Monkey Island to return today

Here on SFX we consider the Monkey Island games, with their inept would-be pirate hero Guybrush Threepwood, as among the best computer games ever invented. Scratch that - as among the best human artistic endeavours ever created. Especially the insult sword-fighting shtick.

Anyway, LucasArts previously announced the return of Monkey Island in partnership with Telltale Games, and that first new project will premiere today.

Launch Of The Screaming Narwhal is the first part of The Tales Of Monkey Island, a five-game series with a whole new swashbuckling storyline, developed by Telltale (which was established by former LucasArts employees Dan Connors and Kevin Bruner). It launches on PC and WiiWare later today. We're not sure how we feel about the new-look Guybrush from these screenshots, but we'll reserve judgement until we see how funny the script is.

Latest Videos From

On PC, the Tales Of Monkey Island series will sell for $34.95, from www.telltalegames.com/monkeyisland . After the monthly releases are complete, players will have the opportunity to get a Collector’s DVD containing all five games and bonus content, for just the cost of shipping.

Old school fans will also want to know that The Monkey Island celebration continues on 15 July when LucasArts publishes The Secret Of Monkey Island: Special Edition, a completely re-imagined version of the first game in the series with updated high-def graphics, a re-mastered musical score, and full voiceover to the classic adventure. You'll be able to get that over Xbox LIVE or for the PC via Steam. Will that be a welcome update, or will it trample on our fond memories from 1990? Only time will tell. Let's hope all these exciting new projects do Guybrush and chums justice.

Find out more at the official LucasArts site here .