X (Mega Man)

Mega Man X
Mega Man X series character
X Mega Man X, shown here in Maverick Hunter X, returns to his basic, Mega Man-like appearance, except in X5 and X6, for the beginning of each game.
First game	Mega Man X
Created by	Keiji Inafune

Mega Man X , or Rock Man X (ロックマンエックス, Rokku Man Ekkusu), usually abbreviated to simply "X", in the games' original Japanese, is the main video game character of Capcom's Mega Man X video game series. Introduced in the 1993 SNES video game Mega Man X and created by series creator Keiji Inafune, Mega Man X is a sapient robot who, along with his partner Zero and the rest of the Maverick Hunters, protects humans and intelligent robots known as reploids by hunting down rogue robots known as Mavericks.

While Mega Man, the protagonist of the original Mega Man series, was largely a personality-less cypher, the Mega Man X series places a greater emphasis on fiction, and casts X as a warrior who desires nothing better than to live in peace, but is forced to fight in order to protect that peace.

The NES system began to fade into obscurity in the face of its successor, the Super Famicom. Along with the improved graphics engine, Keiji developed a darker character design and plot, and according to him, he believes that such designs will continue with each new generation of technology. In line with the new "X" series developed, two characters were created, one being the main character of X, and the inclusion of his partner, Zero.

History

Keiji introduced the design and character for X on December 17th, 1993 in Japan, in his first game, Mega Man X. This game and its iterations received later distribution dates in America, with the first game being released to North America a few days later, on December 28th. Since then, X has appeared in every iteration in the Mega Man X series as the title and main character of the story , which takes place on a fictional Earth mirroring our own.

Keiji Inafune has stated that originally, X's partner in the series, Zero, was meant to become the title character of the next series. However, in an interview conducted in 2004, he has stated that the idea was scrapped and he made Zero into a supporting role, as the similarities were few between his original Mega Man design and for fear fans of the series might not relate to the new character. Also, despite the design, he has stated that X and the original Mega Man are two different entities, although it is unknown how the first Mega Man disappeared in the series due to lack of storyline elements not introduced in late Classic iterations.

Video game history

Template:Spoiler X is introduced in Mega Man X. The manual fills in his backstory: X is Dr. Light's final masterwork, a new advanced robot that could think for itself and make its own decisions. Light named him X after the variable "x" which, in algebreic terms, represents limitless possibility, as do X's advanced systems.

Light feared the ramifications of giving robots free will, so he chose to seal X inside a capsule for 30 years to test the integrity and reliability of X's systems. Unfortunately, this was well beyond Dr. Light's predicted life expectancy, and he died before X's diagnostics were complete. X was discovered still in his capsule 100 years later by Dr. Cain, who attempted to replicate X's technology and, with X's help, produced the first Reploids. It should be noted that X himself is not actually a Reploid, as Reploids are instead robots or "replicas" that are based upon his designs. Rather, X and Zero were both highly advanced robots which were capable of sapient thought. When the Reploids began to rebel against humanity (such rebels are termed Mavericks), the Maverick Hunters were formed to combat them, under the leadership of Sigma, the strongest and most advanced Reploid created at that time. This proved to be disastrous when Sigma himself was eventually infected with the Maverick Virus, and goes Maverick himself, taking most of the Maverick Hunters with him as he leads a massive revolt.

Mega Man X

Mega Man X begins with X, expressing guilt because he had a part in creating the Reploids, joining the remaining Hunters, then led by Zero. With Zero's help, X eventually defeated the Mavericks and their head, Sigma, but at the cost of Zero's life.

Mega Man X2

Mega Man X2 picks up where Mega Man X left off, as the Hunters have tracked down the remaining Mavericks. The X-Hunters, a group of Mavericks who wish to destroy X, gather the parts of Zero's corpse, seeking to use them as bait to lure X to his destruction. X destroys the X-Hunters and gathers Zero's parts, eventually discovering that Sigma was behind the plot all along. Even if you recover Zero's parts, a badly built Zero copy confronts X, but is defeated by the real Zero. (The player can choose to ignore the X-Hunters; in this case, a brainwashed Zero confronts X, but is defeated and comes to his senses. This ending is considered non-canonical, as it is not reflected in later games.) X confronts and destroys Sigma once again, while the newly-rebuilt Zero destroys Sigma's central computer.

