The long-dormant Ape Escape franchise is reportedly being prepared for a return, marking what would be the first series entry in over 16 years. According to industry insider Nate the Hate, Sony Interactive Entertainment is actively working to revive the gadget-based platformer, though the identity of the developer behind the project remains a significant mystery.

The rumor, shared on October 2, 2026, clarifies that while Sony is moving forward with the IP, the project is not being handled by Team Asobi. This detail is particularly notable given that Team Asobi, the developers of 2024’s Astro Bot, recently featured a dedicated Ape Escape-themed level that served as a modern proof of concept for the franchise’s mechanics. With the series’ original creator, Japan Studio, having been disbanded and reorganized in 2021, the exclusion of Team Asobi leaves a vacuum regarding which studio is currently at the helm.

The Ape Escape franchise has been largely absent from PlayStation hardware for nearly two decades. While the series saw a spin-off title, PlayStation Move Ape Escape, in 2010, the mainline series has not received a new entry since Ape Escape 3 debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2005. The original 1999 title was historically significant for being the first game to require the use of the DualShock controller’s twin analog sticks, a legacy that many fans hoped would continue through the advanced haptics of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense.

The reported revival aligns with a broader shift in strategy under Sony CEO Hideaki Nishino, who assumed his role in 2024. Nishino has previously signaled an intent to revitalize the company’s domestic presence in the Japanese market and leverage dormant legacy IPs. This rumor follows previous reports from the same insider suggesting that Sony is exploring similar “redemption arcs” for other classic franchises, including Sly Cooper and MotorStorm.

While the prospect of a new Ape Escape project—whether a full sequel or a reimagined remake—will likely appeal to long-term fans, the lack of an assigned developer continues to fuel speculation. If internal teams like Asobi are occupied with other projects, Sony may be looking toward an external partner with experience in the character-action or platforming genres to modernize Spike’s monkey-catching gadgets for a contemporary audience.