"This article is about the console game. For the handheld game sharing the same name, click here. Gex 2: Enter the Gecko (Gex: Enter the Gecko in the United Kingdom; or Gex 3D: Enter the Gecko, Gex 3D: Return of the Gecko in Europe ;or スピンテイル [Spin Tail] in Japan; or Gex 64 on Nintendo 64) is a 3D platforming video game and sequel to Gex. It was released in 1998 for the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and PC. A 2D rendition was also released for the Game Boy Color.
Plot[]
Since retiring from the public's eye, I have resigned myself to a life of solitude. For two year, I started my day watching Kung-Fu Theater (US)/Supermarket Sweep (UK). Days, then weeks blurred into one long greasy telethon/sorry afternoon chat show. The next thing I know, some government goons show up at my place/house! It seems they've caught a whiff of old Mr. Sunshine himself: Rez! He's back in the Media Dimension and they think I'm crazy enough to go back in after him. So they whisk me away to Interrogation 101. They play rough, start giving me the business. I give out a little back. So, we negotiate a little something to cover my expenses. They throw in one of those secret agent suits and I tell them "We got a deal." Looks like I'm headed back into the Media Dimension. It's going to be Deja-Ouch all over again. - Gex - Intro
Two year after defeating Rez, Gex is still loving his TV, however Rez has returned and beginning to take over the Media Dimension yet again, two agents go to Gex's house and arrest him, they interrogate him and ask him to go after Rez, having had enough action and defeated Rez once already Gex refuses, one of the Agents slaps him, angering Gex, the Agents give Gex a suitcase-full of money and a tuxedo and Gex agrees to defeat Rez.
Gex collects many remotes in new areas of the Media Dimension, destroying the Tiki Brothers, Mooshoo Pork, and Mecharez, before he enters Rezopolis again and defeats Rez at Channel Z. Rez turns into a ball of light and floats away. He becomes trapped in a TV and tells Gex that he is his father (a reference to Star Wars), claiming his current appearance was the result of falling into a scrapheap whilst trying to get free cable, but Gex doesn't believe him and turns the TV off, despite Rez trying to bribe him.
Gameplay[]
Enter the Gecko is the first 3D game in the franchise. His main move set involves a tail whip attack, bouncing on his tail, using his tongue to eat flies, and performing a flying karate kick. He can also climb up on certain surfaces, and consume fireflies which give him additional moves.
The game takes place in a large hub filled with several TV screens based on various genres, parodying various genres from Looney Tunes to Star Wars. Each level has a certain number of remotes to collect, as well as an additional remote collecting 120 collectibles within the level. Collecting enough remotes unlock new areas, bonus levels, and boss levels. Collecting all of the possible remotes unlocks a special ending showcasing concept art for the game.
The game uses a camera system in which the player can choose from three camera control options.
Some enemies in the game can only be defeated by doing certain puzzles. Gex can also use object or machines to aid him in his quest. Gex shouts out puns referencing popular culture from the late 1980s and 1990s when he dies, enters a level, attacks, beats an enemy, or collects items.
The Nintendo 64 version of Gex: Enter the Gecko was entitled Gex 64: Enter the Gecko. This version features a new level, which replaced the three secret levels. It is titled "Gecques Cousteau", a play on the French diver Jacques Cousteau, and is centered on the RMS Titanic, and played almost entirely underwater. Other changes include fewer bonus levels, fewer quotes (due to the Nintendo 64's cartridges storage limitations), and some altered sound effects. The only normal level that was removed was Scream TV's "Poltergex". The three secret levels that were removed were The Pre-History Channel's "Lava Daba Doo", Scream TV's "Texas Chainsaw Manicure", and Rezopolis' "Mazed and Confused". Two bonus levels titled "I Got the Reruns" and "Trouble in Uranus" were also removed.
Development[]
In early 1997, Crystal Dynamics announced that they were working on a 3D sequel to Gex in the style of Super Mario 64. Crystal Dynamics originally wanted to relaunch the character with the technology they had to work with at the time. Rather than a grouping of polygons, Gex was built with a full skeletal system, with more bones than a real gecko, and a 'skin' stretched over-top to eliminate pop and tearing. This also allowed him to move his mouth along with the voiced dialogue.
The developers of the game were huge fans of The Simpsons and built a lot of comedy set-ups based upon that style of humor. Rob Cohen, one of the writers from The Simpsons, worked on the script for Gex: Enter the Gecko, particularly Gex's one-liners. The end result of the idea gave Dana Gould over 700 voice-overs for Gex, while giving the character different costumes in order to suit the mood of the levels. When the game was released for the Nintendo 64, over 500 voice-overs from the PC and PlayStation versions were cut out from the original version, giving the Nintendo 64 version roughly over 100 samples to work with for the purpose of the hardware's limitations at the time of development. When Gould was being interviewed for the game, he explained how Gex in the third dimension differed from other platform games at the time. Gould said "the character's natural God-given abilities lend themselves extremely well to designing 3D gameplay". Gould reprised the role of Gex in the game for the American market, although the British version featured the voice of Leslie Phillips instead.
