Sony is reportedly bringing back Ape Escape, the PS1 platformer from 1999 where you chase down escaped monkeys with a net. The report comes from NateTheHate, an industry insider with a good record on unannounced games. If he is right, the new Ape Escape game would be the first new entry since PlayStation Move Ape Escape on PS3 in 2010. That’s 16 years.
Sony hasn’t commented. Until PlayStation announces something, this is a rumor.
What NateTheHate Said About the Ape Escape Revival
The report came out at the start of October 2026. NateTheHate was answering fan questions on the ResetEra forum, and within hours his replies had spread to Reddit’s r/GamingLeaksAndRumours. “I said a while ago, Sony is looking to bring back some dormant franchises,” he wrote. He says Ape Escape is one of those franchises.
He also named studios that are not making it. Team Asobi, the studio behind Astro Bot, is not involved. He thinks Bandai Namco isn’t involved either, but said he would need to check further to be 100% certain. PlayStation LifeStyle’s write-up of the Ape Escape report covers the original forum thread in more detail.
Who Is Developing the New Ape Escape Game?
Nobody knows. That is a real question, because the studio that made the series is gone. Sony closed Japan Studio in April 2021, and its Astro Bot team became the separate studio Team Asobi.
| Studio | Where it stands in the rumor |
|---|---|
| Japan Studio | Made the original games, closed in 2021 |
| Team Asobi | Ruled out by NateTheHate |
| Bandai Namco | Probably not involved (not fully confirmed) |
| Unnamed studio | Reportedly handling development |
Every Main Ape Escape Game So Far
| Game | Platform | First release |
|---|---|---|
| Ape Escape | PS1 | 1999 |
| Ape Escape 2 | PS2 | 2002 |
| Ape Escape 3 | PS2 | 2005 |
| Ape Escape: On the Loose | PSP | 2005 |
| PlayStation Move Ape Escape | PS3 | 2010 |
The 1999 original was the first PlayStation game that required an analog controller. Players moved Spike with the left stick and swung his gadgets with the right, so it was one of the first games built entirely around the DualShock. Over the next decade a long run of spinoffs followed on PS2 and PSP, and many of them stayed in Japan. The full Ape Escape series list includes party games, racers and an EyeToy title. Ape Escape 3 was the last numbered sequel, more than 20 years ago.
Why Sony Might Revive Ape Escape Now
Sony has been hinting at it for a while. Astro Bot came out in September 2024 and won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024. One of its levels is built around Ape Escape’s helmet-wearing monkeys, and fans noticed.
Other reporters have said similar things. In January 2025, VGC’s Andy Robinson said Sony was working on “at least a couple” of projects based on older IP that hasn’t been used in years. NateTheHate’s comment matches that.
An Ape Escape game would also fill a gap. Sony’s 2026 first-party lineup leans on big-budget action games like Marvel’s Wolverine, and a colorful, family-friendly platformer would give the lineup something different.
Is There an Ape Escape 4 Release Date?
No. There is no release date, trailer, title or platform list. We don’t know whether Sony will call it Ape Escape 4, a remake or something new. PS5 is the obvious guess, but the report doesn’t name a platform. If you plan to buy a console for it, the PS5 price increase from April 2026 is worth checking first.
Sony usually reveals its own games at State of Play showcases. If the rumor is accurate, that is where an announcement is most likely.
How to Play Ape Escape on PS5 Right Now
You can play the older games today. The PS Plus Premium Classics catalog includes the original Ape Escape, Ape Escape 2 and Ape Escape: On the Loose. You can also buy some of them on their own, for example Ape Escape: On the Loose on the PlayStation Store. If you already subscribe, the PS Plus October 2026 games are also available to claim this month.
Ape Escape Revival FAQ
Is Ape Escape coming back?
Insider NateTheHate says Sony plans to revive the series. Sony hasn’t confirmed it.
Who is making the new Ape Escape game?
That is unknown. The report rules out Team Asobi and probably Bandai Namco.
When was the last Ape Escape game released?
PlayStation Move Ape Escape came out on PS3 in 2010 in Japan and in 2011 in the West. The last numbered game was Ape Escape 3 on PS2 in 2005.
Can I play Ape Escape on PS5?
Yes. Three Ape Escape games are in the PS Plus Premium Classics catalog, and some can be bought on the PlayStation Store.
