Difference between revisions of "X-Men"

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{{OtherPage|desc=the [[Sega Game Gear]] game|page=X-Men (Game Gear)}}
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=XMen MD title.png
 
| bobscreen=XMen MD title.png
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| developer=[[Western Technologies Inc.]]
 
| developer=[[Western Technologies Inc.]]
 +
| licensor=[[Marvel Entertainment Group]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| sounddriver=[[GEMS]]
 
| sounddriver=[[GEMS]]
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
| players=1
+
| players=1-2
 
| genre=Action
 
| genre=Action
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
Line 13: Line 15:
 
| md_code_us=1057
 
| md_code_us=1057
 
| md_date_eu=1993
 
| md_date_eu=1993
| md_date_uk=1993-05{{magref|cvg|139|42}}
 
| md_rrp_uk=39.99{{magref|cvg|139|42}}
 
 
| md_code_eu=1057
 
| md_code_eu=1057
 +
| md_date_uk=1993-06{{magref|mega|9|41}}{{magref|segapro|21|18}}
 +
| md_code_uk=1057
 +
| md_rrp_uk=39.99{{magref|cvg|139|42}}{{magref|mega|9|41}}
 
| md_date_au=199x
 
| md_date_au=199x
 +
| md_code_au=FXME00SMC
 
| md_date_br=199x
 
| md_date_br=199x
 
| md_code_br=044210
 
| md_code_br=044210
 +
| md_date_gr=199x
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a sidescrolling action game for the [[Sega Mega Drive]]. It was followed by ''[[X-Men 2: Clone Wars]]''.
+
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a side-scrolling action game for the [[Sega Mega Drive]]. It was followed by ''[[X-Men 2: Clone Wars]]''.
 +
 
 +
Unusually, the game requires the use of the console's reset button in order to progress through a certain point in the game. This means the game is impossible to complete on systems (or emulators) lacking a soft reset, including the [[Sega Nomad]].
  
 
==Story==
 
==Story==
Series staple antagonist Magneto infects the X-Men's training facility with a virus and must be stopped.
+
{{ScreenThumb|X-Men MD, Introduction.png|width=200|Magneto}}
 +
The game takes place in the Danger Room, a training area for the X-Men inside the X-Mansion. A virus transmitted via satellite has infected the Danger Room, disabling control and safety limits. The X-Men must endure the unpredictable behavior of the Danger Room until the virus can be located and eliminated. Once the virus is eliminated, the X-Men discover that Magneto is behind the computer virus and the final zone involves a battle with him.
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
{{A}} is a character specific mutant power that can only be used as long as special power is available, {{B}} is for attacking, {{C}} is for jumping. Quickly double tapping it results in a high jump.
+
{{ScreenThumb|X-Men MD, Danger Room.png|width=200|Danger Room}}
Stages must be cleared by reaching the exit, fighting bosses and collecting keys/solving puzzles. Characters can be switched 2-3 times during stages. If a character loses all health, he'll be gone permanently.
+
The game is an action platformer played as any of four X-Men characters. Characters walk with {{left}} and {{right}} and crouch with {{down}}. They jump with {{C}}. Most characters can perform a spin jump or a somersault by pressing {{C}} again while in mid-air. Characters perform a "super high jump" by pressing {{C}} twice very rapidly. Characters can jump off platforms with {{down}}+{{C}}. Some stages have background layers that are accessed with {{C}}; characters can move back into the foreground with {{down}}+{{C}}. Characters do a basic melee attack with {{B}}. They also have special mutant abilities that are used with {{A}} but which cost energy. Energy slowly regenerates when it is not being used.
 +
 
 +
The game uses the Danger Room as a hub. One of the four playable X-Men characters is selected initially, then the player can enter the first combat zone by moving the character to the upper-left of the room. The character can be switched during gameplay by pausing the game with {{Start}} and selecting a different character, but the player can only switch characters a certain number of times depending on the zone. Zones are maze-like and often require collecting keys or destroying panels to unlock doors and progress, and they each involve one or more encounters with X-Men villains.
 +
 
 +
After a zone is completed, the player returns to the Danger Room. The player can change the character here by hitting the switch under the monitors (with {{down}}+{{B}}). The player can replenish the current character's health and energy by attacking orbs that fly around the Danger Room. Characters retain their health and energy in between zones. The player is automatically progressed to the next combat zone after a short duration, though this duration can be extended by destroying a machine in the top-right of the Danger Room.
  
