Gekko



GEKKO, nicknamed "Lizards," code-named "IRVING" by the U.S. Military, is a mass-produced mecha seen in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. They are produced by ArmsTech, the same company that worked with DARPA to design Metal Gear REX. Although not a traditional Metal Gear, it shares many of the same characteristics such as assault weaponry and a limited nuclear arsenal. The vehicle makes noises similar to Japanese Cicadas and Bovines in order to lure the enemy into a false sense of security before attacking.

Physical Characteristics
The GEKKO model is comprised of a mechanical 'head' and body, each separate and connected by a small mechanical joint, joined to long legs and clawed feet composed of artificially created muscle tissue. A dome atop the machine spins in a 360 degree, and is equipped with advanced sensors and imaging devices. They each appear to have a least one mounted gun and grenade launchers mounted on their 'head'. They have not been shown attacking with these weapons except against Raiden and Snake. They have been shown leaping into the air to travel long distances, and to crush enemy soldiers. They've also been shown to kick, slap and slide tackle enemy infantry and vehicles with almost sadistic brutality. They are also extremely flexible and agile, capable of maneuvering through small corridors and rooms originally designed for humans that would otherwise be inaccessible. After combat maneuvers, the GEKKO are seen to excrete an amount of luminous green fluid. This could be excess lactic acid built up by the muscles in the legs. They are completely autonomous, sporting an Artificial Intelligence that seems capable enough to chase a target through multiple levels of a building and to recognize and investigate signs of a target's presence.

GEKKO Variants
The standard GEKKO variant is highly modular, capable of mounting a number of weapons in various combinations on it's "head". There is also a "Suicide" variant, loaded with explosives with a single "nose" machine-gun for defense. The Suicide variant are used to destroy REX's hangar after Liquid steals REX's railgun.

Combating GEKKO
GEKKO are heavily armored and highly agile, capable of making great leaps, swift sprints and climb buildings. They are capable of attacking with their legs, their whip-like manipulation arms and whatever mounted weaponry they have, which typically consists of at least one machine gun housed in the 'nose' as well as heavy-machine guns and anti-tank rockets. The best method of eliminating GEKKO is to fire at their relatively unarmored legs until they weaken and collapse, then destroy them with an anti-tank rocket. It is also possible to destroy them with a railgun, as the projectile typically travels too quickly for them to dodge. However, the best strategy is to simply avoid combat all together, avoiding them whenever possible.

Behind the Scenes
The term "gekkou" comes from 月光, the Chinese　(or Japanese) word meaning "Moonlight". In a recent interview, Hideo Kojima stated that the Gekko are not Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots titular Metal Gears, stating that they are more like a jeep or a tank compared to the actual Metal Gear.

Other Apperances
GEKKO is one of the three metal gears, along with Metal Gear RAY and Metal Gear REX to appear in the Shadow Moses Stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Completing All-Star Mode with 10 characters will unlock a GEKKO trophy with the following description: "A Metal Gear with a pair of animal-like legs. Gekko are mass-produced weapons used in military combat. Its distinctive legs allow Gekko to move at high speed, jump incredible distances, and even cling to walls, giving it unprecedented mobility. Other noteworthy features of this model include prehensile tentacles strong enough to pick up soldiers and its signature deafening roar."

Appearances

 * Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
 * Metal Gear Acid 2
 * Super Smash Bros. Brawl