Alright, so here we go. Picture this: It’s been nearly 30 years since everyone’s favorite wisecracking gecko—nope, not the insurance one—Gex, slinks back onto our screens. Feels almost nostalgic, right? They’re re-releasing the Gex Trilogy, which makes you wonder if these games actually aged like fine wine or… more like milk? Let’s dive in and see what’s what.
### It’s Tail Time!
Alright, so first up, we have the original Gex. This guy first showed up on the 3DO but eventually shimmied over to the Sega Saturn and PlayStation. Fun fact: This is the only 2D adventure Gex ever had. Weird, huh? In this one, Gex gets sucked into his TV by some bad dude named Rez. Gex, the new mascotte-hopefully-not, has to jump through different TV channels like Cemetery or Kung Fuville. Side note: Kung Fuville might be my favorite name for anything ever.
Gex’s moves? He whacks with his tail and bounces around like he’s got springs. And there are these power-up snacks looking all circular, which turn him invincible or flaming or super speedy. Something that sticks with me? Those checkpoints mid-level that look like cameras. I don’t know why, but they remind me of my Uncle’s old camcorder.
Gameplay? Pretty much a mixed grab bag of “wow” and “meh.” Gex is fast, like, kinda too fast. You’d think speeding around would be fun, but then you keep missing jumps. Enemies? Hard to hit because they’re all wobbly or something. Climbing surfaces is a thing too, which gets a bit confusing—looks climbable but isn’t, or vice-versa. Gex won’t shut up either. Funny at first, maybe… until it’s not. Who thought these one-liners on repeat were a good idea? Anyway, this is my least fave out of the trio.
### Borrowing Some 3D Mojo
Enter Gex: Enter the Gecko. Things get all 3D up in here. Rez is back doing his bad guy shtick, but now Gex only goes after him when some government types throw cash his way. Gotta respect the hustle? This go-around, Gex is easier to control but still kinda floats about. The long jump’s a bit shady—you’d expect something more Mario-esque.
Good news! Gex doesn’t repeat himself as much… but expect variations of “It’s Tail Time” on a loop in your nightmares. That camera though? Yikes. Switch it to manual, pronto.
There’s this hub world. Gex wanders different TV worlds, collecting remotes like some crazy scavenger hunt. Remotes open up new paths, and there are hidden ones too! Collectables? They’re fun and visual—they morph into carrots, spinach cans, and TNT plunger props. What’s with the disco suit? Honestly, Gex is a fashion icon in those worlds. Despite some confusion on where to go next, this one’s a joyride for me.
### Gex Gone Extra with Deep Cover Gecko
Last lap, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko. Imagine: A Baywatch actress is kidnapped, and Gex gets a call for hero duty. The layout’s changed, sprawling with new twists, maybe unnecessarily so. Collectables are just “meh” Fly Coins now. Take caution at bonus areas—they come with the most annoying clock ticks ever. I’m not kidding, it’ll haunt you.
Fun bit? Levels are connected better and feature Gex riding snowboards and tanks. Boss fights here aren’t nearly as dull as the two games before. It’s like the devs listened and thought, “Let’s spice things up!” This entry feels like a souped-up version of the second game. More activities and all, but I say quality over quantity makes the second game top-notch.
### A Nineties Time Capsule
So, the Gex Trilogy? A fine pick of platformers seasoned with a heavy dose of 90s charm. Limited Run made sure using the Carbon Engine kept things authentic yet functional, alongside some retro flair like old ads and bits from Gex’s voice actor, Dana Gould. The games don’t match up to the greats like Super Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie. Still, it’s nice that Gex gets a second wind on modern platforms. Every game deserves its moment, right? Even the quirky gecko from a decade gone by.
Games so 90s you can almost hear a dial-up modem… Here’s the final verdict, I guess: Gameplay, visuals, and replayability all hit a solid 6/10. It’s a mixed bag that feels charming, frustrating, but most importantly, it’s preserved for us to keep enjoying (or scratching our heads over).
