if you're reading this you probably already know im a huge fan of monkey ball as a series and there are some pretty good romhacks out there so here is a directory of some of my favorites. this list will probably evolve over time.
for more join the smb workshop discord here
the game that started it all. this is definitely the Harder One but it's definitely worth playing (i'd recommend playing smb2 first though). download
the one most people know. definitely the Easier One. most romhacks use this as their base because it has more features than smb1. download
ok so. this one is a compilation of smb1 and smb2 in smb2's engine, but it also has some original stages thrown in. the original stages are okay but really i think the important part of this one is just playing both games at once. this one was originally released for the xbox and ps2 but people have made a gamecube port of it. download
created by twilight. contains a full story mode and challenge mode. probably the most well known romhack, for good reason. feels a lot like the originals. download
created by mechalico. short but high quality hack. 30 stages, all in advanced. download
created by spitz. the stages of smb2, but in the level design style and worlds of smb1. download
the strawberryjam of monkey ball. every few weeks a set of textures and a level category were put out, and many creaters submitted their takes on the idea. the most recent hack here. download
these three (four) hacks are very good and get very difficult by the end
created by scrap651. the first of this category created, and considered one of the best hacks still to this day. download
created by scrap651. the reason this isn't a true trilogy, although this really feels like an expansion to 651, just more focused on interesting stage ideas than difficulty. download
created by cutsman. another very well made hard pack, also the origin of one of my favorite youtube videos. download
created by dyrude. the hack i am currently (as of 5/1/23) playing. 126 stages (i think?) download
been a while since i had to setup a new dolphin installation, but here are the [rough] instructions:
1. download dolphin here
2. run the installer
3. pick a location on your computer to store your hacks
4. launch dolphin, go to config > paths, and select add. select your hack folder in the dialog
in theory you are done now, but there are some extra things i'd recommend
5. plug in a controller and configure it in controller settings (this part is fairly intuitive and otherwise well documented).
6. turn off panic handlers in config > interface
7. go to graphics settings and under internal resolution select which resolution fits your monitor / computer best
that should be it? not sure but i think that's all