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[Odoul]

This is the first PS/N64 game I've played in about 5 years.

Not nearly as outdated as I thought it was gonna be. Graphics are actually pretty clean.

The gameplay is fun, but it still has those quirks of platformers just figuring 3d out like jumping with the R1 button and using the d-pad for the camera. I assume 2 and 3 iron these out.

It actually reminds me of a very early Ratchet and Clank. It would be nice to see an entry in this series with the visuals of ToD.


PS I borrowed the three main games from my brother, are the ones on PSP worth it? They just seem kinda throwaway.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

PS I borrowed the three main games from my brother, are the ones on PSP worth it? They just seem kinda throwaway.

Nooo! They're awful.

 

[Bukana]

I thought it was owned by SONY, wit was released on N64, weird.

 

[Red UFO]

Was this the game that Dual Shock launched with? I remember all the items used the right stick in some kind of gimmicky way, I loved it.

 

[5amshift]

Was this the game that Dual Shock launched with? I remember all the items used the right stick in some kind of gimmicky way, I loved it.

Yeah, one of the first Playstation games to use it.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

I thought it was owned by SONY, wit was released on N64, weird.

It was never on the N64.

 

[Dice]

Yeah, it was so good. Saving your best times was genius. I loved that in this and Crash Warped.

 

[Urban Scholar]

I personally can't go a year without taking Jake's ass to school.

 

[The Lamp]

I loved the dualshock control scheme. If Skyward Sword used the sword like Ape Escape used the items on the analog stick, we wouldn't have needed WiiMotion+

 

[sixteen-bit]

I think I first played AE1 in 2003. It was still fun then. Glad it holds up now.

 

[StarEye]

I remember absolutely loving this game back in the days. It also didn't just support the dual shock, it actually REQUIRED one to play. Hence, it's not really playable on the PSP, but hopefully the PSVita will rectify that.

 

[Lambtron]

Ape Escape was a great, great game. I absolutely adored a lot of Sony's first/second party output in the PSX & earlier PS2 era. Ape Escape, PaRappa/Lammy, Intelligent Qube, Xi, Jumping Flash... A lot of really light hearted, fun games. I've been pretty disappointed in their output the last several years with some notable exceptions. It sucks.

 

[PaulLFC]

Ape Escape was an amazing, amazing game. I hope they make another proper entry in the series at some point.

 

[PetriP-TNT]

Great game, really pioneered the way dual sticks should be used and still many games don't get it right. Also the monkey space shooter minigame and boxing are hilarious!

Would be the perfect move game but Sony is totally lost with Move and the series. Railshooter??? SERIOUSLY? DUMBASSES. It was your chance to finally have an AAA Move title.

 

[Graphics Horse]

The gameplay is fun, but it still has those quirks of platformers just figuring 3d out like jumping with the R1 button and using the d-pad for the camera. I assume 2 and 3 iron these out.

Thankfully they stay the same. It's not a game that begs for constant manual camera adjustment. And you shouldn't want to be jumping with a face button while needing the right stick to attack, despite how many games use that stupid setup!

Great game, love it when you start finding monkeys riding around in mechs.
Must have spent ages on that monkey shooter with the inflating pigs.

 

[Takao]

I want a new Ape Escape game Sorny.

A real one, no mini-game bullshit.

 

[Ra1den]

I love the outer space flying saucer shooting mini game. I played that so much.

 

[Teknoman]

The soundtrack is really underrated too. At least I never hear anyone bring it up when talking about soundtracks. 2 was cool with the around the world/ Monkey 5, but 3 felt like a little much.

 

[Darkest_Templar]

I was so sure that they were gonna release the original as a PS1 classic in NA timed with the release of new move title. Before it even could happen (which it didn't) I couldn't wait and went ahead and just bought the retail version again.

Awesome classic 3d platorming!

 

[Tagg9]

Played the original game to death on PSX. Awesome, awesome game from Sony's Japan studios.

 

[dallow_bg]

Game blew my mind as a kid.

 

[The Return of]

Yup, I played the original my first time just last year. I really enjoyed it a lot.

 

[BeEatNU]

did they release it from psn?

 

[TheSeks]

Was this the game that Dual Shock launched with? I remember all the items used the right stick in some kind of gimmicky way, I loved it.

No about a year later. But it was one of the first to use the dual-stick/right-stick in a major way.

 

[- J - D -]

I effing love this series. Even the PSP one and at least one of the PS2 sequels.

 

[Allonym]

The soundtrack is really underrated too. At least I never hear anyone bring it up when talking about soundtracks. 2 was cool with the around the world/ Monkey 5, but 3 felt like a little much.

I always mention that game when it comes to music, it and Scott pilgrim have the best game music ever. Ape Escape os also my favorite game and what actually got me into gaming. Spike is the fucking monkey catching man!

 

[RockmanWhore]

Was this the game that Dual Shock launched with? I remember all the items used the right stick in some kind of gimmicky way, I loved it.

