Mega Man X: Difference between revisions

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{{quote|''"'X' is the first generation of robots which contain an innovative new feature--the ability to think, feel, and make their own decisions. However, this ability could be very dangerous. If 'X' were to break the first rule of robotics (A robot must never harm a human being), the results could be disastrous and I fear no force on Earth can stop him. Approximately 30 years will be required before we can safely confirm his reliability. Unfortunately, I will not live to see that day, nor do I have anyone to carry on my work. Therefore, I have [[Sealed Good in a Can|sealed him inside this capsule]], which will test his internal systems until his reliability has been confirmed. Please do not disturb the capsule until that time. 'X' possesses great risks as well as great possibilities. I can only hope for the best."''
 
''September 18, 21XX''
{{quote|''"'X' is the first generation of robots which contain an innovative new feature--the ability to think, feel, and make their own decisions. However, this ability could be very dangerous. If 'X' were to break the first rule of robotics (A robot must never harm a human being), the results could be disastrous and I fear no force on Earth can stop him. Approximately 30 years will be required before we can safely confirm his reliability. Unfortunately, I will not live to see that day, nor do I have anyone to carry on my work. Therefore, I have [[Sealed Good in A Can|sealed him inside this capsule]], which will test his internal systems until his reliability has been confirmed. Please do not disturb the capsule until that time. 'X' possesses great risks as well as great possibilities. I can only hope for the best."''<br />
''September 18, 21XX''<br />
''T. Light''|Message from Dr. Thomas Light, intro to ''Mega Man X'' on the SNES}}
 
''In the year 21XX, [[War Was Beginning]]...''
 
''Mega Man X'', the [[Darker and Edgier]] [[Sequel Series]] to [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|Mega Man]]'', follows the exploits of the original Blue Bomber's future successor.
 
As his final masterpiece, Dr. Thomas Light created '''Mega Man X''', a robot with a special "X-factor" that allows him to think, feel, and make decisions like a human does. As the page-topping quote points out, Light sealed X sealed inside a capsule designed to run ethics testing over the course of a few decades to ensure X would not turn out evil. A century later, scientist Dr. Cain unearths X's capsule and finds himself astounded by Dr. Light's engineering miracle. He decides to mass-produce a line of robots based on X, naming them "Reploids" ("Repliroids" in Japan), but glosses over the fact that he doesn't understand all of X's systems. [[What Could Possibly Go Wrong?]]
 
Soon after their activaitonactivation and deployment into the world, some of Cain's Reploids begin developing serious bugs and glitches that cause them to become extremely violent—and, in many cases, outright insane—and break the [[Three Laws of Robotics|First Law of Robotics]] ("A robot must never harm a human being"). These malfunctioning Reploids become known as Mavericks ("Irregulars" in Japan); to combat the Maverick menace, Dr. Cain helps create the "Maverick Hunters," a group of advanced Reploids authorized to use force in apprehending or outright stopping their violent brethren.
 
Cain's work backfires once again when practically the entire Maverick Hunter group, including Sigma—Cain's first Reploid and the ''leader'' of the group—turn into Mavericks themselves. Why the others turned, we have no idea, but Sigma turned soon after getting into a fight with "[[The Lancer|Zero]]," a mysterious and insane robot of similar capability to X (but of unknown manufacture). Sigma's defection heralds the beginning of a massive war between Mavericks and humanity—and since he feels responsible for the Maverick outbreak, X decides to team up with Zero (who turned sane after his fight with Sigma) and put a stop to the war.
 
The series saw several sequels on the Super Nintendo, Playstation, Sega Saturn, Playstation 2, and Gameboy Color. It also spawned ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]]'', its own (some might claim even [[Darker and Edgier]]) [[Sequel Series]] for the Gameboy Advance, in 2001. An anime [[OVA]], ''The Day of Sigma'', came with the PSP updated release of the first game (''Maverick Hunter X'').
 
Do not confuse this series with ''[[Mega Man 10 (Video Game)|Mega Man 10]]'', the tenth game in the original line's series (which came out well after ''Mega Man X'' did).
 
Two character sheets exist for this franchise: one for the [[Mega Man X (Video Game)/Characters|main series]], and one for ''[[Mega Man X Command Mission (Video Game)/Characters|Command Mission]]''.
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== '''Games In The Series =='''
* ''[[Mega Man X (video game)|Mega Man X]]'' (SNES, DOS, iPhone): [[Captain Obvious|The series debut.]] The classic Mega Man gameplay has been considerably expanded upon to be far more action based, not to mention more flexible and fast.
* ''[[Mega Man X2]]'' (SNES): A [[Mission Pack Sequel]]. Also notable for usage of a special microchip, which allowed for 3-D wireframe effects.
* ''[[Mega Man Xtreme]]'' (GBC): A [[Game Boy Color]] spinoff, semi-port of Mega Man X1.
* ''[[Mega Man X3]]'' (SNES, [[PS 1]], Saturn, PC): First game where Zero is playable. A port was released for the [[Play StationPlayStation]] and [[Sega Saturn]], including cd-quality music, a save feature and anime cutscenes, but [[No Export for You|only in Japan]] prior to its PC port and its inclusion in X Collection. Like X2, it also used a microchip in the SNES version for 3-D effects (the [[PS 1]] and Saturn ports just used their native 3D for the effects).
* ''[[Mega Man X4]]'' ([[PS 1]], Saturn, PC): Mega Man X's official Playstation and Saturn debut. First game where Zero is ''fully'' playable.
* ''[[Mega Man X5]]'' ([[PS 1]], PC): Incorporates a [[Multiple Endings]] system into the gameplay. Intended as the [[Grand Finale|series finale]], but this never came to pass.
* ''[[Mega Man Xtreme 2]]'' (GBC,3DS)
* ''[[Mega Man X6]]'' ([[PS 1]]): A game that tried to continue the series' legacy.
* ''[[Mega Man X7]]'' ([[PSPlayStation 2]], PC<ref>In Korea only</ref>): Mega Man X's 3-D debut. Debut of Axl. Known for the [[Polygon Ceiling|severe clunkiness of its 3-D segments]].
* ''[[Mega Man X8]]'' ([[PSPlayStation 2]], PC): The actual series finale. Abandoned the 3-D elements in favor of a 2.5D platforming approach.
* Mega Man X Collection ([[PSPlayStation 2]], GC): A compilation of the first six games, plus Mega Man Battle & Chase.
* ''[[Mega Man X Command Mission (Video Game)|Mega Man X Command Mission]]'' ([[PSPlayStation 2]], GC): Mega Man X's sole foray into the RPG genre.
* ''[[Mega Man Maverick Hunter X]]'' (PSP): An updated remake of the original game. It was intended to be part of a line of remakes of the series, but poor sales put a stop to this.
* ''[[Mega Man X DiVE]]'' released in 2020 for mobile, and later got an offline release for PC.
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{{tropelist}}
== Tropes present in the ''Mega Man X'' series ==
* [[Two and A Half D]]: ''X7'' and ''X8''. The former's gameplay jumps from 2D to 3D seamlessly without warning. The latter is a better example, with most of the gameplay being 2D with some occasional 3D moments.
* [[Aborted Arc]]: Zero's past was all but dropped after ''[[Grand Finale|X5]]'', both in the [[Post Script Season]] (after ''X6's'' hint at Wily anyway) '''and''' ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]]''.
** Referred to again in, of all places, ''[[TatsunokovsTatsunoko Capcom (Video Game)|Tatsunokovsvs. Capcom]]''.
*** In a Meta sense the Mega Man Maverick Hunter X version of the timeline as well after poor sales killed off the chance for continuing the story.
* [[Action Girl]]: the three Navigators in ''X8''.
* [[Actor Allusion]]: Likely unintentional, but the English voices for X and Sigma from X8 onwards are the same as Domon Kasshu and Master Asia from ''[[G Gundam]]'', respectively. In the ''Day of Sigma'' OVA, X delivers [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XargtseX6cE what strongly resembles a Shining Finger] to Sigma.
* [[Advancing Boss of Doom]]: In ''X5'', there's a [[Battleship Raid|battleship]] that serves as an Advancing [[Mini Boss]] of Doom.
* [[After the End]]: X6 onwards, because of the [[Colony Drop|Eurasia Crisis]] in X5.
* [[All There in the Manual]]: The developers decided to resolve all the plotholes and [[Canon Dis ContinuityDiscontinuity]] problems with the ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]] Official Complete Works'' that was for the aforementioned [[Sequel Series]]. [[Your Mileage May Vary]] if they succeeded or not.
* [[All Your Base Are Belong to Us]]: The opening of ''X3'' has X and Zero's home base besieged by Dr. Doppler's Mavericks.
* [[Amazing Technicolor Battlefield]]: The Fortress Levels of ''X5'' qualify.
* [[A Mech By Any Other Name]]: Ride Armors.
* [[An Ice Person]]: Chill Penguin, Blizzard Buffalo, Frost Walrus, [[Guns N' Roses (Music)|Duff]] [[Stealth Pun|McWhalen,]] [[Awesome McCoolname|Blizzard Wolfang,]] Avalanche Yeti.
* [[Anime Theme Song]]: "''Makenai Ai ga Kitto Aru''" ("We've Definitely Got a Love that Won't Lose"), "Monkey", "Moon Light"/"The Answer", "CODE CRUSH", "WILD FANG", and "Don't Wanna Be" for ''X4'', ''X5'', ''X6'', ''X7'', ''X8'', and ''Maverick Hunter X'' respectively.
** And let's not leave out "One More Time" for the [[PS 1]] version of X3.
** And X2 brings it full-circle (or rather, begins the whole trend) in "''Sekai ga owaru Toki''" ("Moment When the World Ends").
* [[Another Side, Another Story]]: Vile Mode in ''Maverick Hunter X''.
** Zero's storyline in X4, though this is also a case of [[SchrodingerSchrödinger's Player Character]], as X is absent in his storyline.
* [[Anti-Hero]]: Vile of ''Maverick Hunter X'': Vile Mode. Either that or [[Villain Protagonist]].
* [[Anti-Villain]]: The Repliforce of ''X4''. Arguably Dr. Doppler in ''X3''.
* [[Art Evolution]]: The appearances of the main characters were <s>slightly</s> altered in ''X8'' (X's helmet, Zero's ponytail, Alia's upgrade of her chest, and the overall proportions are the most blatant examples). [[Word of God]] claims that it's to make them look more human.
