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A fact from Ape Escape (video game) appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 23 March 2016 (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:
Some reviews on IMDb and Amazon.co.uk ask the question, why did the monkeys time travel to so many points in time - if they simply travelled to the ancient past, surely that would make a change on the rest of the future?
The comments page is [1] - check for the one by DiscoPenguin
“
What I don't understand is why the monkeys had to be sent to five different periods. If one is re-written, wouldn't all the ones after it be different?
”
A resolution to this can be found in terms of understanding the structure of the game. The protagonist Spike is required to travel back from Ancient Past (Dinosaur times), slowly catching up with critical points in history around different eras and ages.
When playing the game, the first level is Ancient Plain. It could be understood that as each level (point in time) is cleared safely of monkeys (some need to be captured later on), the future is then restored to its original design. It could then be suggested that as Specter notices that history has changed back, he decides that if Spike has cleared that era, he should then find another point in time (slightly ahead in the future) where he can try to dispatch the monkeys again.
Thus the game could be perceived as a type of chase between Spike and Specter - after Spike manages to clear each era, Specter has another go to try and drop more monkeys. Then, Spike goes to that era (with the help of the Time Station, Natalie and the Professor) and clears them again, and so forth.
And to clear up, this would therefore suggest that once a level has been played for the first time, and Spike is returned to the Time Station, that any remaining monkeys (which can be captured if you enter the level a second time), for some reason, have not altered the future (at least not considerably beyond control). In some cases, monkeys are trapped or happy in these eras, so these "safe" monkeys do very little harm to affect the future. --rjcuk 09:32, 5 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]
However, after playing one of the first levels, Specter sends a transmission to the laboratory. He specifically says "Anyway, I'm going to send in my comrades and monsters to various periods to re-write the history of Earth! No longer will humans be the dominant species! I'm going to conquer the world! Don't try to stop me! I'm going to relentlessly attack whomever tries to get in my way!" This therefore suggests that Specter is not "in a race" with Spike, and that he plans to take over all of history in one go. --rjcuk 13:59, 5 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]
This section was previously removed by A Link to the Past at 06:01, 8 October 2006.
After Spike has been idle for roughly 30 seconds, a rendered automatic sequence will play. This involves Spike performing one of the following activities, which can be cancelled by simply making movement with the controller.
Spike can play with a yo-yo, listen to a stereo and headphones, use binoculars to look around, swing the Stun Club, swing the Time Net, do a handstand, put on some black sunglasses and look around, and lay down and sleep. There is roughly 30-second interval between these that play, and they do not appear to play in any order, hence they are randomly selected.
For anybody who even tries to change the characters sections' quotes, I want you to make sure you have checked the real thing! I have scanned the pages in the user manual and uploaded them here. Please do not make any further edits about this!
In a recent issue of Game Informer, it was said that this game was to use a special controller, but was delayed so it could use the DualShock instead. It'd be nice if someone could get some more info on this scrapped special controller and find a way to put it in the article. —Who else would it be? 03:44, 21 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Hmm. The link's been deleted. I think that we are going to have to live with the US version against the UK version unless someone uploads it again. Too bad. --rjcuk 14:25, 15 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Spike loves hanging around the Professor's laboratory to see what the old man might come up with next. When he learned that the professor had completed the construction of World's first Time machine, Spike couldn't wait to see it!
”
Spike is the older cousin of Jimmy/Hikari in the second. Spike goes in search of Jake/Buzz as both Jake/Buzz and Spike got separated in the Time machine, it's to him to bring him back. His hobby is spending time with his best friend Jake and his little cousin Jimmy.
The Professor (ハカセ Hakase):
Sex — Male
Age — 60.
Height — 170cm.
Weight — 80kg.
Ape Escape (Platinum) cover for UK release
“
Since he was a child, the Professor loved tinkering with gadgets. Now he's growing older and he tends to be a little careless, leaving his experiments lying around for anyone to stumble across. He relies on his granddaughter, Katie [Natalie], to make sure he doesn't get himself — or anyone else — into trouble. Though he's worried about Spike, he's secretly thrilled that the Time Station works!
”
Natsumi (ナツミ) / Natalie / Katie (UK):
Sex — Female
Age — 14.
Height — 155cm.
Weight — ?kg.
