Gekko



Gekko, nicknamed Lizards, and codenamed IRVING by the U.S. Military, were a mass-produced biomechanical fighting vehicle in use during the time of the War Economy. They were produced by ArmsTech, the same company that worked with DARPA to create Metal Gear REX, and employed a combination of the technologies used in the production of the REX and RAY Metal Gears. The Gekko lacks the nuclear launch capabilities of a true Metal Gear, and is instead designed to be closer in role and armament to an infantry fighting vehicle, with multiple units acting as a coordinated team in support of ground forces.

Physical Characteristics
The Gekko model is comprised of a mechanical "head" and body, each separate and connect by a small mechanical joint, joined to long legs and clawed feet composed of artificially created muscle tissue derived from the embryonic stem cells of ungulate embryos. A 360-degree sight is mounted on top of the machine with another between the legs, both equipped with advanced sensors and imaging devices. They mount some form of propulsion system and are capable of leaping great distances into the air, either to travel quickly or to crush enemy soldiers. They are also extremely flexible and agile, capable of maneuvering through small corridors and rooms originally designed for humans that would otherwise be inaccessible; Gekko legs use universal ball joints, allowing them a large range of motion. Sometimes, it shuts most of its operating systems to the extent that it can easily be mistaken for having its drive go dead to the naked eye, which also acts as a surprise attack for an unwary traveler.

A Gekko mounts a whip-like manipulator arm ending in a small claw-like gripper, which it can use to pick up delicate objects for examination or manipulate objects; the grip is strong enough to restrain a grown adult. Occasionally when faced with a hidden enemy, a Gekko will produce a hand grenade using the manipulator and throw it.

After combat maneuvers, the Gekko are seen to excrete an amount of luminous green fluid. This is most likely lactic acid built up from the activity of their organic parts. They are completely autonomous, sporting an artificial intelligence that is capable enough to chase a target through multiple levels of a building and recognize and investigate signs of a target's presence; however, this A.I. is not perfect, giving them roughly animal intelligence; they are seen to misjudge the ability of structures to support their weight at times, and are easily deceived by a wily opponent. Gekko are deployed in huge numbers; in some national militaries, they outnumber tanks, though are clearly not designed to fulfill the same role. Gekko can only see heat, so if you use Octocamo, then the Gekko cannot see you. When not activated, the Gekko are often transported via trucks, and despite the size of the Gekkos, they are surprisingly light when compacted.

Gekko communicate in sounds modeled after animals, mooing and bellowing like cows and sometimes chirping like cicadas.

Gekko Variants
The standard Gekko variant is highly modular, capable of mounting a number of weapons in various combinations on its "head"; all mount a machine gun in an internal station near the 'beak' of the head, and typically additional armament will be some combination of tube-launched anti-tank missiles, M2 Browning .50 caliber heavy machine guns and grenade discharging arrays, though a handful mount electronic warfare devices that can deflect incoming guided missiles. It is unclear how these weapons are restocked, though the Gekko has no obvious capacity for reloading its own weapons in the field; presumably they must withdraw once the fixed armament is depleted, though in the context of the game they have infinite ammunition.

There is also a "Suicide" variant, appearing to be a stripped-down Gekko frame with a nuclear demolition charge located in the head area. The Suicide variant are used to destroy REX's hangar after Liquid steals REX's railgun, and have highly limited offensive abilities. They have a substantial arming pause before detonation during which they are completely inert, with an audible warning countdown.

Dwarf Gekko
See Scarab

The Dwarf Gekko (also known as Scarabs) are spheres with a single optical unit that have three small arms with human looking hands attached to the end. They can give off a shock that appears to be emitted from the optical unit. A shock from this can throw people off balance. Gekko are also seen carrying groups of Dwarf Gekko on the back of their "heads", though this configuration is never encountered during gameplay.

Combating Gekko
Gekko are heavily armored and highly agile, capable of making great leaps, swift sprints and climbing vertical walls. 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", and may also include machine guns on the shoulders and anti-tank missiles. Some examples also mount a white electronic warfare device on one of the shoulder hardpoints; this is capable of spoofing incoming missiles, sending them off-course or detonating them prematurely.

Be wary when hiding from a Gekko, as if it is aware of Snake's approximate location, after a while it will produce a hand grenade with its manipulator tentacle and throw it.

Gekko are vulnerable to immobilization following damage to their legs; one leg damaged will immobilize the Gekko but still allow it to pivot its head to fire, while both will render it completely helpless temporarily. The actual vulnerable point on a Gekko is on the top of its head near the sensor unit; shots to this area with any weapon will damage it. Anti-tank missiles and RPGs will damage a Gekko regardless of aim, though if not immobilized it may dodge them.

It is extremely easy to destroy a Gekko with the railgun, as the projectile typically travels too quickly for them to dodge, and a single fully charged shot to any part of the head will kill a Gekko instantly. It is also possible to tranquilize a Gekko. It takes about four to five shots on the front of the legs and one to two in the back of the knee of the Gekko using the tranquilizer gun. It's best to take caution when combating a Gekko because even though it's machine guns will not kill you instantly, a kick from the Gekko's legs can. It would be best if you have a recovery item equipped when encountering a Gekko. Be aware that the Gekko at Shadow Moses (specifically those indoors) have magnets attached to them. These magnets will repel any Rocket projectiles shot at them.

While the Gekko tend to not use nuclear weapons, Otacon implies that some might have nuclear capability when he says "not all of them have nuclear capability" when stating that they have different types of Gekko for different missions.

Trivia

 * Gekko's name was derived from the Nakajima J1N "Gekko" twin-engine night fighter aircraft from WWII. "IRVING" was the Allied codename for the plane, while "gekkou" comes from 月光, the 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 Appearances


Gekko is one of the three metal gears, along with Metal Gear REX and Metal Gear RAY to appear in the Shadow Moses Island Stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Also, due to the fact that MGS4 was released after Super Smash Bros. Brawl, this technically marks Gekko's debut game.

Completing All-Star Mode with ten 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