Ape Escape

Ape Escape
Official series logo
Genres	Platform, party
Developers	SCE Japan Studio
Publishers	Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms	PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable
First release	Ape Escape May 31, 1999
Latest release	PlayStation Move Ape Escape December 9, 2010

Ape Escape (known as Saru Get You (サルゲッチュ, Saru Getchu^?) in Japan) is a series of video games made by SCE Japan Studio, starting with Ape Escape for PlayStation in 1999. The series often incorporates ape-related humour, unique gameplay, and a wide variety of pop culture references; it is also notable for being the first game to make the DualShock or Dual Analog controller mandatory.

In 1998, it was confirmed that a title would be developed under the name Sarugetchu and would be specifically designed for the DualShock controller, and would be the first game to do so. The title was a massive success, going Platinum, entering the Greatest Hits series in the US, and entered the "Best Of" releases in Japan. It was reviewed positively, and was compared to games such as Super Mario 64.

Ape Escape 2001 was released in 2001. It was the first title in the series to be developed for PlayStation 2. The next year, Ape Escape 2 was developed by Sony and first published in Japan in 2002 and in Europe and North America in 2003.

After the success of all three titles that were released, Ape Escape was pushed as an official franchise. In 2003, SCEI confirmed to be working on a multi-player party game and the sequel to Piposaru 2001. There was also confirmation that the original Ape Escape was to be ported to the PlayStation Portable. Ape Escape: Pumped & Primed was released in Japan through Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and the US through Ubisoft in 2004. Ape Escape: On the Loose was then released globally as one of the launch titles to the PlayStation Portable.

In 2005, Ape Academy (also known as Ape Escape Academy) was released for the PlayStation Portable. Eye Toy: Monkey Mania was a party game inspired by Mario Party The title was only released in Europe and Japan.