Mega Man X4 / X5

The blue bomber Mega Man has survived many eras, but on the PlayStation he experienced one of his most interesting chapters — and a few bold experiments as well. Capcom brought here both the peak 2D action of the X series and daring forays into the third dimension, thus offering fans a varied palette of flavors.

Mega Man X4 is, for many, the peak of the entire 2D branch of the X series. It offered gorgeous, hand-drawn anime animation, smooth action and, above all, the ability to play through the whole game as Zero — a charismatic swordsman whose combat style differed diametrically from classic shooting and gave the game a new dimension. The brisk pace, finely tuned controls and battles against varied bosses make X4 the essence of why fans grew so fond of the X series: speed, fluidity and a satisfying challenge in every level.

Alongside the action, a bolder face of the brand flourished on the PlayStation as well. The Mega Man Legends series abandoned the established 2D formula and thrust the blue hero into a full-fledged 3D world — an action RPG with exploration, dialogue and an adventurous structure, rendered in a distinctive voxel look. It was a bold experiment that, although it did not catch on commercially as it deserved, built a devoted fanbase that still ranks it among the most beloved and most daring works of the entire lineup.

This dual track captures well what made Mega Man interesting on the PlayStation: on one side perfectly honed classics, on the other the creative courage to seek new paths. Capcom proved here that it could honor its own heritage as well as risk something new.

Today both facets are worth getting to know — X4 as one of the most beautiful 2D action games of the era and Legends as a cult 3D experiment still spoken of with love among fans.

Why play it: The peak of the X series' 2D action together with a bold voxel 3D experiment — two faces of the blue bomber for every fan.