Organization:Ape Escape Academy

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Short description: 2004 video game

Ape Escape Academy
North American box art
Developer(s)Shift
Alvion[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
SeriesApe Escape
Platform(s)PlayStation Portable
Release
  • JP: December 30, 2004
  • EU: September 1, 2005
  • NA: January 17, 2006
Genre(s)Party
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Ape Escape Academy, also known as Ape Academy in Europe and Lua error in Module:Lang/utilities at line 332: attempt to call field '_transl' (a nil value). in Japan, is a party video game developed by Shift and Alvion and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable. It consists of a collection of 47 mini-games, many of which borrow from elements of Ape Escape 2. The game was first released in Japan in 2004, in Europe in 2005 and North America in 2006. By utilizing the PSP's Wi-Fi capabilities, up to 4 players can play at a time. The North American release was on the same day as Ape Escape 3.

A sequel, Ape Escape Academy 2, was released in Japan and Europe, but not in North America.

Gameplay

A monkey working for Specter, the player must work up from junior class to senior class by playing mini games by meeting certain criteria for each class. There are 9 mini games in each class to complete. Failing to meet the criteria rewards the player with an X, while meeting the criteria rewards an O, similar to tic-tac-toe.

Each level has a certain number of lines required to pass the class (one line consists of 3 Os, either horizontally, vertically or diagonal). The game also offers review lessons for players that have almost met the requirements. Usually, these are mini-games that the player has failed previously.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic51/100[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
EGM4.83/10[3][lower-alpha 2]
Eurogamer4/10[4]
Famitsu27/40[5]
Game Informer7/10[6]
GameRevolutionD+[7]
GameSpot6.1/10[8]
GameSpyStarStar[9]
GameZone6.7/10[10]
Hardcore Gamer2.75/5[11]
IGN5.5/10[12]
OPM (US)Star[13]
Pocket GamerStarStarHalf star[14]
Detroit Free PressStar[15]
The TimesStarStarStar[16]

The game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2] Many reviewers criticized the difficulty of most of the mini-games, as the controls were not explained fully, often leading to a failure during the first run in these minigames, but generally liked the variations in the available mini-games. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one six and three sevens for a total of 27 out of 40.[5]

Game Informer noted how the game focuses on mini games like the WarioWare series, said the game does give some quick thrills, and criticized the loading times between games diminishing the fast-paced feel in comparison to the WarioWare games; the magazine concluded: "Still, this unambiguous title manages to (mostly) hit its target."[6] GamePro said that the mini-games "look nice, but just can't compete with Wario Ware's [sic] non-stop style of play that is best suited for the stylus-equipped DS."[17][lower-alpha 3]

The Times gave it a score of three stars out of five, saying, "With more than 45 mini-games in the mix, it is not surprising that the quality of them is fairly mixed — it is Ape Academy's major weakness that while many are rather too easy (the one-metre dash, for instance), others seem impossible (catching the contents of a kebab on a sword)."[16] Entertainment Weekly gave it a C+, saying, "Most of these minigames are fun and challenging, but the lack of a plot can leave you wondering just where you're going with the gameplay — and some become insanely hard after a couple starter rounds."[18] However, The Sydney Morning Herald gave it two stars out of five, saying, "Ape Academy's pace is languid. Frequent, lengthy loading delays frustrate, and many of the 50 challenges suffer from clumsy controls, ambiguous instructions, or are just dull."[19] Detroit Free Press gave it one star out of four, saying, "Throw in some excessive load times and a lame several-players-on-one handheld multiplayer mode and you have a barrel of frustration."[15]

It is believed that because of this game's lackluster reception, the future of the Ape Escape series in the North America is uncertain, as successive titles in the series (such as Ape Escape Racer and Ape Escape Million Monkeys) have yet to receive a North American release. However, Ape Quest was released for download for the PSP on the PlayStation Store in Japan & the US.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Additional work by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan.[1]
  2. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 4.5/10, and the other gave it 5.5/10
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the game 4/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, 2.5/5 for control, and 3/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ "JAPANスタジオ作品一覧 2005年～2003年" (in ja). Sony Interactive Entertainment. 2021. https://www.playstation.com/ja-jp/corporate/playstation-studios/japan-studio/history-2003-2005/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ape Escape Academy for PSP Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/ape-escape-academy/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. 
  3. ↑ Tsao, Jennifer; Ashley, Robert; Rea, Jared (February 2006). "Ape Escape Academy". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (200): 111. http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3133445&did=2. Retrieved August 2, 2023. 
  4. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (August 30, 2005). "Ape Academy". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-apeacademy-psp. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Collection of every PSP-game reviewed in Famitsu". NeoGaf LLC. August 27, 2006. https://www.neogaf.com/threads/collection-of-every-psp-game-reviewed-in-famitsu.116580/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Helgeson, Matt (February 2006). "Ape Escape Academy". Game Informer (GameStop) (154): 113. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/2B33D57B-22C2-4A5C-A72C-3B836B66AFB7.htm. Retrieved January 26, 2021. 
  7. ↑ Hurh, JP (February 1, 2006). "Ape Escape Academy Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/36502-ape-escape-acade-review. 
  8. ↑ Davis, Ryan (January 17, 2006). "Ape Escape Academy Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ape-escape-academy-review/1900-6142549/. 
  9. ↑ Theobald, Phil (January 13, 2006). "GameSpy: Ape Escape Academy". IGN Entertainment. http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/ape-escape-academics/681222p1.html. 
  10. ↑ Zacarias, Eduardo (January 13, 2006). "Ape Escape Academt - PSP - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/ape-escape-academy-psp-review/. 
  11. ↑ Cunningham, James; Hatchett, Geson "Racewing" (February 2006). "Ape Escape Academy". Hardcore Gamer (Prima Games) 1 (8): 64. https://archive.org/details/hardcore-gamer-magazine-v1i8/page/n31/mode/2up. Retrieved August 2, 2023. 
  12. ↑ Castro, Juan (January 19, 2006). "Ape Escape Academy". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/19/ape-escape-academy. 
  13. ↑ Kohler, Chris (February 2006). "Ape Escape Academy". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (101): 84. https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-101-february-2006/page/n83/mode/2up. Retrieved August 2, 2023. 
  14. ↑ James, Chris (September 8, 2005). "Ape Academy". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/ape-academy/ape-academy/. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Huschka, Ryan (February 12, 2006). "'Ape Escape Academy'". Detroit Free Press (Gannett Company). http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060212/ENT06/602120325/1044. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 McNamara, John (September 17, 2005). "Ape Academy". The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/culture/gaming/article/ape-academy-c9wl9zjgp30. 
  17. ↑ Mr. Marbles (March 2006). "Ape Escape Academy". GamePro (IDG) (210): 91. https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0e/GamePro_US_210.pdf. Retrieved August 2, 2023. 
  18. ↑ Xu, Samantha (April 13, 2006). "Bananas! (Ape Escape Academy)". Entertainment Weekly (Time Inc.). https://ew.com/article/2007/01/03/new-psp-titles-good-things-small-packages/. Retrieved August 2, 2023. 
  19. ↑ Hill, Jason (September 29, 2005). "Nightmare Before Xmas". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/nightmare-before-xmas-20050929-gdm5cg.html. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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