Mega Man is one of the most iconic video game characters in history, and for many, the release of Mega Man X signaled the beginning of an important new era for the blue bomber, imbuing the series with a darker hue and introducing a compelling new plotline and set of characters. With the recent release of Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2, anyone can relive their favorite Mega Man X moments—or experience them with fresh eyes for the first time.
Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 consists of X, X2, X3, and X4, while Collection 2 consists of X5, X6, X7, and X8. Bundled together, they also come with “The Day of Σ” (a short movie that explains the origins of the series’ main villain, Sigma) and soundtracks for every game.
The collections are geared towards allowing players to have control over their nostalgic experience, including options either to add high-resolution and high-definition filters to each game or to preserve their original resolutions. This thoughtful detail also functions as a nod towards Mega Man X’s cultural legacy: Capcom knows that, for many, playing the games exactly as they were played in the ‘90s and ‘00s is the essential, canonical Mega Man experience.
One of the most significant features of the Legacy Collection is the “X Challenge mode,” which pits players against two beloved Mega Man X bosses at the same time. The mode seems especially designed for speedrunners and players who are so well-versed in attacking the series’ many antagonists that developing new patterns of attack and movement to master two Maverick foes at once will prove a refreshing, welcome challenge. What’s more, the new mode also includes brand new armor for X.
Mega Man X ushered in a new standard for the series, including a darker, more mature storyline and a host of more complex mechanics and movesets. The high anticipation ahead of this release proves that these games are timeless classics that still translate well for the current generation of gamers.