** Before that, the first game art was like [https://web.archive.org/web/20120512040755/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/9/588479_3739_front.jpg classic Mega Man trying to be serious]; by the time the ''X5'' came out the art evolved to be [https://web.archive.org/web/20120512040745/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/1/258931_18088_front.jpg much less cartoony]. Though this is at least partially due to changing artists between games; ''X1'' art was done by Inafune, and it shows.
* [[Artistic License Physics]]: In ''[[Video Game Remake|Day of Sigma]]'' OVA, Sigma {{spoiler|launches several large missiles, think ICBM sized, at Abel City. Several of these missiles touchdown and explode, leaving massive, smoking craters. Obviously, the shock waves from the explosions should've leveled the city outright.}}
** Flame Mammoth uses the ground pound move, also used by Gutsman and Hardman, to violently shake the ground when he lands from a jump. Problem is, Flame Mammoth's weight is 719&nbsp;lb; most cars and trucks available today are heavier than he is, and they just don't release ''that'' much energy when they fall from similar heights.
* [[Attack of the 50 -Foot Whatever]]: Sigma's final form in X1, the intro stage bosses of X2 and X3, Eregion and The General from X4, Illumina in X6, Sigma's [[One-Winged Angel]] in X5 and X6, and the intro stage bosses from X7 and X8, as well as a reappearance of said robot later in X8.
* [[Automatic Level]]: There's a section of Sigma's first fortress that's full of springs. The springs launch you toward the ceiling when you step on them, making the section rather difficult, but if you just use the dash feature you bounce from spring to spring avoiding enemies and zooming past the lasers, landing at the end without a scratch.
* [[Awesome but Impractical]]: A lot of X's helmet upgrades tend to fall under this. Aside from the [[Game Breaker|secret armor upgrades]], the SNES ones, and their Gameboy [[Expies]], aren't much use once you memorize where they'd be useful. Play style or character preference does the same to most of the [[PS 1]] ones as many reduce weapon energy usage (which Zero nor the Ultimate Armor really need), the Shadow Armor speeds up sword attacks, and the Gaea Armor has ''no stated function at all''. Aversions are X4 (game play is set up so weapons are still useful), X7 (attracts power ups from further away), and X8 (a weaponized form of X1's part and a quick charge, though the Nova Strike makes weapons useless again).
* [[Ax Crazy]]: Vile. Beyond trying to kill X to become the "strongest" (and later for revenge), he apparently destroys other reploids for the hell of it, according to the OVA and [[Villain Protagonist|Vile Mode]] in ''Maverick Hunter X''.
* [[Ax Crazy]]: Vile. Beyond trying to kill X to become the "strongest" (and later for revenge), he apparently destroys other Reploids for the hell of it, according to the OVA and [[Villain Protagonist|Vile Mode]] in ''Maverick Hunter X''.
** Double, after he reveals his [[Meaningful Name|true intentions]].
** {{spoiler|Zero}} when he is found in the cave by the Maverick Hunters.
* [[Back from the Dead]]: Sigma is the king of this, although he has an excuse, seeing as how he's [[The Virus]].
* [[Awesome but Impractical]]: A lot of X's helmet upgrades tend to fall under this. Aside from the [[Game Breaker|secret armor upgrades]], the SNES ones, and their Gameboy [[Expies]], aren't much use once you memorize where they'd be useful. Play style or character preference does the same to most of the [[PS 1]] ones as many reduce weapon energy usage (which Zero nor the Ultimate Armor really need), the Shadow Armor speeds up sword attacks, and the Gaea Armor has ''no stated function at all''. Aversions are X4 (game play is set up so weapons are still useful), X7 (attracts power ups from further away), and X8 (a weaponized form of X1's part and a quick charge, though the Nova Strike makes weapons useless again).
* [[Back From the Dead]]: Sigma is the king of this, although he has an excuse, seeing as how he's [[The Virus]].
** X6 gets a special mention as he's brought back as a zombie...er, [[Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot|Robot Zombie?]]
** Zero's in the running as well.
** Vile also deserves a mention.
* [[Background Boss]]: Rangda Bangda and Sigma's second forms in both ''X1'' and ''X5''; Giant Mechaniloid CF-0 in ''X2''; Maoh the Giant in ''X3''; the first encounter against Egregion in ''X4'', Illumina in ''X6''; Yadokari and Sigma's second form in ''X7''; the second Crabz-Y encounter in ''X8''.
* [[Bad Boss]]: It is heavily implied that Flame Mammoth spends most of his time in his unit mocking those inferior to him in terms of strength. As an added bit of laser-guided karma, he's also the only one of the former Maverick Hunters in the first X game that defected to Sigma's side to not have any of his unit go with him, although given the setting where he is fought, he probably didn't need them anyways.
* [[Badass Automaton]]: All other Mega Men in the franchise start as utility mechs and average humans, then [[Take a Level In Badass|get upgraded into the heroes they become.]] X and his crew, however, [[Born Winner|are badass warriors right off the workbench.]]
* [[Badass Biker]]: Anyone who can properly use the [[That One Level|Ride Chasers]] has to be.
** [[Memetic Badass|Green Biker Dude]] is one.
* [[Bad Boss]]: It is heavily implied that Flame Mammoth spends most of his time in his unit mocking those inferior to him in terms of strength. As an added bit of laser-guided karma, he's also the only one of the former Maverick Hunters in the first X game that defected to Sigma's side to not have any of his unit go with him, although given the setting where he is fought, he probably didn't need them anyways.
* [[Bash Brothers]]: X and Zero as bosses in ''Maverick Hunter X'': Vile Mode.
** For a playable version, in ''X8'', you can use 2 characters in a level, essentially creating your own [[Bash Brothers]].
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* [[Big Sleep]]: Iris's death scene in ''X4''. Zero's reaction would have been a [[Tear Jerker]], if not for the [[Narm]].
* [[Black Box]]: X and Zero. Being made by Dr Light {{spoiler|and Dr. Wily, respectively,}} their technology is not fully understood and they are difficult to repair. This leads to the imperfection in Reploids that was the main cause of them going Maverick (before the virus), as well as other minor plot points, such as the [[Nerf]]ed Falcon Armor that was repaired imperfectly by Alia, or the mysterious resurrections/repairing of X and Zero from their state at the end of X5. In Zero's case, it leads to (somewhat supported by the [[All There in the Manual|Sourcebooks]]) [[Epileptic Trees]] about (maybe) Serges and (more overtly) Isoc being actually {{spoiler|Dr. Wily}} himself.
* [[Blackout Basement]]: Spark Mandrill's stage in ''X1'', especially if entered after beating Storm Eagle. In ''X6'', some stages also qualify (where you have to use misleading lights as a guide), if the right requirements are met, and ''X8's'' [[Exactly What It Says Onon the Tin|"Pitch Black"]] stage.
* [[Blind Idiot Translation]]: ''X6''. Which is a shame, because beneath the awful, ''awful'' writing, there's actually a reasonably serviceable story.
** Damn shame the same can't be said about the game play.
** Just how bad is the translation? See if you can try to make sense out of the below exchange:
{{quote| '''Zero:''' Shield Sheldon...Too bad about your previous life.<ref>Sorry about what happened before...</ref><br />
'''Shield Sheldon:''' Don't be. I was new as a bodyguard. That's all.<ref>It's not your fault. I was inexperienced and foolish at the time, unused to my job as a bodyguard. It was no excuse.</ref><br />
'''Zero:''' Maverick Hunters are supposed to be able to tell a Maverick from a Reploid. Our officers are not good enough... They could cost us everything.<ref>We're supposed to be able to tell a Maverick from a normal Reploid, and we failed in that duty. We failed you, and it cost you everything.</ref><br />
'''Shield Sheldon:''' Reploids all over the world have been needing you. I was useless as a bodyguard... And was useless to everyone else. When I accepted that fact, I accepted my fate. However, there turned out to be someone who needs me. He has given me one more chance. And therefore, I am going to fulfill my mission as a bodyguard now. I'll protect him, even if it means that I have to sacrifice my life. Come on, Zero! <ref>Maverick Hunters have always been needed to protect Reploids. I wasn't any good as a bodyguard, couldn't even protect the people I was supposed to. Once I knew that I was useless, I knew there was no point in resisting any further. But now, there's someone that needs me, someone that I can protect. I'm going to perform the duty I failed at before, even if doing so means I'll die! Come on, Zero!</ref> }}
** There's also this gem in Metal Shark Player's stage (which is itself a mistranslation of P'''r'''ayer). When faced with a wall of spikes:
{{quote| '''Alia:''' You can't jump across spiny area!}}
* [[Blob Monster]]: The infamous Yellow Devil from the classic series comes back in ''X5'''s fortress bosses, now black-colouredcolored and named Shadow Devil.
* [[Blood Knight]]:
** While generally overlooked, Magma Dragoon is probably the biggest example of this trope in the franchise. To wit, he causes a civil war and very nearly [[The End of the World Asas We Know It]] ''just so he could fight the protagonists!''
** More than a few Reploids in ''X5'' seem more interested in fighting the protagonists than they are about doing something to help save the world. Many of them (especially Duff McWhalen and Grizzly Slash) say that they've been infected by the Virus and want to [[Suicide Byby Cop|fight the heroes]] and [[Face Death Withwith Dignity|die with dignity]]. Some, like Squid Adler, do actually give X and Zero what they need, only for the Virus to choose that moment to take over their minds and force them to fight.
*** Each X5 boss seems to have different reasons for fighting, and oddly enough, the reasons can change depending on which plan to stop the [[Colony Drop]] is active. {{spoiler|And if the colony has already been destroyed/crashed, some bosses will already have been seized by the virus.}}
* [[Bonus Boss]]: There's a Bonus [[Mini Boss]] in the first game, guarding one of the Light capsules. The term got murky during ''X3'' and ''X6''.
* [[Bonus Feature Failure]]: In ''X8'', the navigators, Alia, Palette, and Layer, are unlockable as playable characters. They are basically clones of X, Axl, and Zero, respectively; however due to [[Gameplay and Story Integration]], Alia cannot get X's capsule upgrades, Palette cannot copy enemies, and Layer gets a nice aversion by only being unable to use the Zero Armor. You also have to purchase all of X, Axl, and Zero's purchasable upgrades a second time in order to access them on Alia, Palette, and Layer. Additionally, using even one of them when running a stage will forbid you from choosing a navigator for that stage. [[Level Grinding]] the Navigators at least gives you something to do on your [[New Game+]], and fully powering them up changes, of all things, the Capcom logo screen, which is pretty cool.
