Man, after nearly 30 years, guess what’s back? Yup, it’s Tail Time again. Before GEICO’s gecko stole the limelight, there was Gex. Now he’s crawled back onto modern platforms in the Gex Trilogy. So, do these games hold up with the new tweaks, or should they have stayed in the past? Let’s dive in, or maybe we’ll just meander… who knows?
### It’s Tail Time! (Really?)
So here we go, starting with the OG Gex. It first popped up on the 3DO—you remember that, right?—then made its way to Sega Saturn and PlayStation. Funny enough, it’s the only 2D Gex game. The plot? Thin as a pancake. Gex gets yanked into the TV by some dude named Rez, who wants him to be the Media Dimension’s mascot. I mean, why do villains even do this stuff? There are wacky channels like Cemetery, New Toonland, and Kung Fuville. Each has levels with remote controls to grab. Do that, and unlock the next thing. The gecko’s main gig is whacking things with his tail, and… did I mention he bounces around too? He’s like, “Whoops, here I go!”
Anyway, gameplay’s a mixed bowl of popcorn. Running feels like I’m on roller skates for the first time. Enemies? Hitboxes that make zero sense. Oh, and climbing? Yeah, pretty useful till you’re like “Wait, can I grab this wall or nah?” And Gex talks a LOT. Sometimes it’s funny, then it’s like, “Dude, we get it…”
### Enter the Gecko World… 3D Style
Then there’s Gex: Enter the Gecko. The big leap into 3D. Rez is back for round two, but this time Gex is bribed, basically. So human motivation, right? He feels smoother to control, but not by much. Still floats like a feather in a strong breeze… not a good thing. He’s still got all the old moves, plus a new long jump that’s, well, more awkward than me trying to dance.
So picture this—a hub world with giant TV screens that’s supposed to help you move from one world to another. There are remotes to collect. Hidden ones too. Collectables? Oh, they’re these changing little blips. They start as carrots and morph into spinach cans or TNT plungers. Quirky, but fun? Kinda.
And the costumes! Like, what even? One minute he’s a rabbit, next minute he’s in a space suit. The stages are, uh, all over the place. I liked this adventure the best, though. Felt genuinely random enough to keep me guessing.
### Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko – Third Time’s a Charm?
Here’s the final act. Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko. Gex hops into action ‘cause, wait for it, some Baywatch babe got kidnapped. For real. The hub’s an absolute labyrinth now. Why’d they mess with the good thing they had in the second game? Collectables this time are really just… fly coins. I mean, come on. And there’s this bonus area with a ticking clock that, honest to sound, drove me up the wall.
But hey, levels are more connected and clearer. He even gets to snowboard and drive a tank sometimes, shaking up the monotony. Boss fights are decent now, though… improvement, right?
### So, the Trilogy?
In the end, the Gex Trilogy is like that bag of chips you find in the back of the pantry—still kinda crunchy, but not your first pick. Limited Run and their tech wizardry made these games easier, fixing the little annoying bits. And hey, there’s extra stuff too, like old ads, Gex’s voice actor throwing some banter, and lots of sketches.
Sure, they don’t stack up against the big guys like Mario, but it’s nice they’re preserved for the curious souls who want a whiff of the ’90s gaming scene. At least let them snag a slice of the bizarre gaming pie of yesteryear, right?
Rating-wise? 6/10—doesn’t hit the high score, but kinda a fun throwback if you’re in the mood for something offbeat.
