Ape Escape 2

Ape Escape 2 is the second game in the Ape Escape series and is a true sequel to the original game, now with 300 monkeys to catch and none of the pants-catching mayhem of the previous game, Ape Escape 2001. Also, unlike that title, it came out worldwide.

The gameplay is largely the same as the original, with new levels, new monkeys, new bosses and a new main character named Jimmy (US)/Hikaru (EU/JP), who is the cousin of Spike/Kakeru, who also returns as a unlockable character.

Sub-Page#

English Translation DifferencesThankfully not as complicated as Ape Escape 3.

Regional Differences#

Loading Screen#

A loading screen was added to the start of the game in the US version. This is absent in the other versions.

Memory Card Screens#

The Japanese, European and Chinese versions use a different layout for the "No memory card" screen than the US version. Also, the Chinese version uses a different layout for some memory card screens.

Japan	Europe	US	China

Anti-Addiction Screen#

The Chinese version has an anti-addiction screen added to the start of the game per Mainland China regulations.

Original

Translation

健康游戏忠告

抵制不良游戏，拒绝盗版游戏。
注意自我保护，谨防受骗上当。
适度游戏益脑，沉迷游戏伤身。
合理安排时间，享受健康生活。

Healthy Gaming Advice

Resist unscrupulous games; decline pirated games.
Pay attention to self-protection; beware of being cheated.
Moderate gaming benefits your brain; indulging in gaming hurts your body.
Reasonably arrange your time; enjoy a healthy life.

Ubisoft Logo#

The North American version of the game was published by Ubisoft. As such, their logo is displayed before the "Sony Computer Entertainment presents" screen. This is also the reason the PS4 release is based on the European version.

Sony Computer Entertainment Logo#

To do:
Add the European Sony Computer Entertainment logo video for other languages

International	Europe (English)
	Watch on YouTube

As with the previous game, the Japanese version has a voice-over that calls out the "Sony Computer Entertainment" name. The voice-over is removed in the North American and Chinese versions.

In the European version, the logo is replaced with a video, putting the "Sony Computer Entertainment Europe presents" in a label on a banana before it zooms out to show a scuffle between Jimmy/Hikaru and some monkeys, This video was also translated for the other languages.

Title Screen#

Japan	Europe

US	China

The Japanese and Chinese versions each use a different text font when than the other versions. The European version uses an entirely different logo. The registered trademark symbol was changed to an trademark symbol, and the European version adds an exclamation mark to the "Press the START button" text. The year in the copyright info was also updated.

In the Japanese version, a short intro animation is played on the title screen with the logo set to the first part of the Japanese title theme. This was removed in the international versions.

Japan	International
やっぱりサルゲッチュ (Yappari Saru Gecchu (30 sec)	Theme Tune!
やっぱりサルゲッチュ (Yappari Saru Gecchu (60 sec)
やっぱりサルゲッチュ (Yappari Saru Gecchu (full))

The Japanese title screen music is "Yappari Saru Gecchu" by "SHINGEN-MONKEYS". This was replaced with a different track, named "Theme Tune!" for the international versions and the Japanese opening song remains unused in the game's files. The full version of "Yappari Saru Gecchu" can be found in the Japanese version's Jukebox section.

Gameplay Differences#

The Japanese and Chinese versions have a quick gadget swapping feature that is not present in the other versions. This feature, which is commonly exploited by speedrunners, was added in all versions of the 3rd game.
The Japanese version is compatible with a special "Ukki-Ukki" disc. The disc contains three slide puzzles that, when completed, unlock the "Saru-Buster" gadget, which is basically just a land version of the Water net. Due to the "Ukki-Ukki" disc not being released outside of Japan, this gadget is not available for Jimmy/Hikaru to use in the international versions.
- However, Spike/Kakeru has all gadgets unlocked from the start in all versions, including the Saru-Buster, making him the only character who can use that gadget in the international versions.
Of the 300 monkeys, the Japanese version had a total of 297 monkeys that can be caught throughout the game, with three additional monkeys being unlocked by using the special Ukki-Ukki disc mentioned above. The international versions changed this to where the last three monkeys are available normally after beating the Moon Base.
- Additionally, once caught, those Monkeys could be used as players in the Monkey Football Mini Game, in the Japanese version. For some reason, the international versions omitted this feature and now the player can't use them in a team even if he has caught them.

The three very rare Monkeys in Monkey Football, unavailable in international versions

The sight-range of the monkeys are lower in the Japanese version compared to the other versions.
The player can no longer pause the game in the Monkepedia and therefore has no access to the Hidden Comments

Hidden Comments (Monkepedia Passwords)#

This needs some investigation.
Discuss ideas and findings on the talk page.
Specifically: What are the passwords for every monkey? Are these somehow accessible in international releases?

To do:
Translate the hidden comments

Shortly after the release of the video game, Sony released a promotional tie-in card game featuring the Monkeys, exclusively in Japan. Each card contained a password on the bottom-right, which the player could input by going to the Monkepedia entry of the Monkey in question and pausing the game (something only possible in Japanese releases).

If the player inputted the password correctly, a jingle would play and the screen would change color. And now, instead of displaying the typical entry, the game will display a Hidden Comment (from one of the game's characters like Specter, Monkey Red, the Professor, etc) on the Monkey in question. While allegedly only 72 cards were released, all the Monkeys have a Hidden Comment, as seen here. An incomplete collection of passwords can be found here.

European Dub#

The UK release features a completely separate voice cast from the US release like in the previous game.

Pink Monkey Boss Stage#

Pink Monkey's song was known as "Anata wo Gecchu" in the Japanese and Chinese versions. In the English version, it's "Escape The Ape That's In You". In the Chinese version, it's simply named "Get you" in the sound test.
The banner on the stage was changed for the international versions.
In the Japanese and Chinese versions, the song info is displayed in the FMV in the bottom right corner as well as in the video unlocked in the movie player.
The Japanese and Chinese versions have a different arrangement of the song than the other versions. The song heard in the Jukebox in the Japanese and Chinese version have that arrangement mixed in differently to that of the other versions.

Japan/China	International

Credits#

Japan	Europe	US	China
Watch on YouTube	Watch on YouTube	Watch on YouTube	Watch on YouTube

The credits roll is different in all versions of the game.

In the Japanese and European versions, SHINGEN-MONKEYS and Hajime Hyakkoku are both credited for the Japanese opening song, even though it is not used in the European version.
In the European version, SCEE's staff are credited.
In the US version, Ubisoft's staff is credited instead.

Disclaimer#

A disclaimer screen was added to the end of the game in the US version. It is absent in the other versions.

Secret Information#

Japan	International	China

The "secret information" screen displayed at the end of the game after catching 300/297 monkeys has the background darker in the Japanese version than the other versions.