Ape Escape® Franchise Overview

Ape Escape was the first instalment in this world renowned series, released in Japan back in June of 1999, on the original PlayStation®. This was the first-ever analog stick-based action game, a feature which made it possible to feel a direct sense of control over the hero's antics.

Ape Escape was soon widely applauded by action game users, and its unique concept surrounding the capture of monkeys gained much attention. The Japanese title Saru Getchu ("Gotcha Monkey") alone served to communicate the game's theme and helped further to raise the popularity of the game. The silly, mischievous nature of the unforgettable monkeys that appear in the game gained wide appeal amongst a young fan base.

In 2001, Piposaru 2001 (Pipo-Monkey 2001) was released in Japan on PlayStation 2. This very unusual game, in which you are charged with the task of collecting the monkeys' soiled pants, once again captured the attention of players.

In 2002, the sequel to Ape Escape was released in the form of Ape Escape 2 (PlayStation 2), a great step-up from the original in terms of depth and action.

Monkey EyeToy (titled EyeToy®: Monkey Mania in Europe), for use with the EyeToy® USB Camera for PlayStation 2, was released in early 2005.

The sneaky little monkey's have even made it on to PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable), with the release of Ape Academy to coincide with the PSP™ European launch. With such an array of titles released in the Ape Escape portfolio, the monkeys soon became mascots for Sony Computer Entertainment. The monkey fun doesn't stop there! Ape Escape 3 on PlayStation 2, and Ape Escape on PSP™, due for release in Europe in early 2006, will deliver more powerful characters, hundreds of monkeys to catch and lots of new weapons, offering countless hours of enjoyment for even the most die-hard action game fans.

Source:

Press release (30th November 2005)

Ape Escape® 3

Game Overview

Ape Escape 3 continues to expand upon the core theme of the Ape Escape series: capturing monkeys. While remaining faithful to the originality of this hit franchise, Ape Escape 3 promises to bring further improvements to the Ape Escape series.

Packed with more content than any previous Ape Escape titles, Ape Escape 3 has a full 28 stages (136 total areas, compared with 84 for the previous installment) and tons of mini games.

Boasting over 430 monkeys to capture, Ape Escape 3 calls upon the skills of veteran monkey-catchers Satoru and Sayaka who both feature as playable characters. In addition, our heroes now have a wardrobe of super-powered costumes to choose from, each with new powers and abilities. Choose from seven different get-ups, depending on the situation - use Sayaka's Cowgirl outfit to dispense hot leaden justice from your twin six-shooters, or give the monkeys a medieval kicking with Satoru's knight armour, complete with shield and lance.

Monkey characters are more spectacular than ever!

Witness the monkeys as they imitate your favorite characters! These playful and funny monkeys are a barrel of laughs to watch! Children and adults alike will be delighted by the antics of these mischievous little characters!

As a new feature for this installment, the monkeys get angry and counter-attack! These apes aren't immune to frustration, and they aren't afraid to show it! They'll snatch your gadgets, they'll provoke you into battle and they'll attack! They may even capture you for a change!

The conflicts with these irksome monkeys have escalated to dramatic heights, a dead cert for a more spectacular Ape Escape experience than ever before!

The monkeys are more powerful than ever when they are on TV!

In their latest escapade, the monkeys take over the world's TV broadcasting stations and begin airing non-stop monkey silliness. To make matters worse, the unfortunate people across the world who watch these maniacal monkey programmes are paralysed in lethargy at its utter insipidness! Your familiar friends Kakeru, Hikaru, and even the Professor were immobilised after being lured in by the monkey programming.

Who could be behind such an utterly brainless media phenomenon? You've guessed it! The white monkey boss, Specter! This ultra-intelligent monkey whose IQ surpasses the better half of humankind, is planning to dominate the world by lulling its people into utter lethargy with his unique brand of excessively dull television.

You can bet that Specter's faithful monkeys are more behind his dastardly plan than ever! Dozens of monkeys have stepped up to the task, volunteering as directors, camera-monkeys, audio engineers, and reporters to create an ongoing flow of on-air silliness. With these monkeys in charge, the show's stupidity is hardly a surprise.

There are even monkeys who have filled the shoes of actors and actresses. Some are so determined to fill their roles that their abilities have developed amazingly, although some have developed rather useless abilities, as well!

As the chimps push their dramatic skills to the limit nothing is safe from simian spoofery as the Apes rip off everything including hockey-mask-wearing, chainsaw-wielding horror icons, arachnid-powered superheroes and even black helmeted sci-fi villains!

Our heroes, armed with new gadgets, vehicles and powered-up costumes, are prepared to do whatever it takes to capture these extra powerful monkeys!

Source:

Press release (30th November 2005)

GO APE!

MONKEYS IN SHOCK TELLY TAKEOVER!

Specter, the evil monkey genius, is up to his old tricks again. With an army of apes, he has ambushed the airwaves, hypnotising all and sundry with treacherous TV transmissions and terrible movie remakes! Someone needs to pull the plug!* The ultimate monkey catching adventure - over 300 cheeky chimps to nab * Super-powered costumes and awesome vehicles to collect * Chock full of barmy film spoofs and unlockable bonuses * Make your very own monkey movies in the Simian Cinema Exclusive unlockable game - Mesal Gear Solid! Solid Snake has been captured and the only thing that can save him is one ultra-sneaky monkey!

Source:

Back of Case - PlayStation 2 (Australia)

A barrel full of 430 apes and a ton of monkey minigames.

The Ape Escape monkeys have taken over television broadcasting stations around the
globe and are beaming non-stop silliness into our TVs. Our only hope from induced lethargy
in front of the idiot box, are veteran monkey-catchers Satoru and Sayaka.

Packed with more content than ever before, Ape Escape 3 has a full 28 stages across 136
areas and more mini games than you can shake a banana at. Satoru and Sayaka each
have a new wardrobe of seven super-powered costumes to choose from - use Sayaka's
Cowgirl outfit to dispense hot leaden justice from your twin six-shooters, or give the
monkeys a medieval kicking with Satoru's knight armour.

This time though there is one major difference to the monkeys you're dealing with - they get
angry and counter-attack! These apes aren't immune to frustration, and they aren't afraid to
show it. They'll snatch your gadgets, they'll provoke you into battle and they'll attack. They
may even capture you for a change!

• Boasting over 430 monkeys to capture or be captured by
• 28 stages over 136 areas (compared with 84 for the previous instalment) and tons of
  mini games
• Seven super-powered costumes to choose from, each with new powers and abilities

Source:

uk.playstation.com

Help us stop this primate prime time invasion!

Under Specter's command, the mischievous monkeys are taking control of your television and airing programming that will cloud the mind of anyone who watches.

Specter and the monkeys are back and determined to rule the world!

Source:

Back of Keep Case - PlayStation 2 (United States)