Mini Review: 70’s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X (PS5) – Zany PS1 Shooter Is a Real Treat
Push Square has reviewed 70's-style Robot Anime Geppy-X, a PS5 re-release of a Japan-only PS1 scrolling shooter from 1999 that the outlet's editor had never previously heard of. The remaster, produced by Implicit Conversions (the studio behind PS Plus Premium's emulated catalogue), is praised less for its combat than for its remarkable presentation, which the reviewer calls a standout example of thoughtful game preservation introducing an obscure cult title to a new audience.
The core shooting gameplay is described as fairly unremarkable and occasionally sluggish, mixing crude Super Nintendo-style sprites with rough polygonal models, though it does offer multiple routes through its eight-stage campaign and unique boss animations. What elevates the package is its inclusion of over 8,000 remastered video clips from preserved Betacam footage, presenting each level as a full anime episode complete with title cards, credits and fake in-universe adverts, drawing heavily on the style of Go Nagai works such as UFO Robot Grendizer. The release also features original theme songs performed by veteran Japanese singers, CRT display filters and a browsable in-game manual, all contributing to a lovingly assembled retro package.
In short
- Push Square reviews PS5 remaster of obscure 1999 Japan-only shooter Geppy-X.
- Gameplay is average, but presentation is exceptional and lovingly restored.
- Over 8,000 remastered video clips recreate a full parody anime experience.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Game preservation and cultural accessibility matter profoundly. This release thoughtfully documents an obscure piece of gaming and animation history that would otherwise remain inaccessible, with 8,000+ remastered video clips and authentic multimedia curation demonstrating genuine respect for the original work. For those interested in gaming history or 70s anime aesthetics, this package offers significant cultural and educational value.
The case against
Games exist primarily to be played, and presentation cannot compensate for mediocre mechanics. Whilst preservation is admirable, wrapping an admittedly unremarkable and sluggish core experience in impressive multimedia elements risks conflating curatorial effort with gameplay quality. If the actual shooting mechanics are uninspiring, purchasers are buying an expensive museum exhibit rather than an engaging interactive experience.
Explained simply
Geppy-X is a Japanese scrolling shooter originally released on PlayStation 1 in 1999, available only in Japan. The game draws inspiration from 1970s robot anime, a style of Japanese animation that featured giant robots in dramatic, action-packed stories. Because it never came to the West, very few gamers outside Japan have ever heard of it.
The game is now being re-released for PlayStation 5 through a remaster produced by Implicit Conversions, a studio specialising in video game preservation and emulation. This effort is part of a broader industry movement to preserve obscure or forgotten games and release them to modern audiences. Such preservation work highlights how many games created in one region have remained unknown in others.
What distinguishes Geppy-X from a straightforward port is its presentation, which goes beyond simply replicating the original game. The remaster includes extensive anime content alongside the shooting gameplay, drawing heavily on the visual and storytelling conventions of 1970s Japanese animation. This approach demonstrates how game preservation can be about conserving not just the game itself, but the cultural context and artistic vision that surrounded it.
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