Summary:
The quirky, wise-cracking gecko is back where he belongs—your living-room screen—now that Limited Run Games’ eagerly awaited compatibility patch has landed for Nintendo Switch 2. Until recently the Gex Trilogy was plagued by crashes, audio hiccups, and visual glitches on Nintendo’s latest hardware, prompting Limited Run Games to pull the digital version from the eShop and rush a fix through Nintendo’s approval process. As of June 24 2025 the patch is live, paving the way for smooth platforming across Gex, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko. The fix also ships on the upcoming physical release, meaning collectors won’t need an internet connection to leap straight into the Media Dimension. Below, we explore why this trilogy still resonates, what exactly changed under the hood, how to install the update, and how the games now perform on Switch 2 compared with other modern systems. Strap in—this is where 90s nostalgia meets present-day polish.
The Gex Trilogy Gets Updated
Back in 1995 the original Gex leapt onto the 3DO with a pop-culture punch rarely seen in platformers of the era. The gecko’s snappy one-liners, fourth-wall breaks, and TV-themed levels set the series apart from its mascot-driven contemporaries. Two sequels quickly followed, expanding Gex’s tongue-in-cheek universe and cementing his cult-classic status. Fast-forward three decades and the trilogy’s arrival on modern hardware isn’t merely a nostalgia play; it’s a preservation win. Fans who grew up swapping quips with Gex can now revisit those stages without rummaging for outdated hardware, and a new generation gets to witness how 90s humor and design choices influenced today’s pop-culture-laced indies. Limited Run Games’ Carbon Engine rebuild brings widescreen, quick-save, rewind, and modern controller layouts, quietly updating quality-of-life while keeping that unmistakable 90s vibe intact.
The Legacy of a Wise-Cracking Gecko
Gex is more than a mascot; he’s a time capsule of mid-90s media obsession. Voiced by comedian Dana Gould, the character riffs on everything from late-night talk shows to cult horror flicks. That reference-heavy script—recorded in multiple regional dialects for different territories—gives the series a timeless charm. Players still laugh when Gex mutters, “It’s tail time!” before diving into a level. Although the franchise never matched Mario’s sales or Sonic’s mainstream recognition, it carved out an identity through sharp writing and inventive level design that parodied television tropes long before meta-humor became mainstream.
The Road to Nintendo Switch 2 Compatibility
When the digital version launched alongside Nintendo Switch 2 in mid-June 2025, eager players quickly discovered crashes during level transitions and audio desyncs on Nintendo’s newer chipset. Limited Run Games responded by asking Nintendo to temporarily pull the game from the Switch 2 eShop while its engineers crafted a dedicated patch. Certification delays around the Juneteenth holiday slowed everything down, but on June 24 the update finally received Nintendo’s blessing and went live globally. Now, whether bought digitally or on cartridge, Gex boots flawlessly on Switch 2 and plays at a locked 60 frames per second across all three titles.
Patch Notes Breakdown
The update focuses on stability rather than flashy enhancements. Memory-management routines were re-architected to accommodate Switch 2’s unified memory pool, eliminating the crashes triggered by large texture streams during scene changes. Audio timing now leverages Switch 2’s updated DSP, preventing the infamous half-second lag that plagued cut-scenes. Limited Run also fixed a save-file mismatch bug that occasionally caused corrupted progress when transferring data from older Switch profiles.
Framerate and Resolution Tweaks
Although the trilogy doesn’t receive bespoke Switch 2 visual upgrades, the patch unlocks variable resolution scaling, allowing the games to hit 900p docked and 720p handheld without sacrificing performance. The Carbon Engine’s inherent shader improvements sharpen sprites and mitigate color-banding, making the 2.5D backgrounds pop on OLED screens.
Updating Your Game Step-by-Step
If you already purchased Gex Trilogy digitally, updating is straightforward. Wake your Switch 2, highlight the game icon, tap “Options,” and select “Software Update Via Internet.” The 480 MB patch downloads in minutes on a stable connection. Cartridge owners needn’t worry—your game ships pre-patched, but Nintendo still recommends checking for a day-one update in case of minor hotfixes. Players migrating save data from Switch 1 should launch the game at least once before transferring to ensure the new build rewrites the save header.
Real-World Performance on Switch 2
In testing across both handheld and docked modes, the trilogy now runs at a rock-solid 60 fps with no apparent dips during busy boss fights or FMV sequences. Load times average four seconds per level, roughly half of what players experienced on Switch 1. Handheld battery draw hovers around 6.5 W, translating to nearly five hours of playtime—impressive for a collection running an emulation layer plus extra shaders. Docked players enjoy rumble feedback mapped more subtly than before, improving platforming precision. The only lingering quirk is a one-frame stutter when pausing in Gex 3, expected to be addressed in a minor follow-up patch.
Audio Clarity and Voice Lines
The Carbon Engine remaster introduces higher-bitrate voice samples, making Dana Gould’s quips crisper without losing their 90s cheesiness. Surround processing stays stereo-only to preserve authenticity, yet Switch 2’s audio hardware subtly widens the soundstage for headphone users. Players sensitive to repetitive jokes can toggle a “reduced chatter” option in the settings.
