Get Lost In 10 Other Colorful Games!
Ape Escape is one of PlayStation’s underrated and unique franchises. It offers a new form of gameplay via its bizarre controls but contains ideas that echo classic 3D platformer and monster-tamer games. It blends both concepts wonderfully, leaving behind a remarkable product that fans would like a revival of someday.
If you’ve finished playing Ape Escape and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks.
Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link, so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in.
So without further ado, we present 10 games to check out if you’re looking for a game like Ape Escape.
Jimmy Neutron: Attack of the Twonkies
Although games based on television shows and movies are hit and miss, Jimmy Neutron: Attack of the Twonkies falls within the middle ground of that statement. It doesn’t offer as much depth as other Nickelodeon platformer titles like SpongeBob: Battle for Bikini Bottom, but it’s not all that terrible. In it, players must assist Jimmy in stopping the evil Twonkies.
Like Ape Escape, this game requires players to jump and traverse through well-crafted levels to complete objectives. Furthermore, both games have their protagonists utilizing unique gadgets to accomplish their goals. From Ape Escape’s trusty Monkey Radar to Jimmy’s Goo Slinger, you’ll adore the level of creativity and variety added to this game.
On top of having funny dialogue and a similar monster-wrangling gameplay loop as Ape Escape, Jimmy Neutron: Attack of the Twonkies should satisfy your animal-catching urges.
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Rayman 2: The Great Escape is an enjoyable action-platforming game featuring one of Ubisoft’s best-known mascots. Like Ape Escape, this game features an expansive and imaginative world for players to explore.
In Rayman 2, you’ll explore magical forests, volcanic landscapes, and pirate-infested islands. Its worlds are visually stunning and diverse, giving players a sense of wonder as they navigate through each of its levels. Both games incorporate unique gameplay mechanics that set themselves apart from other platformers too. From Ape Escape’s analog stick controls to Rayman 2’s focus on fluid and acrobatic movements, you’ll adore each game’s different approach to the genre.
If you’re looking for another platformer that’s inventive and fun to play, this one should satisfy you.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a great return to form for the iconic purple dragon. Spyro The Dragon is on par with Ape Escape regarding how much of an impact his series had on PlayStation fans’ childhood. Nevertheless, both games feature many similarities from their colorful worlds to their delightful gameplay mechanics.
While you’ll explore jungles, television stations, and underwater caverns in Ape Escape, Spyro: Reignited Trilogy has you guide Spyro through numerous realms filled with magical landscapes, castles, and lush gardens. Furthermore, both games feature fun and engaging gameplay mechanics that will keep you hooked.
From Ape Escape’s monkey-capturing and platforming shenanigans to Spyro’s gliding and fetch quests, both games provide players with a chance to freely explore and interact with our heroes’ environment.
On top of having well-developed characters with fun personalities and motives, Spyro: Reignited Trilogy is a platformer many Ape Escape fans would enjoy.
Bugsnax
Bugsnax is a quirky and colorful adventure title. It shares a strong focus on capturing and collecting fantastical creatures like Ape Escape. Instead of fierce monkeys, you’ll be after adorable and edible creatures known as Bugsnax.
Players in Bugsnax must employ various strategies and traps to lure, catch, and discover the different Bugsnax species. Both games challenge players to think creatively and utilize their skills to complete their respective missions. Further, Bugsnax’s world is just as imaginative and charming as Ape Escape’s. You’ll find it amusing seeing these edible creatures roaming around this game’s numerous islands. It helps make the world feel more lively and wholesome.
On top of embracing its strange premise through witty dialogue and humorous story beats, Bugsnax is a great alternative to play after Ape Escape.
Pokémon Legends Arceus
Ape Escape already sounds like a monkey version of Pokemon when you take the time to ponder it over. However, Pokémon Legends Arceus was a departure from Game Freak’s initial foray with the franchise. While it contains your typical Pokémon battles, it leaves out its old premise of collecting badges and fighting the elite four in favor of giving players a semi-open experience.
Catching Pokémon in this game feels more fun and important. Like Ape Escape, fans will adore this game’s catching mechanic tremendously as it makes the idea of throwing a Poké Ball at an unknowing Pokémon authentic and satisfying. While the game’s terrains aren’t as well-detailed or imaginative as Ape Escape’s, players will enjoy exploring them for their secrets.