The game can't be completed on the lowest difficulty level as it stops after stage 3.
+
In addition to the four playable X-Men, five other X-Men characters appear as part of the "backup team." These characters can be summoned during gameplay by pressing {{Start}} and selecting one. They provide support such as attacking enemies or building a temporary platform. Assist characters can only be summoned one time, but the player can find tokens for each character throughout the game to gain additional summons.
  
''X-Men'' is one of the few video games in history which requires the use of the Mega Drive's reset button in order to progress through a certain point in the game. This means the game is impossible to beat when played on systems (or emulators) which lack a soft reset feature of some description.
+
Characters have a health bar that goes down when they take damage from enemies. If a character loses all health, the character is lost for the rest of the game and the player must restart the zone with a different character. The game ends if the player loses every character.
  
This game became infamous for it's high difficulty level, which stems from the game's awkward hit detection, lack of continues and difficult to grasp boss battles and stage layouts. While plenty of shortcuts (mainly through Nightcralwer) and failsafe boss strategies (e.g. a full health Wolverine can take every hit from the lighthouse boss and still win) exist, these were made difficult to explore by the way the game was designed.
+
The game supports two-player simultaneous play, with each player controlling a different character. The game has three selectable difficulty levels (Amateur, Hero, and Superhero), but only the first three stages can be played on the lowest difficulty.
  
 
===Characters===
 
===Characters===
*Playable
+
====Playable====
**Cyclops
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
**Wolverine
+
{{InfoRow
**Nightcrawler
+
| title=Gambit
**Gambit
+
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Characters.png | 1.5 | crop_width=64 | crop_height=64 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
*Assist
+
| desc=Gambit attacks with a bō staff, which has greater reach than the melee attacks of the other characters. His mutant ability is throwing energy-charged cards with {{A}} that seek enemies. He does a spin jump by pressing {{C}} twice and a spinning slash attack by pressing {{C}} twice followed by {{B}}.
**Storm: 1x full screen attack
+
}}
**Rouge: 1x aimed attack
+
{{InfoRow
**Archangle: 3x spreadshot
+
| title=Nightcrawler
**Iceman: builds a bridge that lasts for a limited amount of time
+
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Characters.png | 1.5 | crop_width=64 | crop_height=64 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Nightcrawler can perform a diving kick with {{B}} while in the air. His mutant ability is teleporting with {{A}}. Enemies that touch the teleportation clouds are harmed. The teleportation can be aimed by pressing a direction on the D-Pad while pressing {{A}}. Teleportation can be used to close distances on foes or to bypass barriers and find shortcuts or secrets. If it is not aimed, Nightcrawler teleports in and out in the same place, which does not cost any energy. He can somersault by pressing {{C}} twice.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Wolverine
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Characters.png | 1.5 | crop_width=64 | crop_height=64 | crop_x=128 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Wolverine attacks by punching. He can extend his claws with {{A}}, which causes his attacks to do more damage but cost mutant ability energy. While his claws are extended, he can perform a lunging slash with {{B}} while in the air or a spinning slash by pressing {{C}} twice. His mutant ability is his passive health regeneration.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Cyclops
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Characters.png | 1.5 | crop_width=64 | crop_height=64 | crop_x=192 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Cyclops attacks by punching. His mutant ability is shooting laser beams from his eyes with {{A}}. He can shoot his eye-beam while crouching or jumping. He performs a spin jump by pressing {{C}} twice. He can perform an optic blast spin attack, in which he shoots his eye-beams in several directions while spinning (similar to Joe Mushashi's spinning shuriken attack in ''[[Revenge of Shinobi]]''), by pressing {{C}} twice followed by {{A}}. However, this maneuver costs significantly more energy than his usual eye-beam attack.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
====Helper====
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Storm
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png | 1.25 | crop_width=128 | crop_height=128 | crop_x=128 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Storm attacks all enemies on screen with violent winds.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Rogue
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png | 1.25 | crop_width=128 | crop_height=128 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Rogue appears and punches a single enemy.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Archangel
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png | 1.25 | crop_width=128 | crop_height=128 | crop_x=128 | crop_y=128}}
 +
| desc=Archangel flies by three times, firing a hail of projectiles with each pass.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Iceman
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png | 1.25 | crop_width=128 | crop_height=128 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=128}}
 +
| desc=Iceman builds a bridge that lasts for a limited amount of time.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Jean Grey
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png | 1.25 | crop_width=128 | crop_height=128 | crop_x=256 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Jean Grey automatically appears to rescue characters who fall into bottomless pits. There is no limit to the number of times she can do this, though characters still lose some health from falling. In two-player games, she can be summoned to reunite the players by bringing the character who is farther ahead back to the other.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Items===
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Yellow X
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=14 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Restores part of the current character's health.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Blue X
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=14 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Restores part of the current character's mutant ability energy.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Key
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=14 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Collect to open doors or deactivate devices.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Orb
 +
| sprite={{sprite | X-Men MD, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=14 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Destroy to restore the current character's health and energy. Orbs appear in the Danger Room after completing a zone.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Combat zones===
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=The Savage Land
 +
| screenshot=X-Men MD, Stage 1-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=X-Men MD, Stage 1-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=X-Men MD, Stage 1-3.png
 +
| screenshot4=X-Men MD, Stage 1-4.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=The player can switch characters up to three times in this zone. The bosses are Juggernaut and Zaladane.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Shi'ar Empire
 +
| screenshot=X-Men MD, Stage 2-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=X-Men MD, Stage 2-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=X-Men MD, Stage 2-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=The player can switch characters up to three times in this zone. The boss is Deathbird.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Excalibur's Lighthouse
 +
| screenshot=X-Men MD, Stage 3-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=X-Men MD, Stage 3-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=X-Men MD, Stage 3-3.png
 +
| screenshot4=X-Men MD, Stage 3-4.png
 +
| screenshot5=X-Men MD, Stage 3-5.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=The player can switch characters twice in this zone. The bosses are Sabretooth, Juggernaut, and Apocalypse.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Ahab's Future World
 +
| screenshot=X-Men MD, Stage 4-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=X-Men MD, Stage 4-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=X-Men MD, Stage 4-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=The player can switch characters twice in this zone. The boss is Ahab.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Mojo's Crunch
 +
| screenshot=X-Men MD, Stage 5-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=X-Men MD, Stage 5-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=X-Men MD, Stage 5-3.png
 +
| screenshot4=X-Men MD, Stage 5-4.png
 +
| screenshot5=X-Men MD, Stage 5-5.png
 +
| screenshot6=X-Men MD, Stage 5-6.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=The player can switch characters once in this zone. The boss is Mojo. A timer appears as Mojo's face on the left side of the screen; the zone must be completed before time runs out.
 +
 
