New Ape Escape Game Possibly in Development by Sonic Mania Team

Rumors are swirling that Evening Star, the studio behind Sonic Mania, is developing a new Ape Escape game, marking the series’ first return in over 15 years since the 2011 PlayStation Move title for the PS3. Both Jeff Gerstmann and an outlet have reported that this beloved franchise is set for a comeback, with Sony also exploring other dormant licenses for potential revivals.

Ape Escape debuted in 1999 on the original PlayStation, offering a third-person 3D platforming experience where players control a boy named Spike tasked with recapturing escaped apes using various gadgets and vehicles. The game was a massive hit and has since spawned 14 spin-offs and sequels, including mini-game collections, a PS2 EyeToy version, and even an RPG. If the series returns, it’s expected to focus on the core gameplay, which last graced consoles with 2005’s Ape Escape 3.

In a recent episode of The Jeff Gerstmann Show, Gerstmann mentioned hearing chatter about an Ape Escape revival, recalling that he had heard about Evening Star’s involvement around eight months ago. His comments suggest that he believes the project may still be in development, a sentiment echoed by the outlet, which has corroborated this information through its own sources.

The outlet also reports that Sony is looking to build on last year’s revival of Everybody’s Golf by potentially resurrecting the Killzone series, which has been dormant since Killzone Shadow Fall 13 years ago. Additionally, fresh rumors have emerged regarding the possibility of Uncharted making a return, which is remarkable considering it has been nearly a decade since its last installment.

Ape Escape has always been a trailblazer for Sony’s peripheral technology, being the first PlayStation title to require the DualShock controller. The EyeToy was essential for Monkey Mania, while 2005’s Ape Escape Academy utilized the PSP’s Wi-Fi for four-player gameplay, and the most recent entry leveraged the PlayStation Move. Given how underutilized the impressive DualSense controller has been on the PS5, despite its stellar showcase in Astro Bot, there’s potential for innovative uses of its features if this project comes to fruition. Alternatively, it could serve as a way to highlight new capabilities in the upcoming PS6.