On top of offering players more action-centric elements, Pokémon Legends Arceus is a fun collection title that’ll appeal to Ape Escape’s audience.
Viva Pinata
Viva Pinata is a fun life simulation game. While it may seem different from Ape Escape at first glance, it has similar gameplay mechanics and objectives upon further inspection.
Viva Pinata and Ape Escape feature capturing and collecting gameplay elements. In Viva Pinata, you’ll round up a slew of pinata creatures by creating an alluring garden for them to thrive in. You must carefully tend to your garden and provide the pinatas with the right goods to attract and capture more of them. This concept will remind folks of Ape Escape since you spend the majority of the game rounding up Specter’s army of monkeys.
Furthermore, both games feature beautiful environments and creatures with diverse personalities and appearances. Although you spend time capturing monkeys in Ape Escape, many wear different outfits and act differently from each other.
On top of Viva Pinata requiring players to think strategically about their garden set-ups and capture plans, it’s a great life simulation title with Ape Escape vibes.
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee is a fun 2D platformer title with similar gameplay mechanics and ideas as Ape Escape. Like Ape Escape, this game involves players assuming the role of a hero who is on a mission to protect their people from danger.
In Oddworld, you’ll control Abe, a Mudokon slave who embarks on a journey to free his people from the Glukkons. This parallels Spike or the other leads journeys in Ape Escape because you capture monkeys to prevent them from ruling over mankind. That said, both games involve rescue missions that require you to navigate through challenging locales and obstacles.
On that note, both games involve your capturing and returning creatures. Where Spike and his fellow protagonists use gadgets to subdue the monkeys, Abe has incredible mind-controlling and chanting abilities that allow him to command his fellow Mudokon to defeat enemies and overcome hurdles.
On top of having some puzzle-solving and platforming elements woven into their games, Oddworld: Abe’s Escape is a fabulous platformer title that’s worth checking out.
Slime Rancher
If you’re in need of a game with a dosage of cuteness, Slime Rancher has you covered with that one. This is another creature-wrangling title with heart and beautiful graphics. In it, you’ll assume the role of a slime rancher and capture different slimes to build your own empire.
This game requires players to explore, seek out different slime species, and use their tools to capture and corral the slimes. Although you won’t build a pen for the monkeys in Ape Escape, the capturing aspect is shared between it and Slime Rancher. Moreover, both games deliver a sense of exploration and discovery. Slime Rancher presents gamers with a colorful world filled with beautiful greenery, cozy architecture, and lush terrain.
On top of giving players a chance to boost their critical thinking prowess with its strategy and management gameplay, Slime Rancher is a great alternative for Ape Escape fans.
Astro Bot Rescue Mission
Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a fun 3D platformer title developed for the PlayStation 4’s PlayStation VR headset. It has players controlling Astro Bot, a small robot that must rescue other robotic characters that are lost or in danger. Just like in Ape Escape, players must utilize their platforming skills and special abilities to traverse through Rescue Mission’s levels to save or capture escaped characters.
Both games give players a variety of gadgets that’ll assist them on their journey. From Astro Bot’s Arm Cannon to his Super Punch ability, you’ll have a wide array of techniques to use to complete the game’s missions. Further, Rescue Mission includes a plethora of levels for players to explore like Ape Escape. Many of its locales consist of bustling cities, futuristic laboratories, and alien planets.
With its similar objectives and gorgeous locations, Astro Bot Rescue Mission is sure to leave Ape Escape fanatics entertained.
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 is a Nintendo 64 classic. It was Mario’s first big jump into 3D space and holds a special place in many Nintendo fans’ hearts. While future games have refined Mario’s 3D roots, many adore revisiting this gem to see where it all began. Nonetheless, Super Mario 64 and Ape Escape share many similarities despite being made by different companies.
Firstly, both games emphasize platforming and collecting. In Super Mario 64, you must assist Mario in collecting numerous Power Stars, coins, and other collectibles to advance through the game. It all leads up to several climatic battles with Mario’s sworn enemy, Bowser. Although you’ll be wrangling monkeys in Ape Escape, some entries have you collecting Specter Coins which are valuable.
In addition to Super Mario 64 having useful power-ups and a variety of worlds, it’s definitely worth your time.
So there we have it, our 10 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Ape Escape.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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