 +
At the end of the zone, after defeating Mojo, the screen locks and the character becomes stuck. Professor X appears in the Danger Room before this stage and provides a [[:File:X-Men MD, Reset.png|hint]] on how to complete this section: the player must attack a screen of the Danger Room to destroy it and then "reset" the computer that controls the Danger Room by pressing the {{Reset}} button on the Mega Drive in order to progress.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Asteroid M
 +
| screenshot=X-Men MD, Stage 6-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=X-Men MD, Stage 6-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=X-Men MD, Stage 6-3.png
 +
| screenshot4=X-Men MD, Stage 6-4.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=The player can switch characters up to three times in this zone. The boss is Magneto.
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
 
==Production credits==
 
==Production credits==
Line 54: Line 192:
 
*'''Producer:''' [[Ed Annunziata|E. Ettore Annunziata]]
 
*'''Producer:''' [[Ed Annunziata|E. Ettore Annunziata]]
 
*'''Art Design:''' Bruce Straley, [[Steven Ross]]
 
*'''Art Design:''' Bruce Straley, [[Steven Ross]]
*'''Art:''' Mira Ross, Eric Iwasaki
+
*'''Art:''' [[Mira Ross]], [[Eric Iwasaki]]
*'''Music and Sound Effects:''' Fletcher Beasley
+
*'''Music and Sound Effects:''' [[Fletcher Beasley]]
 
*'''Programming, Design:''' Jeff Fort
 
*'''Programming, Design:''' Jeff Fort
*'''Programming:''' John Bojorquez, Ray Frericks, Alan Wise
+
*'''Programming:''' [[John Bojorquez]], [[Ray Frericks]], [[Alan Wise]]
 
