Gex has sprung back. The Gex Trilogy was announced last February and we said there’d be more info later, and so there is. What was revealed today goes way beyond just a digital dump. Square Enix (who owns Gex these days) has partnered with Limited Run to offer Gex Trilogy in multiple forms, including a “Tail Time” package you have to see to believe.
Back in the heyday of mascot platformers, Gex was invented by Crystal Dynamics as a mascot for the 3DO. When it was becoming clear the 3DO was a sinking ship, Gex leapt to Playstation, Nintendo 64 and Saturn. The first Gex was a 2D platformer with several gimmicks: being a gecko, Gex could cling to walls and even the backgrounds in some locations. He was a parody character addicted to television and the worlds he visited all mocked popular movie genres. But what people remember most is the voice, because it wouldn’t stop yapping. Comedian Dana Gould was hired to riff in front of a microphone, and his remarks became the “quips” that Gex repeated over and over.
Gex survived the death of the 3DO and managed to weather the transition to 3D with two more sequels, in which it was established his profession was that of a secret agent. In the third game it was established he was dating a Baywatch actress, and the less said about that the better. Not everyone is a fan of Gex, but enough interest exists to make a rerelease possible after all these years.
The Gex Trilogy is being published by Limited Run Games using their Carbon Engine to emulate the best version of each game. The visuals and controls have been given an upgrade (the camera really needs it). You also get trophy and achievement support, rewind and save state options, a new interview with Gould, a music player, and for the first time ever, Gex 2 and 3 in widescreen.
There are three different Gexperiences to choose from. The Standard Edition, for people who just want the game, contains:
- Game Disc/Cartridge
- Game Case
- Cover
- Booklet
- Steam Key* (PC Only)
The Classic Edition contains everything the Standard Edition does, plus all this for $74.99:
- Steelbook®
- 12”x16” Double-Sided Poster
- Soundtrack Selection CD
- Retro-style Box
But it’s the Tail Time Edition everyone will be talking about.
A larger monument to Gex has never been made before and probably never will be made again. This monolith includes a 36” inflatable Gex doll, a 7” Gex statue, nine Gex trading cards, a pin that looks like Gex’s remote, and a full soundtrack CD, housed in a Collector’s Box with artwork by…get this…Yoshitaka Amano. Yes, they got the famed Final Fantasy illustrator to draw Gex. It costs $199.99, which isn’t cheap, but consider what you gain.
All three Gexperiences go on the market tomorrow, May 9, and remain open for preorder until July 6. Then you have to wait months for it (you know how orders go with Limited Run). Gex would probably have something snarky to say about that. “This waiting is worse than Plunger Night at Geoff Keighley’s house!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq1P2Vu8v5o&feature=youtu.be
