Apple has revealed the new games coming to Apple Arcade subscribers for July 2023, and one game has come as a welcome surprise. Ridiculous Fishing, one of the most popular iOS games that launched a decade ago in 2013, is getting a full remaster. Titled Ridiculous Fishing EX is said to be a “ground up” remaster, with overhauled 3D visuals, expanded gameplay, and a competitive mode with leaderboard implementation.
The news today of a remaster for Ridiculous Fishing comes as a complete surprise primarily due to developer Vlambeer announcing in 2020 in their 10th anniversary that the studio would come to a close. One of the original co-founders, Rami Ismail tweeted today that those who worked on the 2013 title came back together to work on the remaster.
“Absolute joy to get a new chance at the game that launched my career with the original crew of @jwaaaap @helvetica @aeiowu & bringing on board the incomparable creative playfulness @KOOPMode” Ismail tweeted.
Ridiculous Fishing was universally praised by critics and fans alike, becoming an immediate cult classic in the early years of iOS gaming. Players cast a fishing line into the deep all while avoiding fish with motion or touch controls. Once the line retracts, players have to catch as many fish as they can by shooting them out of the sky to earn profit and upgrade to new fishing gear. The remaster Ridiculous Fishing EX, will provide expanded gameplay with both competitive, daily, weekly, and monthly leaderboards, along with a new game plus mode.
Alongside the announcement today for Ridiculous Fishing EX, Apple Arcade announced other “App Store Greats” that would be making their Arcade debut. Slay The Spire +, Stardew Valley +, Lego Duplo World +, and Hello Kitty Island Adventure, would all be coming to subscribers throughout the month of July. As well, new “major” game updates will be coming to Mini Motorways, Mini Metro+, What the Car?, and What the Golf?
Ridiculous Fishing EX is set to release July 14th.