*'''Marketing:''' [[Scott Steinberg]]
 
*'''Marketing:''' [[Scott Steinberg]]
*'''Special Thanks:''' Jay Smith, JFD and EWF
+
*'''Special Thanks:''' [[Jay Smith]], JFD and EWF
 
*'''Additional Input:''' Sam Kjellman, RK
 
*'''Additional Input:''' Sam Kjellman, RK
 
*'''Lead Tester:''' [[Vy Nong]]
 
*'''Lead Tester:''' [[Vy Nong]]
 
*'''Testers:''' [[Stephen Patterson|Steve Patterson]], [[Joe Cain]], [[Tony Lynch]], [[Jason Kuo]], [[Eric Rawlins]], [[Jeff Todd]], [[Siegie Stangenberg]], [[Dermot Lyons]], [[Bill Person]], [[Casey Grimm]], [[Vincent Nason|Vince Nason]]
 
*'''Testers:''' [[Stephen Patterson|Steve Patterson]], [[Joe Cain]], [[Tony Lynch]], [[Jason Kuo]], [[Eric Rawlins]], [[Jeff Todd]], [[Siegie Stangenberg]], [[Dermot Lyons]], [[Bill Person]], [[Casey Grimm]], [[Vincent Nason|Vince Nason]]
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=X-Men MD credits.pdf
 
| console=MD
 
| console=MD
| source=In-game credits
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
}}
 +
{{hr}}
 +
{{multicol|
 
{{creditstable|
 
{{creditstable|
 
*'''Producer:''' [[Ed Annunziata|E. Ettore Annunziata]]
 
*'''Producer:''' [[Ed Annunziata|E. Ettore Annunziata]]
*'''Programming:''' Jeff Fort, Ray Fredricks, John Bojorquez, Allan Wise
+
*'''Programming:''' Jeff Fort, [[Ray Frericks|Ray Fredricks]], [[John Bojorquez]], Allan Wise
*'''Art:''' Burce Stanley, Mira Ross, [[Steven Ross]]
+
*'''Art:''' Burce Stanley, [[Mira Ross]], [[Steven Ross]]
*'''Sound and Music:''' Fletcher Beasley
+
*'''Sound and Music:''' [[Fletcher Beasley]]
*'''Design:''' Bruce Straley, Jeff Fort, [[Steven Ross]], Mira Ross
+
*'''Design:''' Bruce Straley, Jeff Fort, [[Steven Ross]], [[Mira Ross]]
 
*'''Marketing:''' [[Scott Steinberg]]
 
*'''Marketing:''' [[Scott Steinberg]]
 
*'''Lead Test:''' [[Vy Nong]], [[Stephen Patterson|Steve Patterson]], [[Joe Cain]]
 
*'''Lead Test:''' [[Vy Nong]], [[Stephen Patterson|Steve Patterson]], [[Joe Cain]]
Line 77: Line 219:
 
*'''Manual:''' [[Carol Ann Hanshaw]], [[Vy Nong]]
 
*'''Manual:''' [[Carol Ann Hanshaw]], [[Vy Nong]]
 
*'''Special Thanks:''' Sam Kjellman, Jay Smith, [[Steven Apour|Steve Apour]], Gloria Birulin
 
*'''Special Thanks:''' Sam Kjellman, Jay Smith, [[Steven Apour|Steve Apour]], Gloria Birulin
| console=MD
 
 
| source=US manual
 
| source=US manual
 
| pdf=Xmen md us manual.pdf
 
| pdf=Xmen md us manual.pdf
 
| pdfpage=26
 
| pdfpage=26
 +
| console=MD
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
===Uncredited===
+
{{hr}}
 +
{{creditstable|
 
*'''Cover artwork:''' Phil Winslade
 
*'''Cover artwork:''' Phil Winslade
 +
| source=Uncredited
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
  
 
==Magazine articles==
 
==Magazine articles==
Line 92: Line 238:
 
