Gex (series)

Lore & Background

Gex is a gecko with a passion for television, which makes him a target for the cybernetic Emperor Rez, who rules the Media Dimension. In the first game, Rez kidnaps Gex to use him as a mascot, but Gex defeats him and escapes. In the second game, after two years of isolation, Gex is recruited by government agents to stop Rez, who claims to be Gex's father—though it is unclear if Gex believes this. In the third game, Gex, now a wealthy secret agent, rescues his partner Agent Xtra from Rez and defeats him for good.

The series includes three main games: Gex (1995), Gex: Enter the Gecko (1998), and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999). A fourth game for PlayStation 2 and GameCube was canceled due to lack of interest from Eidos Interactive, with some ideas reused in Whiplash. An unreleased PS1 prototype demo for a canceled 2001 game called Gex Jr. was leaked online in April 2022.

Reader's Guide

The Gex series is significant as a mascot platformer for Crystal Dynamics, reflecting 1990s pop culture through its TV-themed levels and humor. Its legacy includes rereleases on PlayStation Network and GOG.com, and a compilation, Gex Trilogy, released by Limited Run Games in June 2025. The character appears as an unlockable in Hot Shots Golf 2 and Mad Dash Racing, and is associated with the hyperpop duo 100 gecs. A fan animation went viral in 2022, and Gex appears as an unlockable bot in Astro Bot. Square Enix filed new trademarks for Gex in 2021, but the IP was not included in Embracer Group's purchase of Crystal Dynamics and Eidos IPs.

Did You Know?

• Gex was voiced by Dana Gould in North America, while the UK version used Leslie Phillips and Danny John-Jules.
• Emperor Rez claims to be Gex's father, but it is unclear if Gex believes this.
• A fourth Gex game was canceled, with ideas reused in Whiplash for PlayStation 2.
• Gex appears as an unlockable character in Hot Shots Golf 2 and Mad Dash Racing.