So it's been 25 years since the release of the original Rockman X (Megaman) game on the Snes. As the years went by, 7 direct sequels followed. Capcom eventually released the Megaman X collection which featured MegaMan X1-6 plus a Megaman racing game all-in-one disc back in 2005 for the PS2 and Gamecube (the version I own). X7 and X8 were a little new to the PS2 at the time so both games were not included.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mega_Man_X_Collection
So what makes this new release awesome or not?
This time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Megaman X, Capcom released all 8 X games halved in two discs (PS4 and Xbox one); basically X 1-4 on disc 1 and X 5-8 on disc 2. Owners of the Switch version lucked out due to the fact X5-8 were downloadable only with a code after you bought a copy of the game whose cartridge contains only X1-4. However, to remedy this for those that want physical copies of the game, you can purchase the Rockman X Anniversary collection Volume 1 and 2 seperate in Japan. However be prepared to spend over $60 in doing so. I bought collection 1 off Amazon JP for $28 and number 2 for $26. $54 bucks total and $12 shipping just to own physical copies and not waste any of the super small 32 GB storage space the Switch gives you.
So my gripe here is that I don't know why some companies especially Capcom is going cheap on this download route. Do a research and you will see some games such as Bayonetta and Spyro drew many fans irate thanks to this download routine game companies are adopting. Most people simply don't want to waste memory and since a Switch cartridge can store up to 32GB of memory, there was no reason why Capcom could not put all 8 Rockman X games in one cartridge. Gamecube discs were notoriously famous for only handling up to 1.5 GB of data or somewhere close to it, but yet they could handle 6 Megaman X games plus a racing game. So why Capcom why?
Anyhow, the game played here for the time being is only the first Switch cartridge. When you open the case, there is a small instruction packet that gives you the weakness of all the Maverick bosses (irregulars in Jp) on all 4 games. When powered up, you can choose to play the first 4 Rockman X games. Can't understand Japanese? You can change the localization by pressing the Y button. Once pressed, the difference is obvious as the Japanese versions will be known as
Rockman X1 and so forth, the western versions will be renamed to
Megaman X1 and so forth. You can change the localization for the western release as well.
What displeased X fans was that the western release of the Megaman X legacy collection does not contain the original Jpop music in Rockman X4 even if you changed the localization to that of the JP version. However, the Japanese switch version contains the original Jpop intro and ending themes: "Makenai Ai ga Kitto Aru" and "One more chance" respectively. And guess what? To add insult to injury to those that bought the western release, the Japanese Switch version has the western intro theme if you decide to play the western edition. So the Japanese version has all the music in a sense. Also, since we are talking X4, when you fight all the major bosses, they say a voice dialogue before fighting you. However, the eight maverick bosses are mute in the western release. After all these years I don't know why this was left incomplete for the western release.
So it's a bonus if you buy the Japanese Switch release which makes sense since it's more expensive. But from what I heard it was a copyright issue that prevented the western release from having the JP themes. So I guess it's good thing that I did buy the right version. Not to mention, that the JP songs are pretty catchy and good.
However the Japanese copy is not safe from censorship as the character General from X4 doing a salute that resembles that of a Nazi gesture is removed. People and their politics these days. Sheesh! The Megaman X collection still retains this however since this wasn't an issue back in 2005.
Click on the link for the censorship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K2VI3PjahU
When you get the Hadouken in X1, X says Hadouken once again in this version. For an odd reason the voice sample was removed in the X collection.
Also, the X3 featured in this version is the SNES version and not the PS version featured in the X collection. So once again why couldn't Capcom fit all 8 games since this is a smaller memory version of X3? I mean really? Once again 7 games in the X collection whose disc is anywhere from 1.5gb to 4.7gb comparing a Switch cartridge that can hold up to 32gbs. Ugh.
So I trounced through all 4 X games within a week's time frame. Hey, I played the X collection so I already knew all the tricks and trade of all 4 games, though I am not a pro. You get to play the game in its original aspect ratio, widescreen, customize wallpapers, listen to musical tracks, artwork and view the anime Day of Sigma , which is a reboot of the first X game. However, you don't get the option to watch it in Japanese with English subtitles and vice versa. So that is a downer.
Of course, I haven't forgotten everyone's new love or hate mode: Rockman X Anniversary challenge Vol 1. If you are new to this idea, X in a new armor, has to fight previously destroyed Mavericks in 9 handicap sets; 2 against 1 basically. Each set has 3 matches so that is 27 fights in the first challenge. So far I have completed easy mode which is kinda of a breeze. Normal is where this mode gets frustrating. The bosses deal more damage and your attacks barely do squat. It doesn't help since you still take the "bump" damage the Megaman games have been exercising for years. So not only do you need to recognize boss patterns but you need fast reflexes to avoid some crazy boss attacks. Don't forget that there are two of them on the same screen! And then there is a hard mode once you beat normal. So there goes my sanity. In easy mode, your health and weapon meters refill after every match. In Normal, good luck because they won't. For an extra challenge and hair loss, you can play this mode without your armor and special weapons. I won't dwell in this mode much but go to youtube and watch some matches and you will see what I mean.
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| So far completed. |
Ok. I'm done for now. This is Rockman X on the go so that is a plus, but imo the X games were meant to be played on the big screen. Sometimes I found the Switch controls to be annoying since the buttons are so small, but with practice it is viable. Still, I did better with my Gamecube controller when playing the X collection.
I got all 52 medals btw which allows some replay value. If you are into all that medal/trophy hunting this can buy you some time before you go to Legacy collection 2. This collection is worth getting still. Laters.
Disclaimer: Rockman (Megaman) is the property of Capcom. All reviews and screenshots are done in a entertaining and educational manner. This site is not affiliated with Capcom.
