After like, almost 30 years of collecting dust, Gex is back. Yeah, that wisecracking gecko who was sorta cool before a talking lizard started selling insurance. You remember him? Anyway, they’re calling it Gex Trilogy. So, are these games, with their fancy updates, worth a dive into nostalgia? Or should they stay in the ‘90s? Here we go!
Alright, let’s kick it off with the OG Gex. Started on the 3DO, made its rounds to Sega Saturn and PlayStation. It’s Gex’s 2D stint, and man, the plot—thin as a wisp. Basically, Gex gets yanked into his TV by Rez, some evil dude wanting Gex as his mascot—or something like that. Think of it like surfing TV channels, but you’re a gecko. Each channel has levels, and you need to snag remotes to move on. Simple, right? Oh, and those power-ups? Pretty cool—fire shots, speed boosts, invincibility, the works. Saving’s easy now too, not like back in the day.
Now, gameplay? Hmm, mixed feelings. Running felt awkward—like, overshooting jumps because my thumb slipped. Hitboxes were funky, like, can I hit this enemy or nah? Gex talks a LOT. Some jokes are chuckle-worthy, others just repeat till you wanna mute the TV. World creativity gets a thumbs up, but looks-wise? Not for everyone. Gex 1, kind of the weakest link here, honestly.
Zooming into 3D with Gex: Enter the Gecko. Gex is back, and Rez is up to no good again. This time, government folks threw money at Gex to save the day—typical, huh? Move controls are okay, but Gex feels floaty, like Toad trying to swim, ya know? His jokes, yeah, they got a bit more variety, but “It’s Tail Time!” repeats till your head spins. The camera? Ugh, painful. Switch it to manual or risk chair-throwing rage.
You’re in this TV hub world accessing different stages. Collectables are a blast, transforming as you gather more. And Gex’s outfit game? On point. From bunny to space and disco gear, it’s a costume party. Some stages felt like a maze but, hey, I enjoyed this one the most.
And then, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko. The finale. Starts with a Baywatch actress needing a hero—seriously. The hub world’s a confusing sprawl, why’d they mess with the second game’s setup? Collectables are meh now, lost the charm. Arcade areas time-limited with an obnoxious tick-tock. Yet, on the bright side, levels feel tight-knit with some unique snowboard and tank bits, improving on bland bosses from before.
Looking at the trilogy as a whole—it’s decent. Limited Run did good bringing back the old school vibe with the Carbon Engine, giving us rewind and save state features. Extra goodies like classic commercials and Dana Gould interviews add charm. Not groundbreaking, no Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie, but hey, it’s a slice of ‘90s goodness. So, yeah, kinda glad they’re back. Keepin’ the past alive, gecko-style.
Games so ’90s it stings!
– Gameplay: 6/10
– Graphics and Sound: 6/10
– Replayability: 6/10
Overall: 6/10. The Gex Trilogy screams ‘90s charm, though it’s sitting just at average. Nice they’re preserved for the memories.
