Ape Escape Academy

by Sony

Product Features

• The Ape Escape franchise, made popular on the PlayStation game console and PlayStation 2, expands the series as it debuts a collection of original mini-games
• As one of the first party games available on PSP, Ape Escape Academy introduces the franchise with a whole new twist while retaining the fun and frenetic flavor of the Ape Escape franchise
• Compete in more than 40 mini-games including hockey, golf, dodge ball, karate and more, with a huge variety of game styles, each overflowing with frantic fun and wacky-humor
• Featuring Wi-Fi wireless LAN (Ad Hoc) connectivity, up to four players with a PSP and the game can challenge each otherUnique Tic-Tac-Toe style interface provides distinctive and unique game progression

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009I95TA
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 8, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,414 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #94 in Video Games > Sony PSP > Action
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Specter has failed over and over again in his attempts at taking over the world, all because of a few bungling monkeys. To rectify his problem, he decides to form the Ape Escape Academy, where he, serving as principal, will train monkeys to follow his will. Join Specter and his friends at the Ape Escape Academy and see if you can be the best monkey you can be.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the best game out there, January 28, 2006

By 

S. Rhodes - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ape Escape Academy (Video Game)

But not the worst. This is my first venture into the world of Ape Escape, and I can't say it was horrible, but not particularly interesting. This is a bunch of mini-games where you're at an academy trying to advance on to the next grade level. Each "Grade Level" consists of nine mini games you'll have to play through. The games are randomly generated.

I suppose what I had trouble with with this game was getting the required lines to graduate. If there's a moment where you just know you're not going to do it, you can't just start over. Which annoyed the hell out of me.

The mini games are simple puzzles. Memory games and reflexes mostly. They're predictable and rather stale. You'll also find games like soccer, hockey and the like. Most games are self explanatory, but when you come across a game that you just don't know what to do, the game does a really bad job of explaining what you need to do.

You're invited to play through grades and such again for statues, but that's really it. Which is also pretty annoying. What? No unlockable secrets? Just a statue that's not really worth anything other than bragging rights? Likewise, single player mode is incredibly short, and that's bad. It wouldn't be as grueling if the load times weren't bad as well. These load times can take up to a minute. Most of these puzzles and mini games probably won't take you nearly as long as it takes the game to load.

Visually it looks alright. It's very vibrant and colorful and it's probably the only good thing about the game. Well, that and you can play with three other friends off one UMD. However, the music is annoying, and the game just all out isn't fun. A kid might get some enjoyment out of it, but not someone who is actually expecting a decent game. I hear the platform Ape Escapes are pretty good, and I'll try those out as well. However, I can't help but admit that this game is just not all that great.

So save your money. If you must have this game, wait for a price drop or something. Forty dollars for a game that you'll probably only spend an hour playing (and maybe forty of those minutes will be load times) isn't worthwhile. After completing these mini-games there's nothing that makes you want to play it again. That's a problem. So don't waste your hard earned cash on this thing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun for all ages, December 3, 2008

By 

J. Ream "getalonglittledoggie" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ape Escape Academy (Video Game)

Older guy rating a kids game so consider that with my review. This was a fun game. I recently finished it and I graduated from Ape Escape Academy! It has several games to play and most are fun and challenging. There are only two negative things I could say about the game. First, one of the games is totally dependent on chance with no skill involved. Two, the final level to graduate is totally based on fighting. I had hoped to challenge each of the teachers in the various games I had to play. None the less, I enjoyed the game and would recommend it to anyone that wants to go ape!

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MONKEY PARTY AT MY PLACE!, June 30, 2006

By 

S.L.J.C.O.A.A.A.T.R. "SCOTTY" (IN YOUR MOTHER'S STOMACH) - See all my reviews

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ape Escape Academy (Video Game)

I RECENTLY GOT A P.S.P. AND THIS IS MY FIRST GAME. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST SONY TRYING TO MAKE AN APE ESCAPE VERSION OF MARIO PARTY.I WAS WRONG...WAY WRONG! IN A WAY IT IS THOUGH. IT'S FILLED WITH APEISH MINI-GAMES. MY MOM AND HER FRIENDS ARE HOOKED ON IT. WE ALL TAKE TURNS PLAYING.IN ACADEMY MODE(STORY MODE)YOU MUST PLAY NINE MINI-GAMES AND PASS A CERTAIN # TO PASS AND REACH THE NEXT GRADE. I'M STUCK ON UKKI WHITE'S GRADE 4.
I ENJOY THIS GAME ALOT SO LATER!