* [[Boobs of Steel]]: Puns aside, Layer and Iris are fairly well-endowed for reploids. The strength part is not too emphasized though, but in the case of Layer, it does make a good contrast with her melee attacks, compared to Alia's and Palette's long-ranged attacks.
* [[Boobs of Steel]]: Puns aside, Layer and Iris are fairly well-endowed for Reploids. The strength part is not too emphasized though, but in the case of Layer, it does make a good contrast with her melee attacks, compared to Alia's and Palette's long-ranged attacks.
* [[Book Ends]]: The ''Zero'' series reveals that this series "ended" with the main characters sealing themselves for different purposes, which is the same state they are found in at the beginning of this series.
** During X4, we learn that before the events of the first game, {{spoiler|Sigma had smashed Zero's head crystal, thus transferring the Maverick Virus.}} At the end of X8, {{spoiler|Lumine smashes Axl's head crystal}}.
* [[Boss-Only Level]]: The [[Duel Boss|duel]] against [[Honor Before Reason|Colonel]] in ''X4'', if you're playing as X.
* [[Bonus Feature Failure]]: In ''X8'', the navigators, Alia, Palette, and Layer, are unlockable as playable characters. They are basically clones of X, Axl, and Zero, respectively; however due to [[Gameplay and Story Integration]], Alia cannot get X's capsule upgrades, Palette cannot copy enemies, and Layer gets a nice aversion by only being unable to use the Zero Armor. You also have to purchase all of X, Axl, and Zero's purchasable upgrades a second time in order to access them on Alia, Palette, and Layer. Additionally, using even one of them when running a stage will forbid you from choosing a navigator for that stage. [[Level Grinding]] the Navigators at least gives you something to do on your [[New Game+]], and fully powering them up changes, of all things, the Capcom logo screen, which is pretty cool.
* [[Boss Only Level]]: The [[Duel Boss|duel]] against [[Honor Before Reason|Colonel]] in ''X4'', if you're playing as X.
* [[Boss Rush]]: ''Every'' single game.
** X1 is the only one to intersperse boss fights throughout Sigma's Fortress. The other games lock you in a room with 8 doors.
*** Which might be a [[Shout-Out]] to the first ''[[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|Mega Man]]'' game, since it did the same thing.
** The PSP remake of the first game has X realize that Sigma had the bodies of the eight bosses repaired, but not the personalities, when he starts having the rematches.
** Justified in ''X8'': the Bosses in the Boss Rush are {{spoiler|new generation Reploids copying the data of the Boss.}}
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** Zero also appears to be immune, and is actually ''strengthened'' by being infected. {{spoiler|1=The path to ''X5'''s bad ending as well as Zero's origin in ''X4'' reveals that Zero actually isn't quite immune...}}
* [[Broad Strokes]]: [[Continuity Snarl|In order to not confuse the fans]], Inafune started the ''Zero'' series off with the title character {{spoiler|sealed instead of dead}}, the latter of which was the original concept (how ''X5'' ended, that is). Still leaves [[Capcom]] to make ''more'' X games.
* [[Brought to You Byby The Letter "S"]]: A stylized Greek Letter Sigma (Σ) for the Mavericks, and Zero's own stylized "Z". It's a surprise that X himself doesn't have one.
** He arguably does have one in his ''X8'' design, but it's in the side of the helmet and might just be a screw or something.
* [[Butterfly of Transformation]]: This trope is part of Morph Moth's gimmick. He starts the fight in a cocoon that's suspended on a thread, after taking enough damage, he metamorphoses into an adult robot moth.
* [[Calling Your Attacks]]: Zero with his Command Arts; bonus points for calling them mostly in their Japanese names. Especially of note would be ''X8'', where X, Axl, and several of the bosses join in the act as well, with X [[Gratuitous English|always doing it in English]] for good measure. Magma Dragoon, an otherwise normal boss in ''X4'', also does this with ''[[Street Fighter]]''-based attacks.
* [[Camera Screw]]: One of the ''many'' reputed problems regarding ''X7''.
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* [[Card-Carrying Villain]]: The Nightmare Inspectors, Red Alert and most of Sigma's minions.
* [[Character Development]]: It's hard to tell [[Blind Idiot Translation|through the awful writing]], but in ''X6'', X actually seems more confident and decisive about situations, best displayed by his [[Badass Boast]] to Sigma:
{{quote| '''X:''' I have to work for the reconstruction of the world... I have no time to waste on you... If you show up, I'll defeat you.}}
** A speech which actually has shades of ''Zero's'' personality to it.
* [[Character Select Forcing]]: ''X6'' was horrible about this; choosing the wrong armor set made the game very hard in the fortress. A variant also existed in ''X8'', where most of the main stages required the X/Axl team to collect all or most of the items hidden throughout—effectively benching the most popular character in the series!
* [[Characterization Marches On]]: Not applied to only one character, but the concept ''as whole'' for the series. In the beginning X was said to be special, not only for being the origin to all Reploids but for being to most ''humane'' out of the bunch, his emotions and potential for growth can be compared to that of any human; in turn other reploidsReploids, and even Zero the other [[Super Prototype]] himself, commented on how they couldn't (or considered a waste to) feel and express themselves like X did. A few games later, this concept seems to be all but abandoned, pretty much all other Reploids and Zero are [[Ridiculously-Human Robots]], they express themselves and have distinctive personalities like any other human; X now is more of a outspoken pacifist, as opposed to someone who worries because ''he was the only one who could''.
* [[Charged Attack]]: Shouldn't need elaboration. Also applies to the Z-saber in ''X3'' and ''X6'' (when used by X).
** That's Type B. Giga Attacks sometimes fall into this category, as Type A.
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* [[Chronic Backstabbing Disorder]]: Almost ''every'' game features an ally turning on you, with Sigma's revolt in the first game being the most notable.
* [[Clear My Name]]: The plot in ''X6'' starts with {{spoiler|a [[Palette Swap]] of Zero, called the Zero Nightmare, wreaking havoc. X decides to investigate the Zero Nightmare to clear Zero's name.}} For some reason, this is not part of the plot entirely, since {{spoiler|defeating the Zero Nightmare}} is optional. And guess what? A [[Secret Character]] (not that Capcom was fooling anyone...) will be unlocked upon defeating it.
* [[ColourColor-Coded Timestop]]: The Dark Hold ability from X5.
* [[Continuity Nod]]: ''X5'' is chock full of these. There's also a prime example in X6, where the plot is driven by the [[Big Bad]] {{spoiler|getting infected by the [[The Virus]] from Zero's piece that he took in the crash site of the [[Colony Drop]].}}
** In X's bad ending in ''X5'', he states his dream is to create a paradise where humans and reploidsReploids peacefully coexist. The name of that paradise? {{spoiler|[[Mega Man Legends (Video Game)|Elysium.]]}}
*** Given that X5 was meant to be the lead-in to ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]]'', this might also refer to {{spoiler|Neo Arcadia, albeit with a name change.}}
** After {{spoiler|Gate}} is defeated in X6, X sees {{spoiler|Isoc's}} lifeless body, which Alia says is similar to the Erasure phenomenon from Xtreme 2.
** X8 contains some of these. Sigma makes a reference to {{spoiler|Zero's virus infecting him in their first battle}}, and the colony virus is brought up by X.
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* [[Cool Airship]]: Storm Eagle had his personal airship, called the Death Rogumer. After his defeat, it crashed on Spark Mandrill's power plant, causing the power to fail. In ''X2'' Wheel Gator commanded the Dinosaur Tank.
* [[Cranial Processing Unit]]: Many large bosses and minibosses (as well as Sigma's [[One-Winged Angel]] forms) can only be damaged in the head.
* [[Cultural Translation]] + [[Punny Name]]: In the North American version of ''X5'', the bosses' names were plays on current and former members of [[Guns N' Roses (Music)|Guns N' Roses]].
* [[Cute Bruiser]]: All of the female playable characters to some extent.
* [[Cyber Cyclops]]: Various Mechaniloids.
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** If you fail to stop the colony, {{spoiler|it works.}}
* [[Darker and Edgier]]: Naturally, [[Your Mileage May Vary]], but in general, the early entries in this series are an excellent example of [[Tropes Are Tools|this trope being used well]], without dumping on the original series.
** X2, for example, shows a very violent way to kill a maverick; if you kill Wire Sponge using his weakness, the poor dude gets ''sliced in half''.
* [[Deadly Euphemism]]: "Retirement".
* [[Degraded Boss]]: A Boss that has been degraded so much, he was turned into a [[Mook]] (an [[Elite Mook]], but still)! And {{spoiler|he's ''[[Big Bad|Sigma]]'' of the previous games! See [[Boss Rush]] above.}}
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** Concerning the [[Easter Egg]]s below, they can be [[Joke Character]]s, too, since none of them can use their respective [[Distaff Counterpart|Spear Counterpart]]'s armor upgrades. At least they do have access to all of the upgrade chips.
* [[Distant Finale]]: Zero's ending in ''X6'' (where {{spoiler|Zero seals himself to get rid of the virus within him}}) is stated to happen long after the end of the whole ''Mega Man X'' series.
* [[Do Not Run Withwith a Gun]]: X can run while using his normal weapons, but Easter Eggs (like the Street Fighter moves he gets in a couple of games) are another story.
** Zero is the one who really takes it on the chin here; in several of the games, he puts away his Z-Saber after each attack or combo, and you can't move until he does this. (You also can't move until his ''ponytail finishes falling.'') The [[PSPlayStation 2]] X games fix this by having him keep the saber out at all times, which looks silly but makes practical sense. In [[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|his own series]], Zero has a much smoother combat system that never pins him down.
** Much like Bass from ''[[Mega Man and Bass (Video Game)|Mega Man and Bass]]'', Axl in ''X8' can fire in multiple directions (including diagonally), but he can't run while doing so.
** Also Vile from Maverick Hunter X's [[Another Side, Another Story|Vile Mode.]]
* [[Double Knockout]]: Happens to {{spoiler|X and Zero.}}
* [[Doppleganger Attack]]: From ''X4'' onwards, there would be a Boss that specializes in creating at least one copy of himself, whether or not his Boss Weapon was based on this ability.