Mega Man X3

Mega Man X3 reveals that there has been a period of peace after a Reploid scientist named Dr. Doppler created a supposed cure for the Maverick Virus. This cure turns out to be an ineffectual placebo, however, and the Maverick Hunters find themselves overwhelmed with a massive Maverick uprising. X and Zero enter the fray and discover that the virus and Sigma are one and the same, explaining why Sigma keeps coming back. X and Zero destroy Sigma's new battle body (built by Doppler, who had been infected with the virus.) It is revealed but unbeknownst to X that his ultimate fate to save the human race would be to destroy Zero. This is a mildly misleading translation from the japanese version, which merely says that X knows in his heart that he is destined to fight Zero.

Mega Man X4

Mega Man X4 reveals that Zero is the origin of the Sigma Virus. The Repliforce War breaks out, because the Maverick Hunters judged a faction of Reploids as Mavericks without good reason. X, though, was led away from the real targets by a spy of Sigma named Double and it was Zero this time who foiled Sigma's plan by hunting down the Repliforce and destroying its top officers and Sigma himself, killing a good friend named Colonel and Iris in the process. X, realizing that he was tricked and discovering that Sigma had set up the entire plan, became very frustrated and swiftly disposed of Double. This time, though, he was beginning to doubt his ability to remain sane, and he told Zero that if he ever were to go Maverick that Zero would have to take care of him.

Mega Man Xtreme and Xtreme 2

Mega Man Xtreme is set between Mega Man X2 and X3. In this game, a hacker named Techno has invaded the Hunters' Mother Computer and is using the data of previous Mavericks against the organization. With the help of Middy, X goes into cyberspace, where he discovers that Sigma had "influenced" Techno. X accidentally destroys Techno, then learns that Middy is Techno's twin brother, and that destroying Techno destroyed Middy as well. X, crushed, challenges Sigma once again and defeats him, extracting a measure of vengeance.

Mega Man Xtreme 2, which is set between X3 and X4, takes X and Zero to Laguz Island, where they battle the Soul Erasers, Berkana and Gareth. X defeats Berkana and Zero defeat Gareth, and the two team up to defeat Sigma.

Mega Man X5

By Mega Man X5, the Repliforce has been completely wiped out. With peace restored, the Hunters hire several new officers, including Alia. Unfortunately, X gets into a confrontation with the Sigma Virus and accidentally spreads it all over Earth. This turns out to be yet another of Sigma's evil schemes. In addition, Sigma attempts to send the space colony Eurasia into the Earth, thus spreading the virus further, in order to awaken Zero's true self. Under one story possibility, X faces off with Zero after he ignored orders to report back to Base for a full physical check on his virus readings. In the other story possibility, the overwhelming amount of the virus becomes a catalyst that exposes Zero's true self. The former is considered to be the canon storyline.

Sigma reveals to X that Zero's true form is the one that emerges when he is powered up with the Maverick Virus (this mechanic is also reflected during gameplay). As it turns out, Zero was the one who had spread the virus to Sigma during their first confrontation, as shown in a cutscene during Mega Man X4. Sigma also speaks of a mysterious new ally who built a body for him. He also says that this person is interested in Zero "as if he was his own father" and claims that he and X know each other well, because they were enemies in the past (obviously referring to the character of Dr. Wily form the Mega Man series). Once beaten, Sigma claims he will take down Zero with him. As X and Zero both lay damaged from Sigma's massive explosion, X stands over Zero's battered body, hoping for signs of life. Sigma's remains then fire a blast straight through X and Zero. Zero revives for just a moment, destroying Sigma's remains and then passing away. X was badly injured, and Dr. Light miraculously repairs him.

Mega Man X6

During the Nightmare Outbreak in Mega Man X6, X is still coping with the loss of his friend, unaware that Zero is still alive. The Zero Nightmare - a clone of Zero created by an infected Reploid researcher named Gate (who was Alia's former colleague) - smears Zero's name and is promptly defeated by X. Upon doing this, Zero reveals himself again to an elated X. Together, they swear to eliminate the evil source of the Nightmares, and do so with Alia's help. Sigma is once again revealed to be a part of the catastrophe, and is defeated by X. X claims that he now has more important things to do, such as rebuilding the Earth, and if Sigma were to come back, he would defeat him again and again, as many times as it takes. After the battle he saves the remains of Gate for Alia to repair, because he knew what it was like to lose a colleague and didn't want to see any more innocent Reploids die. Alia thanks him for this, and they swear to try to rebuild the Earth.

