Ape Escape

According to ESRB, this game contains: Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor

Somehow I managed to miss out on the whole Ape Escape thing. I was always aware that the series existed, but beyond that basic awareness, I didn't have any feelings towards it one way or the other. I wasn't even sure whether the fact that the titular apes were escaping was supposed to be a good or bad thing.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor

Making a name for itself by being the first game designed for use with the then-new concept of dual analog sticks, Ape Escape has never truly been at the forefront of platforming action. Take away the newness of its features (or just take away the dual sticks, as the PSP re-release of Ape Escape has) and what's left is an uninspired effort that can't hang with the big boys of the genre.

I'm not going dispute Dale or anyone else about how innovative the control scheme is. Ape Escape brilliantly incorporates the Dual Shock controller much the same way Super Mario 64 did with the Nintendo 64 controller, but my praise ends there.

So here we are with an analog controller with TWO joysticks and a built-in rumble (they call it "vibration") support and a new 3D platformer called Ape Escape. The game was supposed to be launched with the new controller but instead got delayed, so Sony bundled it with the new PlayStation systems and hoped for the best. So here we are half a year later with Ape Escape in hand.

Game Description: In a genre that often lacks originality, Ape Escape shines, as it is one of the most innovative games ever to grace the PlayStation console. Ape Escape is an adventure platformer like no other before it. Your goal is to try to capture as many apes as possible throughout the various levels. Offering some of the best controls ever, Ape Escape utilizes every button and stick on the PlayStation controller. However, don’t think you’ll be getting through this game in a breeze, as many of the levels pose a great challenge.