* [[Double Knockout]]: Happens to {{spoiler|X and Zero.}}
* [[Dub Induced Plot Hole]]:
* [[Dub-Induced Plot Hole]]:
** When obtaining the [[Infinity+1 Sword|Zero/Black Armor]] in ''X5''; Dr. Light, of all people, was the one who gave it to Zero! And he (Light) made it just for him (Zero)?!
*** Light specifically states that he couldn't make a compatible armor, but he could boost Zero's power.
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** [http://d.hatena.ne.jp/video/niconico/sm3562051 The conversation between Dr. Light and Zero (starting at around 5:50) is more or less the same here as in the Japanese version], [[Averted Trope|one of the parts where the translation is decent]].
** And of course, the big one from ''X3'':
{{quote| "Unknown to X, his destiny has already been decided. To save mankind, he must destroy Zero. But only time will tell, when and why..." -- ''X3'' Ending<br />
"In his memory, he knows his destiny is fixed to do battle with Zero. And beyond this point, what will they see?" -- Rockman X3 ending. }}
** In ''X5'', Squid Adler/Volt Kraken talks about how X killed Octopardo. Yes, it was a tragedy what happened to poor—wait, who's Octopardo? Turns out he's referring to Launch Octopus, using a mistransliteration of his Japanese name: Launcher Octopuld.
* [[Dub Name Change]]: Most of the Mavericks (Icy Penguigo to Chill Penguin, Storm Eagleed to Storm Eagle, etc). The name of the rogue Maverick from the first, third, and eighth games got his name changed from VAVA (which would be pronounced roughly like "Boba", as in Boba Fett, who he is an [[Expy]] of, in Japanese) to Vile (in fact, the reason they couldn't just call him "Boba" outright was because of trademark issues, so they had to spell it VAVA).
** And in fact, the term "Maverick." They were called "Irregulars" in Japan, though this is probably because the noun "irregular" in English refers to non-conventional or private military forces of the type usually employed by governments (which might be a good description of the organization to which the ''heroes'' belong), something wholly unlike what the Japanese name was supposed to mean.
* [[Dummied Out]]: X8 might have been planned to have X, Zero, and Axl to be Navigators like their Distaff Counterpart. In the 2nd PC CD of it, you could find a folder of Japanese Voice Actors' sound data, including the main characters' voices as Navigators(!). The idea seemed to be scrapped out because it would involve further scripting and scenarios. It's amusing to find that Axl feels very, very bored to have his job as a Navigator in his line.
* [[Dying Asas Yourself]]: {{spoiler|Iris}} in ''X4''. Many of the bosses in ''X5'' that are infected by [[The Virus]] also challenge X/Zero for this reason.
* [[Early-Bird Cameo]]: Zero's [[Infinity+1 Sword|special armor]] can be seen as early as ''X2'', in the canon ending, even, although it officially debuts in ''X4''. Some of Zero's signature attacks also debut in the same game {{spoiler|in the ''other'' ending, although there's little difference}}, before becoming officially playable himself, also in ''X4''.
** Again in ''X2'' and ''X3'', Sigma's [[One-Winged Angel]], a [[The Virus|virus]], seems insignificant at first (the battle is fought inside a computer, falsely justifying the form), until it was revealed one game later as {{spoiler|Sigma's "true" form.}}
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* [[Elemental Shapeshifter]]: Toxic Seahorse in ''Mega Man X 3'' can turn into acid. How a ''robot'' does this is anyone's guess.
* [[Eleventh-Hour Superpower]]: In the 2nd X vs. Vile battle in the first game, after {{spoiler|Zero's [[Heroic Sacrifice]] to destroy Vile's [[Mini-Mecha|Ride Armor]]}}, all of X's energy is restored for some reason, ready to fight Vile on equal footing now. This was even [[Lampshaded]]:
{{quote| '''Vile''': What the-? Where did that energy come from?!}}
** In the ''Day of Sigma'' [[OVA]], something similar happens, only X's attack looks [[Actor Allusion|suspiciously like]] the ''[[G Gundam|Shining Finger]]''.
** The PSP [[Enhanced Remake]] removed this by skipping the rigged fight.
* [[Enemy Chatter]]: Starting from X4.
* [[Energy Being]]: [[The Virus|The Sigma Virus's]] true form is this, and it is actually the precursor to the Cyber Elves from the [[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Zero series]]. Another example seems to be Dr. Light, as revealed by his ability to hold conversations, heal X, and edit his memories even outside of his capsule. Of course, he probably was only able to so because [[Cyberspace]] had partially merged with the ordinary world thanks to the Zero Virus's influence.
* [[Evasive Fight Thread Episode]]: ''X5''.
* [[Everything Is's Better Withwith PenguinsChickens]]: ChillBurn PenguinRooster from ''XX8''.
* [[Everything's IsBetter Evenwith Worse With SharksMonkeys]]: MetalSpark Mandrill from ''X'' and SharkSoldier PlayerStonekong from ''X6X7''.
* [[Everything's Better Withwith ChickensPenguins]]: BurnChill RoosterPenguin from ''X8X''.
* [[Everything's Better with Spinning]]: In most of the games where he's playable (both in this series and ''[[Mega Man Zero]]''), one of the skills Zero learns is a rising slash. In ''X8'', he instead gets a ''spinning'' rising slash, similar to [[The Legend of Zelda|Link]]'s Spin Attack in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''.
* [[Everything's Better With Monkeys]]: Spark Mandrill from ''X'' and Soldier Stonekong from ''X7''.
* [[Everything's Better With Spinning]]: In most of the games where he's playable (both in this series and ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]]''), one of the skills Zero learns is a rising slash. In ''X8'', he instead gets a ''spinning'' rising slash, similar to [[The Legend of Zelda|Link]]'s Spin Attack in ''[[Super Smash Bros]]''.
** He has the spinning slash since X4, after you beat Split Mushroom. It has been one of his staple techniques through this and the ''Zero'' series.
* [[Everything's Squishier Withwith Cephalopods]]: Launch Octopus from ''X'' and Squid Adler from ''X5''. Though they are anything but squishy...
* [[Everything's Worse Withwith Bears]]: Grizzly Slash (Crescent Grizzly) from ''X5''. Subverted when [[Monstrosity Equals Weakness]] comes into play, seeing as he's the ''easiest'' Boss in the game.
** ''X8'' featured Bamboo Pandemonium, the single largest boss in the game. Pandas may not actually be ursine per se, but they still conjure up the image quite nicely. That said, his face is still very cute. And he can [[One Hit KO|kill you with one hit]] of his [[Desperation Attack]].
*** Actually, giant pandas ''are'' ursine, as was discovered through genetic research several decades ago. However, he is still an interesting case in that, when people think of [[Everything's Worse Withwith Bears|bears making things worse]], pandas aren't exactly the first bears they think of (though in real life, they can still do some damage when angry).
* [[Everything's Worse Withwith Bees]]: Blast Hornet of ''X3''.
* [[Everything's Even Worse with Sharks]]: Metal Shark Player from ''X6''.
* [[Executive Meddling]]: Zero is supposed to be '''''the''''' Mega Man X, but was instead turned into the secondary character, replaced by an [[Expy]]. Another example: see [[Franchise Zombie]] below.
* [[Expy]]:
** According to Mega Man X Official Complete Works, Inafune himself made the decision after he finished the design for the main character, deciding people would not relate him to Mega Man because he looked too different. So he had someone else design the main character, and instead presented his design as the "side character".
** Apart from the obvious example (X is based on the original Mega Man), there's also {{spoiler|Lumine's}} [[One-Winged Angel]], which, in terms of production dates, is preceded by {{spoiler|Copy X's own [[One-Winged Angel]] from ''[[Mega Man Zero]]'' as well as Colonel Redips' [[God-Emperor]] form from ''Command Mission''.}}
* [[Expy]]:
** Apart from the obvious example (X is based on the original Mega Man), there's also {{spoiler|Lumine's}} [[One-Winged Angel]], which, in terms of production dates, is preceded by {{spoiler|Copy X's own [[One-Winged Angel]] from ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]]'' as well as Colonel Redips' [[God-Emperor]] form from ''Command Mission''.}}
** Zero is pretty much entirely Bass. Note that this does ''not'' make Axl Proto Man.
*** Well, not entirely. Zero seems to evoke Proto Man in his early appearance (both are red, have a powerful buster, are [[Big Brother Mentor]]s to Mega Man/X, and voiced by [[Ryotaro Okiayu|the same person]]), and in Command Mission, his Hyper Mode resembles Bass with Treble Boost equipped. Axl, especially in X8, pretty much evokes Bass as well, with the color black, having multidirectional spammable attacks, being very mobile compared to the others, and being [[Blood Knight]]s.
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* [[Fake Difficulty]]: ''X6''. It gets particularly [[Egregious]] in Metal Shark Player's stage, where there's a ceiling trying to crush you, instant death spikes, and ''[[Frictionless Ice|ice]]'' all on the same screen.
** Gate's fortress is even worse. Three words. [[Spikes of Doom]]. No, Capcom, coating virtually every surface with them does not constitute as difficulty.
* [[Fake Longevity]]: The Central Museum in X6, if you're trying to save all the reploidsReploids. It requires multiple runs to get into all the rooms, each of which has at least one reploidReploid.
* [[Fake Ultimate Hero]]: Subversion: {{spoiler|the current Steel Massimo}} wasn't the real hero of the same name, but he does grow to be one as the story progresses.
* {{spoiler|[[Fighting Your Friend]]:}} The penultimate boss fight of ''X5''...
** [[Climax Boss]]: Built up by ''four games''' worth of storyline? Check. Very awesome boss battle theme? Check. Supposed to ''end the series''? Check. {{spoiler|Mega Man X vs. Zero}} is the right way to go. [[They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot|Tweak a few more things in the storyline]], and it would even be more awesome. The battle was even reused for the future series (spoilered because said battles will spoil the original mentioned above): {{spoiler|Copy-X vs. Zero (''twice!'')}} for ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]]'', and {{spoiler|1=MegaMen X vs. Z}} in ''[[Mega Man ZX (Video Game)|Mega Man ZX]]''.
*** The Bad Ending storyline actually makes this battle even more poignant: {{spoiler|Compare the canon arguments they have thinking the other is too susceptible to the virus to [["I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight|Awakening Zero vowing to destroy X, and X vowing to defeat him and bring back "the real Zero"]].}}
* [[Final Boss Preview]]
* [[Finishing Move]]: For ''X8'', there's the tag-team attack, which, if inflicted as the final blow for the boss, nets the highest rank.
