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Sony has not announced a new Ape Escape. An October 2, 2026 report from 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 its developer, format, platforms and timing are unknown.
What the report says—and what it does not
According to Wccftech’s October 2, 2026 account, Nate The Hate said Sony was bringing Ape Escape back and that Team Asobi was not developing the project. He also said Bandai Namco was not involved “to his knowledge,” while indicating he would need to check further on the company’s involvement.
| # | 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 |
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Wccftech says Sony has not commented. Treat this as an attributed insider report, not an announcement: the available information does not establish whether Sony has approved a game, or whether the project is a new entry, remake or remaster. No developer, platform, release window or development status is confirmed.
Why Japan Studio is part of the story
Japan Studio developed the original Ape Escape series, but it is not a current studio that can simply be named as the developer of a rumored project. In 2021, Sony said Japan Studio would be reorganized around Team ASOBI, the team behind Astro’s PLAYROOM, while external production, localization and IP management functions would be handled through PlayStation Studios’ global organization. VGC quoted Sony Interactive Entertainment saying Japan Studio would be “re-centered to Team ASOBI” so the team could focus on a single vision. VGC’s report on the reorganization provides that context; it does not identify the developer of the reported Ape Escape project.
#1 Best Overall
- Requires Dual-Shock Analog Controller to play
There is a historical connection between the franchise and Asobi, but it is not evidence that the studio is involved now. In an interview with GamesRadar+ and Retro Gamer, Ape Escape executive producer Shuhei Yoshida said some original team members were still at Team Asobi. He also described the original concept as a 3D sandbox inspired by Super Mario 64, with capturing monkeys as the central idea. Those comments speak to the series’ legacy, not the staffing of this reported project. GamesRadar+’s interview feature covers the history.
Why a return would follow a long gap
Ape Escape debuted on the original PlayStation in 1999. Its reliance on the DualShock’s two analog sticks was central to its gadget-based play, an unusual design choice for the era. Yoshida told GamesRadar+ and Retro Gamer that the team wanted to make a 3D open-field sandbox and arrived at the monkey-catching idea as the hook.
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).
Wccftech identifies PlayStation Move Ape Escape (2010) as the series’ last entry. That makes the gap to the 2026 report roughly 16 years, counting from the release year—not a confirmed development timeline or a promise that a new game is imminent. The report does not establish whether the possible revival would continue the series’ original style or take another direction.
Can you play the older 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 differ by country and change over time, so check the live PlayStation Store for your region rather than assuming a particular game is currently available. PlayStation LifeStyle’s report discusses the reported access options; it is not a complete live catalog listing.
Rank #3
The original PlayStation release is also a legacy physical game, but current listings, condition, price and compatibility depend on the specific edition and seller. The classic’s original controls used DualShock analog sticks; that history does not establish that a particular controller is required for an emulated version.
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
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