Alright, so here we go. Gex is back, folks! Yeah, you remember Gex, right? That wisecracking gecko who ruled before some insurance company made geckos mainstream. Anyway, he’s popping back up in the Gex Trilogy for modern consoles. Kinda makes you wonder if these games are still fun or if they’re just relics best left on the old shelf. Let’s dive in and figure this out. Or not. Your call.
So, the original Gex. 2D vibes. Appeared first on some ancient console… 3DO or something? And then, boom, onto Sega Saturn and PlayStation. Story’s thin as ever: Gex gets yanked into his TV by some villain named Rez who thinks Gex should be his channel mascot. Odd, right? What’s next? Gex battling toothpaste ads? But seriously, Gex hops through a bunch of surreal TV channels – like a cemetery area, a toon world, you name it. He’s gotta collect some remotes to move on. Bounces around, uses his tail, yadda yadda. Power-ups are kinda funky, you know, things like making Gex shoot flames? Cool but weird.
Gameplay’s kinda all over the place. Running feels like trying not to trip while sprinting on a tightrope. Enemy hitboxes are also… unpredictable. Like, can I thwack that enemy safely? Who knows. The visuals? Well, might be an acquired taste. Kinda feels like Picasso decided to dabble in game art. Gex won’t stop quipping, but after the 50th same-line delivery, it starts grating. This one… not Gex’s finest.
Enter the Gecko, now in 3D! Rez is back, and Gex… surprisingly only cares when they flash him some cash. Nice, right? Control’s a tad better, but he’s still floaty. Got that long jump now, but it’s awkward, not exactly Mario-esque, you know? Oh, and the camera? Imagine trying to see through a tailpipe. Yeah, adjust it fast or regret it.
We’ve got a hub world this time, featuring big TV screens leading to different zones. Worlds hold three remotes and collectibles. Funny thing now, the collectibles change form as you collect more of ‘em, which is kinda cool. From carrots to spinach or TNT plungers? Whatever gets you going, I guess! There’s also this whole costume-thing, where Gex gets decked out based on the world he’s in – a bunny getup, space suit, disco threads. Confusing levels, though. No idea where you’re headed half the time, but overall, this entry ain’t bad.
Now Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko. Talk about a wild start! Gex joins because — get this — he gets a call from a kidnapped Baywatch actress. The hub world setup kinda sucks this time. Like, was wandering in a maze the goal here? At least they added snowboarding and tank piloting; weapons of choice for a gecko, I bet. Yeah, bosses are more fun, and things connect better level-wise, I guess.
Okay, so, in a nutshell, the entire Gex Trilogy? It’s like a three-pack of 90s nostalgia, complete with all the quirks and frustrations of yesteryears. Limited Run Games did a decent job dragging these games back for a new audience, with things like rewind and save states smoothing the rough edges. Not exactly Mario or Banjo levels of platforming fun, but I bet some folks will love playing these blasts from the past. At least they’re out there, hanging out with us again. Love them or not, games like these are quirky little windows into gaming history. 90s madness and all!