The designers put heavy emphasis on variety in the levels, in order to both give each world a different feel and help the player find their way around by creating recognizably unique landmarks.
In mid-1997 Crystal Dynamics signed an agreement for Midway Games to publish the game for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64.
Levels[]
Main Levels[]
The game is set in the Media Dimension which serves as the hub for every channel in the game.
| Channel | Levels | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Out of Toon | A cartoon themed channel. | |
| Fine Tooning | ||
| Smellraiser | A horror themed channel. | |
| Frankensteinfeld | ||
| Poltergex (PC/PS Exclusive) | ||
| Gecques Cousteau (N64 Exclusive) |
An ocean/Titanic themed channel. | |
| www.dotcom.com | A circuit-based/futuristic themed channel. | |
| Honey I Shrunk the Gecko | ||
| Mao Tse Tongue | A classic Kung-Fu movie themed channel. | |
| Samurai Night Fever | ||
| The Umpire Strikes Out | A space/sci-fi themed channel. | |
| Pain in the Asteroids | ||
| Pangaea 90210 | A pre-historic/dinosaur themed channel. | |
| This Old Cave | ||
| No Weddings and a Funeral | A city within the Media Dimension, serving as Rez's stronghold. |
Boss levels[]
These are the main boss levels which require a certain number of Red Remotes to enter the stage. Upon defeating the bosses you will rewarded a Gold Remote.
| Channel | Boss | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Tiki Brothers | The first boss of the game in which you have to defeat three of the Tiki Brothers by deflecting their projectiles back at them. The level seems to be based on Lord of Flies. | |
| Mooshoo Pork | The second boss fight of the game which doesn't seem to have any notable origin for it's inspiration. | |
| Mecharez | The third boss of the game which you fight Mecharez. The boss fight is based on the Godzilla series of movies. But this is mainly in reference to Shōwa era (1954-1975). This fight is particularly a reference to notable Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla fight. | |
| Rez | The final boss of the game. Gex has to combat Rez for one final showdown while avoiding this plethora of attacks. |
Bonus Levels[]
These channels are accessed by acquiring a certain number of Silver Remotes within the game which can be gained from collecting all the different tiers of collectables within a level and from hidden Silver Remotes scattered throughout them. The main objective the bonus level would be to collect certain amount of an item in the level before the time runs out after which you will be rewarded a Gold Remote, again if it is collected before time runs out.
| Channel | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
Aztec 2 Step | The first bonus level in the game which requires 3 silver remotes to be unlocked. The level is based on Indian Jones series of movies that premiered during the 1980s.
The objective to this bonus level is to collect 50 gems before the time runs out. As well as collecting the gold remote in the level. |
| Thursday the 12th | The second bonus level that requires 6 silver remotes to be unlocked. Based around Scream TV, the level title is parody of the classic horror movie, Friday the 13th.
The objective to this bonus level is to collect 50 skulls and the gold remote in the level by going through multiple corridors and rooms, before time runs out. | |
| In Drag Net | The third bonus level that requires 9 silver remotes to be unlocked. The level is parody of the classic cop flicks from the 70s-80s.
The objective to this bonus level is to collect 50 badges before time runs out. Once collected you will need to catch the train and obtain the gold remote. | |
| The Spy Who Loved Himself | The fourth bonus level that requires 12 silver remotes to be unlocked. The level is possibly based on the James Bonds series of films.
The aim is to collect 35 briefcases by breaking multiple objects and going through different passageways. Also, the player would need to obtain the gold remote before the time runs out. | |
| I Got the Reruns | The fifth bonus level that requires 15 silver remotes to be unlocked. However, like most levels. It's not based on any particular movies, but seems to be somewhere in Rezopolis.
In this level, Gex has to traverse various multiple obstacles and mine cart rides in order to collect 100 TVs before the time runs out. After they are collected, the player will be rewarded with a gold remote. | |
| Trouble in Uranus | The sixth bonus level that requires 18 silver remotes to be unlocked. This level is possibly based on a lot of sci-fi movies at the time, mainly the likes of Star Wars and Space Odyssey. It's mostly inspired by the Rocket Channel levels.
In this level, Gex has to traverse various multiple asteroids and platforms in order to collect 50 UFOs and the gold remote before the time runs out. | |
| Lizard in a China Shop | The seventh bonus level that requires 21 silver remotes to be unlocked. This level is based on the Kung-Fu Theater levels.
In this level, Gex to collect 31 Chinese Take-Out boxes and the gold remote before the time runs out. While avoiding many traps and pits which will result in his death. | |
| Bugged Out | The eighth bonus level that requires 24 silver remotes to be unlocked. The level is based on the Rezopolis levels in the game.
In this level, Gex has to collect 70 radiation symbols by destroying as many robotic bugs as possible before the time runs out. Upon completion, the player is rewarded with a gold remote. | |
| Chips and Dips | The ninth/last bonus level that requires 27 silver remotes to be unlocked.
