Wayback Wednesday: Jet Force Gemini
Even after 10 years, I am still playing my N64. It was the first material possession I ever purchased with a paycheck, which I earned when I was 16 working for that staple of school field trips, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. I eventually fleshed out a nice collection of games, but the platform games from Rare were my favorite. Banjo-Kazooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Donkey Kong 64... I'd become immersed in their worlds for hours every day after school, and especially during the holidays when I had nothing better to do than sit and play games and inhale the comforting smells of roast turkey and pine needles from the x-mas tree.
One of my fondest memories was playing through a vastly underrated Rare gem: Jet Force Gemini. I recently picked this up from eBay after trading it in years ago to Gamestop for what was probably a dollar. Released in 1999, this game had a strange history of redesigns, where Rare originally designed the characters in a cute big-headed style, and eventually chose a more refined "mature" look. JFG introduced some concepts still used in games today, making it quite the important title. Unlockable characters, third person shooting/platforming and a robust multiplayer made this game years ahead of its time. Looking back on the graphics now, I remember being blown away by the detail and design. It doesn't really hold up, but if you squint you can pretend it's next-gen.
It's funny to look back and see their attempts at voice acting and storyline. The splatter effects of destroying the insect creatures feel almost like a proto-Gears of War. The little things that we take for granted in games these days were revolutionary in 1999, and JFG was at the forefront. Pity nothing came of the franchise.
If you haven't played the game, you can probably find it on eBay for less than $10. I highly recommend it, if just for the cheesy sci fi soundtrack. Journey back in time to an era when Rare actually still made good games! Oh yes I went there.
