Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Mega Man X 1~8 / Rockman X 1~8 Box Art

Mega Man X / Rockman X

A brilliantly illustrated and colored cover to welcome Mega Man to the next generation. Wonder if you can get a poster of this anywhere?

 

(Images taken from Amazon Japan)

A state-of-the-art Super Hero is born!!

A new series from the mega popular action game "Rockman" has finally arrived on the Super Famicom! Refining the gameplay systems seen in the Gameboy and Famicom editions, here is the latest upgrade. New actions and power-ups are added by way of the parts system. Dramatic fights unfold across the whole screen. Your enemy is the entire army headed by the world's strongest Reploid, Sigma. Rockman X fights along with Zero as a dramatic story unfolds! Fight on, Rockman X! Defeat the evil army and bring peace back to the world!!


Mega Man X2 / Rockman X2
Another gorgeous cover, with more color than a jar full of jelly beans. I rented this one several times and was wowed by the simple simple wireframe rendering at boot-up. While not quite the classic the original was, it had a fantastic opening with the hover vehicles and gigantic boss minutes into the game.

(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by user: "リカルド・フィリペ")

A new fight, begins now!
...Rockman X is back again.

It's been half a year since the life or death struggle with Sigma. We've seen that X's actions have brought back peace to the world. However, within that period of tranquility, new enemies called the "Counter Hunters" have appeared! Once again, X heads off into the fight...

CX4 Inside!
Capcom's original DSP chip is built-in! Character rotation, expansion/contraction and 3D Wire Frame processing has been made possible, giving the game a wide-scale power-up!


Mega Man X3 / Rockman X3

Finally adding Zero as a playable character, the third game in the series flew under my radar due to being released months after the N64. Still curious to try this out someday and experience both the 16-bit and 32-bit soundtracks.

(Images taken from retro-video-gaming.com)


The series' third edition!

For Rockman X, a new, powerful enemy has emerged!

Dr. Doppler, in command of the Reploid Army, has unexpectedly sent out a declaration of war against all of humanity! For the third time, the world has been taken through the storm of war. Also, in the background, mystery and confusion is enveloping events...

Will Rockman X be able to smash Dr. Doppler's evil ambitions?! By powering up Rockman X through equipping parts, he'll further evolve in the newest entry to the series, which is finally here!!

"Get a load of my Beam Sabre!"

The character change system has been implemented! Your reliable friend, ZERO, is added to the fight!!



PlayStation / Saturn Versions
The spiel on the back of the 32-bit versions emphasis the game gameplay systems whereas the Super Famicom packaging went into more detail about the story. Fun fact: A 3D0 port of X3 was in development at one point.

(Images taken from Moby Games. Uploaded by users ケヴィン and FAM.)
Front:
The CD-Rom edition features new additions including an original demo and animation! The complete version of Rockman X, finally activated on the Sega Saturn!

Back:
* Power up by equipping parts!
At 'Parts Capsules,' Rockman X gains equipment to power up even further! Equip yourself at your strongest to completely contain the Reploid Army!

* Strategically conquer stages with 'Zero Change'!
Rockman X and Zero are now able to perform a character change. If the two combine their power, reaching the ending isn't just a dream!

* Master new actions!
New actions have been added to X3. By gaining complete control over them, you can aim to be an 'expert' at battles!

With various bosses characters and new systems, the fight has been scaled up even further!

Spine card:
The 3rd edition of the series, this time set on the Sega Saturn!


(Images taken from Moby Games, uploaded by user OYN.)

The text on the PlayStation version is identical except for the reference to 'PlayStation' instead of 'Sega Saturn' on the front.


Mega Man X 4 / Rockman X4

Even when 3D was taking over the entire gaming world in 1997, the beautiful 2D graphics and polished gameplay of X4 commanded respect. I especially love the Saturn cover with it's dark aesthetic, gold trim, and Zero getting the overdue spotlight. Both the American Saturn and PS1 covers feature the portrait of Zero and a wounded X on a simple blue background.


