Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko builds on its predecessors with tight, responsive platforming mechanics that feel both familiar and fresh. Players guide Gex through a series of television-themed worlds, each entered through a glowing TV set, and must collect enough remote controls to unlock the exit to the next stage. The controls are intuitive, allowing Gex to run, jump, tail-whip enemies, and even cling to certain surfaces for a brief moment of strategic positioning.

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The level design emphasizes exploration and replayability, as many remotes are hidden behind secret passages or tucked away in cleverly disguised alcoves. Some remotes are earned through skill-based mini-challenges, such as timed races or precise platforming sequences, while others require solving environmental puzzles or uncovering hidden switches. This variety keeps the gameplay loop engaging and rewards players for looking beyond the obvious path.

Gex’s moveset also expands in this installment, introducing new abilities like the pinata bash—where Gex swings his tail like a wrecking ball—and a slide dash that lets him break through weak floors or squeeze through narrow gaps. These additions not only diversify the ways you interact with the environment but also layer in deeper strategic choices when facing platforming gauntlets or enemy gauntlets. Overall, the gameplay strikes a satisfying balance between accessible fun and challenging exploration.

Graphics

For a late-’90s platformer, Gex 3 delivers surprisingly vibrant visuals that lean into the game’s television satire. Each level channel is distinctively styled: the spooky horror channel features moody shadows and flickering effects, the nature documentary channel offers lush, rolling landscapes, and the game show channel dazzles with bright lights and spinning podiums. The attention to thematic detail helps each world feel instantly recognizable and keeps players excited to see what’s next.

Character models are crisp and colorful, with Gex himself animated in a delightfully cartoony fashion—he stretches, taunts, and waves at the camera with such expressiveness that he practically steals the show. Enemies and NPCs are equally well-crafted, ranging from oversized mechanical cameras to caricatured soap-opera stars. Textures are clean, if sometimes simple, but they serve the humor and tone of each channel without distracting from gameplay clarity.

Though the draw distance and polygon counts reflect the era’s hardware constraints, clever use of lighting and atmospheric effects often mask these limitations. Reflections on TV screens shimmer realistically, and particle effects—like the confetti on the game show channel—add a layer of polish. Even on emulated or modern ports, Gex 3 retains its charm, proving that strong art direction can outshine raw technical power.

Story

At its core, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko is a tongue-in-cheek spy caper in which our wise-cracking hero must rescue Agent Xtra from the evil Rez. The narrative setup is simple but effective: Rez has kidnapped Gex’s confidant and scattered her across television channels, leaving our hero to infiltrate each broadcast to piece together her whereabouts. This overarching plot drives the progression from channel to channel and offers plenty of motivation to collect those remotes.

The writing leans heavily on television and movie parodies, with Gex quipping about everything from melodramatic soap moments to cheesy horror clichés. Voice actor Dana Gould delivers a performance brimming with sarcasm and pop-culture references, ensuring that even simple level introductions or completion lines spark a laugh. This self-aware humor is a highlight, giving each level its own comedic identity.

Though there’s no deep narrative arc beyond the rescue mission, the journey itself feels cohesive thanks to clever transitions—spin the dial from one channel to the next—and tongue-in-cheek cutscenes that occasionally break the fourth wall. Gex’s banter with unseen producers and the occasional technical difficulty gag (like static interruptions) reinforce the TV motif, making the story both lighthearted and thematically consistent.

Overall Experience

Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko is a delightful platforming romp that combines solid mechanics, memorable visuals, and spot-on humor. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer drawn in by the TV parody premise, the game delivers a satisfying blend of challenge and comedy. Its level variety ensures that no two areas feel the same, and the hidden-remote hunt adds enough depth to keep completionists busy well beyond their first playthrough.

While certain camera angles and collision quirks show their age, they rarely detract from the fun. The game’s pacing is brisk, with new gags and gameplay twists introduced just often enough to maintain momentum. Boss encounters are entertaining diversions that tie into the TV theme—think giant remote-wielding foes or over-the-top villains straight out of a cheesy daytime drama.

In today’s retro scene, Deep Cover Gecko stands out as an exemplar of how to fuse platforming fundamentals with a clever theme and engaging presentation. It’s a perfect pick for players seeking a lighthearted adventure with plenty of secrets to uncover, and it remains one of the more charming platformers from its era. Strap in, grab your virtual remote, and prepare for a broadcast full of laughs and leaps!

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10