Mega Man Maverick Hunter X

An alternative mode allows the player to control the villain Vile, who has his own weapons. The story is similar to that of the original Mega Man X; the title character crosses the world to stop the rebellious Sigma from leading humanity to extinction and have the Mavericks rule the world. X's origins and his relationship with Sigma are further explored in the game and its original video animation (OVA) prequel The Day of Sigma. The new hardware allowed the staff to use voice acting with a cast. First released in Japan on December 15, 2005, and in North America on January 31, 2006. The game's development began with executive producer Keiji Inafune and his development team deciding whether they should make Mega Man X9 or a remake of Mega Man X for the PSP; they develop the latter because they wanted to take advantage of the new hardware. Because the game runs on newer hardware, it includes 3D graphics rather than the 2D graphics used in the 1993 original, other improvements and extra features. Upon release, Mega Man Maverick Hunter X was met with positive reviews from critics, who praised its updated presentation and story, although the music was met with mixed reception. The game was a commercial failure, leading Capcom to cancel future remakes of Mega Man games, but the game has been retrospectively popular and is considered one of the best handheld games in the franchise.

• Title — Mega Man Maverick Hunter X • Developer — Capcom • Publisher — Capcom • Director — Kazuki Matsue • Producer — Tatsuya Kitabayashi • Platforms — PlayStation Portable • Series — Mega Man X • Designer — Hiroyuki Yamato Yuji Hayakawa Yusuke Tokita Gentaro Tanzawa • Artist — Tatsuya Yoshikawa • Writer — Makoto Ikehara Yusuke Tokita • Composer — Kento Hasegawa Seiko Kobuchi Shinya Okada • Modes — Single-player • Genre — Platform

• Illustration — The player uses the villain Vile to battle enemies. Mega Man Maverick Hunter X is a remake of Mega Man X, which was originally released in 1993 and uses 16-bit graphics. Mega Man Maverick Hunter X uses realistic 3D graphics. The player controls the Maverick Hunter X, whose only weapon is the "X Buster", which acts as horizontal firepower. Upon completing the introductory level, players can choose one of eight areas; they have to proceed while fighting enemies to reach and fight bosses known as mavericks. Beating a Maverick will unlock their ability to use as an alternate weapon besides the X Buster. Using certain abilities on Mavericks will cause them to take more damage than usual. Hidden in several levels are Dr. Light capsules, which include armor parts that give X additional buffs. In Mega Man Maverick Hunter X, the position and stages of these capsules are changed. X, the main character, has access to a hidden technique based on the fighting game series Street Fighter, the Hadoken, which allows X to easily defeat any enemy. When all eight mavericks are defeated, Sigma is unlocked as the final boss of the game. If the player did not obtain Light's arm protectors, his superior Zero gives X power-ups in the final stage. After completing the game, an alternative mode in which the player controls the boss character Vile is unlocked. As a playable character, Vile has access to three weapons—one each for his arm, shoulder, and leg—and he acquires new weapon sets as he defeats each maverick boss, which must be equipped before each stage. He can use these three weapons an unlimited number of times but is limited to thase weapons throughout the stage. The bosses change, most notably in the finale where Vile faces X and Zero.

In a futuristic world, mechanical beings called Reploids coexist with humans. However, several Reploids turn against humanity and cause chaos, resulting in them being labeled "mavericks". The game starts with the Maverick Hunter X going on a mission to stop the rebellion caused by his former commander, Sigma.

