Gex Trilogy Dials In the Nostalgia But Is It Worth the Trip? | GertLushGaming

Slip on your shades and zap into the television multiverse. Our deep dive into Gex Trilogy uncovers the tail-snapping antics of gaming’s sassiest gecko. From side-scrolling channel-hopping to full-blown 3D realms loaded with collectables, cutscenes, and camera quirks, each entry in Gex Trilogy celebrates an era of zany platforming wrapped in nostalgic static. This isn’t just retro, it’s a lovingly preserved time capsule with menus, manuals, and mission hubs that invite you to explore TV-themed chaos like it’s 1997 all over again.

Gex climbing wall during key platforming section in our review.

Gex Trilogy Review Pros:

  • Decent graphics.
  • 3.45GB download size.
  • Steam achievements.
  • Full controller support.
  • Graphics settings – resolution and window size.
  • Three games in one – Gex, Gex – Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3 Deep Cover Gecko.
  • Dualsense controller (PlayStation 5) support.
  • You can remap the keyboard controls.
  • High-resolution scans of the boxes and cover art for each game and each territory.
  • High-resolution scans of each game’s manuals.
  • The videos section has some true nostalgia, like ads, trailers, prototypes, and interviews.
  • The music player lets you listen to each soundtrack.
  • Gex 2 and Gex 3 have territory choice – USA or UK.
  • Fast loading times.
  • Action platformer gameplay.
  • Gex uses a world map level select.
  • 3 save slots for each game.
  • Gex One is a 2D platformer where your goal is to collect TV remotes.
  • An overall menu that can be brought up at any time, you can save, load, change the screen size (native/4:3/16:9), CRT filter, and border art.
  • You can go back to the game selections with the overall menu.
  • Gex – Enter the Gecko is a 3D adventure game.
  • Every game has question marks you hit for tutorials and tips.
  • It’s so cool seeing the original cutscenes and Developer splash screens.
  • Each game has a rewind bar you can bring up and select how far you go back.
  • Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko is a full 3D action game with glorious 3D game worlds.
  • In each game, it’s a third-person view, and in 3D games, the camera moves for you, but luckily, it is good at it for the large part and in some cases, you have full 3D control, weird choices, but hey, it’s old.
  • It’s a wonderful package and time capsule.
  • Many collectables in each game, and the pause menu will show progress of these.
  • Gex 3 Deep Cover Gecko has two view options – Novice and Expert.
  • I do like that the camera control can be in the right stick, but it can also be on the top shoulder buttons to keep it authentic.
  • In Gex Enter the Gecko, you choose the objective from a list before you start.
  • The 3D games all have a central hub area where you can choose missions and do any training or just explore.
Festive Gex snow scene with gifts and winter gear from Enter the Gecko review.

Gex Trilogy Review Cons:

  • You cannot remap the controls for the controller.
  • Bare minimum graphic settings.
  • The original Gex game is the American version only.
  • You cannot turn subtitles on in any game.
  • The games still have the usual issues of pop-in and slight slowdown, and screen tearing with no real way to fix them.
  • It doesn’t add any new things to the games or quality of life stuff like tutorials or button prompt pop-ups.
  • In some cases, the stuttering of the camera can make simple jumps very hard to judge.
  • When using a controller, it will only show the Xbox controller and prompts.
  • Honestly, I think the 3D games run worse than the originals on the original hardware.

Related Post: Wuchang Fallen Feathers and the Curse of Shu: A Soulslike Symphony

Gex museum platforming moment beside oversized portrait in our review.

Gex Trilogy:

Official website.

Developer: Limited Run Games

Publisher: Limited Run Games

Store Links –

Steam

Gex Trilogy Review

Jim Smale

Graphics
70%
Sound
70%
Accessibility
70%
Length
70%
Fun Factor
70%

Summary

Gex Trilogy – The Thrills and Highlights of Gameplay
The Gex Trilogy delivers three distinct platforming experiences: the original 2D action of Gex, the 3D adventures of Enter the Gecko, and the expansive levels of Deep Cover Gecko. Each title features a hub world for mission selection, collectables tracked via the pause menu, and interactive tutorials to ease newcomers in. Players can choose objectives in advance, engage with quirky cutscenes, and enjoy flexible camera options that strike a balance between nostalgia and usability. With fast loading times, save slots for each game, high-res manuals, a music player, and even regional differences for Gex 2 and 3, this package feels like a true retro time capsule.

Gex Trilogy – Where It Falls Short: Key Negatives
Despite its charm, Gex Trilogy has rough edges. Control remapping is limited to the keyboard, and controller support is constrained to Xbox-style prompts. The American version of Gex is the only one available, and there’s no subtitle toggle across any game. Performance issues persist from screen tearing and pop-in to camera stutter that complicates platforming. Graphics settings are barebones, and some players may find the 3D entries running less smoothly than the originals. While authentic, this collection doesn’t introduce modern quality-of-life improvements, which might frustrate new players.

Gex Trilogy – Immersive Story and Narrative Elements
Gex Trilogy leans heavily into nostalgic presentation, with original splash screens, ads, and developer footage preserved across all three games. While the story is secondary to gameplay, the layered media references and cutscenes contribute to the quirky identity of Gex. The objective-driven structure in the 3D titles offers purpose, while region-based content subtly enriches the narrative tone depending on player choice. It’s more about vibe and setting than emotional investment, but that suits the package perfectly.

Gex Trilogy – Visual and Performance Aspects
Visually, Gex Trilogy shines in preservation, boasting high-resolution box art, scans, and border artwork to frame the experience. Players can adjust resolution and toggle CRT filters to suit their setup, but the overall graphic settings remain minimal. Performance is serviceable but inconsistent, especially in the 3D titles, where occasional lag and camera hiccups dampen the fluidity. Authenticity is a priority, even if polish takes a back seat.

Gex Trilogy – Overall Verdict: Is It Worth Playing?
Gex Trilogy is a nostalgic bundle that pays loving tribute to a quirky franchise. It brings together three games, bonus content, and era-specific charm into one accessible package. While performance and modern convenience fall short, the overall experience is tailored for fans and retro enthusiasts who value preservation over polish. If you’re drawn to vintage platformers and don’t mind a few technical quirks, this collection is well worth exploring.

Back of the Box Quotes
“Gex Trilogy: Three tail-whipping journeys, one unforgettable rewind.”

70%

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!

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