Gex (GOG)

A sarcastic gecko trapped inside a warped television dimension headlines this fast, colorful 2D platformer from the mid-’90s. Gex turns channel-surfing culture into a series of dangerous themed worlds, where haunted graveyards, martial-arts sets, slapstick cartoons, jungles, and a hostile broadcast facility become obstacle courses. The tone is knowingly ridiculous, driven by the hero’s constant stream of pop-culture jokes and the kind of exaggerated animation that belongs on late-night television. Beneath the comedy sits a straightforward mission: push through the Media Dimension and bring down its tyrannical ruler, Rez.

Levels ask Gex to run, jump, cling to walls and ceilings, swing his tail at enemies, and use his long tongue to grab items or interact with the scenery. Each stage hides remote controls that unlock further routes, giving completion-minded players a reason to revisit levels after reaching the exit. Hazards come thick and fast, including spikes, collapsing platforms, moving traps, enemies, and vertical climbing sections that demand careful timing rather than reckless speed. The challenge is old-school but approachable: lives and checkpoints matter, yet the simple control scheme makes mistakes easy to understand and recover from.

What separates Gex from other mascot platformers is its commitment to the television premise; every world feels like a different genre broadcast gone wrong, complete with visual gags and enemies that fit the channel. Dana Gould’s vocal performance gives the lizard a distinct personality, although players who dislike nonstop one-liners may find the humor very much of its era. The level design is less expansive than later 3D collectathons, but its focused side-scrolling action makes it easy to pick up for short sessions. Fans of Earthworm Jim, Cool Spot, and classic console platformers will find a lively, personality-heavy relic here, while newcomers should come prepared for some demanding jumps and vintage design conventions.