As the game begins, while pursuing Sigma X instead finds the Maverick Vile, who wants to rule the world on his own term. X is nearly killed in combat but his ally Zero saves his life. X and Zero split up to search for Sigma, resulting in more fights against mavericks. In his mission, X learns from mavericks aiding Sigma the leader is interested in seeing his true potential. X also sees holograms of his creator Dr. Thomas Light, who entrusts him with powers to fight for humanity. After defeating all eight of Sigma's followers, Zero contacts X with information about Sigma's base. X and Zero infiltrate Sigma's base and eventually encounter Vile again. X and Zero are defeated but Zero uses his last forces to weaken the Maverick. X then defeats Vile, with the dying Zero using his last forces to give the order to continue his mission. X then confronts Sigma, who admires X's growth as a soldier but their different ideologies lead to a one-on-one battle, and Sigma claims X's justice is just something he is being mislead as data rather than free will. Sigma is defeated, the base is destroyed and X escapes. In the final sequence, a memory reveals a human named Dr. Cain found X's body as it was sealed by Dr. Light before he could finish his creation. Cain sees a recording that where Light said he created X with power to think by himself and use to create an utopia where both Reploids and humans can coexist. X then goes on another mission after staring at Zero's empty bike.

Vile was a prisoner whom Sigma freed. Vile refuses to join Sigma's rebellion because Sigma refuses to see Vile's potential. Having defeating X, Vile becomes enraged after Zero rescues him, and defeats eight of Sigma's followers to prove himself more worthy. Intrigued, Sigma invites Vile to his base to see his power in action. Around the same time, X and Zero infiltrate the base and corner Vile. Zero distracts Vile long enough for X to incapacitate him. Sigma approaches Vile, asking what he was planning to do after defeating X. Vile succumbs to his wounds, feeling he validated his existence by defeating X.

Upon completing the game, an original video animation (OVA) called The Day of Sigma is unlocked. Acting as a prequel, it follows Maverick Hunters led by Sigma to face a giant, rebellious mechalonoid. With X unwilling to hurt a hostage, Sigma takes the enemy on and berates X. Sigma later discusses X's potential for free will with Dr. Cain, something Sigma does not see power in. Meanwhile, X and Zero become suspicious about several maverick incidents occurring at the same time. It is revealed Sigma has hacked a massive maverick to distract the hunters as he frees several others including Vile. After disabling Zero, Sigma forces X to remove his weaponry and destroys Abel City, killing Dr. Cain in the process. X then remembers his early days in which Light, who was dying, told X how he gave him the power to develop his own mind and that he entrusts X to use power. X fights back, but only damages Sigma's head. Satisfied with this development, Sigma escapes to start his rebellion, leading to the game's beginning.

Capcom developed and published Mega Man Maverick Hunter X for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld video game console; it was produced by Keiji Inafune, who was an artist and writer for the original game, and Tatsuya Kitabayashi. Mega Man Maverick Hunter X was conceptualized after Inafune discussed whether they should make Mega Man X9 or reboot the series with his development team; they decided to reboot the series because they wanted to take advantage of the PSP's new hardware. Although the remake follows the original game in both gameplay and storyline, it has new graphics and uses 3D character models and backgrounds, a remixed soundtrack, voice acting and anime cutscenes. The character designs used in Mega Man Maverick Hunter X are based on those used for merchandising and Mega Man X8, which altered the designs to look more human. Tatsuya Yoshikawa, the game's main artist, enjoyed Mega Man X for its simple gameplay and storytelling, especially in the introduction. He had problems balancing X's limbs in illustrations and exaggerated Sigma's chin. He also prepared the concept art for each boss character, which were developed by the younger staff. The developers considered Vile's inclusion as a playable character one of the most-outstanding parts of the remake. Some designs were done with the idea of marketing toys. Vile was included as a playable character because Inafune felt having Zero as a playable character was "too obvious and boring". The Japanese version uses the track "Don't Wanna Be" by Spinwake as opening theme. Before the game's release, Capcom launched a promotion in Japan in which five winners received a script of the game that was signed by five of its voice actors. Mega Man Maverick Hunter X was announced in November 2005; Capcom marketing director Todd Thorson said the game is influenced by Mega Man X and Mega Man, the first series of the franchise. He also said the developers aimed to innovate the classic formula and come up with new challenges for veterans of the series. Mega Man Maverick Hunter X was originally released in Japan on December 15, 2005; in North America on January 31, 2006; and in Europe on March 3, 2006. The Japanese and North American versions were bundled in a compilation with Mega Man: Powered Up, a remake of the original Mega Man.