Forgotten PS1 Mascot Platformers: What Happened to Gex & Jersey Devil?
In the mid-90s, every developer wanted their own “Mario Killer.” The success of Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon sparked a gold rush of anthropomorphic animals with “attitude.” The PlayStation 1 became a graveyard for would-be mascots that had the visual flair but couldn’t quite survive the transition into the 128-bit era.
While Crash and Spyro became household names, characters like Gex, Croc, and the Jersey Devil faded into obscurity. From licensing nightmares to technical jank, here is the history of the PS1’s forgotten platforming icons.
Gex: Enter the Gecko
Gex was Crystal Dynamics’ attempt at a “cool” mascot. He was a wisecracking lizard obsessed with pop culture, voiced by comedian Dana Gould. While Gex: Enter the Gecko was a solid 3D platformer that used a mission-based structure similar to Mario 64, the character’s reliance on 90s television references meant he aged poorly compared to the timeless designs of his peers.
Jersey Devil
Released in 1997, Jersey Devil attempted to capture the “spooky-cute” market. You played as a purple bat-creature defending a Halloween-themed city. Despite beautiful atmospheric levels and a great soundtrack, the game was plagued by a difficult camera and “floaty” controls that made precise platforming a chore compared to the tight physics of Crash.
Croc: Legend of the Gobbos
Croc was originally pitched as a Yoshi game to Nintendo. When that fell through, Argonaut Games turned it into Croc. It sold millions of copies but is often forgotten because of its “Tank Controls.” Moving a 3D character like a tank in a platformer was a design choice that didn’t stick, leading many players to abandon the green crocodile in the early 2000s.
Kingsley’s Adventure
Developed by Psygnosis, Kingsley was an adorable fox knight in a 3D action-platformer. It was a technical marvel with vibrant colors and great draw distance, but it launched too late (1999) and was overshadowed by the looming arrival of the PlayStation 2.
Mascot Failure Factors
| Mascot | Fatal Flaw | Current IP Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gex | Outdated Humor | Trilogy Remaster Announced |
| Croc | Frustrating Controls | Remaster in Development |
| Jersey Devil | Poor Camera System | Inactive / Abandoned |
| Jersey Devil | Poor Camera System | Inactive / Abandoned |
| Blasto | Extreme Difficulty | Inactive |
The 2026 Revival
The “Search Gap” for these mascots is closing. With the success of the Crash N. Sane Trilogy, fans are clamoring for the return of B-tier mascots. In 2026, we are seeing a resurgence of “Forgotten” IPs, with Gex and Croc both slated for modern ports. This proves that while these games had flaws, their 32-bit charm still resonates with the “Retro-Mascot” community.
Forgotten Mascot FAQ
Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games had a higher level of “polish.” They focused on camera logic and precise movement before adding the “attitude.” Characters like Bubsy or Jersey Devil often felt like the marketing department designed them before the gameplay was finished.
Yes, especially Gex: Enter the Gecko. If you can handle the non-stop 90s jokes, the level design is actually quite clever and holds up well when played in **4K Emulation (Article 11)**.
The developer, Behaviour Interactive (now known for Dead by Daylight), still holds many of their old assets, but the IP has been stagnant since 1998 due to a lack of publisher interest.