Alright, so here’s the thing with all these remakes and remasters popping up everywhere — some folks think it’s all just a cash grab, but honestly, I’m pretty stoked about it. It’s like a blast from the past with a nice modern twist. Case in point: Limited Run Games is rolling out the Gex Trilogy. Yup, Dana Gould’s sassy little lizard is making a grand comeback, and with all those tweaks and extras, it actually feels like more than just a simple rehash. Crystal Dynamics’ old champ finally gets his due.
So, yeah, if you’re all about reliving those good ol’ days, you can dive into the originals in all their pixelated glory – think 4:3 ratio, pure digital vibes. But there’s also some jazzed-up stuff. They’ve got Gex 2 and 3 in widescreen now. Not the weird stretched kind, but like, you actually see more. Slick, right? Ideal for platform jumping — lets you scope out the world better. Plus, gotta love those modern perks like rewinding the game, saving whenever, and that CRT filter if you’re feeling all nostalgic.
I’ve got a particular soft spot for the very first Gex. Going back to it was a trip down memory lane. It’s 2D, sure, but darn if it isn’t as fun as ever. Really makes you work those levels, hunt down those TV remotes. Just zipping left to right won’t cut it. Visually, for ‘95, it was something else. But then, you’ve got the sequels vibing off of Super Mario 64. And that makes you wonder – what if they stuck with 2D? Could’ve been interesting.
Then there’s Gex: Enter the Gecko and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko. The humor’s on point, thanks to Rob Cohen who really leaned into the gags. It’s like a time capsule of pop culture references. Gameplay didn’t age quite as well — they’ve never been Mario 64 rivals, let’s be honest. Still, those old platformers, there’s something about them. The trilogy’s got them all wrapped up nicely. Not classic classics, but definitely some hidden gems. And seeing names like Glen Schofield and Evan Wells attached? Bonus.
Oh, and massive props for the extras they packed in. Got Dana Gould chatting it up in interviews, some sneak peeks at the never-launched Gex Jr., plus old ads, manuals, art — the works. That, along with a music player for all the tracks, really turns this trilogy into a bit of a party. Love when they go the extra mile.
Jumping to the end here, the Gex Trilogy for PS5 does what it says on the tin – brings the gecko gang to today’s consoles with a bunch of cool updates. Sure, the 3D titles didn’t age like, say, a fine Bordeaux. But they’re a hoot to revisit, and the OG side-scroller holds up nicely.
FYI, they sent over a digital copy for this review. Played it on version 1.000.000, if you want to get all technical.
