Video game history is often written by its greatest leaps forward—mechanical breakthroughs, bold artistic visions, and unforgettable characters. April 3rd stands as one such day where several games launched, each carving its own legacy in unique ways. From a genre-redefining Metroid Prime to the arrival of Hoenn in Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire, this date also saw the wisecracking lizard Gex making his PlayStation debut and an overlooked Assassin’s Creed handheld title sneaking onto the DS. Let’s take a journey back and revisit these gems.
Gex: Enter the Gecko (PS1, 1998) – A Wisecracking Mascot’s Second Chance
If the ‘90s had a mascot platformer arms race, Gex was Eidos Interactive’s attempt to carve out a niche. This sequel transformed the original’s 2D formula into a full-on 3D collectathon in the vein of Super Mario 64. With his wisecracks and TV-themed worlds, Gex stood out—but did he have the gameplay to match?
Behind the Scenes: The Voice Acting Difference
In Australia, we got the Dana Gould-voiced Gex, but PAL regions had British comedian Leslie Phillips instead. The cultural difference in humour made the two versions feel surprisingly distinct.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Genre: 3D platformer with a heavy emphasis on pop culture references.
- Easter Egg: Inputting LIZARDKING on the password screen unlocks all levels.
- Legacy: The Gex series remains a cult classic, with fans still hoping for a revival.
Where to Play It Today
- Available On: Not officially available on modern platforms.
- Or Get It On eBay: Gex: Enter the Gecko on eBay Australia
Metroid Prime (GameCube, 2003)
A Bold New Perspective for Samus Aran
Few gaming moments felt as transformative as slipping behind the visor of Samus Aran in 2003. Metroid Prime took a beloved 2D exploration-driven series and reimagined it as a fully 3D, first-person adventure. This wasn’t just another shooter—Retro Studios masterfully crafted an atmospheric, immersive experience that retained the series’ isolationist tone and labyrinthine level design. Exploring Tallon IV felt like archaeology, and every scan unlocked layers of lore, making the world feel rich and lived-in.
Behind the Scenes: A Project Almost Lost to Time
Metroid Prime’s development was nearly derailed due to internal struggles at Retro Studios. The team, made up of ex-industry veterans and fresh talent, had to battle crunch culture and shifting priorities from Nintendo’s top brass. At one point, the game was at risk of being scrapped entirely, but under the guidance of producer Kensuke Tanabe, it emerged as a masterpiece.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Genre Blend: FPS meets Metroidvania, pioneering the “First-Person Adventure” subgenre.
- Key Influence: Inspired later exploration-based first-person games like Prey (2017) and Alien: Isolation.
- Easter Egg: Players can unlock the Fusion Suit by linking a Game Boy Advance running Metroid Fusion.
Where to Play It Today
- Available On: Metroid Prime Remastered (Nintendo Switch eShop)
- Or Get It On eBay: Metroid Prime on eBay Australia
Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire (GBA, 2003)
A New World, A New Start
By 2003, Pokémon had already become a worldwide phenomenon, but Ruby & Sapphire gave the series a fresh coat of paint. The vibrant Hoenn region introduced double battles, abilities, and Pokémon Contests, offering players more ways to engage with their teams. It also brought a massive graphical leap from the Game Boy Color days, making Hoenn’s lush environments feel truly alive.
Behind the Scenes: The “Missing” Pokémon Controversy
Ruby & Sapphire were infamous for cutting backwards compatibility—players couldn’t bring over their favorites from Gold & Silver. The backlash was strong enough that Game Freak later had to create FireRed & LeafGreen just to reintroduce older species.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Innovation: The Abilities system revolutionized Pokémon battles and remains a core mechanic to this day.
- Easter Egg: The abandoned ship south of Slateport hides a special diving chamber with unique items.
- Fan Impact: Introduced “secret bases,” a feature beloved enough to be revived in Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire.
Where to Play It Today
- Available On: Not officially sold on modern platforms.
- Or Get It On eBay: Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire on eBay Australia
Assassin’s Creed: Altaïr’s Chronicles (DS, 2008)
A Smaller, But Still Deadly Altaïr
Released as a prequel to the original Assassin’s Creed, Altaïr’s Chronicles was a 2.5D action-adventure that attempted to bring the franchise’s parkour and stealth to handhelds. While ambitious, it lacked the fluidity and depth of its console counterparts.
Behind the Scenes: A Stopgap Game
Developed by Gameloft rather than Ubisoft’s main teams, this title was built primarily to keep interest alive between AC1 and AC2. It eventually saw mobile and iOS ports, though none were particularly well-received.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Gameplay: A blend of Prince of Persia-style platforming and basic stealth mechanics.
- Easter Egg: A hidden Templar chest unlocks concept art if all gems are collected.
- Legacy: Largely forgotten, but helped set the stage for later handheld AC games like AC: Bloodlines.
Where to Play It Today
- Available On: Not officially sold on modern platforms.
- Or Get It On eBay: Assassin’s Creed: Altaïr’s Chronicles on eBay Australia
