I missed this back on the Super Nintendo. The Mega Man series seemed to figure itself out with its first sequel, so I never played any further.

What surprises me now is just how basic this game is. Its levels are barely even designed. I’m left with weightless jumps, simple pea-shooting, and the insubstantial, flickery feel of the thing. The wall-slide is the only way to feel I’m even there.

Mega Man X requires precision and yet is so empty and repetitive. It’s not a good enough platformer, not a good enough shooter. It’s a hybrid, and it bores me.