As the digital curtain lifted on Limited Run Games’ Summer Games Showcase, fans found themselves treated to a variety of delightful surprises. One announcement that stood out and raised a cheer from the nostalgic crowd was the return of everyone’s favourite snarky, quick-witted, and TV-obsessed gecko.
Limited Run Games, in conjunction with Square Enix, announced the return of the Gex Trilogy. This all-new collection of the games will be made available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, bringing the wise-cracking reptile back into the spotlight in a major way.
The original Gex was launched in 1995 by Crystal Dynamics, featuring a blend of 2D platforming that captured the gaming world’s imagination. In 1998, Gex: Enter the Gecko shifted the series to 3D, taking the series’ innovative gameplay to the next level. A year later, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko was released, expanding upon the game’s rich world. Then, to the chagrin of fans, the series slipped into a long hibernation. However, with this much-anticipated announcement, Gex is finally ready to emerge from his slumber and leap back into action.
The Gex Trilogy is being rebuilt from the ground up for modern platforms using Limited Run’s proprietary Carbon Engine. This cutting-edge technology is designed specifically to facilitate the porting of retro games to contemporary consoles, a chance for older fans to revisit Gex’s world and new players to experience it for the first time.
In the Gex games, players navigate through various levels, each designed as a parody of a television genre, such as horror, cartoons, and kung-fu movies. Gex, the titular gecko, is characterized by his rapid-fire quips and one-liners, many of which make reference to popular culture, adding a unique and entertaining layer to the gameplay. This charm, coupled with the exciting platforming action, made Gex a standout character in the gaming landscape of the ’90s.
The announcement didn’t provide specific gameplay details or a release date, but fan anticipation is already high. Gex’s voice, a significant element of the game’s success, varied across releases. In North America, comedian Dana Gould lent his comedic talent to the character, while actors Leslie Phillips and Danny John-Jules voiced Gex in the UK version. In Japan, Mitsuo Senda voiced the titular character. The remastered trilogy may see the return of these voice artists, providing fans with an authentic Gex experience.
With fans eager for the return of the quick-witted gecko, it’s possible that this could be a stepping stone for a fully-fledged return of the Gex franchise. But, of course, that’s still a long way off.
For now, Square Enix and Limited Run Games still have to release the Gex Trilogy first and see how it goes.
Speaking of remakes, Square Enix is sitting on a treasure trove of classic titles that it plans to make use of sooner instead of later. Fingers crossed, the Gex Trilogy is just the start of its slate of non-JRPG remasters.
