10 Best Games That Let You Play As A Monkey, Ranked

Highlights

• Playing as a monkey in games offers a fresh dynamic to gameplay, challenging players in surprising and engaging ways.
• Characters like Wukong in League of Legends capture the essence of the Monkey King, with traits like trickery and combat prowess.
• Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania provides guaranteed fun with friends, offering a lighthearted party game experience with adorable monkeys.

In many games, players are usually given the option to play as humans or other fantastic creatures such as elves, dwarves, or even supernatural beings. However, for those seeking a more unconventional experience, some games allow players to take on the role of a monkey.

The possibility of playing as a primate opens up a range of creative opportunities, from platforming gameplay to epic adventures inspired by mythology. This not only offers a new dynamic in gameplay but also allows players to interact with new characters, challenging them in surprising and engaging ways.

10 League Of Legends

A Common Character In Many MOBAs

The Chinese myth of the Monkey King is one of the most well-known in Chinese folklore, inspiring many characters across different media, particularly MOBAs. In League of Legends, players can take control of Wukong, a character based on said mythology.

Compared to the legendary figure, League of Legends’ Wukong retains the essence of the original character, with his trickery, agility, and strength faithfully adapted to the game. The ability to create clones and confuse enemies reflects the mischievous spirit of the Monkey King, while his combat skills capture the martial prowess that made Wukong one of the most iconic characters of Chinese mythology.

9 Overwatch 2

Winston Is A Tank In This Blizzard Game

In Blizzard’s hero shooter Overwatch 2, players can take control of a monkey character, Winston. According to the game’s lore, he is a genetically modified gorilla, possessing a brilliant mind and serving as a defender of humanity, combining physical strength with intelligence to be one of the tanks available in the game.

Created to explore the adaptability of primates in space, the character exceeded the scientists’ expectations. Over time, Winston developed an admiration for humanity’s ideals, joining the Overwatch initiative to use his abilities for justice and to protect the innocent.

8 Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania

Guaranteed Fun With Friends

While monkey adaptations in video games are often associated with MOBAs or the Wukong myth, Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania breaks away from these elements, offering players a fun party game. Here, players control adorable monkeys in spheres, rolling through tracks filled with challenges and surprises.

The fun of the game lies in its accessible and addictive gameplay, which gets even better when enjoyed with others. With colorful graphics and an exciting soundtrack, Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania guarantees moments of joy and laughter, whether playing solo or competing with friends, making it an essential experience for those seeking lighthearted fun.

7 Bloons TD 6

One Of The Most Fun Tower Defenses

For players who don’t just want to control one monkey but a variety of them to defend their territory, Bloons TD 6 is an excellent option. In this game, the main goal is to pop waves of bloons before they cross the map, but to do so, a bit of strategy is necessary.

The units deployed by players are all monkey-inspired, with each type of monkey possessing specific abilities that can be enhanced throughout the game. The variety of available characters, combined with dynamic and fast-paced gameplay, makes Bloons TD 6 an addictive game.

6 Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

Exploring The Origins Of Humanity

Although not inspired by mythical stories, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a fun game that allows players to control monkeys in their quest to survive in the world more than 10 million years ago. The most interesting aspect is that, during the journey, players must control multiple generations of characters, benefiting from evolution.

Moreover, as players swing from branch to branch in search of food or other resources for survival, they will explore beautiful yet unforgiving environments. With each new discovery, the sense of immersion intensifies, allowing players to feel the evolution of humanity and the struggle for survival in a wild world.

5 Ape Out

A Violent Frenzy In Search Of Freedom

Ape Out is one of the most creative games ever produced with a monkey as the protagonist. Violent and frenetic, the game places players in the role of a primate trying to escape captivity in search of freedom. However, this won’t be an easy task, requiring an intelligent use of all available resources.

The game allows players to unleash the character’s primal instincts, using brute force to destroy captors. Furthermore, Ape Out stands out for its exceptional soundtrack, which adapts to the players’ actions during the escape, making the experience even more intense and engaging.

4 Starbound

Exploring New Worlds With The Apex

In Starbound, players have the unique opportunity to control the Apex, one of the game’s most intriguing races. The Apex were originally human but underwent a transformation that left them with a simian appearance while their intellectual capacities were enhanced.

Thus, those interested in exploring the galaxy with this intriguing race will find Starbound to be an ideal option. The game offers a rich blend of exploration, crafting, and combat, allowing for deep immersion in its vast universe, and the Apex’s unique lore and advanced technology add an extra layer of depth to the gameplay experience.

3 Injustice 2

Primal Rage And Intelligence

Gorilla Grodd is one of the most well-known villains ever created by DC and makes an appearance in Injustice 2, a fighting game that brings together various heroes and villains from the company. Thus, players can control the character who, in the game’s storyline, seeks to defeat the Justice League and seize power.

During battles, the character combines devastating physical attacks with mental manipulation to dominate opponents. So, in addition to being a central figure in Injustice 2’s story, Gorilla Grodd also offers fighting game fans an intense combat experience.

2 Black Myth: Wukong

One Of The Biggest Releases Of 2024

Also inspired by the Sun Wukong myth, Black Myth: Wukong is a dark fantasy action RPG that places players in the role of a character inspired by the Monkey King, pitting them up against various challenges. Players will control this monkey as they explore the game’s maps, seeking to unravel the world’s mysteries.

The game spectacularly recreates the character, offering players the chance to experience the myth of “Journey to the West” with Wukong, brimming with agility, strength, and combat mastery.

1 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

One Of Nintendo’s Most Important Franchises

The characters from the Donkey Kong franchise are among Nintendo’s most charismatic, and the family of apes has many great games, but Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze stands out as one of the best. This title in the series heavily appeals to gamers’ nostalgia, bringing back classic characters and retro gameplay.

While it resembles the SNES classics in many ways, Tropical Freeze also features modern gameplay, entertaining players with challenging but fair obstacles. The game also boasts a colorful and vibrant art style, making the experience of playing it one of the most enjoyable on the Switch for fans of platforming.