Beloved PlayStation Platformer Ape Escape Said to Be in Development at Sonic Mania Studio
According to gaming journalist Jeff Gerstmann, the Ape Escape franchise is receiving a new installment developed by Evening Star, the studio behind Sonic Mania and Penny's Big Breakaway. The project has reportedly been in development for around a year, with a potential release window sometime in early-to-mid 2027. This marks the first mainline entry in the series since 2006, reigniting interest in the classic PlayStation platformer.
The Ape Escape franchise has remained dormant for two decades, with its last major release arriving in 2006. The series originally debuted on PlayStation 1 in 1999 and became a notable platformer alongside contemporaries like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon. Evening Star, the development studio helming this revival, has established credibility through Sonic Mania's critical success and the positive reception of Penny's Big Breakaway, suggesting the studio possesses the expertise to revitalize a classic property.
If the 2027 timeline holds, this project would mark a significant moment in gaming nostalgia cycles, potentially introducing the monkey-catching gameplay to players unfamiliar with the original series while appealing to veteran fans. The involvement of a respected indie studio rather than an internal Sony team could influence the game's creative direction and tone.
A successful Ape Escape revival could reinforce trends in video game industry nostalgia marketing and IP revival strategies. The project may affect multiple audiences—long-time fans seeking closure on the franchise, new players discovering the series, and investors evaluating retro gaming's commercial viability. Such releases can influence broader industry decisions about reviving dormant properties, potentially impacting development resources and studio opportunities in the gaming sector.