“
Katie [Natalie] lives with her grandfather and tries to keep him out of trouble. She's very impatient and her grandfather's untidiness annoys her, though not as much as Spike, who's always hanging around and getting in her way [but she is still friends with him]. She's brilliant with computers and both Spike and the Professor are relying on Katie [Natalie] to keep the Time Station working long enough for Spike to make it home safe.
”
She is in about every Ape Escape video game.
Charu / Casi:
Sex — Female
Age — ?
Height — ?cm
Weight — ?kg.
Casi is a computer girl created by the professor. She appears briefly as the player's instructor and at the start of every level tells the player how many monkeys you need to capture. She also briefly takes over from the Professor's Lab when the Professor and Natalie/Katie are kidnapped by Specter. She is not as pushy as Natalie/Katie.
Hiroki (ヒロキ) / Jake / Buzz (UK):
Sex — Male
Age — 10.
Height — 138cm.
Weight — 34kg.
“
Spike and Buzz [Jake] have always enjoyed a little good-natured rivalry, so it's not surprising that both of them wanted to be the first to use the Professor's Time Station. But while Spike tries to save the World from the monkeys, Buzz [Jake] is lost in the TimeVortex - where can he be? What has happened to him?
”
As it turns out he was hypnotized by the evil Specter, Buzz/Jake faces Spike as a boss character, and in many challenges through the game.
Specter (スペクター):
Sex — Male (presumably).
Age — 4 (human years).
Height — 125cm.
Weight — 28kg.
“
Specter used to live at the Circus where he'd keep people entertained by performing tricks and getting up to mischief. But this all changed when he found the Professor's Peak Point Helmet [and placed it upon his head]. He became hyper-intelligent — and evil! Now all he wants is to rule the World, and Spike must do everything he can to stop him!
”
He is an albino monkey, and his primary means of attack (when you finally get to face him) are giant robotic bodies, and strange blue energy that he propagates by touching his head.
{{spoiler}}Spike travels through various places in time, from the Dinosaur Ages to the Age of the Celestial Empire, in order to catch Specter's legion of apes. He also runs into Jake during his adventures, and must defeat him in bonus levels that basically involve racing to complete an obstacle course before his opponent.
Spike soon comes to the Present Day, where Specter and his monkey army have retreated due to their failed attempts to rewrite history. After defeating him at his factory, where he is trying to create more Peak Point Helmets, and the TV Tower, Specter creates a malevolent theme park, where he challenges Spike to find his imprisoned friends, the Professor and Natalie. Spike finds Jake along the way and defeats him in a final battle, then races to a large castle, which takes off into space. In a final effort, he traverses through the castle and Spike takes on Specter in his giant robot. Spike destroys the robot, but Specter escapes. The castle floats back down to Earth, where Spike is reunited with his friends...
...but the battle is not over yet. Specter is found again, hiding in a mysterious dimension called the Peak Point Matrix. After rounding up all the remaining monkeys, Spike travels there and engages Specter in a one-on-one final battle. Spike finishes the battle by catching the villain in the Time Net, ending his evil crusade.
These are the names of the levels and specific information about them. The first names are copied from the European release of the game (UK English) in Platinum release, the second names for the US release.
Please note that the amount of tokens recorded for the challenges with Buzz/Jake can only be awarded if the challenge is successfully completed (Spike wins).
No.
