An ambitious third-person shooter from Rare. Three heroes with their own zones, an insectoid invasion plot, a vast semi-open world and a lavish arsenal. The endgame demand to rescue every Tribal drags out the closing stretch, but the adventure brims with ideas and atmosphere.
Third-person action shooter starring twins Juno and Vela and their dog Lupus battling the insect army of Mizar. Developed by Rare, published by Nintendo, released in 1999. Three characters with distinct zones, abundant weapons and movement modes, and up to 4-player multiplayer.
Rare's last large original N64 project before the shift to Microsoft, released late in 1999. Its desirability rests less on print run than on the orphaned-series status it never escaped, with an ending that demands rescuing every Tribal scattered across the levels, a completion constraint that became legendary. Inclusion in the Rare Replay compilation on Xbox caps its software value but heightens the appeal of the period cartridge among Rare completists.
An underrated gem
Crafted by Rare at the top of its game, this space shooter blends sprawling exploration, gunfights and a trio of heroes with complementary skills. Its sometimes finicky aiming and demanding completion goals worked against it with the wider public. Visually sumptuous for its time, it remains a generous playground for action-adventure fans.
Is Jet Force Gemini still worth playing in 2026?
A third person action shooter from Rare, Jet Force Gemini follows the twins Juno and Vela and their dog Lupus in a war against Mizar's insect army, across colourful planets to explore. The technical ambition, the blend of exploration and snappy gunfights and the careful art direction mark Rare's 64 bit apogee. The sometimes rigid aiming and the requirement to save every hostage divide opinion. For a retro action adventure fan, a fan of Rare's craft or someone curious about the console's peaks, the title keeps a definite scope and charm.