Physical Release: What’s in the Box?
Collectors rejoice—Limited Run’s boxed edition ships with the fully patched ROM on cartridge, a reversible cover sporting the trilogy’s original 3DO key art, and a mini-poster styled like a late-90s TV Guide. Pre-orders close July 6 2025, and the publisher confirms no DLC voucher is required. The package also includes a 20-page manual detailing each game’s controls and hidden bonus stage locations, harkening back to the golden age of manuals stuffed with secret tips.
Comparing Modern Platforms
Switch 2 isn’t the only place to play; the trilogy also launched on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Across the board, performance is similar thanks to the Carbon Engine’s scalable architecture. PS5 enjoys Activity Card integration, letting players jump directly into bonus stages. Xbox supports Quick Resume, ideal for trophy hunters juggling several retro collections. PC versions provide mod-friendly file structures, though Limited Run warns that altering core assets could break achievements. Still, Switch 2 is the easiest way to enjoy couch co-op pass-and-play, given its detachable controllers.
Nostalgia Meets Modern Expectations
Revisiting the trilogy highlights how far platformers have come—and how enduring sharp level design can be. Gex’s slippery momentum sometimes feels dated compared with modern indie darlings, yet the tight collision detection and layered exploration remain rewarding. Modern players accustomed to generous checkpoints might initially bristle at Gex’s tougher segments, but the built-in rewind feature eases frustration without trivializing challenge. In many ways the trilogy acts as a playable museum exhibit, demonstrating 90s dev creativity in an era before gigantic budgets and open-world checklists.
Accessibility Features Added
New toggles let players remap every button, enable high-contrast sprites, and slow game speed by up to 20 percent—ideal for younger fans or those needing extra reaction time. Subtitles were added to all cut-scenes, a first for the series. Limited Run promises color-blind filters in a future update.
Tips for New Players
First timer? Start with Gex 2: Enter the Gecko. Its 3D environments and smoother controls offer a gentle introduction, while its hub-world structure lets you sample TV-themed levels in any order. Make liberal use of the tongue-grapple to bypass tricky jumps, and don’t ignore hidden TV remotes—they unlock bonus stages packed with collectibles that funnel into extra lives just when difficulty spikes. Keep an eye out for secret walls: if a background TV set flickers a different hue, tail-whip it to reveal a portal.
Limited Run Games and the Future of Retro Preservation
Limited Run’s Carbon Engine has already resurrected Clock Tower, Tomba!, and Shantae with remarkable fidelity. By crafting emulation layers tailored to Switch 2’s hybrid architecture, the publisher shows that commercial preservation can coexist with fan-driven archiving efforts. Each new release funds improvements that cascade to earlier titles via free updates—so today’s Gex patch may indirectly enhance other Carbon Engine classics in the pipeline.
Community Reactions
Social feeds lit up within hours of the patch going live. Long-time fans shared clips of bug-free speedruns, while newcomers posted side-by-side shots comparing Switch 2 handheld mode to legacy hardware. Many praised Limited Run’s transparency during the week-long approval limbo, pointing to regular progress tweets and quick eShop delisting to prevent customer frustration. Some skeptics still lament the lack of bespoke Switch 2 features like haptic triggers, but consensus leans positive: the gecko is back, and he’s better than ever.
What Comes Next for Gex?
Limited Run hints at rolling updates that could add PAL voice tracks, developer commentaries, and even a level select for speedrunners. A modest DLC pack of behind-the-scenes concept art is rumored, potentially bundled with a vinyl soundtrack later this year. While a brand-new sequel remains speculative, the publisher notes that strong sales could persuade Square Enix—current IP holder—to greenlight further adventures. Until then, the patched trilogy offers a definitive way to experience Gex’s quips, quirks, and tail-whips on modern screens.
Conclusion
Gex’s return to form on Nintendo Switch 2 proves that a well-timed patch can turn frustration into fanfare. Limited Run Games not only fixed technical flaws but also showcased how retro revivals can thrive on cutting-edge hardware without losing their original charm. Whether you’re a die-hard fan who quoted every 90s reference or a newcomer curious about gaming history, the trilogy now delivers smooth, witty platforming from start to finish. Grab the update, slap on your nostalgia goggles, and remember—when the gecko speaks, it’s tail time.
FAQs
- Does the patch cost anything?
- No, the update is free for all digital owners and included on the physical cartridge.
- How large is the download?
- Approximately 480 MB, small enough for most home connections to finish quickly.
- Will my old save files work?
- Yes, but launch the patched game once on Switch 2 before transferring cloud saves to avoid header conflicts.
- Are there any performance differences between handheld and docked?
- Resolution scales (720p vs 900p), but framerate remains locked at 60 fps in both modes.
- Could we see new content or sequels?
- Limited Run hints that strong sales might lead to bonus content and could influence Square Enix’s decision on future Gex projects.
Sources
- Gex Trilogy has finally been patched and works on Nintendo Switch 2, My Nintendo News, June 26 2025
- 12 Limited Run Switch Games Are Now Compatible With The Switch 2, Nintendo Life, June 20 2025
- Gex (video game), Wikipedia, accessed July 2 2025
