Ape Escape is making a comeback with the help of Sonic Mania developers.

After over 15 years, it looks like a revival of Ape Escape might finally be in the works. Developer Evening Star is reportedly working on bringing back this classic for Sony Interactive Entertainment, as shared by a former journalist. Evening Star, founded by Sonic Mania’s lead designer in 2018, previously released the 3D platformer Penny’s Big Breakaway in 2024.

On a recent podcast, it was mentioned that while the game isn’t close to release, discussions about Ape Escape have been ongoing for nearly a year. The studio behind the revival is said to be external, not the well-known Team Asobi, which is a remnant of the acclaimed Japan Studio that originally developed the series. Team Asobi has been busy with its own projects, including a nod to Ape Escape in Astro Bot.

Rumors about Ape Escape’s return have circulated for a while, but this is the most solid information to date. Reports indicate that Sony is exploring ways to revive several of its dormant franchises by collaborating with outside studios, likely due to the restructuring of its internal teams. This approach was previously seen with a partnership for a new Everybody’s Golf title.

Additionally, there are whispers about a potential revival of the Killzone series.

The last official entry in the Ape Escape franchise was PlayStation Move Ape Escape, which was more of a spin-off than a mainline game. The series kicked off in 1999 with the original Ape Escape, followed by sequels in 2003 and 2005. While there have been various spin-offs and party games, it’s been over two decades since a true main entry.

For those unfamiliar, the gameplay revolves around capturing clever apes that have escaped, using a variety of gadgets like the Stun Club and Time Net to catch these speedy critters. The original game is often hailed as one of the best on the PS1, thanks in large part to its innovative use of the DualShock controller’s dual analog sticks.