{{gallery
 
{{gallery
 
|{{gitem|XMen MD US TVAdvert 1.mp4|US TV advert}}
 
|{{gitem|XMen MD US TVAdvert 1.mp4|US TV advert}}
|{{gitem|1993_05_-_Software_Mega_Drive.jpg|ES print advert 2}}
+
|{{gitem|XMen MD US TVAdvert (Short Version).mp4|US TV advert}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|gamepro|46|74,99
 +
|vgce|53|24
 +
|sv|15|28
 +
}}
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
|GamePro US 046.pdf|gamepro|46|74,99
+
|megasega|1|3
|VG&CE US 53.pdf|vgce|53|24
 
|SegaVisions US 15.pdf|sv|15|28
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
{{ratings
+
{{ratings|MD}}
| icon=MD
 
| consolesplus=78
 
| consolesplus_source={{num|21|page=120-122}}
 
| cvg=72
 
| cvg_source={{magref|cvg|139|42|printpage=42/43}}
 
| ebrain=65
 
| ebrain_source={{magref|ebrain|35|24|printpage=24}}
 
| gamepro=95
 
| gamepro_source={{magref|gamepro|46|52|printpage=52/53}}
 
| gamesmaster=73
 
| gamesmaster_source={{num|6|page=64/65}}
 
| mdag=91
 
| mdag_source={{num|10|page=28/29}}
 
| mega=85
 
| mega_source={{num|9|page=40/41}}
 
| megaaction=80
 
| megaaction_source={{num|5|page=16}}
 
| megatech=82
 
| megatech_source={{num|17|page=42-45}}
 
| mms=88
 
| mms_source={{magref|mms|8|40|printpage=40-43}}
 
| playerone=80
 
| playerone_source={{num|33|page=82/83}}
 
| segapower=81
 
| segapower_source={{num|43|page=52/53}}
 
| segapro=78
 
| segapro_source={{num|19|page=38}}
 
| segazuk=87
 
| segazuk_source={{num|7|page=18-20}}
 
| sfm=82
 
| sfm_source={{magref|sfm|1|48|printpage=48-50}}
 
| stc=70
 
| stc_source={{num|1|page=12}}
 
}}
 
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
Line 142: Line 257:
 
| cart=Xmen MD US Cart.jpg
 
| cart=Xmen MD US Cart.jpg
 
| manual=Xmen md us manual.pdf
 
| manual=Xmen md us manual.pdf
| poster=X-Men MD US Poster Front.jpg
 
| posterback=X-Men MD US Poster Back.jpg
 
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
Line 150: Line 263:
 
| cart=Xmen MD US Cart.jpg
 
| cart=Xmen MD US Cart.jpg
 
| manual=Xmen md us manual.pdf
 
| manual=Xmen md us manual.pdf
 +
| poster=X-Men MD US Poster Front.jpg
 +
| posterback=X-Men MD US Poster Back.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
Line 155: Line 270:
 
| cover=XMen MD EU Box.jpg
 
| cover=XMen MD EU Box.jpg
 
| cart=XMen MD EU Cart.jpg
 
| cart=XMen MD EU Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=X-Men MD EU Manual.jpg
 +
| item1=XMen MD EU pcb.jpg
 +
| item1name=PCB
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=GR ([[Zegetron]])
 +
| cover=
 +
| cart=XMen MD EU Cart.jpg
 +
}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| region=AU
 
| region=AU
| cover=
+
| front=XMen MD AU Box.jpg
| cart=
+
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| back=XMen MD AU Box Back.jpg
 +
| cart=X-men MD AU Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=X-men MD AU Manual.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| region=BR
 
| region=BR
| front=Xmen md br cover.jpg
+
| cover=Xmen md br cover.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Technical information==
 
==Technical information==
===ROM dump status===
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
{{romtable|
 
{{rom|MD|size=1MB|date=1993-01|source=Cartridge (US)}}
 
{{rom|MD|size=1MB|date=1993-01|source=Cartridge (EU)}}
 
}}
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
 +
{{XMenOmni}}
 
{{X-Men}}
 
{{X-Men}}

Revision as of 22:57, 7 March 2024

For the Sega Game Gear game, see X-Men (Game Gear).

n/a

XMen MD title.png

X-Men
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Marvel Entertainment Group
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$54.9954.99[1] 1057
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1057
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[4][2] 1057
Sega Mega Drive
GR
Sega Mega Drive
AU
FXME00SMC
Sega Mega Drive
BR
044210

X-Men is a side-scrolling action game for the Sega Mega Drive. It was followed by X-Men 2: Clone Wars.