Level name
Age/Era
Tokens (60)
Monkeys to Clear/Total (204)
#1
Ancient Plain/Fossil Field
Prehistoric Era/The Lost Land
1
3/4
#2
Raining Lake/Primordial Ooze
Prehistoric Era/The Lost Land
1
4/6
#3
Dinosaur Valley/Molten Lava
Prehistoric Era/The Lost Land
1
4/7
#4
Jungle River/Thick Jungle
Cenozoic Era/Mysterious Age
4
6/14
#5
Dark Ruins
Cenozoic Era/Mysterious Age
4
6/13
#6
Cryptic Relics
Cenozoic Era/Mysterious Age
1
5/8
#7
Buzz Attack Part 1/Stadium Attack
Dimension/Dimension X
5
(None)
#8
Primitive Beach/Crabby Beach
Primitive Age/Oceana
1
5/8
#9
Primitive Ocean/Coral Cave
Primitive Age/Oceana
1
5/8
#10
Dexter's Island
Primitive Age/Oceana
3
6/11
#11
Frozen Ocean/Snowy Mammoth
Ice age/New Freezeland
1
5/6
#12
Icicle Cave/Frosty Retreat
Ice age/New Freezeland
3
6/9
#13
Monkey Hot Springs/Hot Springs
Ice age/New Freezeland
2
6/9
#14
Buzz Attack Part 2/Gladiator Attack
Dimension/Dimension X
5
(None)
#15
Tranquil Temple/Sushi Temple
Recent Past/Medieval Mayhem
3
6/12
#16
The Great Wall/Wabi Sabi Wall
Recent Past/Medieval Mayhem
3
8/10
#17
Trick Castle/Crumbling Castle
Recent Past/Medieval Mayhem
4
5/20
#18
Urban City/City Park
Present-Day/Futurama
3
8/13
#19
Specter's Factory
Present-Day/Futurama
2
7/10
#20
TV Tower
Present-Day/Futurama
2
7/12
#21
Specter Land/Monkey Madness
Present-Day 2/Specter Land
10
2/24
#22
Final Get/Peak Point Matrix
Dimension/Dimension X
(None)
(None)
Knight — A small knight who guards one of the doors in Specter's Crumbling Castle. When you defeat him the door is opened. Appears in: Crumbling Castle (Trick Castle)
Giant Knight — This giant knight attacks Spike with its sword. Appears In: Crumbling Castle (Trick Castle)
Specter's Ship — This time-travelling ship arms Specter with various heavy weapons including lasers, missiles and heat cannons. Appears In: TV Tower
Clown — A clown employed by Specter to keep the Professor hostage. Appears In: Specter Land
Jake (RC Car) — Jake uses an over-sized RC car to take on Spike. It attacks with missiles and launches mini RC cars. Appears in: Specter Land
Specter's Robot — A giant mech operated by Specter. Appears in: Specter Land
Specter — When you've captured all of the monkeys you have one last battle with Specter here. Appears in: Peak Point Matrix
Some monkeys can avoid being captured by either using their environments or by protecting themselves within objects. However, through the game, there are some other "creatures" that can be found wandering around, requiring a couple of attacks to reveal energy chips, cookies, bullets or sometimes a life. There are also some of these creatures that are stronger than others and can be categorised as minor bosses.
Monkeys
Dali — A monkey hiding inside a huge pod guarded by three tentacles. Once defeated, Spike can capture Dali. Appears In: Dexter's Island
Sade - A monkey hiding in a fire-breathing statue. Appears In: Dark Ruins
Robot suits - Found in Specter's Factory and Specter Land (in the castle), these robots can only be attacked from behind. They attack by speeding towards Spike, bashing through any boxes in the way. They contain a monkey which is temporarily stunned after the robot is destroyed.
In Specter's Factory, there is a monkey which can only be reached after travelling through many passages requiring the use of the RC car. This monkey is very sensitive and has flying bombs as a form of attack, and hence it is very difficult to catch.
In Jungle River, are monkeys that have concealed themselves inside a tree that has large bushes to use as a form of attack.
Some other monkeys conceal themselves in UFOs, in Mega-Punch breakable boxes, inside cages, inside animals or plants, or in traps such as igloos.
Also in Specter's Factory there is a monkey that hides in a cannon.
Other
Yellow robot - First found in Urban City (outside), this robot attacks with bombs and by spinning around on its axis. It can only be attacked when idle.
Purple robot - First found in Specter Land (inside castle), this robot attacks with twin laser cannons from its fists. It appears multiple times inside Specter's castle.
Green robot - First found in Specter Land (castle), this robot attacks using rocket launchers, a machine gun and flamethrower. This robot only appears once.
Throughout the game Spike collects Specter coins, large treasures with the antagonist's likeness printed on them. When he collects a certain number of these, he can unlock minigames to play in the Minigame Room. They are:
Ski-Kidz Racing: (Requires 10 tokens) Players use a unique control scheme to compete in skiing races, either against AI or another player. They are able to choose from main characters of the story to play as. The left and right analog sticks are designated to corresponding skis.
Specter Boxing: (Requires 20 tokens) Players compete in tournament, training or 2-player modes using a similar control scheme to Ski-Kidz Racing, using both sticks to control the fists of a monkey-boxer.
