manga, anime, and offering promotional goods, we believe sales will start climbing. However, due to budget constraints, it seems we are gradually building a strong foundation and sowing seeds for future growth.

Without a doubt, Banana Rumble paved the path for Super Monkey Ball beyond its video game realm. The game’s solo campaign emphasized narrative more than previous installments, expanding the universe and introducing delightful new side characters. After the launch of the exclusive Nintendo Switch version, it’s apparent that the world of Super Monkey Ball could be adapted into a manga or anime, potentially attracting a larger audience to the games. In this sense, Suzuki aims to bring the series to a prominence comparable to Sonic the Hedgehog.

Suzuki mentioned that SEGA games are often thought of as being geared towards children and families. Considering its popularity in America and the fact it follows a path similar to the Sonic series, he expressed his hope that this game may eventually resemble Sonic in terms of success.

It’s uncertain if Super Monkey Ball can expand its current fanbase to the extent of franchises like Sonic, but its aspirations indicate a promising future. Perhaps one day, we might witness Super Monkey Ball movies, TV shows, comics, and merchandise becoming as prevalent as they are for Sonic – only time will reveal this.

Read More

2024-08-12 16:11