Ape Escape 2

Ape Escape 2, like its predecessor, is a platform game in which players control Hikaru (Jimmy in the North American English version) as he catches monkeys spread across each level. Like the previous game, players control Hikaru using the left analog stick and shoulder buttons while using the right analog stick to control various Gotcha Gadgets that are unlocked as the player progresses through the game. Along with returning gadgets such as the Stun Club, Monkey Net, Super Hoop, Water Net, Slingback Shooter, RC Car, and Sky Flyer, Ape Escape 2 introduces three new gadgets; the Bananarang, which attracts monkeys with its scent, the Water Cannon, which puts out fires, and the Electro Magnet, which can be used on magnetic surfaces. The Magic Punch, a gadget from the first game unlocked in the post-game, also makes a return.

New to the game is the monkey sidekick, Pipotchi, who accompanies Hikaru through most of the game. While with Hikaru, Pipotchi can give the player hints, help Hikaru reach ledges, and revive him once per life when his health is depleted.

The game takes place after the events in Ape Escape, where Kakeru (Spike in the North American English) stopped Specter from taking over the world. It is a few years later, and the Professor left for a vacation leaving his granddaughter Natsumi (Natalie in the North American versions), and Kakeru's cousin Hikaru (Jimmy in the North American English version) to watch over the laboratory. The Professor has left them with one task: deliver a load of monkey pants to the monkeys in Monkey Park. Hikaru accidentally sends not only the monkey pants, but some Monkey Helmets as well, wrecking the laboratory in the process.

Specter gets a hold of one, and yet again makes an army of monkeys bent on ruling the world. Under Natsumi's orders, Hikaru, accompanied by a friendly baby Pipo Monkey named Pipotchi, sets out to capture all the monkeys and stop Specter. However, Specter has supplied five monkeys, the Freaky Monkey Five, with Vita-Z bananas, making them stronger and more intelligent than the average monkeys.

The game was directed and produced by Naoto Ohta, formerly of Capcom. The music of the game was composed by Koji Hayama, managed by Don Makkou and Bungo Fujiwara of Two Five and data programmed by Masaaki Kaneko of Procyon Studio. The game's sound effects were created by Takashi Kanai and Junko Sano. The voice acting of the American version was recorded by Dan Rich and Jeremy Blaustein.

The American voice cast features Rachael Lillis as Natalie, Jay Snyder as the Professor and Spike, Gary Littman as White Monkey, Carter Cathcart as Yellow Monkey, Greg Abbey as Specter, Blue Monkey, and Red Monkey, Tara Sands as Pipotchi, and Kathleen McInerney as Jimmy. The voice acting of the European version was recorded at Side UK on Great Titchfield Street in London, with Andy Emery serving as the voice director. The European voice cast consists of Jonathan Keeble as the Professor and Red Monkey, Marc Silk as Specter and White Monkey, David Holt as Hikaru, Yellow Monkey and Pipotchi, Rachel Preece as Natsumi and Pink Monkey (the latter of the two was reused for the American version) and Richard Pearce as Blue Monkey and Kakeru. The PAL version of Ape Escape 2 was re-released as a PSN title in 2016, featuring trophies and upscaled graphics.

The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. GamePro said of the game, "What makes Ape Escape 2 rule is that it simply feels like no other game, thanks to an intuitive analog control scheme in which pressing or rotating the right stick both aims and activates your various gadgets."

Kotaku praised the game citing the PlayStation 4 port which was released on PSN in August 2016. IGN said: "More than anything, the inescapable level of addiction in COLLECTING monkeys is the overriding reason to not just rent, but to buy and cherish this game." GameSpot said: "The game's relative ease is offset by the sheer number of weird unlockable items, and the end result is a platform game that is, above all, great fun."