Gaming News - January 2006

Foster City, CA (January 17, 2006) - Sony today announced the release of Ape Escape 3 for the PlayStation 2 and Ape Escape Academy for the PSP.

From Sony:

Created by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., these new additions expand the well- known Ape Escape franchise first made popular on the PlayStation(R) game console. With a mischievous tone and colorful style, Ape Escape 3 marks the return of the troublesome pipo monkeys that are on the loose and intent on world domination. Complete with a hilarious plot, enhanced monkey AI, a new transformation feature, inventive mini-games and clever pop culture parodies, Ape Escape 3 will impress fans old and new of the franchise. As one of the first party games for the PSP system, Ape Escape Academy is an ideal pick-up-and-play game with a varied collection of more than 40 original mini-games including hockey, dodgeball, karate, rhythm dancing and more.

"The latest installments to the Ape Escape franchise are sure to deliver to fans exactly what they want -- fresh storylines, enhanced features, and unique gameplay," said John Koller, senior product manager, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Retaining all of the humor and fun of the previous games, Ape Escape 3 and Ape Escape Academy give players the sheer creativity and endless gameplay variety certain to make these madcap monkeys a favorite for gamers of all ages."

Pop culture parodies accent every aspect of the game as Ape Escape 3 features the returning evil villain Specter who has enlisted his army of monkeys to take over the world by creating mind-numbing television programs that turn viewers into couch potatoes. Two new heroes, Kei and his sister Yumi, are determined to takedown over 400 monkeys on television sets just as their outrageous shows are about to air. Players can choose to take on the role of either sibling, and for the first time have the ability to transform into seven imaginative characters each with different skill sets. Character transformations include the Miracle Ninja, Wild West Kid, Fantasy Knight, Genie Dancer and more. In addition, through collaboration with SCEI and KONAMI, Ape Escape 3 takes parody to a new level with an extensive unlockable mini-game modeled after the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Players also can test their movie-making skills in the "Simian Cinema" which will give them the opportunity to cast and create their own 15-second short with captured monkeys as their star actors.

Family-friendly and perfect for gamers on-the-go, Ape Escape Academy for the PSP system also extends the humorous tone of the title with a wide variety of wacky mini-games filled with frantic fun that enables players to create apes ready and willing to take over the world. Players will have the opportunity to challenge themselves in one of the three mini-game areas: Mind, Body and Technique. Gamers will aim to achieve head of the class status in the Academy mode, the primary mode, where players progress within the school system as they win various mini-games. After a player attempts a mini-game within the Academy mode, it will be entered into the Game Collection where it can be replayed for practice or to achieve a higher score.

Ape Escape Academy also features ad-hoc wireless connectivity allowing two players to battle in head-to-head competitions on their PSP systems. A number of the mini-games also are available in the innovative Share mode where two players can take on one another simultaneously using one PSP system.