Ape Escape (known as in Japan) is a series of video games made by Sony Computer Entertainment, starting with Ape Escape for PlayStation in 1999. The series often incorporates ape-related humour, unique gameplay, and a wide variety of pop culture references; it is also notable for being the first game to make the DualShock or Dual Analog controller mandatory. The first game and various spin-off's were developed by SCEI while the second, third and other various party games were developed by SCE Japan Studio.