Ape Escape 2

Ape Escape 2
Also known as: Saru! Get You 2 (JP) Developer: SCE Japan Studio Publishers: SCEI (JP), SCEE (EU), Ubi Soft (US) Platform: PlayStation 2 Released in JP: July 18, 2002 Released in US: June 30, 2003 Released in EU: March 14, 2003 Released in CN: January 15, 2004 This game has regional differences.

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.

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English Translation Differences Thankfully 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

International	Europe

• 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.

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, the logo has a unique animation that syncs it to the first notes of the opening theme. This was removed from the international versions.

Opening Song

Japan	International
やっぱりサルゲッチュ (Yappari Saru Getchu)

The Japanese opening song, "Yappari Saru Getchu" by "SHINGEN-MONKEYS", was replaced with a different track for the international releases. This change was also reflected in the title screen and the Japanese opening song remains unused in the game's files.

Gameplay Differences

This needs some investigation. Discuss ideas and findings on the talk page. Specifically: Aren't the 3 monkeys normally not obtainable in the Japanese version obtained via online?

• 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.
• The range of sight for the monkeys is lower in the Japanese version when compared to the other versions.

European Dub

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

Pink Monkey Boss Stage

• 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 contain a unique version of "Anata wo Getchu" that is exclusive to these versions.

Japan/China	International

Credits

Japan	Europe	US	China

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 was not 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.