Ape Escape 2

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The sequel to your favourite dual-analog monkey catching game!

Goal

• The goal is to catch enough monkeys to proceed to the next stage. There's more monkeys than you need, so you can pick a route that suits you.
• This time there's more regular boss fights. Don't underestimate them!

Timing

• Timing starts when you press NEW on the main menu
• Timing ends after the last hit on the robot-monkey fight (after he makes the playing area smaller).

Versions

From most recommended to least recommended:

• Japanese PS2 - This one has quick item switching (switching items outside of the select menu), and a few other things that make this the most recommended version. Fret not for this race however.
• NTSC-U PS2 - This game also runs 60Hz. This is the hardest difficulty one, since monkeys can see you from twice as far away. (Hikaru and Natsume have the ACTUAL Ash Ketchum and Misty voice acting, no joke).
• PS4 / PS5 - These games are the PAL version, so it runs at 50Hz. But loads are faster, so definitely worth it. If you can choose, run PS4 as the PS5 is 1 glitchy mess.
  PAL PS2 - The only reason you should use this one is if you want the superior english dub, and if you have it. It's just as difficult as the japanese version.

Tips and tricks

• FDS is not needed.
• You get the Dash hoop in level 4. You want to have this gadget and the net on your inventory at all times to go fast. You will be spinning the right analog stick a lot!
• On the topic of controls; This game has the same controls as Ape Escape 1. You press select for the item menu, Dpad for camera (and L1), jump with R1/R2, items on face buttons and using them with right analog.
• • If you walk and press both R1 and R2, you'll do a rocket dive.
• Some monkeys, especially later, can be difficult. If possible, stun them with the light saber, then quickly switch to net and press for a mostly free catch.
• After every catch, and the spinning around animation ends, there is a small animation where you can't move. If you switch gadgets, you can, definitely use this info to speed up the game a bit.
• • Mentionable if you're catching green monkeys; you are invulnerable in this little animation. Gadget canceling, as this thing is called, will take this invulnerability away.

Speedrun tricks

• The main glitch of this category is air crawling. This allows you to either get infinite height, or just fly on the same level to cross gaps. This trick is not recommended to learn during the race. If you're this eager, I got a tutorial video from 7 years ago that goes over it. It's linked down below. Check 38:42
• Smaller trick is net boosting, it gives you a little bit of extra height. Really useful in some places, but not a necessity. Recommended for the 4th stage! Check 14:41 in the video linked below
• Use the dash hoop often. Spinning the analog stick isn't as persistent as the first game, so it's not too bad on your hands.
• Tutorials for new gadgets are skippable! Whenever you select a stage, and you see the lady or professor, mash start to skip the cutscene, then square to deny training.
• in CODE CHIMP and Moon Base, the last 2 stages of the game, you don't need to catch monkeys, mostly. Just go to the end. In speedruns we can kinda fly to the end skipping most of the stage, but for this 1 race, not that awful to do.
• Most stages are circular, but more straightforward. If you see a monkey you can't catch, chances are you can't right now. Skip it, and get others.
• • IF you remember Ape Escape 1, there was this castle stage where you had to press the button in the basement then get on top. Nothing of that here. At most you need to press a door switch in the same room.
• Enjoy the bosses, especially THAT one.

Other tips

• Use the monkey radar if you can't find them! If the signal is red with a monkey face: It's in this room. Is it just red? Other room or in a box?
• Coins are useless. Explosives are good usually. Ignore the gacha box in the main room.
• If you have 0 lives, consider killing a few enemies. They'll usually supply extra lives. Low on cookies? Same, because this game kinda is good in giving life/health contextually drops.
• Unliike Ape 1, the gadget layout isn't too important here for speed-tech. However, I do question people who don't put a circular hoop on the circle button.
• If you ask yourself why the monkeys escape again, blame Tony

Tutorial video

This one still holds today, with a linked update video and input display for the trick itself in the comments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhFjGlzJyZ4

Riekelt's splits:

https://therun.gg/Riekelt/Ape%20Escape%202/Any%25$platform%3Aplaystation2$gameregion%3Ajpnntsc