In a move that has electrified both long-time followers and new fans alike, Gorillaz, the pioneering virtual band, have relaunched their iconic Kong Studios as an interactive online video game. The announcement, made official on September 10, 2025, marks a nostalgic yet forward-looking chapter in the group’s storied history, coinciding perfectly with their 25th anniversary celebrations. The relaunch not only revives a beloved digital playground for fans but also cements Gorillaz’s reputation for blending music, technology, and visual art in unexpected ways.
The new iteration of Kong Studios, described by the band as a "gamified fan experience," allows users to explore the rooms and spaces inhabited by the band’s virtual members—2D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel. According to NME, the relaunch offers an immersive journey through the quirky and chaotic world that has been central to Gorillaz’s identity since their inception. Fans are invited to poke around the digital corridors, uncover Easter eggs, and perhaps stumble upon unreleased demos or hidden lore, much as they did in the original version of Kong Studios.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting. Gorillaz’s 25th anniversary has been a year-long celebration, culminating in a series of four special concerts at London’s Copper Box Arena. These shows saw the band perform select albums in their entirety—a treat for die-hard fans and newcomers alike. As reported by Skiddle, the concerts were a "mega takeover," with each performance offering a unique look back at the band’s eclectic discography.
But the concerts were just one part of the anniversary festivities. Running alongside the gigs was the House Of Kong exhibition, an audiovisual installation that offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the virtual band’s headquarters. The exhibition, according to creative director Stephen Gallagher, was designed not as a retrospective but as an artwork that "takes a glance backwards in order to identify the path ahead." Gallagher added, "This is no ordinary exhibition because in the world of Gorillaz, nothing is ever quite as it seems…" (NME).
The House Of Kong exhibition traced the creative journey of Gorillaz from their debut single "Tomorrow Comes Today" in 2000 to their current innovations. Fans wandered through installations that blurred the lines between animation, music, and technology, highlighting the band’s enduring commitment to artistic experimentation. As Vijesti noted, the exhibition was not about nostalgia for its own sake; rather, it was a springboard for future projects and a testament to the band’s ongoing evolution.
For those who remember the original Kong Studios, the relaunch is more than just a new game—it’s a return to a formative piece of Gorillaz lore. The first version of Kong Studios launched in 1998, serving as a continually evolving website where fans could explore digital rooms, uncover hidden tracks, and interact with the band’s animated alter egos. The site became a cult favorite, with its mix of humor, mystery, and music. Unfortunately, it was shuttered in 2008, leaving a generation of fans with fond memories and a lingering sense of curiosity.
The news of Kong Studios’ return has sparked a wave of excitement online. As NME highlighted, fans took to Reddit to share their enthusiasm. "I’m wayyyy too excited by this. This was one of my favourite things in the world as a kid," wrote one user. Another echoed the sentiment: "I am very hyped for you younger fans who may not have had the chance to explore the original Kong Studios." A third simply exclaimed, "Interactive video game version of the studios? HELL YES." The sense of nostalgia is palpable, but so is the anticipation for what’s to come.
The relaunch was teased with a short trailer released on September 9, 2025, building anticipation for the official reopening of the Kong Studios lobby at 4:00 PM BST the following day. According to the official description, "Kong Studios is the home of Gorillaz, a gamified fan experience where you can explore the rooms and spaces of 2D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel. It’s also the go-to place to find out everything you want to know about Gorillaz, first." (NME) The game promises not only exploration and discovery but also new content and experiences in the near future—"more to come very soon," as the band put it.
The relaunch ties in with other recent milestones for the band. During the fourth and final show of their London residency on September 3, 2025, Gorillaz debuted a brand-new album in its entirety, featuring a star-studded lineup of guest artists including Black Thought, Omar Souleyman, Asha Puthli, Asha Bhosle, Sparks, Gruff Rhys, Kara Jackson, Yasiin Bey, Paul Simonon, Joe Talbot of IDLES, Johnny Marr, Ajay Prasanna, Trueno, and Anoushka Shankar. While details about the album’s official release remain under wraps, frontman Damon Albarn has confirmed that a new Gorillaz record is slated for 2025.
The band’s 25th anniversary has also seen them intersect with other pop culture phenomena. To celebrate their headline appearance at the tenth season of Fortnite Festival, Gorillaz hosted a special Fortnite pop-up, further blurring the lines between music, gaming, and digital art. This synergy speaks to the group’s unique position at the crossroads of multiple creative disciplines—a place they’ve occupied since the very beginning.
For now, the relaunch of Kong Studios feels like a homecoming, both for Gorillaz and their global fanbase. It’s an invitation to step back into a world where reality and animation merge, where music is as much about exploration as it is about listening. As one fan put it, the relaunch is "hitting some real nostalgia for OG Gorillaz fans," but it’s also opening the doors wide for a new generation to discover what makes the band so special (Skiddle).
With the relaunch now live and the promise of more content to come, Gorillaz are once again proving that in their universe, nothing ever stands still for long. The virtual doors of Kong Studios are open—so why not step inside and see what surprises await?