** In the latter, in a [[Matrix Raining Code]] background, regardless of the weapon equipped on the characters, they will always use the following: X has a [[Wave Motion Gun]], Zero's [[Laser Blade]] [[BFS|grows BIG]], and Axl combines [[Trigger Happy]], [[Guns Akimbo]], ''and'' [[Beam Spam]].
* [[Fire, Ice, Lightning]]: Some of the games have Mavericks who use these;
** ''X'': Flame Mammoth (fire), Chill [[Everything's Better Withwith Penguins|Penguin]] (ice), and Spark Mandrill (lightning). Interestingly enough, Fire beat Ice which beat Lightning, completely opposite of what happened in the original [[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|Mega Man]].
** ''X4'': Magma [[Instant Awesome, Just Add Dragons|Dragoon]] (fire), Frost Walrus (ice), and Web [[Giant Spider|Spider]] (lightning).
** ''X5'': Matt[[Tyrannosaurus Rex|rexRex]] (fire), Duff McWhalen (ice), and [[Everything's Squishier Withwith Cephalopods|Squid]] Adler (lightning).
** ''X8'': Burn Rooster (fire), Avalanche Yeti (ice), and Gigabolt [[Electric Jellyfish|Man-O-War]] (lightning). Here, lightning beat ice which beat fire.
* [[Five-Bad Band]]: In X6:
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** [[Giant Space Flea From Nowhere]]: {{spoiler|Sigma}}
* [[Flanderization]]: Especially because [[Executive Meddling]] forced the series to go beyond the creator's planned ending, X5.<ref>Except Inafune actually had no involvement with X5. He left his position as Mega Man X executive producer, simply leaving his team to finish the series. He should have expected Capcom to keep wanting sequels.</ref>
** X goes from being a reluctant, yet willing fighter to become more whiny as the series goes. This becomes prominent in X7, where he pulls out a [[Ten -Minute Retirement]], so you started playing a ''Mega Man X'' game without playing as him.
** Sigma goes from being a inteligentintelligent schemer who nearly destroys the world several times to a robot zombie.
** Even the term "Maverick" isn't safe; originally used to describe out-of-control reploidsReploids (mostly viral infected, though the viral infection wasn't realized until the third game), then it became a warped political tool to refer to any designated target starting with the Repliforce (though the Repliforce's [[Idiot Ball|complete idiocy]] in handling the situation that got them declared Maverick in the first place would have necessitated their disbanding anyway) that escalated to the point it became a convenient tool to refer to anyone that needed disposing of, even non-harmful Reploids trying to stay alive during an energy crisis like in the Zero series.
* [[Floating Continent]]: Sky Lagoon in X4.
* [[Flunky Boss]]/[[Me's a Crowd]]: Flame Hyenard is the worst offender here. ''You're riding on a Mechaniloid that's trying to shoot you down with missiles!'' And if that's not enough, he makes two copies of himself as well!
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* [[Foregone Conclusion]]: ''The Day of Sigma''. That is all.
** Except it's even ''worse'' than the original: Sigma manages to ''{{spoiler|[[Retcon|nuke Abel City, along with Dr. Cain.]]}}''
* [[Foreshadowing]]: In his ending of ''X4'', {{spoiler|X begins to have doubts over his committmentcommitment to being a Maverick Hunter, telling Zero that he fears that one day, he could become so obsessed with destroying Mavericks that he would become little better than them. Enter [[Mega Man Zero|Copy X]]...}}
* {{spoiler|[[Forgotten Fallen Friend]]: X loses his memories of Zero}} in the bad ending of ''X5''.
* [[Franchise Zombie]]: Series creator Keiji Inafune wanted to stop the series after ''X5'', but [[Executive Meddling]] forced three more games out of the series, [[Ruined FOREVER|and quality suffered as a result.]]
** One could make the argument that the better move on Inafune's part would have been to take control to make sure the games went in the direction he wanted to build up better to [[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]].
* [[Freudian Trio]]: The heroes don't technically become one at least until the final stages of ''X7''.
** Superego: X, the [[Martial Pacifist]] who really cares about his enemies.
** Ego: Zero, who is considered a senior by the other two.
** Id: Axl, who likes to get into X and Zero's nerves.
* [[Full Boar Action]]: Hellride Boarski, a mohawked [[Transforming Mecha|motorcycle-based]] gang leader.
* [[Gameplay and Story Integration]]: Being infected by [[The Virus]] in ''X5'' causes X to constantly take damage for a time. {{spoiler|Zero becomes invulnerable.}}
** Convoluted example in the same game: At the start, the player has to choose which character to use for the first level: either X or Zero. Choosing one will have a bonus in that character's abilities ([[Continuity Nod|the Force/Fourth Armor]] or the Z-buster, respectively). The other bonus will not be available for the rest of the game, on account of being severely damaged by Sigma prior to the first Boss battle.
** And again in ''X5'': fail to stop the [[Colony Drop]], {{spoiler|and Zero will "awaken", and will be unavailable for the rest of the game.}}
* [[Game Breaker]]: The Nova Strike of the Ultimate Armor, '''''especially''''' the [[One-Hit Kill|X8 variation.]]
** Another [[Game Breaker]] from the same game: [[Infinity+1 Sword|Zero Armor]] + {{spoiler|Sigma's}} [[BFS]] = instant Guard breaks plus instant kills to most enemies (Bosses are also taken down easily). Of course, they can be used together.
** The C-Sword from ''X5''. It gives Zero a double jump and an incredibly powerful spinning slash. Zero already tears bosses to pieces in ''X5''. You do the math. To make it even more powerful, you get it from Grizzly Slash/Crescent Grizzly, the weakest boss in the game. What's funny is that getting it actually makes Grizzly ''marginally'' harder in the [[Boss Rush]], as it replaces your jumping slash and he's immune to his own power. Of course, by this point, you'll have the power he's weak against, so it balances out.
* [[Gameplay and Story Integration]]: Being infected by [[The Virus]] in ''X5'' causes X to constantly take damage for a time. {{spoiler|Zero becomes invulnerable.}}
** Convoluted example in the same game: At the start, the player has to choose which character to use for the first level: either X or Zero. Choosing one will have a bonus in that character's abilities ([[Continuity Nod|the Force/Fourth Armor]] or the Z-buster, respectively). The other bonus will not be available for the rest of the game, on account of being severely damaged by Sigma prior to the first Boss battle.
** And again in ''X5'': fail to stop the [[Colony Drop]], {{spoiler|and Zero will "awaken", and will be unavailable for the rest of the game.}}
* [[Giant Spider]]: Bospider from ''X'', and Web Spider from ''X4''
* [[Good Is Not Dumb]]: X, a [[Reluctant Warrior]] who lives in an increasingly [[Crapsack World]] infested with [[The Virus]], capable of turning even his best friend against him. Often referred to as 'too trusting' in-universe and 'emo' outside of it because he doesn't like killing people.
* [[Good Old Robot]]: X and Zero are this, as they aren't technically Reploids ("Replicated Androids"), but rather the original ariclesarticles all reploidsReploids are based from. Not just that, they are immune to [[The Virus]] because of this status. Though they're just referred to as Reploids altogether (in-story) to avoid confusion because of their basically similar mental capacities.
* [[Good Scars, Evil Scars]]: Axl and Sigma both have scars as part of their signature appearances. Red as well.
* [[Grand Finale]]: ''X5''. Callbacks to [[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|the earlier series]] and the rest of the ''X'' series, a [[Climax Boss]] foreshadowed by all four of the previous games, the return of a classic villain, and a potentially apocalyptic plot. A fitting end to the series...Too bad they had to keep making more games.
** At least ''X8'' didn't suck. That's good, right? Right?
* [[Grasp the Sun]]: {{spoiler|Lumine}} does this {{spoiler|to the Earth}} before the [[Final Battle]].
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** And in the cases of Boomer Kuwanger and Infinity Mijinion, the names are only partially in English—leaving English speakers baffled as to what a "Kuwanger" is.<ref>For the record, "Kuwanger" comes from "kuwagata" (stag beetle) and "Mijinion" comes from "mijinko" (daphnia).</ref>
* [[Gravity Master]]: Gravity Beetle of ''X3'' and Gravity Antonion of ''X8''.
** [[Unrealistic Black HoleHoles Suck]]: The weapons X gets from them.
* [[Gravity Screw]]: Cyber Peacock's stage in ''X4'', Dark Dizzy's stage in ''X5'', and Gravity Antonion's stage in ''X8''.
* [[Grey and Gray Morality]]: As the series went on, the lines separating who's the good guys and the baddies became increasingly blurred. ''X4'' showed how the label of "Maverick" can be tossed around indiscriminately and how this can have tragic consequences, ''X6's'' plot only happened because {{spoiler|Gate was betrayed and cast out of a society simply because he took risks no one else would (aside from his creations being too strong)}}, and {{spoiler|Lumine}} in ''X8'' {{spoiler|genuinely believed that his force-evolution plot would end the wars.}}
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** In X5, {{spoiler|X vs Zero -- No matter what character you use and Zero's condition (being Maverick or not), your fight will end in a draw.}}
* [[Heart Container]]: Heart Tanks.
* [[Heroes Prefer Swords]]: Subverted -- [[The Hero|X]] prefers an [[Arm Cannon]]. It's [[The Lancer|Zero]] who prefers swords (more specifically, a [[Laser Blade]]).
** X actually acquires a [[Laser Blade]] {{spoiler|(specifically, Zero's)}} in X6, but he can't use it as well as Zero does. His armors in the game amplify its powers, though.
* [[Heroic Sacrifice]]: In the original game, Zero sacrifices himself in the first game to destroy the [[Hopeless Boss Fight]] and give X his [[BFG]] if he doesn't have it already. Zero clung to the back of the mech, where there were no weapons, no way for the arms to reach him, and Vile's exposed head is in front of him. The manga adaptation of this scene shows X ''trying'' to attack Vile's exposed body, but stopped by a force field. The SNES version has X paralyzed after being over powered by Vile, and the PSP remake has Vile grab X while the latter is distracted seeing a downed Zero. However the effect is lessened when you realize neither game explains why ''shooting Vile'' isn't an option. The PSP version even shows that it wouldn't be too difficult for Zero to aim just a little higher.
