Video games have long had a fixation on monkeys. Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr, Diddy Kong. OK, those are all from the same series, but you get my point! They’re popular in the gaming world. So it’s no surprise the large amount of monkey/ape/chimpanzee (are those all the same?) games on the App Store. Well, let’s take a look at one in particular that was recommended to me while browsing the App Store. Let’s take a look at Monkey Swingers for iOS.

The Basics

Monkey Swingers doesn’t require too much explaining. I mean, you’re a monkey and you swing. That’s pretty much it. But I still have an entire paragraph to fill, so let’s talk about one of my favorite parts of the game: the customizing. There are tons of hats available for your monkey to give it a bit more personality. And before you stop reading, no you don’t have to spend any actual money. I know, it must be a relief. You start off with 200 coins immediately, and can get two free hats right off the bat. But let’s be honest, everyone’s picking the pirate hat.

The Gameplay

I’ve played endless runners and endless jumpers in my day, but this can only really be described as an endless climber. I suppose. You need to jump and swing from branch to branch, tapping the screen at the perfect time to make sure you hang on. Sound easy? Well it’s not. Or maybe I’m just bad at this game. All I know is I accidentally let 10 monkeys fall to their demise before I got the hang of it. I’m not proud of it.

Is It Fun?

I was very surprised by Monkey Swingers. While I already liked the graphics, which seemed like a good mix of retro and modern styles, I wasn’t sure what to expect when it came to gameplay. Well, this game was a great mix of challenge and fun. Because you have to work with momentum and timing, this is one of the more involved games I’ve played on an iOS device. Additionally, there are many powerups available such as slowing everything down or making it rain gold bananas. Yes, you read that right.

The Bottom Line

Monkey Swingers carves an interesting niche in the world of app games. More of an “endless climber”, you’re not only focusing on getting higher, but working with your momentum to make sure you reach the next branch. Plus, you get to play as a monkey in a viking helmet. Which immediately makes it a great game.