Unusually, the game requires the use of the console's reset button in order to progress through a certain point in the game. This means the game is impossible to complete on systems (or emulators) lacking a soft reset, including the Sega Nomad.

Story

X-Men MD, Introduction.png

Magneto

The game takes place in the Danger Room, a training area for the X-Men inside the X-Mansion. A virus transmitted via satellite has infected the Danger Room, disabling control and safety limits. The X-Men must endure the unpredictable behavior of the Danger Room until the virus can be located and eliminated. Once the virus is eliminated, the X-Men discover that Magneto is behind the computer virus and the final zone involves a battle with him.

Gameplay

X-Men MD, Danger Room.png

Danger Room

The game is an action platformer played as any of four X-Men characters. Characters walk with Left and Right and crouch with Down. They jump with C. Most characters can perform a spin jump or a somersault by pressing C again while in mid-air. Characters perform a "super high jump" by pressing C twice very rapidly. Characters can jump off platforms with Down+C. Some stages have background layers that are accessed with C; characters can move back into the foreground with Down+C. Characters do a basic melee attack with B. They also have special mutant abilities that are used with A but which cost energy. Energy slowly regenerates when it is not being used.

The game uses the Danger Room as a hub. One of the four playable X-Men characters is selected initially, then the player can enter the first combat zone by moving the character to the upper-left of the room. The character can be switched during gameplay by pausing the game with  START  and selecting a different character, but the player can only switch characters a certain number of times depending on the zone. Zones are maze-like and often require collecting keys or destroying panels to unlock doors and progress, and they each involve one or more encounters with X-Men villains.

After a zone is completed, the player returns to the Danger Room. The player can change the character here by hitting the switch under the monitors (with Down+B). The player can replenish the current character's health and energy by attacking orbs that fly around the Danger Room. Characters retain their health and energy in between zones. The player is automatically progressed to the next combat zone after a short duration, though this duration can be extended by destroying a machine in the top-right of the Danger Room.

In addition to the four playable X-Men, five other X-Men characters appear as part of the "backup team." These characters can be summoned during gameplay by pressing  START  and selecting one. They provide support such as attacking enemies or building a temporary platform. Assist characters can only be summoned one time, but the player can find tokens for each character throughout the game to gain additional summons.

Characters have a health bar that goes down when they take damage from enemies. If a character loses all health, the character is lost for the rest of the game and the player must restart the zone with a different character. The game ends if the player loses every character.

The game supports two-player simultaneous play, with each player controlling a different character. The game has three selectable difficulty levels (Amateur, Hero, and Superhero), but only the first three stages can be played on the lowest difficulty.

Characters

Playable

X-Men MD, Characters.png
Gambit
Gambit attacks with a bō staff, which has greater reach than the melee attacks of the other characters. His mutant ability is throwing energy-charged cards with A that seek enemies. He does a spin jump by pressing C twice and a spinning slash attack by pressing C twice followed by B.
X-Men MD, Characters.png
Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler can perform a diving kick with B while in the air. His mutant ability is teleporting with A. Enemies that touch the teleportation clouds are harmed. The teleportation can be aimed by pressing a direction on the D-Pad while pressing A. Teleportation can be used to close distances on foes or to bypass barriers and find shortcuts or secrets. If it is not aimed, Nightcrawler teleports in and out in the same place, which does not cost any energy. He can somersault by pressing C twice.
X-Men MD, Characters.png
Wolverine
Wolverine attacks by punching. He can extend his claws with A, which causes his attacks to do more damage but cost mutant ability energy. While his claws are extended, he can perform a lunging slash with B while in the air or a spinning slash by pressing C twice. His mutant ability is his passive health regeneration.
X-Men MD, Characters.png
Cyclops
Cyclops attacks by punching. His mutant ability is shooting laser beams from his eyes with A. He can shoot his eye-beam while crouching or jumping. He performs a spin jump by pressing C twice. He can perform an optic blast spin attack, in which he shoots his eye-beams in several directions while spinning (similar to Joe Mushashi's spinning shuriken attack in Revenge of Shinobi), by pressing C twice followed by A. However, this maneuver costs significantly more energy than his usual eye-beam attack.

