Gex 64: Enter the Gecko

"Fans of wacky games such as earthworm jim, this game is a must!"

OPENING STATEMENT

When I first heard of gex 64: enter the gecko, I was not attracted to the fact that a gecko that collects remotes. But when I played it for the first time, I immediately became addicted to this game.

GAMEPLAY

The goal of gex 64: enter the gecko is to collect red remotes in order to open more levels and defeat some boses to procede to another area. Seems tedious? not at all! its a different task for every remote, similiar to the stars in super mario 64. Two extra silver remotes can be found in each level. One is earned by collecting 120 collectibles (similiar to coins in super mario 64) and the other one is hidden somewhere in the level. The levels are vast and the tasks are fun, but I wish there was more and more challenging ones.

GRAPHICS

The graphics are good. Every area is well detailled. The underwater titanic level (which is exclusively on the N64 version) is much more detailled than the ones in super mario 64. Although the graphics are cartoonish and unrealistic, it suits perfectly to the game. Gex is well designed himself and wears different suits in every level: james bond tuxedo, indiana jones clothes, storm trooper armor and many more.

MUSIC/SOUND

The music is great and perfectly suited to each level. For example, in the aztec level, you hear the indiana jones theme song. Gex tells dozens of jokes throughout the game which is also great since talking characters are rare on the nintendo 64. The sound effects are not spectacular nor bad.

CONTROL

The fact that you can choose the +pad and/or the control stick to move gex is also rare on any nintendo 64 games. Many people say the camera is the worst failure of gex 64, but thats only the ''automatic'' setting. I changed the camera to manual and I didn't had much trouble after. I feel comfortable with the controls and of the 3 camera settings, I'm sure one will certainly suit your style.

FUN

I had so much fun collecting the remotes in gex 64 and the tasks are much more fun than those in super mario 64 or banjo-kazooie. You dont have to be a fan of gex to enjoy this game. Although I wish there would have been a multiplayer mode and more levels.

CHALLENGE

I'd say this game has medium challenge. The red remotes are easy to get, but the hidden silver remotes are truly hard to find! As the game progresses, the red remotes get tougher to get (especially the third one in ''samurai night fever'') As for the bosses, they are too easy. I wish there would have been a hard mode for this game. However, Rez is quite a challenge to beat!

REPLAY VALUE

Collecting every single remotes in the game should keep you busy for a while but even if you do collect them all, you can still play it over and over again and still have fun. I collected all remotes in my game and I still play it all the time. I often find new things such as the firefly firespin attack and the secret frankenstein room in Frankensteinfeld. There are many secrets to be found in this game.

CLOSING STATEMENT

Fans of earthworm jim and other wacky games, try this one out, you'll be totally amazed! As for those who don't, try it anyway, you may end up being almost as addicted to gex as I am!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/12/01, Updated 06/12/01