Mega Man X7

Months later shortly before the events of Mega Man X7, the Maverick Hunters were severely crippled as X retired from active duty to pursue more peaceful means to end the constant fighting. In his absence, a new Maverick-hunting faction known as "Red Alert" began hunting Mavericks, often with questionable tactics. Zero was summoned to the scene of a rampage in the city and found a young Reploid named Axl trying to flee Red Alert. He rescued Axl, and what ensued resulted in a harsh custody battle between the Hunters and Red Alert. X eventually returned to the Hunters and fought alongside Axl and Zero, eventually discovering Sigma back at it again, manipulating the whole fiasco from behind the scenes. The trio confronted the maniacal Reploid and defeated him once more.

Mega Man X8

During the Jakob elevator incident in Mega Man X8, X is back once again investigating a crab-like Maverick in a forest. This time, he seems to have much more resolve for fighting, although there are times where he contemplates the need for peaceful resolutions. Along with Zero and Axl, he was able to travel to the Moon and stop Sigma and a new villain known as Lumine. This entailed plans to replace every Reploid with "New generation Reploids", which have a built in copy chip and are claimed to "go Maverick at will." However, the battle with Lumine left X dejected as his companion Axl was left comatose and the fact that the Reploid race would always be Mavericks. However with Zero's words, X is somewhat comforted and the duo returned to the Maverick Hunter base.

Other Games in the X Series

• Mega Man X Command Mission (PlayStation 2 and GameCube, Released in 2004)
• Mega Man X Collection (GameCube and PlayStation 2, Released on January 10, 2006)
• Mega Man Maverick Hunter X (PSP, Released on January 31, 2006)

Mega Man Zero series

In the Mega Man Zero series, X plays a supporting role, similar to that of Dr. Light in the Mega Man X series. He was originally responsible for ending the Maverick Wars by using the Sigma Anti-Body program known as the Mother Elf to erase the Maverick Virus remnants in all Reploids. Following this, the rise of Cyber-Elves and the ambitions of human scientist Dr. Weil led to another genocidal war that lasted for four years called the "Elf Wars." X and Zero worked together to defeat Weil's ambitions and end the Elf Wars, but Zero eventually sealed himself away and left X alone to deal with the remains. A century passed, and sometime during this period, X used his physical body to seal the Dark Elf. His consciousness then continued to exist separately as a Cyber Elf.

During the course of the Zero games, even though his body is not available to help Zero, he still has incredible power and can aid Zero information-wise. X's powers as a Cyber Elf are revealed a few times in the games, such as in Mega Man Zero 3 when Dr. Weil used the power of Omega and the Dark Elf to take control of all Reploids on Earth: X used his powers to protect the entire Resistance Base from being controlled as well (apparently, X and Zero were not affected by Omega or the Dark Elf, as they are not Reploids, but original robots). It is said, though, that his only reason for existing as an elf outside his body was due to the fact that his original body was intact. Elpizo later destroyed this body and X now claims that he has only a little time left. In the booklet Vile's Incident, Cyber Elf X and Cyber Elf Phantom, are seen alongside the other guardians, watching Ragnarok fall apart. However, according to "Rockman Zero Complete Works," this is purely fan service, as the three Guardians died at the end of the third game when Omega exploded. X's lines during said ending imply that he "expired" after this. It is rumored That X's soul was sealed in Biometal X in order to live on, just as Zero did with his.

Other Appearances

In Mega Man ZX it is implied that X reappears in the form of Biometal X which can be used by protagonists Vent and Aile to form Model X. X is the first Biometal found by the protagonists and always encourages them to fight for justice and assures them that what they are doing is right. Possibly because of its origins the other Biometals seem to know and show loyalty to it. Later on X is used as a template to combine with a second Biometal, which allows the protagonists to use the other Biometals.

Weapons and abilities

X is a powerful robot equipped with various abilities and powers to aid in his persucution of Mavericks and their threat to the peace and stability of the Earth. His most distinguished ability is the X-Buster, an arm cannon, that is able to transform from Mega Man X's arms to attack.

• Super strength

Like most robots, X has strength well above the normal human capacity. He can lift in the proximity of several thousand pounds, although the exact maximum is never revealed in the games.

• X-Buster

X's primary weapon is the X-Buster, described as Mega Buster Mark 17 in the first game. The X-Buster focuses energy from X's fusion reactor into a plasma bullet that causes physical damage upon impact.

• Weapon Copy

Like Mega Man before him, X has the ability to adapt the weapons systems of powerful Reploids that he has defeated into weapons he can use. These weapons come in many varieties, often providing additional mobility as well as offense. Of course, the Mega Man series convention of janken applies, and each boss character is weak to a different boss character's copied weapon.

