Classic game "MapleStory" nostalgia server officially announced; reservations open today

Announcement

NEXON’s MapleStory (冒险岛) nostalgia server was officially announced today and reservations are open. The title will be developed by NEXON and operated in China by Shengqu Games (盛趣游戏). The teams say the release will “restore classic gameplay and visuals,” aiming to preserve the original leveling curve, bustling social hubs and headline boss fights that defined the game for a generation of players.

What players can expect

The nostalgia server will launch with five starter classes — Warrior, Magician, Thief (飞侠), Archer and Pirate — and places heavy emphasis on social systems and party content. Two classic party quests, “月妙的年糕” and “第一次同行任务,” will be available at launch. Players who reserve access today will receive a nostalgia-exclusive, one-off cosmetic item called “嘿嘿蘑菇帽” (Hehe Mushroom Hat), and it has been reported that reservations also offer a chance to win spots in a closed, non-public test to experience the server early.

Why it matters

For Western readers unfamiliar with China’s gaming scene: MapleStory is a 2D side‑scrolling MMORPG that launched in the early 2000s and became a cultural touchstone for online social gaming. Nostalgia servers have become a popular way for publishers to re-engage lapsed users and monetize legacy IP. The partnership between NEXON and Shengqu Games underscores the common model where foreign developers rely on local Chinese operators to navigate licensing, distribution and regulatory requirements for the mainland market. Who’s excited? Judging by the quick reservation push, many former adventurers are already answering the call.