Ape Escape On The Loose PSP

by Sony

Product Features

• Capture over 200 Monkeys
• Eight different worlds
• Over 20 levels
• Single-player and Multiplayer via Wireless connection

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007TFLMG
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches ; 3 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 8, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,317 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #10 in Video Games > Sony PSP > Action
  • #40 in Video Games > Sony PSP > All Games
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The madness begins with Spike’s pursuit of Specter and hundreds of zany monkeys intent on changing the world. The chimps are on the loose and must be stopped! Go bananas over all-new mini-games like snowboarding, boxing, racing, and ping pong. There's no time for hangin' around--these monkeys mean business!

Based on the popular Ape Escape series, this imaginative game provides players the challenge of capturing more than 200 monkeys in eight vibrant worlds spanning across more than 20 levels in order to prevent them from changing history!

Features:

• Capture 200 monkeys in eight different worlds
• Play through more than 20 levels
• Single-player platform action
• Multiple players via a Wireless multiplayer connectivity

Product Description

The madness begins with Spike's pursuit of Specter and a ton of zany monkeys intent on changing the world. The monkeys are on the loose and they must be stopped! Challenge your friends to thrilling mini-games like snowboarding, boxing, racing and ping pong, anytime, anywhere.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Let down by the PSP, July 6, 2005

By 

Lestor neeker Wong (Singapore) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ape Escape On The Loose PSP (Video Game)

One tends to wonder about the motivation behind Ape Escape. Someone at SCEA obviously believes that the idea of a boy running around catching monkeys makes a fun game. And who can say he's wrong? Despite its apparent quirkiness, Ape Escape: On the Loose, the latest offering from the Ape Escape series, is one of the most addictive games you'll ever find on the PSP.

If you're new to Ape Escape, you may be interested to know that the premise of the game is as simple as it can get. Monkey gets special helmet and becomes super villain. Said monkey hatches evil plan rule the world by sending monkeys (duh!) back to the beginning of time to replace humans as primary life form on Earth. Hero travels through time to deal with all these monkeys. It's not the most original story, but one that somehow worked very well for the PS2. To a certain extent, it also works for the PSP, albeit with limitations.

The gameplay is straightforward. You enter each level needing to conquer different worlds in it, much like the concept from Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. You'll be given a time limit to capture a number number of monkeys, using a number of gadgets along the way. Understandably, the challenge gets tougher as you progress, so don't be surprised if a game seemingly targeted at kids actually give you a hard time.

It doesn't help when the controls are somewhat clunky too. The original Ape Escape is a game that relies heavily on both the analog sticks on the controller. Specifically, the right analog stick activates your gadgets. We all know that the PSP has no right analog stick, so the gadgets buttons are now assigned to the triangle, square and circle buttons. Pressing a button will switch to the respective gadget. The problem is, while the analog stick allows you to swing your gadget in all directions, the buttons only allow you to swing straight ahead. As a result, you'll need to continuously align your directions before you swing the gadget. If you've played an Ape Escape game before, it'll take only a while before you get really frustrated, because even the simple act of netting a monkey now becomes insanely difficult.

Still, it's difficult not to like Ape Escape: On the Loose, simply because it's so different from others. In an industry suffocated by games that look like carbon copies of each other, Ape Escape is a refreshing air that brings back some nostalgia. Remember those days when you take on turtles and flying mushrooms? Ape Escape feels like that.

Of course, the presentation is also top-notch. The graphics are vibrant, with great details all round. The various renditions of monkeys appearing on your screen are amusing to say the least. The music is also lively, providing a nice tune that fits the game well enough as you continue to smash your buttons away. In short, the presentation of the game is everything you'd expect from paying a premium price for. It's for the same reason that gamers would find themselves hooked on the game despite its suspect controls.

Apart from the story mode, a series of mini-games are also included, but they are only available for multiplaying. This is obviously a move to "add value" for the buyer, since the PSP does support wireless gaming. Unfortunately, these games appear to be hurriedly developed, and are generally uninspiring. I'm thinking that most gamers will conveniently skip this part of the game, and concentrate on the main adventure instead.

In conclusion, Ape Escape: On the Loose is an acceptable effort in bringing the Ape Escape franchise onto the PSP. The graphics and sound effects are as good as you can expect, and even though the limitation of the PSP decreases the enjoyment level a little, the controls aren't bad enough to make you give up. If you're a fan of good old-fashioned platformers, you may just end up enjoying this monkey business.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 stars for an alright game, April 22, 2005

By 

Steve "Saber" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ape Escape On The Loose PSP (Video Game)

I recently purchesed Ape Escape On the Loose, at first from reading the reviews I was unsure if I should get it or not. But being a huge fan of the first and second for the ps1 and ps2, I had to try it.

The game itself is infact a copy of the first game, but i have no problem with it really because now I can take it on the go.

Someone before me stated that the graphics are alittle dated, and yes, I will say I've seen some better stuff on the demo CD. But the graphics themselves are now along the lines of AE2, and now the characters look more anime like (a plus to me) and the expressions are more clear.

The voices are now much more clear, not the best acting, but it sounds like they are putting more effort into the voices. Though, the voice for Spike has been changed but for the better IMO. He sounds more younger and the voice fits him better. As for the others, I think they have the actors from the first game doing the characters.

The controls, are what I had the most difficutly with.

Those who played the ps1 and 2 versons of AE know the controls;

triangle, square, circle, and X are used to select weapons.

Left hand joy stick to move Spike. Right hand stick to operate weapons. Right shift buttons to jump (took me awhile to get used to). Left shift buttons to shift view or go into close range.

The PSP control as we know has a different control layout which in the process messes with the controls that we used to know.

Now;

Only triangle, square, and circle are the only buttons you can use weapons with, while the X button is now the jump button.

Because of the absence of the right joy stick, you have to use your weapons by tapping the button the weapon is set to (square, circle, triangle). The left shift has the same use as before, but the right shift is now used to crawl.

Mini Games are still in here (along with Spector Coins) but one thing I like is how the games are a little touched up

*spoilers*

Like in the first game you had Skikids 2, now you got Snowboard kids 2, feels like playing SSX with the AE characters.

And Monkey Boxing is a little more addictive. So far, thats all the games I've unlocked.

And to make things more interesting, theres and extra mini game for 40 coins.

*end spoilers*

So, to rap this up, Ape Escape On the Loose is just like the first with no changes to the levels, aside from improved graphics. If you don't mind alot of loading times ( yes there is alot of loading) and the new controls this is a good buy, but I will agree, not worth $40 dollars. If you don't want to blow your money, or you can't wait for the price to drop than stick with the PS1 verson.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun but easy, December 26, 2005

A Kid's Review

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ape Escape On The Loose PSP (Video Game)

I have another ape escape game but the analog stick made it too easy. I finished it in 3 days (the ps2 version) this one took a month but I still thought it was easy. Most of the month I spent getting the extra stuff.