Helper

X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png
Storm
Storm attacks all enemies on screen with violent winds.
X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png
Rogue
Rogue appears and punches a single enemy.
X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png
Archangel
Archangel flies by three times, firing a hail of projectiles with each pass.
X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png
Iceman
Iceman builds a bridge that lasts for a limited amount of time.
X-Men MD, Helper Characters.png
Jean Grey
Jean Grey automatically appears to rescue characters who fall into bottomless pits. There is no limit to the number of times she can do this, though characters still lose some health from falling. In two-player games, she can be summoned to reunite the players by bringing the character who is farther ahead back to the other.

Items

X-Men MD, Items.png
Yellow X
Restores part of the current character's health.
X-Men MD, Items.png
Blue X
Restores part of the current character's mutant ability energy.
X-Men MD, Items.png
Key
Collect to open doors or deactivate devices.
X-Men MD, Items.png
Orb
Destroy to restore the current character's health and energy. Orbs appear in the Danger Room after completing a zone.

Combat zones

X-Men MD, Stage 1-1.png

X-Men MD, Stage 1-2.png

X-Men MD, Stage 1-3.png

X-Men MD, Stage 1-4.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 1-1.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 1-2.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 1-3.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 1-4.png

The Savage Land
The player can switch characters up to three times in this zone. The bosses are Juggernaut and Zaladane.

X-Men MD, Stage 2-1.png

X-Men MD, Stage 2-2.png

X-Men MD, Stage 2-3.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 2-1.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 2-2.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 2-3.png

Shi'ar Empire
The player can switch characters up to three times in this zone. The boss is Deathbird.

X-Men MD, Stage 3-1.png

X-Men MD, Stage 3-2.png

X-Men MD, Stage 3-3.png

X-Men MD, Stage 3-4.png

X-Men MD, Stage 3-5.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 3-1.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 3-2.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 3-3.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 3-4.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 3-5.png

Excalibur's Lighthouse
The player can switch characters twice in this zone. The bosses are Sabretooth, Juggernaut, and Apocalypse.

X-Men MD, Stage 4-1.png

X-Men MD, Stage 4-2.png

X-Men MD, Stage 4-3.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 4-1.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 4-2.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 4-3.png

Ahab's Future World
The player can switch characters twice in this zone. The boss is Ahab.

X-Men MD, Stage 5-1.png

X-Men MD, Stage 5-2.png

X-Men MD, Stage 5-3.png

X-Men MD, Stage 5-4.png

X-Men MD, Stage 5-5.png

X-Men MD, Stage 5-6.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 5-1.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 5-2.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 5-3.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 5-4.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 5-5.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 5-6.png

Mojo's Crunch
The player can switch characters once in this zone. The boss is Mojo. A timer appears as Mojo's face on the left side of the screen; the zone must be completed before time runs out.

At the end of the zone, after defeating Mojo, the screen locks and the character becomes stuck. Professor X appears in the Danger Room before this stage and provides a hint on how to complete this section: the player must attack a screen of the Danger Room to destroy it and then "reset" the computer that controls the Danger Room by pressing the  RESET  button on the Mega Drive in order to progress.

X-Men MD, Stage 6-1.png

X-Men MD, Stage 6-2.png

X-Men MD, Stage 6-3.png

X-Men MD, Stage 6-4.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 6-1.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 6-2.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 6-3.png

  • X-Men MD, Stage 6-4.png

Asteroid M
The player can switch characters up to three times in this zone. The boss is Magneto.

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits
X-Men MD credits.pdf
[5]

Source:
US manual
Xmen md us manual.pdf
[6]

  • Cover artwork: Phil Winslade
Source:
Uncredited


Magazine articles

Main article: X-Men/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in GamePro (US) #46: "May 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Sega (ES) #1: "xxxx 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[9]
Æskan (IS)
92
[10]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
82
[11]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
17
[12]
Consoles + (FR)
78
[13]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[14]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
72
[4]
Digitiser (UK) PAL
70
[15]
Digitiser (UK)
84
[16]
Electric Brain (UK)
65
[17]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
85
[18]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[19]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[20]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[21]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
88
[22]
Freak (IL)
84
[23]
GameFan (US)
86
[24]
Game Power (IT) PAL
85
[25]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
95
[26]
Gamers (DE)
60
[27]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
73
[28]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
88
[29]
Joypad (FR) PAL
85
[30]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
91
[31]
Mega (UK) PAL
85
[32]
Mega Action (UK) NTSC-U
80
[33]
Mega Force (FR)
92
[34]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
60
[35]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
82
[36]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
88
[37]
Player One (FR)
80
[38]
Power Up! (UK)
82
[39]
ProGames (BR)
100
[40]
Power Unlimited (NL)
82
[41]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
81
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
78
[43]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
87
[44]
Sega Force Mega (UK) NTSC-U
82
[45]
Sega Force (SE)
78
[46]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
70
[47]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
77
[48]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
70
[49]
Video Games (DE) PAL
42
[50]
Sega Mega Drive
77
Based on
43 reviews