• Wall kick

X has the ability to cling to vertical surfaces (e.g. walls). On a wall, X normally slides downward slowly, but by kicking off the surface of the wall he can gain height, and even rebound back to the wall to climb it.

• Emergency Acceleration System (Dash)

This ability is similar to Mega Man's slide maneuver in that it increases his speed, but unlike the slide, X is capable of using the ability to leap further than normal in a "dash jump," as well as dash from objects to which he is clinging. X first got the ability from the only mandatory capsule in the X series, in X1. He has apparently internalized the upgrade, although, in Maverick Hunter X, he can dash from the beginning. Inafune revealed that this is due to the fact that Maverick Hunter X is a remake of what X was supposed to be, and that X was originally intended to have the dash, but decided that, because players were already probably confused from the wall kick ability, having the dash too would probably either overwhelm players, or make them feel that it was too different from the original series. Some armor upgrades allow X to air dash, which is usually only used for puzzles, but can still be used as an evasive maneuver. In Mega Man X3, X is granted a choice of choosing one of four special upgrade chips, with one of the choices improving his dash, granting him the ability to air dash twice during a jump. In Mega Man X7 and X8, X can also air dash from the beginning, indicating that he has internalized this upgrade too.

Armor systems

In each Mega Man X game, X can find upgrade capsules made by Dr. Light before he died. Each of these tanks contains a helmet part, arm armor, body armor, or leg armor. A hologram of Dr. Light greets X and explains the capabilities of the part in question before granting it to him. Until Mega Man X5, each of these four parts was part of a single suit of upgraded armor; in X5, X6 and X8, however, there are multiple different suits of upgraded armor, each with different abilities. For example, the Shadow armor allows X to stick to walls and not get hurt by spikes, and the Blade armor allows X to dash greater distances.

X's Suits of Armor

Mega Man X's Armor suit (Light Armor):

• Boots- allows X to dash at high speeds. This ability was retained through the rest of the series, regardless of X's armor collection in those games. This enhancement also allows X to destroy certain blocks by kicking off of them.
• Body- X recieves only 50% of the damage normally taken.
• Buster- X can charge up to a third charge level. When this attack is fired, a barrage of pink shots is released. It also allows X to charge special weapons.
• Helmet- X can jump into certain blocks and destroy them. Damage is also reduced if X's head touches spikes.

Mega Man X2's armor suit (Giga Armor):

• Boots- X can perform an air-dash technique. However, he cannot utilize both an air-dash and a dash jump in the same jump.
• Body- enables the "Giga Crush" technique; as X takes damage, a gauge fills. When this gauge is completely full, X can use the aforementioned attack.
• Buster- adds a 4th charge level to the X-buster, allowing X to keep the second shot in stock or chain it after a 2nd/3rd level buster shot for massive damage to mavericks (up to 6 units of energy).
• Helmet- the Item Tracer is made available. X sends out a cursor, which zooms onto concealed passages and items.

Mega Man X3's armor suits (Max Armor):

• Boots- X can use an air-dash; however, this time he can also dash straight upward.
  • Super Boots- allows X to air-dash twice, or dash jump and air-dash in the same jump.
• Body- when X is struck by an enemy's attack, a blue force field is generated and damage is reduced.
  • Super Body- an orange force field is projected rather than a blue one. Damage is reduced even further.
• Buster- X can charge up to four charge levels. At the fourth, X can fire out a crossover shot by shooting both arm cannons in rapid succession.
  • Super Buster- gives X access to the Hyper Cannon, which enables unlimited charge attacks as long as it has weapon energy.
• Helmet- a map of the stage appears when X beams in. Life-ups, Sub Tanks, Ride Armors, and Armor Capsules are highlighted.
  • Super Helmet- X can stand still and regenerate energy at a slow rate. This can even be used to fill Sub Tanks.
• Hyper Max Armor- Assuming X did not get any of the upgrading chips in any of the boss stages, he can gain all of them in a Sigma stage with the Max Armor turning into gold. The name is from the model merchandise.

Mega Man X4's Armor suit (Force/Fourth Armor):

• Boots- X can perform an air-dash, but not straight up. He can also use a hovering capability.
• Body- X absorbs damage to perform the Nova Strike Giga Attack. The method of restoring energy is identical to that in Mega Man X2.
• Buster (Stock)- X can charge up and store up to four super-shots.
• Buster (Plasma)- X can charge up to fire a massive shot. When this shot strikes an enemy, an orb of plasma is generated and causes continuous damage.
• Helmet- X's special weapons can be used infinitely when they are uncharged.
• Ultimate Armor- X has access to all of the other armor parts (Plasma Shot is used for the Buster enhancement) and can use the Giga Attack infinitely. The Ultimate Armor would later find a place in X5 and X6.

