Mega Man X Legacy Collection Xbox One review: The classics, modernized

Despite initial popularity among fans, Mega Man slowly became less acclaimed with each release on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) due to a lack of innovation. However, the franchise was able to make a comeback thanks to the next series of games on the Super NES: Mega Man X. Featuring a dynamic weapon system, upgradable armor, and new mechanics, these titles were met with universal praise.

Now, they've been brought to the Xbox One, complete with visual enhancements and an intuitive user interface. If you've never played the Mega Man X series before then there's never been a better time than now.

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Blast your way to victory

In the Mega Man X games, you play as the Maverick Hunters who track and eliminate dangerous robots called Mavericks. Each Maverick boss is preceded by a level filled with mob enemies and other obstacles, and each one of these levels has a theme. For example, one takes place on an aircraft carrier, while another is located inside a power plant.

In order to complete your mission, you need to make use of your abilities, which at first only includes the Mega Man blaster and movement mechanics like wall-hanging or jumping. However, as time goes on, you can unlock new weapons to use and new pieces of armor to wear that give you unique bonuses. These options allow you to choose how you go into battle.

The majority of the time, the games all feel excellent. The combat with both regular enemies and bosses can be challenging, and many of the levels will test your platforming skills. Though there are a fair amount of points where things feel a little too difficult, it's never overly frustrating to play.

Retro graphics enhanced

Visually, the Mega Man X games have received a nice quality boost with the port to newer hardware. This is done through the inclusion of image filters. The default one increases resolution and anti-aliasing, bringing a sharper and clearer image to life, while another renders the games with settings similar to the original titles. There's even a third one that simulates what it would look like to play the original games on an old-school television.

The musical score for the Mega Man X series is as great as it always was, providing catchy themes that perfectly compliment the gameplay experience. Lastly, the user interface is top notch, allowing you to seamlessly swap between games without any trouble.

Final thoughts on Mega Man X Legacy Collection for Xbox One

Between the excellent gameplay and the solid presentation, Mega Man X's return to the market is a strong one.

Mega Man X Legacy Collection is available now on Xbox One for $39.99.

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