Ape Escape

Gameplay

Ape Escape was the first PlayStation game to fully require the use of both control sticks to play. The right stick is used in many different ways. One of the many ways the right stick is used to attack with the Stun Club, and to capture Monkeys with the Time Net. There are several different ways they use them as well, including driving an RC Car, rowing, spinning in a hula hoop, rotate a portable propeller, etc. You can have four items equipped at once, on the X, Square, O and Triangle. Unlike some platformers, Ape Escape uses the L buttons to jump.

Items

Ape Escape has several items, which each have their own, unique function.

• Stun Club: The basic offensive weapon. The Stun Club is used for killing enemies and stunning Monkeys, allowing for easy capture. Can also be used to hit switches, some of which require the technique where you spin the right stick while the Stun Club is selected. You get it in the beginning.
• Time Net: An item used for capturing Monkeys and sending them back to the present. While it has less uses than other items, it is essential. The Monkeys are easy to capture if you can tell their mood - the light on their helmet has three colors - Blue, Yellow and Red. Blue means it's calm, Yellow means it's alert, and Red means it's seen you. Only in Red will it get aggressive. You get it in the beginning.
• Water Net: The Water Net acts similar to the Time Net. Like the Time Net, it sends the Monkeys back to the present time, but it is used while you are swimming, and it shoots nets at the Monkeys in the water. One should get it before entering Raining Lake.
• The Monkey Radar: Used for detecting Monkeys. When no Monkeys are around, it slowly beeps and gives off blue rings, but when there are, it will beat a little faster. The closer you get, the faster it beeps. When the player is very close to a monkey, the radar will give off yellow rings, and when it is really close, it turns red and beeps very rapidly. Before entering Jungle River.
• Slingshot: A useful item for long-ranged attacks. To use it, hold the right stick back, and move it around to aim, and L2 can target onto an enemy. One should get it before Cryptic Relics.
• Dash Hoop: The Dash Hoop is used by spinning it with the right stick. It can be used as a shield and a weapon, where the player spins into an enemy to hurt or stun them. Helps get across slippery and easily-broken bridges. Get it before Primitive Beach.
• Sky Flyer: The Sky Flyer is utilized by spinning the right stick. Doing so launches Spike into the air, and the player can move around in the air if he or she keeps spinning. The player should get it before entering Icicle Cave.
• RC Car: The RC Car can be summoned by pushing R3 by the player pushing the right stick until the player hears it click. The player drives it around with the right stick, and it can be used to hold down switches. It can also be blown up by shooting it with a slingshot, causing it to damage or stun an enemy. One should get it before entering Urban City.
• Magic Punch: The Magic Punch is a special item that has two main purposes - the first is to hurt, really badly. The second purpose is to break down powerful walls that hide Monkeys. If the player gets it when he or she finished the game, he or she will get the bad ending.