Monkey Island Returns to Mobile Devices

The classic adventure game series Monkey Island is coming to handheld devices for the first time in eight years. The latest installment, Return to Monkey Island, will be released on iOS and Android in July 2023.

The Monkey Island series, known for its point & click adventure games, was first published in 1990 by LucasArts. With developers Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer, and Dave Grossman at the helm, the franchise released four installments, starting with the original Secret of Monkey Island. In 2009, TellTale Games took over the series and produced Tales of Monkey Island. Eventually, the rights to the franchise returned to original team member Ron Gilbert’s new studio, Terrible Toybox.

Return to Monkey Island made its debut on Xbox, PS5, Steam, GoG, and Nintendo Switch in 2022. Now, the franchise is making its long-awaited jump to mobile devices on July 27. The game will be published by Devolver Digital, who have been increasing their presence in the mobile gaming market.

The Perfect Fit for Mobile Gaming

Bringing Return to Monkey Island to mobile devices seems like an obvious move. The classic adventure game format, which focuses on intriguing, slow-paced screen-searching gameplay, is well-suited for handheld devices. The transition from mouse controls to touch controls is seamless and enhances the overall gameplay experience.

Moreover, this marks the first time the franchise will be available on mobile since its initial iPad release in 2015. It’s interesting to note that the return to mobile comes only a year after the console and PC release of Return to Monkey Island. This indicates a growing trend of developers embracing mobile platforms as a viable option to bring their games to, even immediately after launching on major consoles and desktop. It’s clear that the success of iPad ports paved the way for high-quality console and PC versions on mobile devices.

Pre-registration is now open for Return to Monkey Island on the Google Play Store, although pricing details have yet to be revealed.