Galaxy Monkey: (Requires 50 tokens) An arcade game very similar to the hit arcade game Asteroids, players control a UFO (with a monkey in the cockpit) to destroy enemies. The left analog stick controls movement and the right stick directs and shoots lasers.
PocketStation Minigame: Ape Escape was one of the few games for the Sony PlayStation that was compatible with the PocketStation (available only in Japan). You could access this minigame by inserting a PocketStation into the PlayStation's memory card slot. This only worked in the Japanese version of the game (Saru! Gettchu!).
Fair use rationale for Image:Ape escape box.jpg[edit]
Image:Ape escape box.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in Wikipedia articles constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.
If there is other other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.BetacommandBot 19:56, 31 May 2007 (UTC)
the plot of the first game is almost exactly like kingdom hears spike(sora) needs to save the world while jake(riku)becomes evil and specter is like ansem —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.108.59.134 (talk) 01:38, 3 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There is a move discussion in progress on Talk:Ape Escape (series) which affects this page. Please participate on that page and not in this talk page section. Thank you. —RM bot 14:00, 25 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
The player character sets out to capture the apes with the aid of special gadgets. - What is the name of the player character?
The lead can cover more information about its sequel and the series, as well as the reception of Ape Escape: On the Loose so that it truly summarizes the entire article.
used to capture monkeys and transport them to present day. - "apes" instead of "monkey". This is Ape Escape after all isn't it?
including a rubber raft, which requires both analog sticks to control, - Controls are not necessary.
It was a very neat gameplay section. Well done!
Can the plot section be separated into at least 2 paragraphs?
experimental Pip Helmet created by a Professor and gives Pipo Helmets to all the monkeys - Pip helmet or Pipo helmet?
and underwent great testing prior to finalization. - What underwent great testing?
Development section is a bit weak. I understand that this is an old game but it will be better if there is more to it.
published on November 18, 2011 by Terada's label Far East Recording - The sources say that it was published by Sony instead.
Does the PSP port has any new features? Seems like you have mentioned a lot about its reception but do not really mention how it works. (For example, what are the new features, enhancements or new controls we can find in the remake?)
You can use the multi-platform review template instead of using two separated template
applauding the interactivity of the soundtrack - What does this mean? Music changes when gameplay pace changes? This should be mentioned in the dev or the gameplay section as well.
despite the noticeable flaws of the game - What exactly did he criticized?
1UP's Jeremy Parish criticised the porting of the game, declaring it - You can add that he criticized the game for being outdated.
Ape Quest was also released worldwide for PSP in January 2008. - What is Ape Quest? A sequel or a spin-off? You need to mention it as well.
It is a very well-written and comprehensive article. When the problems with the lead and the PSP version are addressed, the article should be good to go! AdrianGamer (talk) 05:35, 13 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks for the review, AdrianGamer! I've gone through and made some changes based on your suggestions. I would love to expand the development section even more, but unfortunately no matter where I look I can't find anymore information; it's a frequent problem with older games, and it really sucks for their Wikipedia articles, but it's just something that we need to work around. Anyway, let me know if there's anything else that needs addressing. – Rhain☔ 11:47, 13 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]
The notice implies that the page still abides by British spellings and character names, when that hasn't been the case in years. Cat's Tuxedo (talk) 20:21, 15 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]
@Cat's Tuxedo Just a quick search for "colour" on the page renders a few results and so the page at least somewhat is still using British English. Terasail[✉️] 21:57, 15 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]
@Terasail: Well that makes little sense to me since there's nothing that suggests the UK was even the game's biggest market. Went ahead and fixed that. Cat's Tuxedo (talk) 22:18, 15 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]
Not done: @Cat's Tuxedo Please gather consensus at Talk:Ape Escape (video game) (Here) that the article should no longer use british english before requesting the change. Deciding to remove british english from the article in order to remove an edit notice without a discussion isn't the best approach. Thanks, Terasail[✉️] 13:51, 16 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]
Not done: @Cat's Tuxedo Please gather consensus at Talk:Ape Escape (video game) (Here) that the article should no longer use british english before requesting the change. Deciding to remove british english from the article in order to remove an edit notice without a discussion isn't the best approach. Thanks, Terasail[✉️] 13:51, 16 April 2022 (UTC)
