Ape Escape 3 is a 2005 platform video game developed and published by Sony Computer Entertainment exclusively for the PlayStation 2 console.[1][2] As the third main entry in the Ape Escape series, it introduces protagonists Kei and Yumi, a pair of young siblings tasked with capturing over 400 mischievous Pipo Monkeys scattered across diverse, movie-themed levels such as haunted castles and urban TV studios.[1] The game's core plot revolves around the villainous monkey leader Specter allying with the mad scientist Dr. Tomoki to broadcast hypnotic television programs that aim to turn humanity into mindless couch potatoes, forcing Kei and Yumi to intervene and thwart the scheme.[1][3]Gameplay emphasizes gadget-driven monkey hunting and puzzle-solving, with players utilizing tools like a stun club, banana boomerang, and capturing net to navigate 3D environments and complete objectives.[1] A key innovation is the Persona System, allowing characters to morph into alternate forms—such as knights, ninjas, or pop idols—each granting unique abilities to access hidden areas or defeat bosses.[1] Levels blend linear progression with nonlinear exploration, encouraging 100% completion through time attacks, mini-games, and collectibles, while supporting single-player control of either sibling with slight variations in animations and voice lines.[1]Upon release, Ape Escape 3 received generally positive reviews for its colorful visuals, inventive level design, and family-friendly charm, earning an aggregate critic score of 78% and praise for evolving the series' capture mechanics without relying on DualShock peripherals.[1] It launched in Japan on July 14, 2005, followed by North America on January 17, 2006, and Europe on May 5, 2006, though it underperformed commercially compared to earlier entries, contributing to the series' hiatus after this installment.[2][1]
Development and release
Development
Ape Escape 3 was announced in October 2004 by Sony Computer Entertainment through a subtle update on its official website, marking a stealth reveal for the third main installment in the series.[4][5][6]The game was developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's Japan Studio, with production emphasizing expansions on the platforming and gadget-based capture mechanics from Ape Escape 2.[3] Key innovations included introducing dual protagonists, Kei and Yumi, allowing players to choose between the boy and girl characters for the first time in the series, which added variety to the narrative and gameplay progression.[7][8] The levels were themed around movies and television genres, such as Westerns and kung fu films, to enhance the exploratory platforming and integrate new transformation abilities that built upon the gadget system.[7][9]The production team was led by directors Naoto Ôta and Yuzo Sugano, who oversaw the integration of these features into the PlayStation 2 platform.[10]
Release
Ape Escape 3 was released exclusively for the PlayStation 2 by Sony Computer Entertainment.[11] In Japan, it launched under the title Saru Getchū 3 (サルゲッチュ3) on July 14, 2005.[2] The game arrived in North America on January 17, 2006, followed by Europe on May 5, 2006, and Australia on May 18, 2006.[12]Post-launch, Ape Escape 3 remains available primarily through physical copies compatible with the original PlayStation 2 hardware and early models of the PlayStation 3 that support backward compatibility for PS2 discs. As of November 2025, it has not received an official digital re-release on the PlayStation Store, nor is it available via PlayStation Plus Premium's classics catalog, and it lacks native backward compatibility on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 consoles.
