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It has been announced that Gex will be making a triumphant return. The cult classic game will now be re-released for the modern era through the company Limited Run Games. For fans of the game, or players who never got to try it out, this is the perfect opportunity to play the zany platformer on modern hardware. With the amount of coverage the game is receiving, I think it’s safe to say the announcement is a success. To me, bringing back Gex is a great thing, especially with so many beloved games being lost to time. However, Gex isn’t the only game that deserves to be brought back in this way. Classic platformers like Glover and Croc would benefit from a return like this. Hopefully, Limited Run’s Gex re-release starts a trend that brings greater focus on game preservation.
For those unaware, Gex is a platformer that was originally released in 1995. There are three Gex games in total, all of which are being remade. One of the most unique parts about the platformer is Gex himself. Gex is a witty and sarcastic character that constantly makes jokes and references to people and pop culture. In a game about being pulled into a TV, Gex is a great protagonist. The comedic writing and fun gameplay lead to the initial success of the series. However, the series would only receive three entries before fading more and more into obscurity. In the end, Gex became more of a cult classic than anything. Bringing back Gex is an interesting move overall, though I wholeheartedly agree with the decision.
Gex’s Limited Run Brings Gex To A Wider Audience
Despite his more niche audience, there are a ton of benefits to bringing back games like Gex. Firstly, bringing back Gex for a limited run is a great way to introduce a newer generation to the beloved franchise. The last Gex game to release, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko came out over 23 years ago. For anyone born past the year 2000, getting a chance to play Gex is virtually impossible because of this. While this doesn’t mean that Gex is a bad franchise, it sadly was left behind as a relic of late-90s video games. What’s even worse is that there are many franchises just like Gex that are suffering from a similar fate. If Gex’s limited run starts a trend in the gaming industry, maybe other franchises can be brought up for future generations to enjoy.
Limited Runs Like Gex Is Perfect For Preservation
The return of Gex may be a great sign for the future of game collectors. If Gex’s limited run were to start a trend of re-releasing games, it may give some players a chance to add hard-to-obtain games to their collections. Although Gex itself isn’t the hardest game to come by, trying to get a game like Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance can cost over $200. To me, having the ability to own a game is more important than owning the original release of it. Giving players a cheap and accessible way to access older franchises is not only good for the player but also great in terms of game preservation. While it is still cool to own original copies, these re-releases still make worthy additions to game collections.
Video Game Re-releases May Be Trying To Capitalize On Nostalgia
One worrying aspect of a re-release trend is the potential for companies to cash in on nostalgia. Seeing how many movie re-releases are attempting to capitalize off of audience nostalgia, it isn’t too farfetched that video games would follow a similar trend. Honestly, it does seem like the Gex re-release itself is attempting this sort of tactic. Based on the new animations of the announcement, it seems like there is a lot of care going into the new game. If it does try this sort of thing, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean the game will be bad. Instead, it depends on how much effort goes into the re-releases that will decide that. If the Gex trilogy re-release has any added features or concept art, then it should be a great game that goes beyond a cash grab.
In the end, whether or not Gex’s limited run will start a trend is up in the air. Hopefully, players will be very happy with the return of Gex, starting a new positive movement in the gaming industry. An effort that focuses on accessibility and preservation that gives everyone access to classic games. Maybe then a lot of these games that are slowly fading away will be saved from obscurity.
