X-Men

X-Men

PS3 / X-Box 360 – via the appropriate consoles store…or go retro and find the arcade cabinet

“The time for subtlety is passing. Now is the time for change” – Magneto (New Mutants Vol.1 Issue 38)

Originally launched as an arcade game in 1992 by Konami, X-Men has been re-released on the current generation of home consoles. I remember spending quite a bit of my summer time and money playing the 4-player cabinet version of X-Men in an arcade in Bispham, near Blackpool.

The arcade cabinet for X-Men had a 4-player and a 6-player version, allowing up to 6 players to gather round and play as an X-Man (or X-Woman). Thankfully the re-release of X-Men includes options to play with up to 6 players, so those early 90’s button bashing mad mutant moments can be recaptured / experienced. The re-release also includes both the U.S. and the Japanese versions of the game.

Before I continue, I think some historical information is needed. Launched in the 1960’s, and telling the story of mutants (people born with powers), X-Men originally did not sell too well. During the 1980’s the X-Men (thanks to a re-launch with a new team of mutants) rose to become comic superstars, becoming so popular that Marvel had several comic titles revolving around mutants. In 1989, an animation was produced as a pilot in an effort to launch an X-Men animated series. This episode was called “X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men”, and saw Kitty Pryde meeting the X-Men. Konami based the X-Men arcade game on this animation (not directly on the comics).

Around the launch of the X-Men arcade game, Marvel Comics would launch more X-Men related titles and the X-Men eventually received a successful animated series.

Back to the game, players can choose from 6 X-Men characters (Colossus, Cyclops, Dazzler, Nightcrawler, Storm and Wolverine), all with their own unique power and dressed in their 1980’s costumes. X-Men plays like a 90’s side scrolling beat’em up, as that is exactly what it is. Imagine Golden Axe or Streets of Rage, but with eye beams, tornados and Sentinels filling the screen. Players have energy to use for their mutant power, which expires after a few shots and is replenished after dying.

However, unlike the original arcade version (where lives equalled credits, and credits cost money), this version of X-Men has unlimited continues. This means players can die on purpose to restock their mutant powers. I’m unsure if that’s a good or a bad thing, I’m guessing it comes down to an individuals gaming style.

The game does feel rather short, and can be played through in less than 25 minutes, however I feel X-Men isn’t about gaming length but about fun. Multiplayer sessions yield so much potential and fun.

Graphically, X-Men is showing its age. Backbone Entertainment may have ported the game across to 1080p HD but the sprites definitely show their age. Don’t get me wrong though, the game still looks good, but good in a 90’s way.

Amusingly the games voice script has been maintained, including its infamous lines, such as “I am Magneto, master of magnet” and “Welcome to die”. There is nothing like broken English in a 90’s video game.

All in all, X-Men is still a great game and well worth the £6 (or so) that it costs from the store. The graphics may have aged but the fun antics and mutant mayhem are still there, now with added trophy/achievements support.