Bananas are the favorite food of monkeys. They also appear as in-game items which add points to your total score and contribute to extra lives. Bananas are generally spread throughout stages, often appearing in a place that requires additional effort to get to (the more bananas, the more effort), and occasionally in the direct path of the player.
Super Monkey Ball 1, 2 and Deluxe[]

A single banana and banana bunch as seen in Super Monkey Ball 1 and 2.
In Super Monkey Ball 1, 2 and Deluxe, regular bananas are worth 100 points, while banana bunches are worth 1000 (and therefore also 10 regular bananas). To get an extra life, you need to collect 100 bananas.
An interesting thing to note is that in Super Monkey Ball 1 and 2, the bananas have a Dole sticker on them, while in Deluxe they are removed.
Super Monkey Ball Adventure[]
In Super Monkey Ball Adventure, regular bananas are worth 50 points while banana bunches are worth 250 (and therefore also 5 regular bananas). To get an extra life, you need to collect 50 bananas. This is also the only game where banana bunches that grants an extra life when collected to only gives the number of bananas needed to reach the extra life.
Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll[]
In Super Monkey Ball: Touch & Roll, Regular bananas are worth 1000 points and banana bunches are worth 5000 points (and 5 regular bananas). To get an extra life you need to collect 10 bananas.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz (HD) and Step & Roll[]
In Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz (HD) and Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll, regular bananas are worth 100 points, and banana bunches are worth 1000 points (and 10 bananas). Every 20 bananas you collect gives you an extra life.
Super Monkey Ball 3D and Banana Splitz[]
In Super Monkey Ball 3D and Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz, regular bananas are worth 100 points, and banana bunches are worth 1000 points (and 10 bananas). Every 30 bananas you collect gives you an extra life.
In Monkey Fight from 3D, Bananas are the measurement used to determine the winner. One banana equals 1 point, and a banana bunch is worth 10 points. Bananas can be received either by hitting an opponent or by some blasts thrown out at various times. Bananas are lost when you are hit, shaken, or fall out of bounds.