The Secret of Monkey Island
The Secret of Monkey Island is a 1990 point-and-click adventure developed by LucasArts and created by Ron Gilbert. Players follow aspiring pirate Guybrush Threepwood on a comedic quest across the Caribbean to become a buccaneer, win the heart of Governor Elaine Marley and thwart the ghostly pirate LeChuck.
The game was celebrated for its sharp writing, memorable characters and humor, along with a forgiving design philosophy that, unlike many contemporaries, prevented players from getting permanently stuck in unwinnable states or dying arbitrarily. Its inventive insult sword fighting, in which players won duels by memorizing the wittiest comebacks rather than fighting, became a beloved highlight of its verb-based interface.
The game is widely regarded as one of the finest adventure games ever made and a high point for LucasArts and the SCUMM engine. A special edition remake with hand-painted art, remastered music and full voice acting keeps it accessible on modern platforms.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to The Secret of Monkey Island, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Thimbleweed Park Indie
€ 19,99A point-and-click adventure by Monkey Island co-creator Ron Gilbert.
Thimbleweed Park runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Return to Monkey Island
€ 24,99Ron Gilbert's acclaimed 2022 sequel that revives the whole cast.
Return to Monkey Island runs on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Switch. Not available on Linux, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Verified.
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
€ 9,99A remaster with redrawn art, voice acting and a classic-mode toggle.
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition runs on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. Not available on Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge
€ 9,75The direct sequel, remastered with new art, voice acting and a hint system, but the original graphics one keypress away.
Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Tales of Monkey Island
€ 12,49Telltale's five-part episodic revival, the last Monkey Island before Return arrived.
Tales of Monkey Island runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
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