History VideoGame / ApeEscape

[[caption-width-right:300:Your job is to catch some monkeys. [[WithThisHerring Here's a net]]. [[LamePun Go bananas.]]]]

* FrickinLaserBeams: Some monkeys carry laser blasters with them. Most notable in the first and third games.

* SandboxMode: Free play mode, which gives you infinite lives in a level, allowing you to explore at your leisure.

The series has two main gimmicks. The first is that you have a huge variety of gadgets and gizmos at your disposal, all of which are activated and controlled using the right analog stick. Instead of using the face buttons to jump and interact with the environment, the buttons are instead used to equip multiple gadgets at once, and the ''triggers'' are used for jumping instead. This gives the series a unique feel, as each gadget interacts with the right stick in a unique way- you can swing the Net vertically or horizontally for instance, while the Monkey Radar needs to be rotated in a circle in order to locate the nearest monkey. The second are the titular monkeys, which act as this game's [[VideoGame/SuperMario64 Stars]] or [[VideoGame/BanjoKazooie Jiggies.]] Unlike those two games, the monkeys in this game are fully sentient ''enemies'', and will actually run away if you approach. There are also numerous types of monkeys, each of which has a different type of behavior. Some will run, but others will stay and fight, while others might choose to pilot vehicles to escape from you, and so on. Often, the challenge is less based around finding the monkeys, and more about putting them into situations where they become easily catchable, meaning the series has more of a puzzle bent to it than it's contemporaries.

* ContinuityReboot: The [=PlayStation=] Move ''Ape Escape'' has a completely new story. The main character is a teenager HeroicMime and his two sisters capturing monkeys from space, while looking for their grandmother too. The overall style underwent an ArtShift (although the monkeys themselves remain the same). The only returning character is Specter, and his backstory has been completely changed from a circus monkey corrupted by a intelligence boosting helmet [[spoiler: to an already intelligent WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds after being forcibly launched up into space.]] While not horrible, most fans are hoping it doesn't stick.

* DiscOneFinalDungeon: Pulled ''thrice'' in the first game. The first time is Crumbling Castle (see "WhamEpisode" below). When you return to the present, you then have to deal with TV Tower, which is merely a front for Specter Land. In ''2'', you make it to Code C.H.I.M.P after defeating Red Monkey, only for Giant Yellow Monkey to crash the party, forcing Specter to retreat. You ''do'' get to confront Specter one level later on the Moon Base though. There's also the end of [[spoiler: Specter Land: Monkey Madness. After this, you have to go back and capture all the remaining monkeys before the true final boss.]]

** Grandma ([[spoiler: Haru]]) seems to be a expy of Aki, and a DistaffCounterpart to the Professor.

* TheManBehindTheMan: [[spoiler: The ending of the [=PlayStation=] Move game implies that the monkeys (who were descended from monkeys launched into space and eventually evolved and devolved into their current state) were behind the invasion of Earth on their own free will, not Specter's. They decide life is boring without him and invade Earth again and kidnap him.]]

* MiniMecha: The third game has an angel robot which the protagonists use in certain levels, including [[spoiler: the battle with Doctor Tomoki in the third game, which pits your mecha against his.]]. Unfortunately, the turtle carrier was only used in the final level... as a platform.

-->'''Specter''': "Come on now, surely you can't refuse the chance to be ruled by superior beings?!"
-->'''Jimmy''': "You got us wrong. You don't know anything about us..."
-->'''Specter''': "What?!"
-->'''Jimmy''': "Humans never stop trying! That's what gives us a future! We'll never give into the likes of you!"
-->'''Specter''': "Give up - you don't stand a chance."
-->(''dramatic staredown as Specter prepares to activate the Lethargy Laser'')
--> '''Jimmy''': "Yaaaah!! [[SayMyName Specteerrrr!!!]] Gotchaaa!!" (''catches Specter'')
--> '''Specter''': "Gyaaahh!! [[BigNo Nooo!!]] I was so close...!!"

* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: ''Pipotchi''. Specter, when he's not under the influence of the Peak Point Helmet, is also quite adorable and huggable. He also looks like this in the [=PlayStation=] Move title, due to the ArtShift [[spoiler: and being TheWoobie.]]

* SequelHook: [[spoiler: At the end of the [=PlayStation=] Move game, the Space!Monkeys return to Earth and kidnap Specter. Tsukushi and Tohko inform tell their brother to go and rescue him.]]

** When [[spoiler: Natsumi and the Professor are kidnapped atop TV Tower.]]

* WidgetSeries: The series is about catching monkeys in brightly flashing helmets in nets, whether it be following [[TimeTravel them through time]], around the world or even [[spoiler: into space]], or [[TrappedInTVLand chasing them into parodies of famous TV programs and stories.]] Even then, the game makes no attempt to hide the fact that it's based in Japan, with Japan-based levels, gadgets, and even characters popping up frequently in all the games.
* WithThisHerring: Throughout the series, the protagonist usually has equipment that's mostly non-lethal (The [[SetSwordsToStun Stun-Club]] being their main tool in that regard) or are souped up versions of children's toys (one of which is flat out a slingshot. Granted, it's a slingshot that can shoot explosive ammo, but still.) That does not stop them from accomplishing such feats as beating flying fortresses, {{Giant Mecha}}s, or even [[spoiler: [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever giant, banana steroid fueled monkeys]]]] without much trouble.

