GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

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A few good mini-games
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Bright
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colorful graphics
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Creative banana usage

Cons

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Little actual game here
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Oddly long loads for mini-games
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Monkeys
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possibly

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When the Ape Escape series first came out, it was to show off Sony's then-fancy new controller - which had not one, but two analog sticks. This little bit of history is important because when Ape Escape Academy hit our PSP, we were reminded of how long it's been since this series made us feel like a monkey with a banana. Instead, we're more in a throwing poop state of mind.

Essentially, Ape Escape Academy is a collection of around 40 mini-games, in which you train to become part of series villain Specter's hench-force. The problem is, most of them are about as pleasant as actual basic training. Sure, catching fruit on a sword is interesting, and using a slingshot to protect a giant, bonfire-roasting banana from hungry encroaching monkeys is always amusing. But too much of the other stuff: jogging along to a rhythm-action chant; winning a 100-yard dash; playing rock, paper, scissors - slips on its own banana peel. It's almost all been done before, and it loaded more quickly then. Even with multiplayer support for four players, this is tired.

CATEGORIES

I was the founding Executive Editor/Editor in Chief here at GR, charged with making sure we published great stories every day without burning down the building or getting sued. Which isn't nearly as easy as you might imagine. I don't work for GR any longer, but I still come here - why wouldn't I? It's awesome. I'm a fairly average person who has nursed an above average love of video games since I first played Pong just over 30 years ago. I entered the games journalism world as a freelancer and have since been on staff at the magazines Next Generation and PSM before coming over to GamesRadar. Outside of gaming, I also love music (especially classic metal and hard rock), my lovely wife, my pet pig Bacon, Japanese monster movies, and my dented, now dearly departed '89 Ranger pickup truck. I pray sincerely. I cheer for the Bears, Bulls, and White Sox. And behind Tyler Nagata, I am probably the GR staffer least likely to get arrested... again.