Gamer’s Review: Ape Escape

Inspired by “Super Mario 64,” Sony developed their own version of Nintendo’s groundbreaking game. A team of 25 people worked on “Ape Escape.” A boy named, Spike is transported back to the past along with several apes controlled by a white-haired monkey, named Specter. Upon wearing a helmet, his intelligence significantly skyrockets and makes him a criminal mastermind with intention to overthrow humanity by creating monkey army. Spike travels his way through various time periods to capture apes and return back to his own time to stop Specter plans for world domination.

Released in 1999 (same year Super Smash Bros came out) on PlayStation, it received critical acclaim from critics and gamers alike. Plus, it was a commercial hit. Ape Escape spawned two sequels from 2002-2005. Sony & Insomniac Games are working on a Wolverine game coming this Fall on the PS5. As I wait patiently for my number anticipated game of 2026, I wanna share my thoughts on Sony’s groundbreaking game.

Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.

Voice Actors all did a solid job for their respective performances.

Graphics for a PS1 game still hold up.

Gameplay/Mechanics

Presented as a third-person action-adventure platform game, you play as Spike using gadgets to capture monkeys roaming around various time periods.
Spike’s weapons really come in handy. Press the select button to assign one.
Adjust the camera by manually using the d-pad. Press L1 to center on Spike’s back.
A game changing mechanic, “DualShock Controller” pioneered the use of left and right analog sticks. Move Spike with the left snaking stick and right analog stick to tilt a weapon. DualShock Controller changed video games forever. Today, everybody plays using a left and analog sticks.
Press the R1 button to jump twice.
Mailboxes provide info and tips.
Every weapon serves a purpose bypassing an obstacle. For instance, rotating the right analog stick enables the Sky Flyer to lift you up in the air and glide.
An ape wears a helmet that acts like a siren. Depending on his action, it represents behavior. Blue’s comfortable, Yellow’s suspicious and Red’s aware.
A Radar detects a money. Intel on a specific on a specific one’s stats and a little bit of funny trivia.
Some apes are tricky to capture. They can run fast and armed with heavy artillery. If you stay too close to one of them, they’ll hit you back.
Before you capture a monkey, use your lightsaber like Stun Club to hit him and switch to Time Net. If one of them swims in a watery environment, you automatically use a Water Net.
Collecting “Spector Coins” unlocks a mini-game.
Two racing games with Spike’s rival, Jake. If you beat him, you get five Specter coins.
Five Cookies represent a health bar. If you lose one, get one from a fallen enemy, sitting around randomly or a cookie jar. If you run out of cookies, you lose a life.
Red T-Shirts represent lives. Obtaining 100 gold chips grants you a life. You can occasionally pick up a shirt.

Soundtrack has memorable catchy tracks.

Random Thoughts

I never played the sequels. I only played the first game growing up.
My favorite level’s Crumbling Castle. I’m giving it Bonus Points for including a catchy instrumental track.
I think Spector’s plan to build an army to overthrow humanity predates Mojo JoJo’s scheme from “The Powerpuff Girls Movie.” The latter may have influenced Caesar’s motive in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Sony was way ahead of its time. Ape Escape had a “Simpsons Did It” moment.

Beating 100% of the game can be finished in less than 10 hours. When I was a kid, it was a long game. Nowadays, it’s pretty short. There’s no Side Quests present other than capturing monkeys. As if I only eat a cheeseburger without a bag of fries or onion rings.

The Final Verdict: A-

Despite one nitpick, I gotta give credit to Sony for creating the DualShock Controller as a game changer in video game history. Ape Escape still holds up. If you wanna relive your childhood and introduce your kids to this gem, buy it digitally on the PlayStation Store.