Story
Plot
In Ape Escape 3, the antagonist Specter returns to power by acquiring a Monkey Helmet, which allows him to control an army of mischievous Pipo Monkeys, and allies with the vengeful scientist Dr. Tomoki to execute a global scheme of domination.[13] Together, they hijack television networks worldwide, broadcasting hypnotic programs designed to brainwash viewers and transform humanity into passive "couch potatoes" under monkey rule.[3] This mind-control initiative escalates as Specter unveils an ambitious plot to literally split the Earth in two, amplifying the threat through widespread media influence.[13]The story centers on young protagonists Kei and his sister Yumi, who step up as the new heroes after previous defenders like Spike and the Professor fall victim to the TV broadcasts.[3] Tasked by the remnants of the resistance, the siblings embark on a urgent mission to infiltrate Specter's operations, capture over 400 rogue monkeys scattered across movie-themed worlds, and dismantle the broadcasting studios to thwart the catastrophe.[13] Their efforts drive the narrative forward, blending high-stakes chases with the duo's determination to restore order.Key events unfold through a takeover of global TV signals, leading to chaotic monkey uprisings and a climactic confrontation aboard Specter's orbital fortress, where Dr. Tomoki confronts his role in the scheme and undergoes a path toward redemption.[13] The plot weaves thematic elements of media manipulation and its power to control society with lighthearted monkey antics, parodying iconic films to highlight the absurdity of Specter's broadcast empire.[3]
Characters
The protagonists of Ape Escape 3 are the twin siblings Kei and Yumi, who serve as the primary playable characters with the ability to switch control between them during gameplay. Kei, the male twin known as Satoru in the Japanese version, is depicted as an energetic boy with a bold personality, while Yumi, the female twin known as Sayaka in Japan, is portrayed as a more strategic and composed 9-year-old aspiring idol singer popular across Japan. Each character features unique animations, such as distinct idle poses and movements, enhancing their individualized designs in the game's cartoonish, anime-inspired aesthetic characterized by exaggerated features like large, expressive eyes.[14][15][16]The main antagonists include Specter, the recurring series villain and leader of the intelligent Pipo Monkeys, who schemes to dominate the world through mischievous plots, and Dr. Tomoki, a humanscientist with an afro hairstyle who initially allies with Specter but later shifts allegiances in a redemptive arc. Specter is designed as an albino monkey with a cunning demeanor, often appearing in shadowy, imposing poses that emphasize his role as the mastermind behind the chaos. Dr. Tomoki, trapped in a prototype helmet that alters his behavior, brings a human element to the villainy with his inventive yet conflicted nature.[9][1]The various Pipo Monkeys, the game's capture targets, exhibit movie-themed behaviors inspired by genres like action, horror, and romance, often performing scripted antics that players must film using in-game cameras to unlock bonus content. These monkeys are rendered in vibrant, playful designs that align with the title's whimsical, film-noir infused world.[14][17]The characters' voice acting is provided by a Japanese cast, including Junko Takeuchi as Kei/Satoru and Ai Nonaka as Yumi/Sayaka, contributing to the game's lively, animated tone with energetic performances that highlight their personalities.[18][19]
Gameplay
Core mechanics
Ape Escape 3 employs a third-person perspective for its platforming gameplay, allowing players to control protagonists Kei or Yumi as they navigate diverse environments through actions such as jumping, swinging from objects, and interacting with the surroundings to reach inaccessible areas.[13] The controls are responsive and precise, facilitating smooth movement and precise platforming maneuvers that emphasize exploration and traversal across levels.[20] This core navigation system forms the foundation for player interaction, enabling fluid progression through the game's worlds while avoiding obstacles and enemies.[13]Central to the game's mechanics is the monkey capture system, where players must stun the mischievous Pipo Monkeys—totaling 434 across the adventure (442 including secret code monkeys)—using specialized gadgets before deploying a net to secure them.[13] These monkeys are scattered throughout each level, often requiring strategic positioning and quick reflexes to approach and immobilize them without alerting others.[20] The process integrates seamlessly with the platforming elements, as capturing often involves chasing monkeys across dynamic terrain or solving simple environmental challenges to corner them.[13]Players can switch between the dual protagonists, Kei and Yumi, at designated points to tackle puzzles and enhance accessibility, with each character offering complementary abilities that aid in reaching monkeys or navigating specific obstacles.[20] This switching mechanic promotes cooperative puzzle-solving, where one character's strengths can resolve situations inaccessible to the other, adding depth to exploration without altering the fundamental controls.[13] Both characters maintain consistent platforming and capture handling, ensuring a unified experience regardless of selection.[20]Game progression is driven by story missions that advance the narrative, but full completion of each level demands 100% monkey capture, often necessitating revisits to uncover hidden or elusive ones missed initially.[13] This requirement encourages thorough exploration and mastery of the core mechanics, as advancing the plot unlocks new areas only after satisfying the capture quota per stage.[20] Such structure reinforces the game's emphasis on persistence and attention to detail in platforming and capturing.[13]
