Mega Man X3

From Sega Retro

For the unlicensed Sega Mega Drive version, see Rockman X3 (Mega Drive).

n/a

  • PAL
  • NTSC-J

MegaManX3 Title.png

MegaManX3 Saturn JP SSTitle.png

Mega Man X3
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Capcom (Japan), Virgin Interactive Entertainment (Europe)
Developer:
Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (30 tracks)
Genre: Action[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP
¥5,800 (5,974)5,800e[3] T-1210G
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
EU
T-7029H-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
DE
T-7029H-50
USK: 6
Sega Saturn
PT
STJVG0642
Sega Saturn
UK
T-7029H-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
PL
219zł219
Sega Saturn
AU
VFMEG00SSC
OFLC: G8
Non-Sega versions

Mega Man X3, known as Rockman X3 (ロックマン X3) in Japan, is the third game in the Mega Man X series, a spin-off of the Mega Man franchise with more complex platforming and a darker storyline.

Story

Mega Man X3, Cutscene.png

Dr. Doppler

In the year "21XX," humans coexist with intelligent robots called "Reploids" (replicant androids). Since they possess free will, some Reploids are prone to criminal activity and are said to go "Maverick." Dr. Cain, the inventor of the Reploids, establishes a military taskforce called the "Maverick Hunters" to prevent it. Even after two successful efforts by the Hunters X and Zero to stop a Maverick leader named Sigma from attempting to exterminate the human race, Maverick activity seems to continue.

The threat of the Mavericks is later neutralized thanks to the technology of the Reploid scientist Dr. Doppler, which prevents the Mavericks from going berserk. The reformed Reploids form a utopia near their new mentor called "Dopple Town." It seemed that all is well until the former Reploids suddenly revert and once again begin causing trouble, even going so far as to attack Hunter headquarters. Doppler is held accountable, and X and Zero are sent out to contain the new threat.

Gameplay

Mega Man X3, Stage Select.png

Mega Man X3, Pause Menu.png

Stage select and pause menu

The game is an action platformer played primarily as Dr. Light's final creation, the android X. Each stage has a variety of obstacles and platforming challenges to overcome and enemy robots to fight. The stage ends in a fight with a Maverick; defeating a Maverick adds a new special weapon to X's arsenal. Since each Maverick has a weakness to a particular special weapon, the player can strategize the order in which to complete the stages to best exploit these weaknesses. Furthermore, stages contain hidden items that upgrade X's capabilities, many of which are hidden behind barriers that can only be destroyed by certain weapons.

X controls similarly to Mega Man, but he is more agile. He moves with Left or Right. He jumps with B and jumps higher the longer the button is held. He gains additional jump height when underwater. He can scale walls by jumping off of them. He dashes forward with C (or LeftLeft or RightRight. He climbs ladders with Up and Down.

X uses his weapon with A. X's primary weapon is his arm-mounted X-Buster, which has unlimited ammunition but can only have three shots on screen at a time. The X-Buster can charge a more powerful shot by holding A and releasing it when X starts to glow. X acquires an assortment of special weapons by defeating Mavericks. These special weapons cost energy to use; each has its own energy supply. The player can switch the special weapon with L and R or through the pause menu with  START .

The player can further upgrade X's abilities by collecting armor parts found within capsules in some levels. Capsules containing special chips add new abilities, but X is only able to use one chip per game. However, one hidden capsule gives X the benefits of all four special chips.

The game also allows the player to play as X's ally Zero. Zero can be called to take X's place during nearly any stage, but he cannot collect or make use of any of X's armor parts or power-ups. He also cannot fight bosses; he is substituted with X instead when a boss encounter begins. If Zero is ever defeated in battle, he is unable to be called upon for the rest of the game. The player can swap Zero back for X, but Zero can only be selected once per stage. While the pause menu is open, the player changes the current character by pressing R (or switch back by pressing L) and unpausing.

X's health is indicated by a gauge in the corner of the screen. He loses health when he takes damage from an enemy. Some obstacles, such as spikes or bottomless pits, destroy X regardless of how much health he has remaining. If he loses all of his health, he loses a life. The game ends if X loses all of his lives. The game uses a password system for continuing.

Weapons

Weapons besides the X-Buster can only be charged after obtaining the X-Buster upgrade.

Mega Man X3, Weapons, X-Buster.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, X-Buster Charged 1.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, X-Buster Charged 2.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, X-Buster Charged 3.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, X-Buster.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, X-Buster Charged 1.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, X-Buster Charged 2.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, X-Buster Charged 3.png

X-Buster

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Parasitic Bomb.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Parasitic Bomb Charged.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Parasitic Bomb.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Parasitic Bomb Charged.png

Parasitic Bomb
X acquires this weapon after defeating Blast Hornet. It is the weakness of Blizzard Buffalo and Vile MK-II when piloting his ride armor.

