I’ve never really gotten into the Ape Escape series. To me, there have always been better platformers like Mario 64, Crash Bandicoot, and the Jak & Daxter series. Still, I picked this game up because I’ve never actually owned an Ape Escape game and it was recommended to me at the time (a few months after the PSP was released).

The game is fairly decent as far at platformers go. The graphics are reminiscent of a good PS1/mediocre PS2 game, and there are enough levels, challenges, mini-games, and monkeys to catch to keep you playing it for a lengthy period of time. Still, there’s just something that feels incredibly… I don’t know. Incomplete, I suppose. Everything feels like it lacks any real polish, especially the story and the voice-acting. Granted, it’s an early game for the PSP, but it still could’ve been much better than it is.

If you’re a fan of the series, go for it. If not, there are better games available these days.