X-Men

Mega Drive, US
XMen MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Xmen MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Xmen md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (Special Edition)
XMen MD US Box SE.jpg
Cover
Xmen MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Xmen md us manual.pdf
Manual
X-Men MD US Poster Back.jpgX-Men MD US Poster Front.jpg
Poster
Mega Drive, EU
XMen MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
XMen MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
X-Men MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
XMen MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, GR (Zegetron)

XMen MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU
XMen MD AU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngXMen MD AU Box.jpg
Cover
X-men MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
X-men MD AU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
Xmen md br cover.jpg
Cover

Technical information

Main article: X-Men/Technical information.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 GamePro, "May 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 53
  2. 2.0 2.1 Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 41
  3. Sega Pro, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-10), page 18
  4. 4.0 4.1 Computer & Video Games, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-15), page 42
  5. File:X-Men MD credits.pdf
  6. File:Xmen md us manual.pdf, page 26
  7. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "June 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 24
  8. Sega Visions, "October/November 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 28
  9. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 271
  10. Æskan, "" (IS; 1993-10-01), page 1
  11. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 81
  12. Aktueller Software Markt, "Dezember 1993" (DE; 1993-11-08), page 57
  13. Consoles +, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 120
  14. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 241
  15. Digitiser (UK) (1993-04-08)
  16. Digitiser (UK) (1993-08-10)
  17. Electric Brain, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-26), page 24
  18. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "May 1993" (US; 1993-04-xx), page 53
  19. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 30
  20. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 368
  21. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 296
  22. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 117
  23. Freak, "3/93" (IL; 1993-xx-xx), page 1
  24. GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 5: April 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 14
  25. Game Power, "Giugno 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 80
  26. GamePro, "May 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 52
  27. Gamers, "Juli/August 1994" (DE; 1994-07-01), page 48
  28. GamesMaster, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 64
  29. Game Informer, "May/June 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 54
  30. Joypad, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 120
  31. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-04-29), page 28
  32. Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 40
  33. Mega Action, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-09), page 16
  34. Mega Force, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 88
  35. Mega Fun, "06/93" (DE; 1993-05-19), page 38
  36. MegaTech, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-23), page 42
  37. Mean Machines Sega, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-24), page 40
  38. Player One, "Juillet/Août 1993" (FR; 1993-07-10), page 82
  39. Power Up!, "Saturday, August 14, 1993" (UK; 1993-08-14), page 1
  40. ProGames, "Julho 1993" (BR; 1993-0x-xx), page 28
  41. Power Unlimited, "Nummer 4, November 1993" (NL; 1993-10-27), page 32
  42. Sega Power, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 52
  43. Sega Pro, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-08), page 38
  44. Sega Zone, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-08), page 18
  45. Sega Force Mega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 48
  46. Sega Force, "5/93" (SE; 1993-08-26), page 10
  47. Sonic the Comic, "29th May 1993" (UK; 1993-05-29), page 12
  48. Supergame, "Junho 1993" (BR; 1993-06-xx), page 12
  49. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 230
  50. Video Games, "11/93" (DE; 1993-10-27), page 128


X-Men

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X-Men games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (1993) | X-Men (1993) | Wolverine: Adamantium Rage (1994) | X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995) | X-Women: The Sinister Virus (unreleased)
Sega Game Gear
Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (1994) | X-Men (1994) | X-Men: GamesMaster's Legacy (1994) | X-Men: Mojo World (1996)
Sega Saturn
X-Men: Children of the Atom (1995) | X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1997)
Sega Master System
X-Men: Mojo World (1996)
Sega 32X
X-Men: Mind Games (Unreleased)
X-Men related media
Music
Sega Tunes: X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1996)
Unlicensed X-Men games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
X-Men vs. Street Fighter (Mega Drive) (1998)