E3 2011

LucasArts returns to Monkey Island

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

E3 2009: Original game receiving high-definition face-lift for 360, PC as Telltale Games readies all-new Tales of Monkey Island episodic series on Wii, PC.

LOS ANGELES--In 2000, LucasArts released Escape from Monkey Island for the PC, putting the saga of Guybrush Threepwood (and in many ways the company's legacy of adventure gaming) behind it. Nearly a decade later, the publisher is returning to the shores of Monkey Island, and it's bringing a friend with it. LucasArts announced today that it will release The Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition, a PC and Xbox 360 remake of the original 1990 game, and is teaming up with Telltale Games to produce all-new episodic installments in the series for PC and Wii.

Elaine and Guybrush together again.

Elaine and Guybrush together again.

This summer, the Special Edition version of the original game will give a new generation of gamers the chance to experience the humor-driven adventure game with a handful of alterations. First and foremost, the game is being given a high-definition 2D visual overhaul. (It's optional, though, so players can switch between new and original graphics on the fly.) Additionally, LucasArts is including a new hint feature to prevent gamers from getting stuck, and it's reinserting some "deleted scenes."

Whereas the Special Edition revisits the original game, Tales of Monkey Island will contribute new chapters to the seminal simian adventure series. Starting later this year, five monthly chapters will tell yet another yarn about the ghost pirate LeChuck's undying feud with Threepwood. The game is in familiar hands, with a number of the development team having had experience on previous Monkey Island games. Telltale is also no stranger to the episodic adventure game format, having produced Bone, Sam & Max, StrongBad, and most recently Wallace & Grommit series.

For more on the games, check out GameSpot's preview coverage of both Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition and Tales of Monkey Island.

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.

55 Comments

  • dbgoodin

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 9:19 pm GMT

    Can't wait, platyed all the original games and loved them all

  • GodzillaX8

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 6:15 am GMT

    I believe huzzahs are in order.

  • jon181

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 3:00 am GMT

    ahh the dreaded return of piranha poodles.

  • JunglemanchiId

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 1:13 am GMT

    anthonettex - I loved the Dig, one of the best. Should be brought back

  • anthonettex

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 12:45 am GMT

    who remembers 'the dig'? it came out too late and was let down by its dated graphics but the atmosphere and music was of very high production rates.. and it was an intriging story. i say LucasArts should bring back that game, perhaps modifying the story to be played out better..seeing how popular Startrek became.

  • huntercal

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 10:41 pm GMT

    Finally Monkey Island is being resurected and I couldn't be happier. Can't wait for the new episodic stuff to come out!

  • chesed

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 9:51 pm GMT

    P.S. Guybrush kinda looks stoned in that pic. =P

  • chesed

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 9:48 pm GMT

    Oh hells yeah.

  • urluckyday

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 9:23 pm GMT

    Thank God that Lucasarts finally realized what it needs to do to win back over its true fans...wish they would re-release Grim Fandango *crossing fingers*

  • Sadek

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 8:45 pm GMT

    YAY!!! finally.... they're bringin 'em back. I love the Monkey Island series....

  • BUD007

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 7:47 pm GMT

    Awesome, I always loved those games.

  • aura_enchanted

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 6:38 pm GMT

    cheers to classics!

  • kca89

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:51 pm GMT

    Forgot to mention it would also be nice for them to remake some other classics I remember. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis as well as Loom come to mind. Similar style of gameplay to the original Monkey Island.

  • kca89

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:41 pm GMT

    Used to play this game back in the day and recently online I was able to replay it via some website. Glad to see the series get a overhaul but also leave the option to keep it old school. Might have to pick this up if it's the right price and I'll definitely have a look at any new installments to the series.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 4:43 pm GMT

    Nice to see LucasArts rekindling an old flame, as opposed to yet another Star Wars based game. Fantastic, i cant wait!

  • SaberStrike

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 2:01 pm GMT

    One of my all time favorites, and I am glad they are bringing these games back. Broken sword is coming back as well, and the newer Sam and Max games are decent... now, we just need the Quest games (King's, Space, maybe even Police) and Kyrandia.... ahh Kyrandia.

  • nurse_tsunami

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 1:55 pm GMT

    Very cool. This was a big game series back in the 90's. Glad to see LucasArts finally taking a second look at their previous games. I'd like to see them release their adventure titles like Grim Fandango onto Steam or GoG.com or something.

  • L0derunner

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 1:46 pm GMT

    Finally! This is one of my favorite series. I'm glad they're finally adding to it.

  • pakhair

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 1:14 pm GMT

    That's Good...........

    It's also coming for WII....................



    E3 Live Show Schedule on Gamespot (Click Here)

  • ralphikari

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 1:12 pm GMT

    OK first Sam & Max and now Monkey Island episodes for the PC and the Wii but not PSN or XBLA. Does LucasArts seriously think point-and-click adventure fans moved on to the Wii? Which consoles do you think those who played Monkey Island on Amigas and PC's as teenagers fire up when they sit in a couch today?