Ape Escape 2001, known in Japan as Piposaru 2001 (ピポサル2001), is the first spin-off game of the Ape Escape series.
Gameplay[]
Ape Escape 2001's gameplay differs from the original Ape Escape gameplay outline. The left analog stick on the DualShock Controller is used to control Spike's movement, but unlike the original game, the right analog stick is used only for power throw aiming and the face-buttons are used to attack.
The goal of each level is to use a vacuum cleaner to remove a required amount of pants off of the apes and put them into an oversized washing machine while preventing the monkeys from re-obtaining their shorts or attacking the player. While sucking the pants off of a monkey, the monkey can be fired into other monkeys to knock them out. Bomb tokens can also be collected to attack monkeys and bosses.
The graphics were slightly improved yet very similar to the original Ape Escape with the same symbols used throughout the game, such as the stage cleared symbol. 2001 was also the first game in the series to feature no other enemies than the apes. It also featured more levels than the original game. It has 36 stages, while the original has only 19. Each level is timed. The storyline is made in a similar style to Ape Escape: Pumped & Primed. There are five stages to complete and a boss battle in each level, much like Pumped & Primed's layout.
Story[]
After the events of Ape Escape, the Pipo Monkeys that Spike caught in the previous adventure were sent to a "Virtual Space" invented by the Professor. However, the owner of Monkey Park reported the missing monkeys to the government. A sanitation check was determined to begin soon, and if the monkey pants were not clean by then, the Virtual Space would be taken down. It's up to Spike to collect and wash all of the Monkey Pants.
Characters[]
- Spike: The red haired protagonist of the first game who defeated Specter.
- Natalie: The Professor's granddaughter that assists Spike on his journey.
- Professor: The Professor who invented the pipo helmet, the Virtual Space, and many other things.
- Specter: The evil monkey who attempted world domination. His intelligence is increased by the Pipo Helmet.
- Pipo Monkeys: The common monkeys of the game series. Recognized by their Pipo Helmets and unicolored pants.
- Casi: The AI assistant of the Professor.
Gadgets[]
Spike only has access to one Gadget; the Nuggetcher, which is able to suck up Monkey Pants.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- A North American version was planned with the working title Ape Escape 2001, but it was canceled due to unknown reasons.
- This is the first Ape Escape game released on the PlayStation 2.
- Jake is the only character from the first game to not appear for unknown reasons.
Characters | Casi · Jake · Natalie · Professor · Specter · Spike |
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Gadgets | Dash Hoop · Magic Punch · Monkey Radar · R.C. Car · Sky Flyer · Slingback Shooter · Stun Club · Time Net · Water Net |
Prehistoric Era/ The Lost Land | Fossil Field · Primordial Ooze · Molten Lava |
Cenozoic Era/ Mysterious Age | Thick Jungle · Dark Ruins · Cryptic Relics |
Dimension/Dimension X | Stadium Attack |
Primitive Age/Oceana | Crabby beach · Coral Cave · Dexter's Island |
Ice age/New Freezeland | Snowy Mammoth · Frosty Retreat · Hot Springs |
Dimension/Dimension X | Gladiator Attack |
Recent Past/Medieval Mayhem | Sushi Temple · Wabi Sabi Wall · Crumbling Castle |
Present-Day/Futurama | City Park · Specter's Factory · TV Tower |
Present-Day 2/Specter Land | Monkey Madness |
Dimension/Dimension X | Peak Point Matrix |
Characters | Haru · Hero · Specter · Tohko · Tsukushi |
---|---|
Gadgets | Ape Vacuum · Banannerizer · Monkey Net · Slingback Shooter · Smasher |
Levels | Wobbly Home · Mysterious Ruins · Monkey Carousel · Monkey Road · The Hot Springs · Dinosaur Glacier · Haunted House · Asian Town · Spa Gardens · Food City · Skull Volcano · Monkeyland · Steam Castle · Battery Tower · Monkey Station |