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Frost Shield.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Frost Shield Charged.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Frost Shield.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Frost Shield Charged.png

Frost Shield
X acquires this weapon after defeating Blizzard Buffalo. It is the weakness of Toxic Seahorse, Bit, Volt Kurageil, and Sigma in his first form.

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Acid Burst.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Acid Burst Charged.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Acid Burst.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Acid Burst Charged.png

Acid Burst
X acquires this weapon after defeating Toxic Seahorse. It is the weakness of Tunnel Rhino and Dr. Doppler.

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Tornado Fang.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Tornado Fang Charged.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Tornado Fang.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Tornado Fang Charged.png

Tornado Fang
X acquires this weapon after defeating Tunnel Rhino. It is the weakness of Volt Catfish, Byte, Press Disposer, and Vile MK-II when piloting his ride armor.

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Triad Thunder.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Triad Thunder Charged.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Triad Thunder.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Triad Thunder Charged.png

Triad Thunder
X acquires this weapon after defeating Volt Catfish. It is the weakness of Crush Crawfish, Bit, and Volt Kurageil.

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Spinning Blade.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Spinning Blade Charged.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Spinning Blade.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Spinning Blade Charged.png

Spinning Blade
X acquires this weapon after defeating Crush Crawfish. It is the weakness of Neon Tiger, Vile MK-II, and Sigma in his first form.

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Ray Splasher.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Ray Splasher Charged.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Ray Splasher.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Ray Splasher Charged.png

Ray Splasher
X acquires this weapon after defeating Neon Tiger. It is the weakness of Gravity Beetle, Byte, Vile MK-II, Godkarmachine O Inary, and Press Disposer.

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Gravity Well.png

Mega Man X3, Weapons, Gravity Well Charged.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Gravity Well.png

  • Mega Man X3, Weapons, Gravity Well Charged.png

Gravity Well
X acquires this weapon after defeating Gravity Beetle. It is the weakness of Blast Hornet.

Items

Mega Man X3, Items.png
Small Weapon Capsule
Restores a small amount of energy for the currently selected weapon.
Mega Man X3, Items.png
Large Weapon Capsule
Restores a large amount of energy for the currently selected weapon.
Mega Man X3, Items.png
Small Energy Pellet
Restores a small amount of health to X.
Mega Man X3, Items.png
Large Energy Pellet
Restores a large amount of health to X.
Mega Man X3, Items.png
1-Up
Gives the player an extra life.
Mega Man X3, Items.png
Heart Tank
Permanently extends X's maximum health capacity.
Mega Man X3, Items.png
Sub Tank
Stores excess health. After a Sub Tank is collected, it stays in X's inventory and fills whenever X collects an Energy Pellet while at full health. The player can select a Sub Tank by pausing the game with  START  and use it to replenish X's health during a stage.

Upgrades

Mega Man X3, Dr. Light Capsule.png

Dr. Light capsule

Robot Rides

Stages

Opening

Mega Man X3, Stages, Opening 1.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Opening 2.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Opening Boss 1.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Opening Boss 2.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Opening 1.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Opening 2.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Opening Boss 1.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Opening Boss 2.png

Opening
Boss:
Maoh the Giant

Mavericks

After completing the opening stage, the eight Maverick stages can be played in any order.

X can revisit any stage after it is completed, which is often necessary to collect hidden items using newly obtained weapons and abilities. When revisiting a stage, the player can exit it at any time by pausing the game with  START  and selecting "Exit."

Mega Man X3, Stages, Weapons Factory.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Weapons Factory Subboss.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Weapons Factory Boss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Weapons Factory.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Weapons Factory Subboss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Weapons Factory Boss.png

Weapons Factory
Boss:
Blast Hornet
Blast Hornet's weakness is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Gravity Well weapon. X receives the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Parasitic Bomb weapon after defeating him. The Energy Chip and the Chimera robot ride are hidden in this stage.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Frozen Town.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Frozen Town Boss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Frozen Town.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Frozen Town Boss.png

Frozen Town
Boss:
Blizzard Buffalo
Blizzard Buffalo's weakness is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Parasitic Bomb weapon. X receives the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Frost Shield weapon after defeating him. The Leg upgrade is hidden in this stage. There is also a warp capsule leading to Vile's stage.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Giant Dam.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Giant Dam Subboss.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Giant Dam Boss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Giant Dam.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Giant Dam Subboss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Giant Dam Boss.png