** Here's a subversion of the usual terms of the [[Heroic Sacrifice]], concerning both X and Zero. {{spoiler|They both sacrificed their physical bodies (Zero sealing his own while X used his to seal some''thing'') for the good of everyone they care for. That doesn't mean they're dead, though. Zero's now a [[Sealed Good in Aa Can]], while X has [[Ascend to Aa Higher Plane of Existence|become a cyber-elf]] to guide the future generation of heroes.}}
* [[Heterosexual Life Partners]]: X and Zero, until Axl shows up. At one point in ''X5'', X claims Zero is not only his best friend, but his ''only'' friend.
* [[Hijacked by Ganon]]: Sigma is incredibly good at this: the X-Hunters in ''X2'', Dr. Doppler in ''X3'', the Repliforce in ''X4'' (although this was [[Lampshaded]] by one of the bosses, and Sigma's involvement is strongly hinted at as early as the cutscene right after the intro stage), Gate in ''X6'', and the Red Alert Syndicate in ''X7''. Surprisingly, this doesn't happen in ''X5'' {{spoiler|and ''X8''}}; {{spoiler|''X5'' has Sigma possibly acting out a plan made by Wily, which could mean he was Hijacked By Wily}}, and {{spoiler|in ''X8'' Sigma is Hijacked By Lumine.}}
* [[Hey, It's That Voice!]]:
** In the later series, X is '''[[G Gundam|DOMON KASSHU]]!''' And Sigma is Master Asia.
** In X7, Red is [[Resident Evil|Barry Burton]].
** For Japanese fans:
*** X from ''X8'' onwards is also [[Final Fantasy VII|Cloud Strife]]. X pre-''X8'' coincidentally happens to be [[Big Bad|Sepiroth]]'s "remnant", ''Kadaj''. And [[Late to The Punchline]] time, before he was Kadaj, he happens to be [[Bleach|Renji Abarai]].
*** Zero is [[Bleach|Byakuya Kuchiki]] (And since we mentioned a [[Square Enix]] protagonist for X, [[Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep|Terra]] too).
*** Axl is [[Case Closed|Conan Edogawa]]. [[Late to The Punchline]] time. Before that, he's [[Tekken|Anna Williams]]. He's also [[Super Smash Bros|Pit]].
*** Alia is [[Pretty Sammy|Pixy Misa]] and [[To Heart|Lemmy Miyauchi]].
*** Signas is [[Gundam|Bright Noa]].
* [[Hijacked By Ganon]]: Sigma is incredibly good at this: the X-Hunters in ''X2'', Dr. Doppler in ''X3'', the Repliforce in ''X4'' (although this was [[Lampshaded]] by one of the bosses, and Sigma's involvement is strongly hinted at as early as the cutscene right after the intro stage), Gate in ''X6'', and the Red Alert Syndicate in ''X7''. Surprisingly, this doesn't happen in ''X5'' {{spoiler|and ''X8''}}; {{spoiler|''X5'' has Sigma possibly acting out a plan made by Wily, which could mean he was Hijacked By Wily}}, and {{spoiler|in ''X8'' Sigma is Hijacked By Lumine.}}
** {{spoiler|Sigma refers to Wily as his partner in X5, so it's likely that the two were working as equals.}}
* [[Hoist Byby His Own Petard]]: Happens to Gate in ''X6'', where {{spoiler|he resurrects Sigma, only for the latter to nearly destroy him (the ending is ambiguous as to whether or not Alia chose to repair him), and deny his (Gate's) role in his resurrection}}.
* [[Honor Before Reason]]: Repliforce. If they weren't so obstinate at the beginning of X4, we might have avoided the resulting war.]]
** ''Maverick Hunter X'' has the pre-fight dialogue with several of the Mavericks point out that they're followers of this logic. X specifically points out that their actions will have them classified as Mavericks, and they don't deny it, but believe that what they're fighting for is right. The one exception is Storm Eagle, who doesn't deny the Maverick classification, but seems genuinely remorseful about the fact that he'll be considered a psycho and have to fight X as a result.
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** Some of the Mavericks themselves (particularly General) could count as these on their own.
* [[Hyperspace Arsenal]]: Here are all of Zero's weapons in ''X7'' and ''X8'':
** [[Blade Onon a Stick|D-Glaive]]
** [[Precision-Guided Boomerang|V-Hanger]]
** {{spoiler|Sigma's}} [[BFS|Blade]] made out of scrap.
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** [[Power Fist|K-Knuckle]], with attacks that are [[Shout-Out|Shout Outs]] to the [[Street Fighter]] series, again.
** [[Paper Fan of Doom|B-Fan]], which somehow projects a [[Beehive Barrier]] (after Zero got the appropriate power from one boss).
* [[An Ice Person]]: Chill Penguin, Blizzard Buffalo, Frost Walrus, [[Guns N' Roses|Duff]] [[Stealth Pun|McWhalen,]] [[Awesome McCoolname|Blizzard Wolfang,]] Avalanche Yeti.
* [[The Immune]]: Played with. Most Reploids will become the chaotic, rampaging Mavericks upon [[The Virus]]'s infection. But X, with his Suffering Circuit inside him, will instead get hurt upon infection, as the circuit's trying to prevent him from being rampaging and genocidal. The only one who's seemingly immune is Zero, and he even becomes stronger the more the virus infects him, as shown in the gameplay. It has to do with Zero being {{spoiler|not only the original source of the virus itself, but he is actually made to be able to use it as a power source.}}
** In X's case, he actually has perfect virus countermeasures, created by Dr. Light because he foresaw X would deal with viruses in the future, due to the Roboenza incident in ''[[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|Mega Man]] 10''. That, or the Evil Energy from 8.
* [[Inexplicable Treasure Chests]]: The Dr. Light capsules, in ''all games''. A popular [[Epileptic Tree]] for it is that {{spoiler|all of them are actually one, single capsule}}.
** Just to give the most bizarre example, there's a capsule in the [[Cool Airship|Dinosaur Tank]], a place that is ''flying'' all the time and ''did not exist'' in Light's time.
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** X5: Ultimate and Zero/Black Armors; both armors exist as [[Infinity+1 Sword|infinity plus one armors]] since their first appearance, with the exception of ''X7''.
** X8: {{spoiler|Sigma's}} [[BFS]]. This game also marked the first (and so far, ''only'') appearance of Axl's "White Armor".
* [[Informed Attribute]]: Of the setting itself. Just how well do humans and reploidsReploids get along? It'd be nice to know, but the one recurring human has been retconned out of the series recently. Becomes fairly ridiculous when Lumine mentions that said relationship has irrevocably changed and manages to confound the heroes. Do they know either?
** Also, given how much personality the Robot Masters had in the [[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|Mega Man]] series in games where they had dialog as well as the various mangas and adaptations, what makes Reploids so different aside from overall power?
*** [[Epileptic Trees]]: The capacity for personal change and/or growth.
* [[Inherently Funny Words]]: Metal Shark Player.
* [[Instant Awesome, Just Add Dragons]]: Magma Dragoon from ''X4'', definitely. He's one of the few "standard 8" bosses who has a larger connection with the story, and he's the only one who actually ''talks to you after getting defeated''. Oh, and his appearance and [[Shotoclone|moveset]] are definitely based off [[Street Fighter|Akuma]]...
** Egregion, the opening stage boss in ''X4'', is a gigantic dragon Mechaniloid.
* [[Instrumental Theme Tune]]: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUBQOmnU8bM Variable X], the theme that symbolizes [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmQO3_XmBZ4 X's growth] and Zero's trust in him. It was this at first, but later the theme became more attached to dramatic scenes mostly involving [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrUkKspZgXw Zero's death or any sacrifice he makes for X]. That said, the theme still follows both warriors, zig zaggingzigzagging to which one it truly represents, leading to the conclusion it belongs to both of them.
* [[Japanese Beetle Brothers]]: Boomer Kuwanger (Kuwagatamushi) and Gravity Beetle (Kabutomushi). [[All There in the Manual|They actually are brothers, too.]]
* [[Jerkass Facade]]: Zero. Despite his tough-guy (and occasionally smart-alecy) attitude, he repeatedly shows throughout the series that he is actually a nice guy who cares very deeply for his friends and allies.
* [[The Jimmy Hart Version]]: Compare [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw The Final Countdown] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5IVzmZYu1I&fmt=18 Infinity Mijinion's stage music,] or [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMk78h69OLk&feature=PlayList&p=D422EF7D61567148&index=14&fmt=18 Neon Tiger's stage music] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3va-a8fLO3k&fmt=18 "My Michelle" by Guns n' Roses.]
* [[Joke Character]]: {{spoiler|[[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|CutMan]], 8-bit in graphics, music, and appearance}}, is a [[Bonus Boss]] in ''X8''. His sprite animation may be a [[Shout-Out]] to [[Paper Mario (Video Gamefranchise)|Paper Mario]].
* [[Jossed]]: After years of fan speculation that {{spoiler|Zero killed the original cast of the old series}}, Keiji Inafune casually stated in a question and answer session that this was not true and "was not a part of {{spoiler|Zero's}} character."
* [[Judge, Jury, and Executioner]]/[[Knight Templar]]: The Maverick Hunters were forced into this trope more often than not due to both extreme circumstances and the complete unwillingness of their targets to cooperate. Needless to say, X was very unhappy about this fact.
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* [[Just Think of the Potential]]: Dr. Light, seeing that [[Let X Be the Unknown|the "X" stands for a variable that represents unlimited potential,]] and thus, a connotation of danger, averts this trope by sealing him in a capsule for 30 years for morality testing to assure that he'll do what's right (or [[Retcon|alternately]], because [[The World Is Not Ready]] to accept him as a living, sapient being on par with humans). Dr. Cain, on the other hand...
** And the End of X8, stating the production of Copy Chips was restarted later, though {{spoiler|enabling Reploids to go Maverick at will}}.
* [[Kill All Humans]]: Suddenly Reploids, thanks to their advanced programming that allows them to enjoy a personality, can malfunction and end up wanting to exterminate and not care about humans, aptly named Mavericks. Thanks to the circuit that makes X "worry" about the value of humans and reploidsReploids not being perfect in other reploidsReploids, and thus extremely vunerablevulnerable to the virus, which exploits the cracks.
** This is also at times implied to be an inherent part of the reploidReploid's free will: Just as a human can freely choose the [[Dark Side]], reploidsReploids can do the same. The flaw simply makes them more vulnerable to physical and external influences on their behavior.