The series is notable for its control scheme, where the [=PlayStation=]'s symbol buttons change your myriad gadgets and the right analog stick uses them (also, R1 and R2 are used to jump).

* BonusBoss: There are two secret monkeys in ''Ape Escape 2'' that only appear after completing the game and capturing all the monkeys in their respective levels. One is dressed in [[Disney/{{Fantasia}} Mickey Mouse's Sorcerer's Apprentice getup]] and summons hordes of enemies while teleporting around the area, and the other is a cyborg who is faster than the other cyborg monkeys, more powerful than them, and takes several hits from [[InfinityPlusOneSword the Magic Punch]] before the suit is destroyed.

** The second game has plenty of monkeys named after Franchise/StarWars characters on [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon the Moon Base]], one of whom is frozen in carbonite (strangely, this monkey is called [[{{Series/RedDwarf}} Lister]] - there ''is'' another monkey called Han, who is found earlier in the same level). The same game also has a wizard wearing [[Disney/{{Fantasia}} Mickey Mouse's Sorcerer outfit]] and [[Franchise/DragonBall a monkey called Goku]] FlyingOnACloud and attacking with a pole.

* TropicalIslandAdventures: Oceana in the first game, The Blue Baboon in the second game and Eversummer Island in the third game.

All three main games are about an EvilAlbino monkey named Specter who suddenly gains super-intelligence through a hapless professor's [[HatOfPower intelligence-increasing helmet]], who proceeds to [[HilarityEnsues put said helmets on every other monkey in a monkey enclosure and teleport them all over the place]]. Your character's task is to...well, [[GottaCatchThemAll catch them all]].

* EvilAlbino: Specter. [[spoiler: Subverted in the [=PlayStation=] Move game. See The Woobie below.]]

* LighterAndSofter: Ape Escape 3, as well as the aforementioned anime.

** ''Ape Escape 3'' features a level that takes place in a hot spring. Depending on if the player picked Kei or Yumi, they can only enter the male or female section of the hot spring through the doors. In the male section, there is a monkey that is attempting to climb up a wall, likely wanting to sneak a peek at the girl monkeys. And you have to jump over the wall in order to catch all of the level's monkeys.

** ''Ape Escape 3'' features a level that takes place in a hot spring. Depending on if the player picked Kei or Yumi, they can only enter the male or female section of the hot spring. In the male section, there is a monkey that is attempting to climb up a wall, likely wanting to sneak a peek at the girl monkeys.

Your characters change from game to game, starting with a guy named Spike/Kakeru, then going to a kid named Jimmy/Hikaru, then your choice of two characters Kei and Yumi (NA)/Satoru and Sayaka (PAL) in ''3'', and a nameless HeroicMime in the [=PlayStation=] Move game. Also, starting from ''Ape Escape 2'', the game's QuirkyMinibossSquad, the Freaky Monkey Five, shows up, monkeys that have been fed the power-boosting [[GRatedDrug Vita-Z Banana]] and making them go completely insane.

* AllUpToYou: Most of the games.

* QuirkyMinibossSquad: The Freaky Monkey Five.

* RedEyesTakeWarning: Specter. Also, Jake when under the influence of Specter.
* ReferenceOverdosed: The monkeys' names and descrptions are absolutely chock-full of references to different medias.

** ''Ape Escape 3'' features a ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' minigame, while the [=PS2=] versions of ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' features a ''Ape Escape'' minigine.

* TimeTravel: You do this for all of the levels in the first game.

** The wham episode of the third game happens twice: first is during the intro of the game, explaining why the new protagonists have to do what to do, while the second explains a certain villians past.

* WidgetSeries: The series is about catching monkeys in brightly flashing helmets in nets, whether it be following [[TimeTravel them through time]], around the world or even [[spoiler: into space]], or [[TrappedInTVLand chasing them into parodies of famous TV programs and stories.]] Even then, the game makes no attempt to hide the fact that it's based in Japan, with Japan based levels, gadgets, and even characters popping up frequently in all the games.

* WombLevel: Dexter's Island.

** The second game has plenty of monkeys named after Franchise/StarWars characters on [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon the Moon Base]], one of whom is frozen in carbonite. The same game also has a wizard wearing [[Disney/{{Fantasia}} Mickey Mouse's Sorcerer outfit]] and [[Franchise/DragonBall a monkey called Goku]] FlyingOnACloud and attacking with a pole.

''Ape Escape'' is a series of 3D {{Platform Game}}s and proof that EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys. It is known as ''Saru! Get You!'' in Japan.

* FiveManBand: The Freaky Monkey Five, in addition to being the QuirkyMinibossSquad. They fit this more than the FiveBadBand, for some reason.
** TheHero: Monkey Red.
** TheLancer: Monkey Blue.
** TheBigGuy: Monkey Yellow.
** TheSmartGuy: Monkey White.
** TheChick: Monkey Pink.