Giant Dam
Boss:
Toxic Seahorse
Toxic Seahorse's weakness is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Frost Shield weapon. X receives the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Acid Burst weapon after defeating him. The Leg Chip and the Kangaroo robot ride are hidden in this stage.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Quarry.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Quarry Subboss.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Quarry Boss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Quarry.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Quarry Subboss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Quarry Boss.png

Quarry
Boss:
Tunnel Rhino
Tunnel Rhino's weakness is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Acid Burst weapon. X receives the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Tornado Fang weapon after defeating him. The Helmet upgrade is hidden in this stage.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Power Control Center.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Power Control Center Boss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Power Control Center.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Power Control Center Boss.png

Power Control Center
Boss:
Volt Catfish
Volt Catfish's weakness is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Tornado Fang weapon. X receives the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Triad Thunder weapon after defeating him. The Body upgrade is hidden in this stage. There is also a warp capsule leading to Vile's stage.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Shipyard.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Shipyard Boss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Shipyard.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Shipyard Boss.png

Shipyard
Boss:
Crush Crawfish
Crush Crawfish's weakness is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Triad Thunder weapon. X receives the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Spinning Blade weapon after defeating him. The Body Chip and the Hawk robot ride are hidden in this stage. There is also a warp capsule leading to Vile's stage.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Safari Park.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Safari Park Subboss.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Safari Park Boss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Safari Park.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Safari Park Subboss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Safari Park Boss.png

Safari Park
Boss:
Neon Tiger
Neon Tiger's weakness is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Spinning Blade weapon. X receives the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Ray Splasher weapon after defeating him. The X-Buster upgrade is hidden in this stage.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Airborne Aircraft Carrier.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Airborne Aircraft Carrier Boss.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Airborne Aircraft Carrier.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Airborne Aircraft Carrier Boss.png

Airborne Aircraft Carrier
Boss:
Gravity Beetle
Gravity Beetle's weakness is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Ray Splasher weapon. X receives the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Gravity Well weapon after defeating him. The Head Chip and the Frog robot ride are hidden in this stage.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Vile.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Vile Boss 1.png

Mega Man X3, Stages, Vile Boss 2.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Vile.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Vile Boss 1.png

  • Mega Man X3, Stages, Vile Boss 2.png

Vile
Boss:
Vile MK-II
This stage is accessed by hidden warp capsules found in the Shipyard, Power Control Center, and Frozen Town stages after two Mavericks have been defeated. The capsules disappear after Vile's stage is completed or after all eight Mavericks are defeated. Vile MK-II's weaknesses are the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Ray Splasher and
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Spinning Blade weapons or the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Parasitic Bomb and
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Tornado Fang weapons when he piloting his ride armor. If the player does not find this hidden stage or if Vile MK-II is not defeated using one of his weaknesses, he escapes and appears as the boss in Doppler Stage B (using different ride armor). X returns to the previous stage after defeating Vile and reaching the warp capsule at the end.

Intermission Bosses

Bit and Byte appear as additional minibosses during the Maverick stages.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Bit Boss.png

Bit
Bit randomly appears as a miniboss in the third, fourth, or fifth Maverick stages until he is defeated. His weaknesses are the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Frost Shield and
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Triad Thunder weapons. If he is not defeated using one of his weaknesses, X must face him again, alongside Byte, in the first Doppler stage in their combined form, Godkarmachine O Inary.

Mega Man X3, Stages, Byte Boss.png

Byte
Byte randomly appears as a miniboss in the sixth, seventh, or eighth Maverick stages until he is defeated. His weaknesses are the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Tornado Fang and
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Ray Splasher weapons. If he is not defeated using one of his weaknesses, X must face him again, alongside Bit, in the first Doppler stage in their combined form, Godkarmachine O Inary.

Doppler

The Doppler stages are played in order after the eight Mavericks are defeated.

Notavailable.svg

  • Notavailable.svg

Doppler Stage A
Bosses:
Press Disposer or Godkarmachine O Inary
The boss is Press Disposer if both Bit and Byte were defeated with their weaknesses in the previous stages or Godkarmachine O Inary otherwise. The weaknesses of Press Disposer are the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Tornado Fang and
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Ray Splasher; the weakness of Godkarmachine O Inary is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Ray Splasher.

Notavailable.svg

  • Notavailable.svg

Doppler Stage B
Bosses:
Volt Kurageil or Vile MK-II
The boss is Volt Kurageil if Vile MK-II was defeated using his weakness in his hidden stage or Vile MK-II otherwise. The weaknesses of Volt Kurageil are the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Frost Shield and
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Triad Thunder; the weaknesses of Vile MK-II are the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Ray Splasher and
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Spinning Blade or the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Parasitic Bomb and
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Tornado Fang when he piloting his ride armor.

