| System: Game Boy Color | Graphics: |
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| Publisher: Capcom | Sound: |
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| Year: 2000 | Difficulty: |
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| Genre: Action-platformer | Rating: |
7/10 |
In 21XX (some time after the events of Mega Man X and X2 on the Super Nintendo), a mysterious hacker (known as Techno) has sabotaged the central computer of the Hunters’ base, conveniently resurrecting a few dangerous Mavericks in the process. X and Zero are politely invited to step in before chaos takes hold…
The X series arrives on Game Boy Color! As with previous adaptations, the original bosses make a return in scrambled order (here, four are pulled from X1 and another four from X2), alongside a few new characters (Middy, Techno, Zain, Geemel), and of course, Sigma.
Visually, it’s a far cry from the 16-bit era, yet Mega Man Xtrem remains polished and boasts a decent lifespan, albeit one padded artificially. The game is split into three parts: first the Normal mode, featuring four initial bosses, then Hard, introducing four more, and finally, Extrem, where everyone gets lumped together.
It’s worth noting that, unlike its sequel, the levels are closely modelled on the Super Nintendo versions, right down to the bonus placements. They’ve simply wrapped them in a nonsensical plot and sprinkled in a handful of forgettable characters you’re unlikely to see ever again.
Suggested order:
Storm Eagle > Flame Stag > Chill Penguin > Spark Mandrill > Armored Armadillo > Morph Moth > Magna Centipede > Wheel Gator
