Insider Reports Sony May Revive Ape Escape Series

The last mainline entry in the monkey-catching platformer series was released more than twenty years ago.

Sony may be preparing a return for Ape Escape, a platformer series where players catch escaped monkeys using unusual gadgets. Insider NateTheHate discussed the development of a new project during a ResetEra forum discussion.

Following this, users speculated that Team Asobi, known for Astro Bot, might be handling the project. This theory arose because of a game level entirely dedicated to Ape Escape, in which Astro Bot catches monkeys using gadgets that replicate the series’ core mechanic. NateTheHate refuted the assumption and stated that Team Asobi has no relation to the project. The insider did not specify who is handling the development.

The original Ape Escape was released on PlayStation in 1999. The last mainline entry in the series, Ape Escape 3, came out on the PS2 in 2005. In 2021, Sony disbanded Japan Studio after deciding to focus on cinematic AAA blockbusters. However, the success of Astro Bot, which won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024, may have prompted the company to reconsider its plans.