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Sony has not announced a new Ape Escape. An October 2, 2026 report by Wccftech, citing insider Nate The Hate, says the company may be bringing the series back. The report says Team Asobi is not making the game, but the project’s developer, format, platforms, release timing, and development status have not been established.
What the report says—and what remains unknown
Wccftech attributed the revival claim to Nate The Hate. In the same account, he reportedly said Team Asobi was not involved. He also said Bandai Namco was not involved “to his knowledge,” while adding that he would need to check further on the company’s role. Those are reported insider claims, not confirmation from Sony. Wccftech’s October 2, 2026 report says Sony has not commented.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Ape Escape | $104.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Ape Escape - Playstation (Renewed) | $56.44 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Ape Escape 2 - PlayStation 2 | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Ape Escape On The Loose PSP (Renewed) | $32.51 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Ape Escape On The Loose PSP | $10.21 | Buy on Amazon |
The available report does not establish whether the possible project is a new game, remake, or remaster. It also does not identify a developer, platform, release window, or current development status. The headline’s 16-year gap comes from comparing the 2010 release of PlayStation Move Ape Escape with the 2026 report; it is not a separately published statistic.
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Japan Studio developed the original series, but it is not an unchanged studio waiting to resume work on the franchise. In 2021, Sony said Japan Studio would be reorganized and re-centered on Team Asobi, while external production, software localization, and IP management functions would be concentrated within PlayStation Studios’ global functions. VGC quoted Sony Interactive Entertainment describing the change: “JAPAN Studio will be re-centered to Team ASOBI, the creative team behind Astro’s PLAYROOM, allowing the team to focus on a single vision and build on the popularity of Astro’s PLAYROOM.” VGC’s report on the reorganization provides that historical context; it does not identify a developer for the rumored Ape Escape project.
#1 Best Overall
- Requires Dual-Shock Analog Controller to play
Team Asobi’s connection to Ape Escape
Team Asobi has a historical connection to the franchise, but that is separate from the report about the possible revival. In a GamesRadar+/Retro Gamer interview, Ape Escape executive producer Shuhei Yoshida said, “And actually, some of the members from the original Ape Escape [team] are still in Team Asobi.” He also described a possible lineage in PlayStation game design from the original series to Astro’s Playroom and Astro Bot. Neither the shared personnel nor that design connection is evidence that Asobi is developing the reported project. GamesRadar+’s interview feature covers Yoshida’s comments.
Why the original game stood out
The first Ape Escape arrived on the original PlayStation in 1999. It made the DualShock’s analog controls central to play: the two sticks were used to move the character and operate gadgets. Yoshida recalled the initial idea as, “Wanted to create a 3D, open-field, sandbox game like Mario 64, and they came up with the idea of capturing monkeys. So that came first.” The series’ distinctive capture-and-gadget concept grew from that design premise. The interview feature discusses the concept and controls.
Rank #2
- Catch 'Em All: Hunt down over 200 unique monkeys, each with their own distinct personalities, alert levels, and hilarious behaviors.
- Innovative Gadgets: Master a creative arsenal of tools—including the Stun Club, Time Net, Monkey Radar, Sky Flyer, and RC Car—to outsmart your primate foes.
- Time-Traveling Adventure: Explore massive, colorful levels spanning across different time periods, from the prehistoric dinosaur age to the Great Wall of China.
- Revolutionary Controls: Fully utilizes the DualShock controller's twin analog sticks for immersive 360-degree movement and gadget control (Dual-Shock Analog Controller required to play).
When the last Ape Escape game came out
Wccftech identifies PlayStation Move Ape Escape, released in 2010, as the series’ last new entry. That makes the gap to the October 2026 report roughly 16 years by release year. The interval helps explain the “back after 16 years” framing, but does not mean Sony has confirmed a return. Wccftech’s report supplies the last-entry context.
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How to revisit the games now
PlayStation LifeStyle reported on October 2, 2026, that emulated classics were available to PS5 and PS4 players through PS Plus Premium and as separate PlayStation Store purchases. Catalogs and purchase options can change by region and date, so check the live PlayStation Store for your account region before relying on availability. PlayStation LifeStyle’s availability report describes the reported options; it is not a complete current catalog listing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Capture over 200 Monkeys
- Eight different worlds
- Over 20 levels
- Single-player and Multiplayer via Wireless connection
Rank #4
- Capture over 200 Monkeys
- Eight different worlds
- Over 20 levels
- Single-player and Multiplayer via Wireless connection
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
