Mega Man Maverick Hunter X

When Mega Man X came out in 1993, it redefined what an action platformer meant — faster, more aggressive, and with a hero who learned new abilities on the fly. More than a decade later, Capcom decided to bring this milestone to the PSP and completely rebuild it in 3D. The result is Mega Man Maverick Hunter X, a remake that does not just want to copy, but to modernize.

The gameplay stays at the series' roots: you control a hunter named X, run through eight sprawling levels in any order, and after defeating each of the bosses — the so-called Mavericks — you gain his weapon, which you then use against other enemies. Added to that is the iconic dash, wall-sliding, and the gradual finding of armor upgrades that make X more powerful and open up new paths in the game. This combination of fluid movement and strategic ordering makes the series a benchmark of the genre.

The remake reworked the graphics into polygonal 3D while keeping the classic 2D side-scrolling view, so it still plays like a true platformer, just in a more modern coat. Voice acting, a reworked soundtrack, and polished animations were added, giving the battles some flair. For the PSP, whose widescreen display suited action like this magnificently, it was a welcome spectacle.

The biggest treat for fans is the unlockable animated film Day of Sigma, which expands the story background of the entire series and sheds light on the relationship between X and his adversary. Added to that is a playable mode as the boss Vile — an alternative perspective that adds value for those who finished the base campaign and want more.

Maverick Hunter X is proof that a well-designed game ages gracefully. If you like fast, technical action where timing and learning enemy weaknesses matter, this pocket version offers one of the best ways to experience the legend of the X series. For many, it remains to this day the best entry point into the entire branch with the letter X in its name.

Why play it: A stylish 3D remake of one of the best action platformers of the nineties, plus a bonus film and a playable boss — fast, precise fun for your pocket.