* [[Killed Off for Real]]:
** Though this wouldn't be the first time, {{spoiler|Sigma (finally!!)}} has been stated to have been killed at the end of the last released game. The next game, chronologically, as well as the [[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|next series]], somewhat proves this, {{spoiler|since he doesn't appear in them at all}}.
** ''X5'' supposedly has this happen to {{spoiler|Zero}} as well, to ''end the series''. Of course, [[Capcom]] [[Executive Meddling|didn't make it stick]]...
* [[Kill Sat]]: The Final Weapon in ''X4''. {{spoiler|The entire Repliforce War turns out to be a [[Kansas City Shuffle]] by Sigma to take control of it.}} Optic Sunflower also seems to use one as his desperation attack.
* [[Killed Off for Real]]:
** Though this wouldn't be the first time, {{spoiler|Sigma (finally!!)}} has been stated to have been killed at the end of the last released game. The next game, chronologically, as well as the [[Mega Man Zero|next series]], somewhat proves this, {{spoiler|since he doesn't appear in them at all}}.
** ''X5'' supposedly has this happen to {{spoiler|Zero}} as well, to ''end the series''. Of course, [[Capcom]] [[Executive Meddling|didn't make it stick]]...
* [[Knight, Knave, and Squire]]: X, Zero and Axl respectively.
* [[Laser Blade]]: Zero's Beam Saber is the most famous, but Sigma has one of those '''first'''.
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* [[Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards]]: Zero and X respectively, in a way. Zero, as a prominent Z-saber user, is stronger than X at first, but when X is fully upgraded with [[Mega Manning|the weapons from bosses]] as well as [[Powered Armor]]s, X becomes an all-powerful warrior in his own right.
* [[Lip Lock]]: This is the reason for Zero's infamous "WHAT-AM-I-FIGHTING FOOOOOOOOOOR!" line in ''X4'', since his lip movements have his mouth open wide when he says it.
* [[Lost Forever]]: In ''X6'', there are reploidsReploids scattered throughout the levels waiting around to be rescued. God help you if a nightmare virus infects one of them, because they will be lost forever, taking the items they give with them.
* [[Luck-Based Mission]]: ''X5'' and the cannon. The cannon will only successfully fire half the time, no matter how well you do.
** Also, the shuttle can in fact fail to destroy the colony even if you do gather all the parts. Conversely, you can fire the cannon right off the bat and it actually has a decent chance of destroying the colony.
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* [[The Hunter|The Maverick Hunters]]
* [[Meaningful Name]]: Aside from the obvious examples (see [[Theme Naming]] below), let's take a look at ''X4's'' [[The Mole|mole]]. In addition to the aforementioned reveal as a ''double'' agent, he also has two forms to go along with his role, and he's weak to the ''Double [[Blow You Away|Cyclone]]''.
* [[A Mech by Any Other Name]]: Ride Armors.
* [[Mechanical Evolution]]: Done rather uniquely; all reploids are 'replica androids' derived from the titular X, who was designed with 'limitless potential,' the capability to evolve to (hopefully) overcome any obstacle he was presented with. As X is forced to fight and evolve, more and more powerful reploids can be made based on him, allowing the species itself to evolve over time.
* [[Mechanical Evolution]]: Done rather uniquely; all Reploids are 'replica androids' derived from the titular X, who was designed with 'limitless potential,' the capability to evolve to (hopefully) overcome any obstacle he was presented with. As X is forced to fight and evolve, more and more powerful Reploids can be made based on him, allowing the species itself to evolve over time.
* [[Mega Manning]]: X's Variable Weapons, Zero's Command Arts, and Axl's Special Arms.
** Interestingly, the [[Final Boss]] of ''X8'', {{spoiler|Lumine}}, also has this ability in his first form, using the [[Limit Break|overdrive attacks]] of the 8 Bosses.
* [[Minecart Madness]]: Armored Armadillo's stage in X1. The minecarts themselves travel ''very'' fast, mow down nearby Mooks in an instant, and are in fact required to cross the large chasm connecting the end of the mine to the entrance of the [[Boss Room]].
* [[Mini-Mecha]]: The [[A Mech Byby Any Other Name|Ride Armors]] seen in most of the games, available for use to the playable characters. Vile more than often uses them in his appearances as well.
* [[The Mole]]: {{spoiler|[[Meaningful Name|Double]]}} in ''X4''.
* [[Monstrosity Equals Weakness]]
* [[Moral Dissonance]]: In the bad ending of X5, Doctor Light {{spoiler|erases all memories of Zero from X's mind and installs a program that rejects any further data about him, thus essentially removing all traces of Zero from X's life.}} The fact that Doctor Light would do something so ''incredibly unethical'' to spare X's feelings is mindboggling.
** Arguably, much of the series centers around this, given what Maverick Hunters actually do. This issue is occasionally addressed, albeit very mildly, and nothing ever changes regardless. However, it does lead into the [[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Zero]] series....
* [[More Dakka]]: Axl in ''X8'', where he got multiple arsenals from the bosses. One of them, in particular, is the [[Kill It Withwith Ice|Ice]] [[Gatling Good|Gatling.]] [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Very cool, isn't it?]]
* [[More Hero Than Thou]]: In ''X5'', in order to stop the [[Colony Drop]], one of the heroes has to maneuver a shuttle into crashing into it. Zero volunteered himself, as he stated that, whether or not he (Zero) survives the crash, the world is still in danger, and X is needed more than he is.
* [[Motive Decay]]: Sigma was once a [[Informed Ability|(probably) charismatic]] revolutionary. Upon turning Maverick, his initial goal was for the Reploids to reign over mankind (akin to [[X -Men|Magneto]]) before he became obsessed with the defeat of the heroes.
* [[Multiple Endings]]: Subversion in ''X2'' and ''X3''. {{spoiler|Gathering all of Zero's parts}} and {{spoiler|keeping the same character alive}}, respectively, definitely changes things in the final battles, but they only slightly affect the ending. Played straight in later games, though.
* [[Multipurpose Tongue]]: Sting Chameleon from X1 is all about this trope. He uses his tongue as his primary attack, and can hang from the ceiling to rain damaging spikes down from the ceiling.
* [[Mutually Exclusive Powerups]]: In ''X3'', in addition to the [[Powered Armor]], you can get an upgrade chip from the capsule that will upgrade one of the parts. Once you select one (by accepting Dr. Light's offer to add the chip to the respective part), you can't have the others, but you can still get the other armor parts. {{spoiler|However, there's a secret way to get all of them at once, and with a nice touch of gold color!}}
* [[Named After Somebody Famous]]: The Maverick bosses in ''X5'' are named after the members (and ex-members) of [[Guns N' Roses (Music)|Guns N' Roses]]. As far as can be told, this was primarily inspired by one of them ''being'' a rose and having a stage littered with, well...
* [[Never Trust a Title]]: X isn't the main character of ''X7''.
* [[New Game+]]: ''Xtreme 1'' and ''2'' allowed this, particularly with the latter's parts system. ''X8'', which features the most item collection in the series, lets you cut loose with all your prizes—indeed, it's the only way to unlock each character's [[Infinity+1 Sword|special]] [[Game Breaker|armor]].
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* [[Nintendo Hard]]: ''X6'', thanks to the endless array of instant [[Spikes of Doom|death spikes]].
** Combined with ''every other'' instant-kill trap, utilized in the most sadistic way possible.
* [[No Damage Run]]: Kind of in ''X5''. {{spoiler|Completing the first four stages without using a single continue will allow the Cannon to completely destroy Eurasia, making the remaining four stages entirely optional (with new dialogue to accommodate this), as well as giving slightly more exposition on the Zero Virus during the intro to Sigma's fortress.}}
* [[No Endor Holocaust]]: Averted in X6; just because you {{spoiler|blew up the space colony doesn't solve the problem of the ''debris'' crashing and causing havoc.}}
* [[No-Holds-Barred Beatdown]]: Played with in {{spoiler|Maverick Zero and Sigma's}} battle in ''X4'''s flashback cutscene. It seems like {{spoiler|Sigma}} is controlling the fight, but {{spoiler|Zero}} just keeps getting up, laughing, and finally winning a [[Single-Stroke Battle]], ''fist to Beam Saber'', and then turns the tables completely. {{spoiler|Zero}} is only beaten when his head crystal glows, causing him a headache, and then {{spoiler|Sigma}} punches it, making his opponent unconscious.
* [[No Ontological Inertia]]: Many instances. For one, X wouldn't be harmed by spikes if he stands on them right after he defeats a boss.
* [[No-Holds-Barred Beatdown]]: Played with in {{spoiler|Maverick Zero and Sigma's}} battle in ''X4'''s flashback cutscene. It seems like {{spoiler|Sigma}} is controlling the fight, but {{spoiler|Zero}} just keeps getting up, laughing, and finally winning a [[Single-Stroke Battle]], ''fist to Beam Saber'', and then turns the tables completely. {{spoiler|Zero}} is only beaten when his head crystal glows, causing him a headache, and then {{spoiler|Sigma}} punches it, making his opponent unconscious.
* [[The Obi-Wan]]: Dr. Light, to X. {{spoiler|Strangely enough, he also serves as an advisor to ''Zero'' in ''X5'' and ''X6''}}. The latter fact was dropped in subsequent games, possibly to remove confusion.
* [[The Obi-Wan]]: Dr. Light, to X. {{spoiler|Strangely enough, he also serves as an adviser to ''Zero'' in ''X5'' and ''X6''}}. The latter fact was dropped in subsequent games, possibly to remove confusion.
** Or because he simply had no more advice to offer.
* [[Obvious Beta]]: X6 definitely has shades of this. With the lazy level design, the [[Blind Idiot Translation|unspeakably bad translation that was]] [[Translation Train Wreck|completely impossible to make out at times,]] and several missing tracks from the sound test ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrUkKspZgXw including Zero's own freakin' theme music], which is also [[Crowning Music of Awesome|one of the best tracks in the game.]]), it's pretty clear that Capcom rushed this out as soon as possible to squeeze one last bit of money out of the [[PS 1]] before it faded away completely (the game came out in late 2001).
* [[OC Stand -In]]: Dr. Cain often gets this treatment from fans.
** Not just that, ''humanity itself'' sometimes also gets this treatment, since they're oddly never seen (not even in the cutscenes!).
* [[Odd Friendship]]: A [[Technical Pacifist]] and a warrior? Hmm... Especially when {{spoiler|they were destined to ''kill each other''}}.
