Released respectively in 2001 and 2002 on GameCube, Super Monkey Ball And Super Monkey Ball 2 are among the most notable games in the Sega catalog of the time. Two decades later, they return… without warning. Thanks to an independent developer, these games are now playable for free via browserwithout downloading, without registration, and almost without compromise.
This unexpected return offers players the opportunity to (re)discover emblematic titles of the GameCube generation. And in a context where Sega is slow to exploit its retro catalog, this initiative suddenly has brilliance.
A neat but partially amputated browser port
This amazing project is the work of a developer known under the pseudonym Twilight. He put both games online in versions playable via web browser, accessible instantly. According to the first feedback, the ports are fluid, stable and respect the essence of the original games.
However, these versions have one major difference: the playable characters have been removedpresumably to get around copyright issues. The impact is mainly visual, but slightly alters the nostalgic charm of the whole. A mobile version is also in development, although still limited in functionality.
Banana Mania is not enough: the public wants the original
Certainly, Sega had already relaunched the franchise with Super Monkey Ball: Banana Maniaa modernized remake including levels from the original games. But for many fans, this remake, although technically successful, remains too far from the authentic feeling of the GameCube version.
As ComicBook.com reminds us: “These reworked versions are neither as successful nor as nostalgic”. Nostalgic players seek out the original physics, untouched music, and vintage difficulty. Which Banana Mania smoothed out for the benefit of a wider audience.
A legal and editorial void left by Sega
Currently, Sega has made no official comment regarding this browser project. However, the Japanese publisher is known for its rigorous attachment to the protection of its intellectual property. There is no indication yet that the project will be withdrawn, but caution remains in order.
This silence from Sega highlights a larger problem: the absence of an official solution to play these two cult games in 2026. No modern port exists in their original version, neither on Switch, nor on PS5, nor on Xbox, nor even on PC. Result: the independent scene fills a void that the publisher itself ignores.
The return of GameCube classics comes (again) through the fans
Twilight’s initiative is part of a growing trend: fans take charge of preserving classics. In the case of Super Monkey Ball, this approach is not based on nostalgia alone, but on a legitimate frustration with the lack of faithful reissues.
Whether it survives or not, this browser version at least has the merit of reviving a debate: why are Sega (and other publishers) slow to promote their heritage when the demand is clearly there?