Two analog sticks on DualShock for two years — and every game still ran without them. Ape Escape ended that.
The DualShock controller arrived in 1997 with two analog sticks, but for nearly two years it remained an optional upgrade. Every game released in that period was designed to work with the standard digital controller — the analog sticks were a convenience, not a requirement. Players could choose whether to use them. Ape Escape removed that choice. SCE Japan Studio designed Ape Escape from the ground up around both sticks simultaneously: the left stick moved the player character; the right stick controlled the gadgets used to capture monkeys, each with its own motion logic that made sense with an analog input and was nearly impossible to implement on a digital D-pad. The game could not be launched at all using a standard PlayStation controller. It was the first console game ever released that explicitly required a specific peripheral to function. Sony's decision to make Ape Escape a first-party title and mandate the DualShock was not accidental — the game was the company's clearest statement that dual-analog control was the future of the platform, not a feature for early adopters. The monkeys scattered across the game's stages were never the real subject. The subject was what two analog sticks, used together, allowed a player to do. Ape Escape answered the question definitively, and the industry's adoption of dual-analog as standard followed from answers like this one.
About this game
The first video game to require both analog sticks of the PlayStation's DualShock controller, Ape Escape is a 3D platformer from SCE Japan Studio in which a young boy must recapture hundreds of monkeys — each with distinct personalities — who have escaped across time. The left stick moves the character; the right stick operates all gadgets, including the monkey net, stun club, and radar. The design proves that two-stick control, applied thoughtfully, doesn't just improve camera management — it creates entirely new play possibilities. Soichi Terada, a drum-and-bass DJ, composed his first video game soundtrack for the project at an average tempo exceeding 170 BPM.
Key Features
Each monkey must be caught using the analog-stick-operated monkey net — a net that requires controlled rotation to capture rather than a simple button press. Each monkey wears a Peak Point Helmet that gives it a unique personality and behaviour; some are easy, some require elaborate strategies. Time travel takes players through varied historical and fantastical periods. Gadgets beyond the net include a water cannon, RC car, and slingback shooter, all right-stick operated. The game includes a Specter Coins minigame and multiple challenge modes.
Gallery
The Story Behind
Ape Escape arrived in 1999 as Sony's definitive demonstration that the DualShock's dual-analog design was not a peripheral gimmick but a transformative control paradigm. The game was not merely the first to require both sticks — it was the first to genuinely depend on them for its core mechanics. This established the template for dual-analog gameplay that would define 3D action games through the PlayStation 2 era and beyond. The game was critically acclaimed, with IGN calling it 'the best 3D platformer on PlayStation.'
Tricks & Tales
Ape Escape cannot be played with a standard PlayStation controller — the DualShock is not optional but required, making this the first console game to explicitly mandate a specific input device type. Composer Soichi Terada was recruited after Sony producers heard his single 'Sumo Jungle' and believed his high-tempo drum-and-bass style matched the game's energy; this was Terada's first video game credit. The game's Japanese title — Saru Getchu (サルゲッチュ) — is a pun on 'saru' (monkey) and 'getchuu' (gotcha/catch).
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Released in Japan and North America in June 1999, and Europe in October 1999. Widely available due to strong sales and multiple print runs. The game was also published in Japan under the title Saru Getchu, which became the standard Japanese franchise name.
Maintenance Tips
The PS1's optical drive is the system's most vulnerable component after thirty years. Dust accumulation on the laser lens causes read errors before the laser itself fails; cleaning with a cotton swab lightly dampened with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol restores performance in many cases. The sled rails that carry the lens assembly need periodic lubrication—original factory grease hardens with age and increases friction, leading to tracking failures. White lithium grease on the rails (not WD-40) is the correct approach. Disc condition matters as much as the hardware: deep radial scratches near the data area cannot be read regardless of laser health, so always inspect the playing surface before diagnosing the console.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Ape Escape copies regularly.
Will this Japanese PlayStation disc work on a North American or European PlayStation?
No. The PlayStation enforces regional lockout through the disc region code and the console BIOS. Japanese discs (NTSC-J) will not play on North American (NTSC-U/C) or European (PAL) consoles without modification such as a mod chip or swap method. Playing Japanese PlayStation software requires a Japanese console or a modified unit. The disc format itself is standard CD-ROM — the incompatibility is entirely software-enforced.
Do I need a memory card to save progress?
Yes. The PlayStation has no internal save storage. A PlayStation Memory Card must be inserted into the console's memory card slot to save game data. Without a memory card, all progress is lost when the console powers off. Each memory card holds 15 blocks; check the game manual for how many blocks this title requires. Official Sony memory cards are recommended for reliability over third-party alternatives.
How should I inspect and care for a PlayStation disc?
Examine the data side (shiny underside) under light. Light surface scratches are generally readable; deep scratches running radially from the center outward are more damaging than circular ones. To clean, wipe from the center outward in straight radial strokes with a soft lint-free cloth — never in a circular motion. If the console struggles to read an otherwise intact disc, the PlayStation laser may need cleaning or adjustment, which is common in aging PS1 hardware.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Ape Escape
A short checklist for buying a used PlayStation disc wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Check the disc for scratches
Deep scratches on the playing surface cause freezes and read errors. Light surface marks are usually fine.
Ask for a clear photo of the disc's underside. A seller who tested it will confirm it loads and plays through.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese PlayStation disc. The PS1 is region-locked, so a Japanese disc needs a Japanese console or a region-free setup.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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Saves use a memory card — no battery to worry about
PlayStation games save to a separate memory card, so there is no in-cartridge battery to fail.
Just make sure you have a memory card with free blocks for your saves.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
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Rooms this game lives in
Wander deeper — explore the themed rooms where Ape Escape sits alongside its kin.
Memories from around the world
This is a young museum, and this page is still waiting for its first voices. The memories people send reach Taisei personally, and the ones that move him find a home here over time — always with the writer's blessing. Yours could be the very first for this game.
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