The level is based on the Circuit Central levels in the game. In this level, Gex has to collect 50 batteries and gold remote before the time runs out. |
Secret Stations[]
These secret/hidden levels only appear when you collect a number of Gold Remotes from bosses and bonus levels throughout the game. The Lost Gex Tapes, which are hidden within these levels, upon collecting them will play an FMV cutscene. Also, they will reward you a Red Remote which contributes to the 100% completion of the game. They only appear in the PSX version.
| Channel | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lava Dabba Doo | The first secret level of the game. The level can be unlocked by obtaining 4 gold remotes and it's based on Pre-History Channel levels throughout the game.
The hidden Lost Gex Tape can be found within the level. | |
| Texas Chainsaw Manicure | The second secret level of the game. The level can be unlocked by obtaining 8 gold remotes and it's based on Scream TV levels throughout the game.
The hidden Lost Gex Tape can be found within the level. | |
| Mazed and Confused | The third/final secret level of the game. The level can be unlocked by obtaining 12 gold remotes and it's based on the Rezopolis level throughout the game.
The hidden Lost Gex Tape can be found within the level. |
Manuals[]
 Gex: Enter the Gecko Manual (US) |
 Gex 3D: Enter the Gecko Manual (UK) |
 Gex 64: Enter the Gecko Manual |
 Spin Tail Manual (PS1 JP) |
See also[]
- List of quotes in Gex: Enter the Gecko
- List of TV Commercials
- Removed Content
- Passwords
- Cheats
- Marketing
- Merchandise
Gallery[]
Game Covers[]
Magazine Scans[]
Game Discs[]
Other[]
Trivia[]
- This is the only game where defeated enemies do not turn into static on death.
- This is also the only game where Gex uses his tail against all bosses, including Rez (although for Rez this is optional). In Gex, he doesn't so much as attack Sun Snake, and in Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko, he uses a cannon on Brain of Oz and Acid Flies on Rez.
- As for the Japanese version of the game. There are a few differences compared to US and PAL releases. Besides that change of title from Gex: Enter the Gecko to Spin Tail. Gex is voiced by Japanese comedian, Mitsuo Senda. The TV screens slightly altered and their text were completely removed. Also, most prominent change was Gex's name was changed to Reno. The reason for the some of changes are unknown. But, it's assumed it was to appeal to a Japanese audience. However, due to the poor sales, its sequel Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko was never released in Japan.
- This game has most alternative titles in the trilogy. While, the North American release for the PS1 and GBC pertained the title, Gex: Enter the Gecko. The PC and United Kingdom's PS1 release uses the name, Gex 3D: Enter the Gecko. In addition, for most European regions excluding the UK. The alternative title of the game is known as Gex 3D: Return of the Gecko. The reason for the sudden name change is unknown. However, it's speculated that it was avoid a possible lawsuit from Warner Bros due to their ownership of the critically acclaimed martial arts film, Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee.
- In Electronic Gaming Monthly Issue 96 preview of Gex: Enter the Gecko. While, showing the different themes which will eventually appear in the game, there's some themes such as 'Secret Agent' and 'Twisted Cartoons' which never made it to the final game. It's speculated that Twisted Cartoons could have been placeholder name for Toon TV. However, only the 'Secret Agent' themed level in the main game is The Spy Who Loved Himself. This implies that was possible plans of more levels in that particular theme.
- In the Brazilian Gaming magazine, Game-X Issue 21; there was an unique render of Gex which appears exclusively in the publication. Additionally, the magazine has an early version of the game's logo. It's speculated this version of the logo was possibly commissioned for the magazine.
- A factory sealed copy of the game sold for a record $780 USD. [1]
- In the European PlayStation version, all FMVs have been redubbed using the region's voice actor, except for the Secret Ending. It still retains Dana Gould's voice.
- The Japanese version of the secret ending is not a separate file. It was spliced into the credits.
- Interestingly, as shown on the Spin Tail Spine Card, the game would had costed 5,800 yen at retail. This equals to roughly $41 USD back in 1998.
- Akuji the Heartless uses a modified version of this game's engine.
References[]
| Gex series | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Console Games | Gex (1995) | Gex: Enter The Gecko (1998) | Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999) | Gex Trilogy (TBC) | ||
| Handheld Games | Gex: Enter the Gecko (1998) | Gex 3: Deep Pocket Gecko (1999) | ||
| Unreleased Games | Gex 4 | Gex Jr. | ||
| Miscellaneous | Hot Shots Golf 2 | ||
| Companies | Crystal Dynamics | Gratuitous Games | Realtime Associates | David A. Palmer Productions | LTI Gray Matter | Kinesoft | Beam Software Pty | Windlight Studios | Keyframe Digital Productions | Mondo Media | Webtone Productions | ImageBuilder Software | Eidos Interactive | Square Enix | Limited Run Games | ||
| Characters in Gex (series) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Heroes | Gex | Agent Xtra | Alfred | Cuz | Rex | ||
| Villains | Rez | Morphina | The Flatulator | Sun Snake | Toxic Turtle | The Tiki Brothers | Mooshoo Pork | Mecharez | Rock Hard | Brain of Oz | ||
| Helpers | Paunch | Humps | Tank | Snowboard | Al Nino | Scales | Turtle Taxis | ||
| Minor characters | Uncle Charlie | Gex's Mother | ||