CAPCOM announces Mega Man X for iOS

Bobby Miller 22 Dec, 2011 at 7:15am ET Article published in Gaming

Some exciting news dropped today for iOS gamers as CAPCOM have announced that the critically acclaimed SNES game Mega Man X is now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPod Touch. The game comes recreated in all of its 16-bit glory with minor adjustments and tweaks to sweeten the deal for mobile users, such as new difficulty options, rankings, achievements, and more.

Mega Man X is largely considered to be the best game in the series. Released in 1993, the game was our first look at Mega Man on a next generation console. Featuring dazzling graphics, an excellent upgrade system, and one of the finest 16-bit soundtracks of the era, Mega Man X managed to take the Blue Bomber to the next level while flawlessly preserving the fantastic gameplay elements of the original NES titles.

Mega Man X on iOS offers a slew of game adjustments to make the experience more accessible to mobile users. The lack of hardware controls presents an obvious challenge. Mega Man X will be played with typical on-screen controls, but will also offer optimizations (or cheats, depending on your viewpoint) to make it easier to play on mobile units. Such additions include auto-fire, auto buster charge, and auto lock on to ladders. The game also offers an easy mode, but seriously, don’t use it. Be a man and play Mega Man X on hard.

If you have never had an opportunity to play one of the greats from the massive SNES library, now is your chance to blast some robotic baddies with the storied X-buster. Mega Man X can be purchased from the app store for only $4.99. There are currently no announced plans to bring the game to Android, but perhaps with a little luck and platform success, there may soon be enough Mega Man X to go around for everyone.

Comments

22 Dec 2011 ~ 2:30am primesuspect I've been hearing a lot of bad things about just how much Capcom dumbed this version down for iNoobs.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 3:44am UPSLynx From the sounds of "easy mode" "auto charge" "auto lock to ladders" and "cheat modes!", I expect that dumbed down is the polite way to say it.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 4:04am Basil In fairness it would need to be dumbed down for the horribad touchscreen interface
22 Dec 2011 ~ 8:45am BHHammy I think the bigger question here is, why are they -only- releasing what amounts to an HD remake of Mega Man X on only iOS?

And I agree with Basil- with a complete lack of textile feedback for your hands, much less the lack of actually having a -controller- in your hands, playing Megaman X WITHOUT the cheats...I mean, tweaks, would probably he a huge exercise in frustration for most folks.

Honestly, I can see why they did this from a financial standpoint, but from a gaming standpoint this is just stupid. Flat-out stupid.

If you REALLY want to play the original, there are TONS more ways to play it. Give this one a pass, folks.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 12:51pm Ilriyas I have really only one question: WHY? Why would anyone consider doing this, the game is bloody amazing as it is. This is going to be just like Goldeneye: Reloaded in the fact that its just another way for game companies to destroy the pleasant memories of my youth.

Also I agree with BHHammy on the lack of a controller, having a touch screen phone myself its already irritating as hell trying to get the damned touch-board to register properly. I predict for this game and touch games in general a rise in thrown objects.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 1:25pm jared Playing awesome games like this on an iOS device or android phone is a crime.

The games are awesome, buy my god are the controls bad - ruins the whole experience.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 1:32pm primesuspect
Playing awesome games like this on an iOS device or android phone is a crime.

The games are awesome, buy my god are the controls bad - ruins the whole experience.
Agreed. I've deleted any game other than the most casual finger-swipers on my phone because... if you have to move a sprite around on a screen with your finger, it generally sucks.

Touch interface is good for like, RTS... or tower defense. Anything requiring reaction time or accuracy? Forget it.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 1:45pm jared Exactly. I was so pumped when a port of the original Xmen came out on the Android market place - but after playing for 5 mins I was reminded that these kinds of games just don't work well due to the controls.

It's the same reason I haven't loaded up my phone with 100s of SNES/Genesis roms ...
22 Dec 2011 ~ 2:40pm UPSLynx Agreed with all of the above comments.

If you want to really experience Mega Man X, pick up the PSP version (updated graphics, and a WONDERFULLY remixed soundtrack). Better yet, buy MMX on the Wii Virtual Console. I bought it on the VC a month ago and ended up beating the thing in just over an hour with all items. Felt so good.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 2:55pm primesuspect Jared, I have my Wiimote working on my phone. It changes EVERYTHING. With my phone and my Wiimote it's a perfect experience.

Of course, the issue is, I'm not traveling with a Wiimote in my pocket, and if I'm home, I could just play them on my PC or on the TV.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 3:15pm Basil Only Gameboy ROM I've found to be worth playing on a touchscreen is pokemon, the rest are just too unforgiving of such imprecise controls.

Pokemon Red and I have passed many an hour of public transport together.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 7:34pm BHHammy Oh-ho-ho. You guys are gonna LOVE this.
So...here's a little video...

In case you missed it somehow (or didn't feel like watching the video), YES. That -is- a shopping cart "customizations" menu that you can access from in the game with the following items~

All Health Boosts (Heart Tanks) - $0.99
All Subtanks - $0.99
Full Armor - $1.99
All Weapons - $1.99
Arranged BGMs - $2.99
Complete Set - $3.99

Bobby Kotick would be proud.
22 Dec 2011 ~ 7:44pm drasnor Hey primesuspect, which phone and how did you get your Wiimote set up?
22 Dec 2011 ~ 9:00pm UPSLynx Holy crap. That video. Those unlocks. What.... what have they done?
22 Dec 2011 ~ 9:17pm primesuspect
Hey primesuspect, which phone and how did you get your Wiimote set up?
Hey Drew.

I have a G2 and WiimoteController
22 Dec 2011 ~ 9:17pm Ilriyas I lol'd seriously I always told myself it would never happen...but its true there is now a game you can win simply by throwing money at it...