Ahh, Gex. Remember that gecko dude? Not the insurance one, the other guy. If you were around in the 90s, you know what I’m talking about. So, they’ve brought back Gex. Yeah, all three of his games in this Gex Trilogy or something. It’s like a nostalgia bomb just blew up in my face, and I’m not sure if I’m thrilled or terrified. Let’s dive into this mess, shall we?
First up, we have the original Gex. You know, that game that came out on the 3DO, which I only knew existed because my cousin’s friend had one. Talk about ancient tech. Anyway, Gex is 2D, and he’s getting pulled into his TV by some weirdo named Rez. It’s like, dude, just watch Netflix or something. There are all these channels Gex hops into, you know, like Cemetery, Toonland — weird stuff like that. It’s all about grabbing remotes to get to the next level. Classic stuff, but man, the tail attack can be so hit or miss. Literally. It’s like trying to put a USB in the right way on the first try.
Then there’s this whole thing where you eat power-up stuff for abilities, and checkpoints that look like cameras. It’s pretty wild. Back in the day, getting passwords was a thing, but now you can just save anytime, thank goodness. Who has time to remember bizarre codes, right?
Okay, moving on. Gex: Enter the Gecko swaggers into 3D territory. So, Gex is back, and he’s once again dealing with Rez. Apparently throwing money at Gex is the way to motivate him, because why not? He’s got these new moves, but if you’re thinking Mario 64-style sleekness, you might be a bit disappointed. He’s still floaty, kinda awkward… more of a slippery bar of soap than a platforming maestro. And those quips. Man, you’ll hear “It’s Tail Time” so much, you might start doubting reality. Also, pro tip: switch the camera to manual, or you’ll wanna scream.
In this 3D adventure, Gex’s world is made of TV screens. Three remotes per world. And 100 collectibles get you another. The collectibles change their look as you go, which is kind of a cool gimmick that caught me off guard. Gex also rocks different costumes, like a rabbit suit. Why? Beats me, but it’s kinda neat. Navigation can be a pain, though. You might, like me, appreciate the creative chaos.
Finally, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko. So, Gex teams up with some lifeguard from Baywatch. I kid you not. The hub is a huge labyrinth. Why fix what isn’t broken, right? Fly Coins are your friends here — the collectible kind. But listen, the ticking timer in those bonus areas will drive you bonkers. Seriously, who thought that sound was a good idea?
Honestly, the levels seem more connected, smoother. The bosses aren’t just pushing oversize buttons anymore, so that’s an improvement. As for Gex 3, it’s like Gex 2 but more…stuff. Reminds me of when you overdecorate a cake.
So, the trilogy overall? It’s a fun slice of 90s kitsch, thanks to Limited Run adding things like rewind functions that save you from throwing your controller around. Plus, you’ve got extras like old commercials and an interview with Gex’s voice guy, Dana Gould. That’s worth the price of admission alone. Games themselves? Meh. Not quite Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie, but they still hold their own little charm. If you dig retro, they’re worth a look. But don’t expect a revolutionary experience, just a fond (or frustrating) nod to days gone by.