(Images taken from Gamefaqs.)

The series' latest, 4th entry! The Irregular Hunter's greatest battle in history...begins!

Both warriors have each begun walking their path. The player is able to choose between both X and Zero! Of course, the player's choice influences the story and appearing characters!

Dramatic animated movies

Animation that go along with the game's progress have been inserted! X and Zero unravel completely different stories. What fait is awaiting them?? Which destiny shall you view (first), X or Zero??

Go GET the enemies' weapons!

X can use the weapons of defeated bosses!

Zero can learn the special moves of the bosses he topples!

Go further evolve the both of them!

At your strongest! Ride Armor

Backing up the warriors in their fight is the powerful, new model ride armor. Also, in the Ride Chase sequences throughout the game, you can feel the sense of speed. Master the use of ride armor, and take it to the bad guys!



Mega Man X5 / Rockman X5
Really cool background. Is that the sun, or a bomb going off? The looks on X and Zero's face and the presence of their support time further heightens the stakes. I remember buying and beating this soon after its release. Solid game, but the stages were noticeably linear and the new gameplay additions such as time limit system felt tacked on and unnecessary, possibly a reaction to Majora's Mask which released earlier in the year?

(Images taken form Gamefaqs.)

At the end of the century, the latest in the Rockman series!!

The two hunters have been entrusted with the fate of the planet...

1. Evolved Double Hero System
You can change players anywhere within the stage! Responding to current conditions, utilize each hero!

2. 16 hours remain until the planet's destruction...
According to play time, events change! Will you be able to see everything fate has in store!?

3. New weapon GET system
Defeating bosses, you'll get special-type weapons! You can attach these parts for a custom character!

4. User friendly
Set difficulty and auto charge options according to who's playing, from beginners to all sorts of players beyond!


Mega Man X6 / Rockman X6

Really striking cover with a transparent Zero set out against outer space. But, with the package heavily implying one of the coolest gaming characters of the 90s is dead, it's not exactly an encouraging sales pitch.

 (Images taken from Gamefaqs.)

Three years after colony crash incident...you must rescue the planet from a new "nightmare"!


Is Zero really dead!?


- Slash enemies with the Z-Saber!

Now X can even use the Z-Saber!  Master a varied array of attacks!

- The unending nightmare

According to how you play the stages, various events will spring up! Can you survive the morphing traps?!

- Rescue 128 of your friends!

Help the captured reploids and receive parts!


Mega Man X7 / Rockman X7

Considered one of the greatest abominations in Capcom's storied history and one of the worst 2D to 3D transitions in gaming, the garishly designed newcomer Axl is front and center. Zero staring off outside the box and X staring angrily at what has transpired is a humorous touch.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs.)

It's here. The way of the future. Rockman X7!


Axl's at full power!!

His name is Axl!  The 3rd hero of the X series!


Mega Man X8 / Rockman X8

Considered a redemption from the poorly received X6 and X7, the final entry X8 was praised for returning to form with solid gameplay. Will we ever see an X9?

(Images taken from Gamefaqs.)

This is INTERESTING! The 8th edition of the long time best selling action game!


A variety of missions await!

Descend into a scorching volcano! Try to pass virtual training! Pursue the berserk targets! Giant Mechaniloids run wild! Sprint on the Ride Chasers! The revolving antigravity maze! Infiltrate a secret base! Set off in Ride Armor!


Combine your powers in cooperative action! 

Extraordinary special abilities

[Double Attack] Defeat enemies with the power of two players!


Come to your friends aid

[Rescue Change]

Rescue your friends from the enemies!


The strategy unfolds with a new system!

Sub-character restoration


[Recovery gauge] 

Attempt to have the main character recover life while he's active!


Overflowing with charm, the three navigators. They'll support you as you take on the stages!

No comments:

Post a Comment