# Ape Escape: matching PlayStation executable decompilation

> apes-escaped reconstructs the USA PlayStation Ape Escape executable as C compiled with a PsyQ-era GCC 2.8.1 toolchain. Unfinished functions and 48 overlays remain in assembly so the build can reproduce the original executable. The author reports 1,257 matching C functions, covering 58.3% of game-code bytes.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/SSZero88/apes-escaped>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/SSZero88/apes-escaped/blob/78a910006adb01fa55c1f34940ee7a27ae4692bf/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/ape-escape-matching-decomp-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/ape-escape-matching-decomp-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/ape-escape-matching-decomp-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Provide your own USA Ape Escape disc.
- **Prerequisites:** The setup uses Docker, Python 3 and Git Bash with the project's PsyQ-era GCC toolchain.
- **Limits:** The author reports 48 overlays still in assembly and two minigame executables not started.
- **License:** No licence file in the repository.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/SSZero88/apes-escaped/blob/78a910006adb01fa55c1f34940ee7a27ae4692bf/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/SSZero88/apes-escaped/blob/78a910006adb01fa55c1f34940ee7a27ae4692bf/docs/findings.md>

## More in Games

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- [Armored Core: matching PS1 executable and overlay reconstruction](https://awesomerea.org/resources/armored-core-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study
- [atolm: a matching decompilation of Panzer Dragoon Saga](https://awesomerea.org/resources/panzer-dragoon-saga-atolm-case/index.md) · Case study
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- [Bakugan: Battle Brawlers: a matching Nintendo DS decompilation](https://awesomerea.org/resources/bakugan-battle-brawlers-ds-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.