Gex

Gex is a fictional video game character and the star of a late-1990s platformer series. Created by Crystal Dynamics and published by Eidos Interactive, Gex is a sardonic gecko who offers witty, pop-culture–driven commentary. Across the games, he traverses television-themed worlds to confront threats to his universe, with humor and parodies of 1990s TV and film culture as defining features.

The first game, Gex, released in 1995 for the 3DO and later ported to PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and PC. It established the core blend of 2.5D platforming, level exploration, and tail-based combat. Gex 2: Enter the Gecko appeared in 1998, expanding environments and abilities, while Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999) offered more parodies, gadgetry, and espionage-themed stages. A common motif is stages modeled after television channels and genres.

Gameplay emphasizes Gex's tail whip, tongue-based attacks, and platforming traversal, with environmental puzzles and boss encounters. The series is particularly known for its self-aware humor and frequent fourth-wall gags, including direct jokes about media and the game industry. Voice work across entries has been performed by multiple actors, contributing to the character's satirical persona.

Critical reception was mixed, with praise for humor and creativity but criticism for camera control and uneven level design. After Gex 3, the mainline series remained dormant for many years, with only occasional re-releases or compilations. Gex survives as a notable example of a 1990s trend toward comedy-focused platformers that blended action with pop-culture satire.