Notavailable.svg

  • Notavailable.svg

Doppler Stage C
Bosses:
Mavericks and Dr. Doppler
X fights all of the Mavericks again, followed by a fight with Dr. Doppler, whose weakness is the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Acid Burst.

Notavailable.svg

  • Notavailable.svg

Doppler Stage D
Bosses:
Sigma
The boss is Sigma, whose weaknesses are the
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Spinning Blade and
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
Frost Shield in his first form and the charged
Mega Man X3, Weapons.png
X-Buster in his second form.

Versions

Changes from the original Super NES version include a redone, arranged soundtrack, and placement of full-motion video anime cutscenes. One major flaw in the port, though, is long and frequent load times, which has made many prefer the SNES original.

While both the Super NES and PlayStation versions run at a 256x224 screen resolution, the Sega Saturn does not support this resolution, and so opts for 320x240 with borders added. This means the PlayStation and Super NES versions are stretched horizontally to fill a 4:3 display while the Saturn version is not. Since the artwork was designed with this stretching in mind, this can give the Saturn game a more "squashed" look.

The Saturn version has higher quality full-motion video than the PlayStation, with more frames of animation and a larger palette of colours.

History

This game was originally made and released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System/Super Famicom as the third in a trilogy of Mega Man X games, and then ported to the Sega Saturn and PlayStation.

This 32-bit version was released in Japan and Europe, but did not initially see a console release in North America and it was exclusive to Windows PCs; this version was later included in Mega Man X Collection for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2, which saw only an American release. Reportedly, Sony initially rejected the game during its PlayStation approval process, likely for being a 2D game[4], which may have had a knock-on effect for a Saturn release.

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Mega Man X3 Mega Man X3
Japanese ロックマン X3 Rockman X3

Comparisons

Main article: Mega Man X3/Comparisons.

Production credits

This article needs a list of production credits, either from the game itself, a manual, or other reliable source.

Uncredited

Like its original SNES release, Mega Man X3 lacks a staff roll, instead ending after its cast roll. The following information pertaining to this version's music is derived from the liner notes of the 2003 soundtrack release of Mega Man X1~6 and related interviews.

  • BGM Arrangement & Original Music Composition & Arrangement: Toshihiko Horiyama, Shusaku Uchiyama
  • BGM Arrangement: Yoshino Aoki[5]
  • Original Music Composition & Arrangement (for overseas releases): Makoto Tomozawa[6]

Magazine articles

Main article: Mega Man X3/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) #1996-08: "1996-08 (1996-05-10,24)" (1996-04-26)
Logo-pdf.svg

Artwork

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
80
[7]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
63
[8]
Fun Generation (DE)
60
[9]
GameFan (US) NTSC-J
71
[10]
Intelligent Gamer (US) NTSC-J
75
[11]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
74
[12]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-J
68
[13]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-J
57
[14]
neXt Level (DE) NTSC-J
70
[15]
Playmag (FR) NTSC-J
68
[16]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
65
[17]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
61
[18]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
23
[19]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
66
[20]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
67
[21]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
57
[22]
Sega Saturn
64
Based on
16 reviews

Mega Man X3

Saturn, JP
MegaManX3 Saturn JP Box Back.jpgMegaManX3 Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
MegaManX3 Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
MegaManX3 Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, EU
MegaManX3 Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
Saturn, PT
MegaManX3 Saturn PT cover.jpg
Cover
Saturn, PL
MegaManX3 Saturn PL box front.jpg
Cover
Saturn, AU
MegaManX3 Saturn AU cover.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Saturn
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
601,058,304 CD-ROM (EU) T-7029H-50 V1.000
Sega Saturn
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
606,496,128 1996-03-25 CD-ROM (JP) T-1210G V1.001

Extra content

This game has extra content which can be viewed when accessing the disc on a PC.

Saturn (JP) Extra files
Folder / File Type Size description
RX3_ABS.TXT TXT (Abstract) 648 About this game.
RX3_BIB.TXT TXT (Bibliographiced) 325 Theme song credits
RX3_CPY.TXT TXT (Copyright) 72 Copyright


References


Mega Man X3

MegaManX3 Title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Reception | Technical information


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Mega Man games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Mega Man: The Wily Wars (1994)
Sega Game Gear
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Sega Saturn
Mega Man X3 (1996) | Mega Man 8 (1997) | Mega Man X4 (1997) | Super Adventure Rockman (1998)
Unlicensed Mega Man games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Rockman X3 (1995)
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Book
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