Gadgets and morphing
In Ape Escape 3, players utilize a variety of Gotcha Gadgets to capture monkeys and navigate environments, with the core tools including the Monkey Net for direct captures, a stun club for immobilizing targets, a remote control car for distant stuns, and a handheld helicopter for scouting and bridging gaps.[20] The Monkey Net, selected via the gadget menu, is swung using the right analog stick to scoop up stunned monkeys, serving as the primary capture device throughout the game.[20] The stun club delivers an electric shock to temporarily freeze monkeys, allowing follow-up captures, while the remote control car can be maneuvered remotely to approach and stun elusive targets from afar.[20] The handheld helicopter, controlled similarly with the right analog stick, enables remote exploration of high or inaccessible areas, often used to trigger switches or lure monkeys into vulnerable positions.[20]New gadgets are unlocked progressively through story advancement and can be purchased or enhanced at the TV station shop using Gotcha Coins collected from levels and defeated monkeys.[21] These acquisitions tie into the game's movie-themed challenges, where enhanced gadgets help overcome obstacles in themed sets such as action or adventure stages, improving efficiency in monkey hunts without altering core controls.[14]A key innovation in Ape Escape 3 is the Morph Gear, a wrist-mounted device developed by the character Aki that allows transformation into specialized personas for enhanced abilities in capture and puzzle-solving.[16] Activated by pressing R1 and R2 simultaneously to open the selection menu, the Morph Gear consumes energy from a meter that recharges via collected capsules or natural regeneration, limiting use to short bursts.[20] While morphed, standard gadgets cannot be used, but each persona grants unique skills; for example, the Wild West Kid fires projectile nets from six-shooters for ranged captures, the Ninja enables wall-running and rope traversal to reach hidden areas, and the Fantasy Knight provides a shield against environmental hazards like fire.[20] The Super Monkey form enhances mobility with powerful jumps and spins, mimicking animal-like agility to access elevated platforms or pursue fast-moving monkeys in movie-inspired scenarios.[22]Morphing animations play upon selection, with the character briefly glowing before assuming the new form, and controls shift to persona-specific actions via the right analog stick, such as directing the Cowboy's shots or the Cyber Ace's laser blasts.[20] These transformations integrate with the game's TV production theme, where personas like the Dragon Kung Fu Fighter aid in genre-specific challenges, such as martial arts sequences, by providing tailored abilities for exploration and combat.[23] All Morph Gear forms are unlocked progressively through story advancement, with no direct upgrades but reliance on energy management for sustained use.[14]
Levels and minigames
Ape Escape 3 features over 20 levels set within expansive TV studio environments, each themed around genres inspired by movies and television shows, such as a wild west town, an Arabian desert oasis, an arctictundra, a martial artsdojo, a picturesque beach resort, and a series of airborne airplanes.[13] Players navigate these stages to capture escaped monkeys, solving environmental puzzles and using gadgets to access hidden areas where elusive monkeys are concealed.[21] The levels incorporate diverse biomes and obstacles, like snowy slopes in winter-themed areas or sandy dunes in desert settings, encouraging exploration to find all required monkeys for progression.[21]The game includes three primary modes: Story mode, which advances the narrative through sequential level completion; Free Play mode, unlocked after capturing every monkey in a stage to allow revisiting with enhanced gadgets for additional challenges; and a selection of multiplayer minigames, such as Ultim-ape Fighter for competitive battles.[21][24] These minigames, accessible via the hobby shop after collecting sufficient in-game currency, provide short, replayable diversions like throwing contests or tag variants involving monkeys.[13]Morphing abilities can be briefly referenced in level puzzles, such as transforming into a ninja for stealth sections in dojo-like environments.