It didn't launch with the Dual Shock, but it's the first (and only?) game that required a dual shock. And yeah, it would be nice if Sony made a new Ape Escape platformer instead of some on rail shit

 

[davonaytor]

Gotta disagree. I played it again recently, thought the first (training level) looked great, but in later levels the draw distance really made me want to put it down

 

[nincompoop]

The original was a good game, but I had a hard time going back to it after Ape Escape 2. Everything's just so much smoother and more polished in that game.

I loved the dualshock control scheme. If Skyward Sword used the sword like Ape Escape used the items on the analog stick, we wouldn't have needed WiiMotion+

ha ha ha oh wow

 

[Mr Nightman]

first game that taught me the joysticks actually clicked straight down lol

 

[weekend_warrior]

The game basically invented dual stick controls for me. Before this the 2 sticks were basically worthless little penises on my controller, but after playing this I finally realized that they could be useful. This and Timespilters of course.

 

[Monroeski]

Saw this used at a bookstore recently. Thinking about going back to pick it up.

 

[Takao]

I effing love this series. Even the PSP one and at least one of the PS2 sequels.

There are so many PSP and PS2 entries we never got

I wanted to suck up monkey pants.

 

[Psxphile]

^ were any of those spin-off games any good?

I've only played the core three games (3 is my personal fave because of the cosplay component and choice between male and female protags) but I have a soft spot for the first one for getting me used to playing with the Dual Shock controller's twin sticks. I bought the original Playstation Analog controller when it first came out to replace one of my worn digital-only controllers... and didn't quite like the feel of the sticks (the top of the sticks had that inner bevel design instead of the rounded rubber top we're more familiar with) and so I rarely used them. It was also somewhat awkward for me to hold. The Dual Shock felt more natural in my hands (the added weight from the rumble motors helped a great deal).

 

[theviolenthero]

I actually like this game more than Super Mario 64.

 

[rollingstart]

The first PSP game is a remake/port of Ape Escape 1 similar to the recent Zelda OoT 3DS or StarFox. It updates the visuals to be closer to Dreamcast quality. Obviously only one analog stick, but it still worked fine. I enjoyed it. Didn't even know there were more on PSP!

Ape Escape 3 on PS2 is great. It's a shame to see the series fizz out. A new one on the Vita that uses the touch screens could be great. The initial quirk of the series was showcasing the dual analog sticks and what couldn't be done before (what's that about a PSP version again?)

 

[The Take Out Bandit]

Loved the soundtrack too!

Wish it would have been released on CD.

 

[Thores]

The original is probably my favorite PSX game. It was phenomenal when I played it as a kid, and it's aged really well. Huge shame the series hasn't had a full fledged update in recent years.

 

[Teknoman]

Time Station

Specter's Factory

Primordial Ooze

Dark Ruins

Welcome

Coral Cave

Snowy Mammoth

Sushi Temple

 

[Pietepiet]

Love all three of the main games. Hell, I loved 2 and 3 so much I got all Monkeys with both playable characters in both games.

Would love another proper Ape Escape platformer on PS3 or Vita. It's a shame that they started using this franchise for lame minigame compilations.

 

[ChryZ]

Check out ApeEscape3 on PCSX2, 4x aa + FXAA.

Still so much fun!

 

[Psxphile]

Check out ApeEscape3 on PCSX2, 4x aa + FXAA.

pics

Still so much fun!

Gorgeous. This game had a such a great aesthetic. I also enjoyed the various TV/Movie references of each world.

 

[BosSin]

I remember it being a really big deal as this was the first ever game that required input mainly from the analogue sticks

 

[bobbytkc]

only played the first.

the game was brimming with creative use of the controller. something you rarely see nowadays.

 

[sixteen-bit]

only played the first.

the game was brimming with creative use of the controller. something you rarely see nowadays.

Indeed.

I wonder how the hell the PSP port dealt with controls.

 

[HDRemake]

Yup. The first Ape Escape is still a ton of fun to revisit, and graphically it's still very easy on the eyes as well. Clean, anime-style 32-bit graphics ala Ape Escape and Mega Man Legends stand the test of time better than most games from those nascent days of 3D rendering.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Holds up good if not better than Mario 64.

And yes, the soundtrack is very good. I play it for my son to this day. He loves the one main jungle theme.

 

[ChryZ]

It's a shame that they never bothered to release Million Monkeys outside of Japan:

 

[Night_Trekker]

I love it when people are surprised older games are still fun. Yeah... the game didn't change!

Anyway, Ape Escape is one of Sony's best properties, IMO. The first game will always be one of my most treasured PS1 titles. It's flat out inspired (in terms of gameplay and game design). I don't think any of the later PS2 games really stand out as brilliant the way the first game does, but they're still fantastic.

EDIT: Holy shit @ Million Monkeys. Looks great!

 

[Diddy Kong]

I remember getting it for the first PSP, it was pretty awesome