Ethan Crossfield 
The modern PlayStation lineup is built around major ongoing series, but several of its older names have spent years outside the spotlight. New rumors suggest Sony may be looking at ways to revive multiple classic franchises, including Ape Escape, Killzone, and Sly Cooper. The reported effort could eventually bring some of the company’s dormant properties back through new developers, with an initial wave potentially arriving around the launch period of the PlayStation 6.
Ape Escape, Killzone, and Sly Cooper Are Reportedly in the Conversation
According to a report from a trusted Sony leaker, the company is accepting pitches for returns from several well-known PlayStation series. Ape Escape and Killzone had already been linked to possible revival projects, while Sly Cooper has now reportedly joined the group. The information does not confirm that any of these games have been formally announced or entered production, but it points to Sony considering a broader revival strategy rather than a single isolated comeback. Earlier claims suggested Sony could license and publish projects made by outside developers.
Each Series Has Been Dormant for More Than a Decade
The rumored projects would target franchises that have been absent for extended periods. Ape Escape last appeared in a new game on PS3 with the 2010 PlayStation Move release, while the most recent mainline entry, Ape Escape 3, launched in 2005. Killzone’s latest game was Killzone: Shadow Fall, released as a PS4 launch title in 2013. Sly Cooper’s most recent major release was Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time in 2013, accompanied that year by the mobile spin-off Bentley’s Hackpack. Other PlayStation properties, including inFamous and PaRappa the Rapper, have also gone more than ten years without new games.
New Studios Could Be Needed for Any Comebacks
A revival would not necessarily be handled by the teams that created the original games. Sucker Punch Productions, known for Sly Cooper, has focused heavily on Ghost of Tsushima and its sequel, Ghost of Yotei. Japan Studio, associated with Ape Escape, was merged into Team Asobi in 2021. Guerrilla Games, meanwhile, has found major success with the Horizon series after its work on Killzone. Those studio histories make external development or reassigned internal teams a realistic possibility if Sony decides to move forward.
Key points
- Sony is reportedly considering pitches for several classic PlayStation franchises.
- Ape Escape, Killzone, and Sly Cooper are among the names linked to possible revivals.
- All three series have gone more than a decade without a major new release.
- The first reported revival wave could begin around the PlayStation 6 release period.
Last known releases
| Franchise | Most recent release mentioned | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Ape Escape | PlayStation Move Ape Escape | 2010 |
| Killzone | Killzone: Shadow Fall | 2013 |
| Sly Cooper | Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time | 2013 |
Expert View
If the report is accurate, Sony’s interest would signal that its dormant catalog is becoming strategically valuable again. Revivals could broaden the company’s first-party portfolio and reconnect with players who grew up with PS2 and PS3-era franchises. The main challenge would be finding teams capable of modernizing each series without losing its identity. For now, the lack of official announcements means these projects should be treated as possibilities, not confirmed releases.