Mega Man X5's Armor suits:

• Falcon Armor- X is able to fly through the air for a limited time, and damage is reduced by 50%. The charged shot goes through enemies' guards and through walls. The Giga Attack rains plasma across the screen.
• Gaea Armor- X's dash is only as fast as his normal walk, but it can push blocks labeled with a "V". The basic attack becomes a Gaea Shot that does more damage but has much shorter range. It also charges very quickly and can be used to destroy the "V" blocks. Damage is reduced by 50%, and X is immune to spikes. The Giga Attack surrounds X's outstretched arms with green plasma.

Mega Man X6's Armor suits:

• Blade Armor- X is able to use a special air dash called Mach Dash, where he stops in mid-air and them dashes. He is also able to use a stonger Z-Saber, where the saber is part of X's arm upgrade. He is able to charge the Z-Saber as well. The Giga Attack fires a blade wave from the saber.
• Shadow Armor- X looks like a ninja in this form. He gains a ceiling cling ability much like Zero's Hyoroga and wall sticking. His buster allows him to fire energy shuriken rapidlly, and allows him to swing his arm saber much faster. Like the Gaea Armor, X is immune to spikes. His Giga Attack surrounds his front with cresent blades.

Mega Man X7's Armor suit (Glide Armor):

• Boots - X can glide in the air. He can also perform a double-jump.
• Body - X can use the Giga Crash attack. Recoil and damage is also reduced.
• Buster - X's damage output increases. He can also charge his special weapons.
• Helmet - X is able to absorb energy capsules from a farther distance.

Mega Man X8's Armor suits:

• Neutral Armor - On its own, the Neutral Armor gives X no enhancements. However, it has the ability to mix and match parts of the other two armors to give a customized group of abilities. Having a complete suit will unlock the Giga ability of that armor. Unlike past X games, the energy gauge of the Giga Attack recharges automatically, without needing to take damage.
• Icarus Armor - When the armor set is complete, X can use the Giga Crash. Like the previous version, it will attack all on-screen opponents. The damage dealt is strictly proportional to the amount of weapon energy X has at the time of activation.
  • Boots - X's jumping height is increased.
  • Body - Damage done to X is reduced to 50%. In addition, recoil is eliminated.
  • Buster - X's charge shot is changed to a powerful beam attack. He can also charge special weapons.
  • Helmet - X will create a force field while jumping that can damage enemies.
• Hermes Armor - When the armor set is complete, X can use the X-Drive. Upon activation, X will receive a boost in movement speed, jump height, charge speed and number of charged projectiles. The enhancement will last until the weapon energy is drained, or a character switch is made.
  • Boots - X's movement speed will increase. He will also be invulnerable when dashing.
  • Body - X will become impervious to weak enemy attacks.
  • Buster - X's charge shot will be changed to a 3-way blast. He can also charge special weapons.
  • Helmet - Charge time will decrease.
• Ultimate Armor - Unlike it's original form, the Ultimate Armor is simply the Neutral Armor turned purple. Its abilities are a splice of the Icarus Armor's Boots and Body parts, the Hermes Armor's Boots parts, the Force/Ultimate Armor's Plasma Buster and Nova Strike. A new feature in this armor is that X can perform the Shoryuken, although it is not as strong as it was in X2. In compensation, the Nova Strike is vastly stronger than it used to be, able to reduce bosses to a few "ticks" of health with a single use.

In other media

A number of games in the Mega Man X series have been adapted in manga form.

Additionally X made a single-episode appearance in the 1994 Mega Man cartoon by Ruby-Spears alonside Vile and Spark Mandrill. His appearance was vastly different from the games, where the trim on his helm is white, his neck is exposed, he is extremely tall, his armor is relatively less detailed, his forehead gem is larger, and his voice is deeper (his voice provided by Ian James Corlett, Mega Man's voice-actor). In this incarnation he is portrayed very differently from his game's counterpart, destroying anything to get rid of Mavericks, no matter what the cost, and is easily quite the opposite of a pacifist. He is also obscenely powerful, easily eclipsing every other robot to have ever appeared in the series, including Mega Man himself. The scene in which X is introduced is more or less a showcase of his abilities (he is shown destroying entire sections of the landscape with a single blaster shot, moving so fast he can't be seen, leaping dozens of meters through the air, and shrugging off hits that would have otherwise destroyed other robots).