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The 11 best monkey games 2024

Our list of the best monkey games will help you swing through the trees of tropical islands with ease, or cause havoc like King Kong.

Monkey games: Amigo and his friend outlined in white and pasted on a banana yellow PT background

What are the best monkey games? Whether it be spinning balls of primates going at a hundred miles per hour, or gorillas learning to fly before pigs do, there’s a lot of fun to be had. While there are a few popular IPs you already know are going to make the list, we’ve also made sure to include a few surprise picks to keep these different and provide a couple of titles you might not have heard of before. 

For more animal antics, be sure to browse our lists of cat games, dinosaur games, and dog games, as well as our list of games like Stardew Valley if you want to try your hand at some farming. Of course, legendary ape DK makes an appearance in a few Mario sports titles, so be sure to check out our golf games and tennis games lists if you want to play ball primate style.

Here are the best monkey games on Switch and mobile:

Monkey games: A screenshot from Gibbon showing multiple gibbons swinging across a house

Gibbon: Beyond the Trees – Switch and mobile

Gibbon: Beyond the Trees is a quaint experience, but a thoughtful one too, detailing one gibbon’s escape from a deteriorating environment. It’s by far the most poignant title on this list, packing a touching and palpably human experience for a monkey-based platformer (you don’t see much eco-awareness in Donkey Kong, that’s for sure).

If you still need convincing, why not take a read of our Gibbon: Beyond the Trees review.

Monkey games: A screenshot from our Banana Mania review

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania – Switch

The headline act for our monkey games list is of course AiAi, MeeMee, GonGon, the baby, and the doctor, also known as the Super Monkey Ball crew. With all the classic levels you used to love, and the minigames too, there are hours of monkey business – we’ll get that out the way early – in this reimagining of the Gamecube series.

Plus, in this title, other Sega icons like Sonic, and Yakuza’s Kiryu, make an entertaining appearance. If that doesn’t grab you, maybe our Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania review will.

Monkey games: Flying Gorilla screenshots

Flying Gorilla – mobile

Flying Gorilla describes itself as “a surprisingly popular game”, and they hit the nail right on the head there. I will say now, that as insane as you think a flying gorilla game could be, you need to bundle that thought up and throw it out the window, as this title is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, and quite possibly for good reason.

Even still, as a free-to-play game, it’s worth picking this one up just to blow your tiny mind, if nothing else.

Monkey games: Ape Out title card

Ape Out – Switch

Have you ever seen a great ape dodge a shotgun shell? Well if not, you need to play Ape Out, one of the more idiosyncratic monkey games on Switch.

This title is the closest you’re going to get to Ape Escape in this day and age, starring a very angry gorilla trying to leave the maze it finds itself in, taking out anyone who gets in its way. If primate ultra-violence is what you’re looking for, Ape Out is the only call.

Monkey games: Smashy City graphic showing a gorilla character

Smashy City – mobile

In lieu of a like-for-like mobile or Switch port of the original Rampage, one of King Kong’s first video game outings, the best way to take control of the massive monkey in this day and age is in Smashy City.

In the same way that the original Crossy Road revitalized Frogger mechanics, Smashy City brings Rampage into the palm of your hands as a fantastic free-to-play city destruction simulator, complete with the king of the apes himself.

Monkey games: A screenshot of Funky Kong in DK Tropical Freeze

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Switch

You thought we were going to do a whole list of monkey games and miss out DK himself? Fat chance.

As one of the first titles to port for the Switch from the maligned Wii U era, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is as fine a platformer as you can find on the vast eShop to this day, with hours of classic content and beautiful beachside locations. 

Monkey games: Key art from Do Not Feed the Monkeys

Do Not Feed the Monkeys – Switch

Now, for something entirely different, we’re looking at Do Not Feed the Monkeys, which, spoiler, isn’t really about monkeys, but you take a look at the list of monkey games on Switch and suggest something else!

For what this title lacks in actual primates, the voyeuristic narrative-driven gameplay loop is surprisingly enthralling, and there’s a deeper message about surveillance society that doesn’t go unnoticed. We’re still hoping that the sequel, Do Not Feed the Monkeys 2099, comes to Switch one day. 

Monkey games: A screenshot from Samba de Amigo: Party Central showing the character creation

Samba de Amigo: Party Central – Switch

Amigo is back on our screens in a big way! Samba de Amigo: Party Central is the ultimate monkey-themed party rhythm game for all the family, packed with 40 hit pop songs to battle to.

The Switch version features a bunch of crossovers with other Sega titles like Puyo Puyo and Sonic and utilizes the console’s oft-ignored motion controls for an even more immersive maraca experience. However, if solo campaigns are more your jam, take a look at our next recommendation… 

Monkey games: A phone showing Party-To-Go pasted on a blurred game screenshot

Samba de Amigo: Party-To-Go – mobile

Party-To-Go is the Apple Arcade-exclusive version of Samba de Amigo: Party Central and it’s perfect for those of you who prefer touchscreen rhythm gameplay. The mobile port also includes three exclusive songs from Psy, Lady Gaga, and Fitz and the Tantrums.

While Party-To-Go doesn’t support online or local multiplayer like its Switch sibling, it is the exclusive home of Amigo’s latest story campaign. Hardcore monkey fans should consider playing both titles to get the full Amigo experience.

Monkey games: A screenshot from our Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble review

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble – Switch

More monkeys in balls! 2024’s addition to the series brings more classic Monkey Ball action, complete with online multiplayer and the standard Sega crossovers from previous editions.

If you’re new to the series, Rumble might just be the starting point for you, as our hardware editor Connor said in his Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble review that the levels take some time to get difficult.

Monkey games: Key art for Bloons TD 6

Bloons TD 6 – mobile

We’re of the opinion that everyone should play a Bloons TD game at least once in their life, so why not start with Bloons TD 6? This classic tower defense franchise pits hundreds of super-powered monkeys against a never-ending supply of explosive balloons, and you must use your strategic brain to protect yourself while managing your resources.

Not only is this an incredible single-player game, but you can also dive into chaotic four-player co-op matches to protect against the biggest threats together.

There you have it, our full list of monkey games for you to lap up like a gibbon with a bunch of bananas. If all of these bananas have you feeling hungry, check out our list of the best cooking games next. Alternatively, get to know even more primate pals with our list of the best monkey Pokémon.