[21]Key collectibles include 434 monkeys scattered across levels (442 including 8 secret code monkeys unlocked via passwords), alongside 26 secret monkeys scattered across levels that require specific gadgets like the Magic Punch to uncover, and code monkeys that provide hints or bonuses.[13][21][25] Gotcha coins, found in varying sizes (small for 1 point, silver for 5, large for 10), accumulate to unlock items like character costumes and gallery movies at the in-game shop.[21] Other items, such as shirts for extra lives and morph energy refills, enhance replayability by supporting thorough collection efforts.[21]Boss fights punctuate level progression, featuring encounters with Specter's colored monkey lieutenants, such as a dragon-riding adversary or a unicycle-riding foe, battled using standard gadgets like the stun club and slingshot.[21] These battles emphasize gadget versatility in themed arenas, like a ninja duel in a feudal Japanese-inspired setting, without relying on specialized parodies.[13]
Mesal Gear Solid
Mesal Gear Solid: Snake Escape is a standalone minigame in Ape Escape 3 that serves as a direct parody of the Metal Gear Solid series, featuring stealth-based infiltration missions with monkey-themed twists. Developed in collaboration with Konami, the minigame transforms core elements of Metal Gear Solid into humorous, simian counterparts, emphasizing covert operations within enemy facilities controlled by intelligent apes.[9][26]Players unlock the minigame after completing the main campaign once, at which point it becomes available for purchase in the in-game Hobby Shop for 573 Gotcha Coins.[27] Once accessed, it offers multiple playthroughs, including a Hard Mode unlocked after the initial completion and additional challenges like collecting all 30 monkey tags or rescuing every prisoner for rewards such as infinite items and cosmetic unlocks.[27][28]The core gameplay centers on controlling Pipo Snake, a monkey agent equipped with abilities mimicking Solid Snake, tasked with infiltrating bases to rescue 20 prisoners of war (including the human Solid Snake) and neutralize a monkey army led by Specter.[29]Stealth mechanics require avoiding detection by patrolling monkey guards, who trigger alerts if spotting the player, leading to mission failure conditions such as capture or excessive alarms. Players can hide in environmental objects like a cardboard box for evasion, spoofing iconic Metal Gear Solid tropes, and utilize codec calls for mission briefings from monkey allies that deliver comedic, pun-filled dialogue.[29][28]Unique armaments include a banana-shaped silenced pistol that fires knockout rounds to temporarily immobilize enemies, akin to a tranquilizer gun, and throwable pineapple grenades for distractions or area denial. Pipo Snake wears a sneaking suit for enhanced mobility, allowing crawling, climbing, and first-person aiming during tense encounters. The minigame spans several stages, culminating in boss battles against parody foes such as a monkey version of Psycho Mantis, who employs psychic-like attacks with floating controllers, and a final showdown atop a wrecked Mesal Gear mech against Pipo Ocelot.[30][31] These encounters highlight the minigame's humor through exaggerated spoofs, like guards slipping on banana peels or exaggerated alert phases with monkey shrieks, all while tying into Ape Escape 3's broader theme of capturing mischievous primates.[9]
Reception
Critical reception
Ape Escape 3 received generally favorable reviews from critics, earning a Metacritic aggregate score of 77/100 based on 51 reviews.[32]GamePro gave it a 4 out of 5 rating, praising the graphics for their colorful rendering, the intuitive controls, and the overall enjoyment, while critiquing the sound design at 3 out of 5 and noting a lack of significant innovation compared to Ape Escape 2.[33]IGN rated the title 8.3 out of 10, highlighting its refined platforming mechanics and extensive content, though it observed similarities to prior entries in the series.[9]GameSpot awarded 8.2 out of 10, appreciating the solid monkey-capturing action and level variety suitable for younger players, but pointing out that the core formula felt familiar by 2006 standards.[13]Reviewers commonly praised the game's strong platforming elements and family-friendly appeal, making it enjoyable for children with its humorous antics and creative gadgets, while criticisms often centered on dated visuals and audio that paled against contemporaries, alongside repetitive elements echoing the series' predecessors.[34]
Commercial performance
These figures marked an underperformance relative to earlier entries in the series, such as the original Ape Escape, which reached a total of 1.63 million units worldwide.[35] The title appeared in Famitsu's 2005 sales charts for PlayStation 2 games, recording Japanese shipments of 212,534 units by year's end, but it did not secure any major industry awards or nominations.[36]Over the long term, Ape Escape 3 has remained accessible through its 2014 release as a PS2 Classic on the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network, allowing digital purchases and play on compatible hardware.[1] Additionally, the game supports emulation on PC through tools like PCSX2, enabling preservation and play for modern audiences as of 2025.[37]