Pipo-Mech / Pipobot

• Japanese Name: Pipo Mecha
• English Name: Pipo-Mech / Pipobot
• First Appearance: Ape Escape 2 (2002, PlayStation 2)
• Type: Mechanical Vehicle / Gotcha Gadget
• Created By: The Professor
• Primary User: Jimmy (Hikaru)
• Role: Heavy-Duty Exploration and Combat Vehicle

1. OVERVIEW & DESIGN

The Pipo-Mech, called Pipobot in the North American version, is a mechanical vehicle used by Jimmy in Ape Escape 2. It is one of the Professor's inventions and is designed to let Jimmy travel through areas that cannot be explored normally.

Despite its name and monkey-like appearance, the Pipo-Mech is not a robotic version of Pipotchi. It is a separate machine designed as part of Jimmy's collection of Gotcha Gadgets and vehicles.

2. APPEARANCE

The Pipo-Mech has a compact robotic design inspired by the visual style of the Pipo Monkeys.

• Body: A small mechanical body with a rounded, Pipo-inspired design.
• Head: Its upper section resembles a Pipo Monkey and gives the vehicle its distinctive appearance.
• Legs: The machine is equipped with large mechanical legs that allow it to move across difficult terrain.
• Controls: Jimmy controls the machine using the PlayStation 2's analog sticks.

3. PURPOSE

The Pipo-Mech is built for areas where Jimmy's normal movement and gadgets are not enough. It gives him a powerful way to move through dangerous environments and attack obstacles or enemies.

The machine is one of several specialized vehicles and gadgets developed by the Professor to assist Jimmy during his mission.

4. GAMEPLAY ROLE

When Jimmy enters an area requiring the Pipo-Mech, the game places him inside the machine. The player can then control it directly while exploring the stage.

The Pipo-Mech is especially useful against large obstacles and enemies because of its considerable physical strength.

5. CONTROLS & MOVEMENT

• Movement: The left analog stick controls the Pipo-Mech's movement.
• Attack: The right analog stick is used to perform its powerful attack.
• Mobility: Its mechanical legs allow it to move through sections that require a larger and stronger vehicle.
• Exploration: The machine is used specifically in stages designed around its abilities.

6. COMBAT ABILITIES

The Pipo-Mech's main offensive ability is a powerful physical attack. Unlike Jimmy's smaller Gotcha Gadgets, the machine relies on its mechanical strength to deal with large targets and obstacles.

• Colossal Attack: The right analog stick allows Jimmy to perform a powerful mechanical attack.
• Heavy Strength: The Pipo-Mech can deal with obstacles that Jimmy cannot handle on foot.
• Vehicle Combat: Certain areas require Jimmy to use the machine's strength to progress.

7. APPEARANCE IN APE ESCAPE 2

The Pipo-Mech is introduced as one of the vehicles available to Jimmy during his adventure. The game's instruction material describes it as a new and powerful robot created for the player's use.

It appears alongside other specialized equipment such as the submarine, giving Ape Escape 2 additional vehicle-based gameplay beyond the standard monkey-catching mechanics.

8. THE PIPO-MECH IN THE MONKEY FABLES

The name Pipo-Mech also appears in the seventeenth Monkey Fable available in Ape Escape 2, titled Thumbelotchi.

In the story, Thumbelotchi is a tiny Pipotchi who eventually grows after encountering a special Monkey Helmet. The fable reveals that Thumbelotchi is actually a Pipo-Mech, creating a humorous connection between the machine and the game's monkey-themed world.

9. RELATIONSHIP TO PIPOTCHI

The Pipo-Mech and Pipotchi are separate things. Pipotchi is Jimmy's baby Pipo Monkey companion, while the Pipo-Mech is a mechanical vehicle created by the Professor.

Their similar names and Pipo-inspired designs can make them easy to confuse, but the game treats them as different elements.

10. OTHER VEHICLES

• Submarine: Another specialized vehicle used by Jimmy to explore underwater areas.
• Pipo-Mech: A mechanical vehicle used for heavy movement and powerful attacks.

11. TRIVIA

• The Pipo-Mech first appeared in Ape Escape 2.
• The North American version calls it the Pipobot.
• It was developed by the Professor as one of Jimmy's specialized machines.
• The Pipo-Mech is a vehicle, not a separate robot character with its own personality.
• The machine's design is inspired by the appearance of the Pipo Monkeys.
• A Pipo-Mech also appears as a humorous reveal in the Thumbelotchi Monkey Fable.