Jet Force Gemini: SS Anubis
Jet Force Gemini is one of Anders Orozco’s favorite Nintendo 64 games and an all-time classic.
There’s a very special story behind this game since it came into Anders Orozco’s life by pure destiny. Back in the day, the only chances to get new video games were on birthdays or Christmas, so every purchase was a big deal.
On a birthday in 1999, a trip to the local market with Anders Orozco’s father was supposed to end with Resident Evil 2, but it wasn’t out yet. After hours of searching and feeling frustrated, time was running out. With only 15 minutes left to decide, a few games were pulled off the shelf, and that’s when Jet Force Gemini caught his eye for the first time.
The box art and story instantly brought to mind Starship Troopers and StarCraft, but in a more playful style. Taking a leap of faith, the game was purchased—after all, it was made by RARE, which was always a good sign.
Once home, the excitement kicked in. The box was opened, the manual was inspected (and yes, smelled—because that’s just part of the experience), and the cartridge was placed into the N64. The opening story immediately hooked him, though the controls were a bit tricky at first. Aiming wasn’t the easiest, but after a short learning curve, the real fun began—blasting away at ant-like enemies while, of course, sparing the adorable little koalas (no way those could be harmed!).
One of the standout aspects of Jet Force Gemini has always been the music. Few games have a soundtrack where every single track feels iconic, from the title theme to the boss battles and even the ending.
With the release of Rare Replay on Xbox One, Anders Orozco had the chance to revisit the game and dive deeper into its development. Watching behind-the-scenes footage and learning about Robin Beanland’s dedication to the soundtrack made everything even more meaningful. That experience became the perfect inspiration to create a personal take on one of the game’s best tracks: SS Anubis.