* [[One Hundred Percent Completion]]: Collecting all the items in ''X8'' and upgrading the three{{spoiler|/later six}} playable characters, which even has a percentage counter for each character. Fully upgrading (100%) each of the {{spoiler|male}} characters is the only way to obtain his [[Infinity+1 Sword|infinity plus one armor]] without the use of codes.
* [[One-Hit Kill]]: The Hadouken and the Shoryuken from the first and second games, respectively. For something "weaker", there is the {{spoiler|Z-saber}} from ''X3'', and the Nova Strike from ''X8'', both of which inflict ''two''-hit kills.
** Also from ''X8'', regardless of how much energy the players still have, the [[Final Boss]]'s [[Title Drop|Paradise Lost]] attack will ''always'' result in instant death if the timer runs out.
** From ''X5'' comes one in the form of Genmurei, an attack {{spoiler|Awakenening Zero}} uses if the battle progresses too long. True to the trope, it covers up the entire area in front, leaving no chance to escape or survive. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_miJTIBk1P8#t=0m47s Here's] a video of the Genmurei, time set to when Zero does it.
* [[One Hundred Percent Completion]]: Collecting all the items in ''X8'' and upgrading the three{{spoiler|/later six}} playable characters, which even has a percentage counter for each character. Fully upgrading (100%) each of the {{spoiler|male}} characters is the only way to obtain his [[Infinity+1 Sword|infinity plus one armor]] without the use of codes.
* [[One-Man Army]]: In ''X7'', Zero comes close to literally being one, after X retires, until at least he was joined by the "volunteer" Axl.
** In fact, most of the legwork of the Maverick Hunters seem to rely only on X, Zero, and (later) Axl. It's only in [[The Movie]] ''Day of Sigma'' that other Maverick Hunters are actually shown fighting (and, even then, just briefly).
** This is played with, since the Mavericks always seem to rely on a mere 8 bosses, suggesting that both sides deploy forces against each other beyond what we see.
* [[One-Winged Angel]]: Sigma abuses the hell out of this trope.
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** {{spoiler|Lumine in ''X8'' not only grows angel wings, but the background suddenly becomes cloudy and sunny... despite your fighting on the ''moon''}}.
* [[The Other Darrin]]: Considering his expanded role in future series, Zero has had the most voice actors in the series at 4 (5 if one counts his ''Zero'' voice actor, since there was no English audio). X and Sigma won't be left behind either, having 3 actors each.
** X deserves special mention for changing Japanese voice actors mid-series, unlike most other characters who have one per series.
* [[Outside the Box Tactic]]: While many bosses have [[Logical Weakness]]es, the Launch Octopus has one of these - the boomerang attack can cut off its tentacles and prevent it from using its homing attack.
* [[OVA]]: ''Day of Sigma'', available after finishing the first game's remake. It's a prequel to events in the series; however, it [[retcon]]s certain aspects of the series canon (eg. Sigma's motivations, Dr. Cain's death [he was shown/mentioned in games up to ''X4''; especially in ''X2'', where {{spoiler|it was he who rebuilt Zero from the parts X stole from the X-Hunters}}], etc.).
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* [[The Phoenix]]: Blaze Heatnix of ''X6''.
* [[Physical God]]: Arguably, but X is hinted to be one. The endings of the first three games have pictures of the bosses, along with power and speed calculations, capping at 25600 for the final bosses. X (and Zero) has his power and speed as ???.
{{quote| '''Cyber Peacock''': His potential... is limitless?! ''Not possible.''}}
** Also {{spoiler|Maverick Zero}}, according to, in Sigma's words, an "old man" (Possibly referring to {{spoiler|Dr. Wily}}).
{{quote| ''"{{spoiler|Zero}} is the most powerful thing in the universe, {{spoiler|when purified by [[The Virus]].}}"''}}
* [[PietaPietà Plagiarism]]: Zero does this in ''X4''.
* [[Platform Battle]]: A few bosses, most notably the rematch against Serges in ''X2'' (set on floating platforms above a bed of lethal spikes) as well as Gate's boss fight in ''X6'' (this time above [[Bottomless Pits]]).
* [[Platform Hell]]: Gate's stages in X6, which often approach [[I Wanna Be the Guy]] levels of frustration and difficulty.
* [[Playing the Victim Card]]: Some of the bosses do this to you. {{spoiler|They're not necessarily wrong, either.}}
* [[Playing Withwith Fire]]: Flame Mammoth, Flame Stag, Magma Dragoon, Mattrex, Blaze Heatnix, Flame Hyenard, Burn Rooster, from X1-X2, X4-X8 respectively. Strangely, ''X3'' is the only game without a fire-themed maverick.
* [[Polygon Ceiling]]: ''X7'' is just short of ''[[Bubsy]] 3D''.
* [[Post Script Season]]: ''X5'' was meant to cap off the series and segue into the ''Zero'' series, but stuff happened and Capcom threw together four more installments that didn't really involve Inafune's input.
* [[Power Armor]]: The [[Mini-Mecha]] mentioned above, complete with a separate health reservoir, speed dash, and titan punches. ''X3'' introduced a few variants, including one with [[Spikes of Doom]] and an anphibious one with [[Super Not-Drowning Skills]].
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* [[Power Glows]]: In the first three games, X will glow with a different color as he charges his Buster to the next charge level. Zero also does this, but only in ''X3''.
* [[Power Levels]]: In ''X3'', the images were combined with ratings for strength and speed. Most of the bosses topped at about 10,000 for one or the other, Sigma made it up to 16,000 both, and Battle Body Sigma reached 25,600 for both (despite the fact that he was slower than dirt). Interestingly, X and Zero both had ratings of "?", which is confirmed in X4 when Cyber Peacock proclaims that X's potential is limitless (though he immediately tries to discredit his readings by claiming it's not possible).
* [[Power Trio]]: The heroes don't technically become one at least until the final stages of ''X7''.
** Superego: X, the [[Martial Pacifist]] who really cares about his enemies.
** Ego: Zero, who is considered a senior by the other two.
** Id: Axl, who likes to get into X and Zero's nerves.
* [[Pre-Explosion Glow]]: Starting from ''X4'' onwards, all of the bosses does this after being defeated (sans Dynamo, who isn't dead).
* [[Properly Paranoid]]: In ''X6'', the Inspectors are labeled Mavericks on a whim. The Inspectors turned out to actually be willingly working for someone evil.
* [[Promoted to Unlockable]]: Zero in ''X3''. And by "unlockable", we mean "push the L button on the pause screen".
** Vile in ''Maverick Hunter X'''s Vile Mode.
** Inverted with X in ''X7''; he's ''Demoted'' To Unlockable.
* [[Properly Paranoid]]: In ''X6'', the Inspectors are labeled Mavericks on a whim. The Inspectors turned out to actually be willingly working for someone evil.
* [[Put On a Bus]]: Axl's copy-chip powers were meant to herald a new age of Reploids, so much so that an entire line had been manufactured. Cut to the ''Zero'' series, and there's not a single mention of either Axl's eventual fate or the technology itself.
* [[Put on a Bus]]: Axl's copy-chip powers were meant to herald a new age of Reploids, so much so that an entire line had been manufactured. Cut to the ''Zero'' series, and there's not a single mention of either Axl's eventual fate or the technology itself.
** Given the debacle caused during X8, it's probable that the project was simply canceled. Command Mission references several characters being products of the program being illegally restarted.
* [[Racing the Train]]: Slash Beast of ''X4'' shows up to the [[Traintop Battle]] by running parallel up to, then jumping onto the train car used as his boss room.
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* [[Real Time Weapon Change]]: Since the series started on the [[SNES]], the shoulder buttons were used as an alternative to pausing for the weapons.
* [[Recurring Boss]]: Dynamo, High Max, the Nightmare Police, and Vile.
* [[The Reveal]]: Zero's ''X4'' opening cutscene. {{spoiler|A silhouette of an old man (obviously [[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|Dr. Wily]]) lecturing Zero to destroy his nemesis, [[Mega Man X (Video Game)|Mega Man X]].}}
* [[Rhino Rampage]]: Tunnel Rhino of ''X3''.
* [[Right-Hand-Cat]]: Sigma's first in-game appearance in X1 is in the final level, alongside a "pet" [[Big Badass Wolf|robotic wolf]] named Velguarder that serves as the level's first boss fight. Sigma implies that the player should be able to defeat it easily.
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** Axl and Lumine are also technically related, since Axl is Lumine's prototype.
* [[Rouge Angles of Satin]]: From the first game: "YOU GET HO'''R'''MING TORPEDO". They didn't bother correcting it in the English version, it seems.
* [[Secret AI Moves]]: Any time you fight {{spoiler|Zero}}, he'll start using moves he most certainly did ''not'' have when using him, such as {{spoiler|his signature buster-buster-[[Sword Beam]] combo from ''X2''}} before he was playable. {{spoiler|X}} is guilty too. Regardless of whether or not you obtained the {{spoiler|[[Infinity+1 Sword|Ultimate Armor]]}}, he'll use it. He also uses moves from the previous installment in the series, which do not carry over from game to game.
* [[Schematized Prop]]: You can see X's full blueprint in the opening cutscene in X1.
* [[SchrodingerSchrödinger's Player Character]]: In ''X4'', Zero and X have a identical yet separate storyline. X never shows up in Zero's story, while Zero only appears once in X's story, when he's flying to Earth after destroying the [[Kill Sat|Final Weapon.]]
* [[Screaming Warrior]]: The title character in later entries into the series (in particular, those with voiced pre-boss dialogue). Reaches [[Large Ham]] territory introducing the Sigma fight in ''Maverick Hunter X.''
* [[Sealed Evil in a Can]]:
* [[Screwed By the Network|Screwed By The Video Game Company]]: Keiji Inafune apparently wanted to make more ''Maverick Hunter X'' remakes of ''X2'' through ''X6'' for the PSP. Unfortunately, due to apparently low sales, Capcom's executives vetoed it. What makes this worse is this tied in with the ''Mega Man X Collection''. The makers of the XC had developed a large series of improvements for each game (such as re-dubbing X4, giving X6 a new translation, re-mapping one of Zero's moves in X6 so that fighting on ropes was no longer extremely dangerous, and throwing in other various extras). However, someone at Capcom Japan didn't like this, thinking the extras would make the XC overshadow the upcoming Maverick Hunter X series, and so forced the XC's developers to remove all extras and improvements (which were IN the game at some point, as evidenced by a line change in X1, and the re-mapped Zero move from X6 having a different command listing, but the actual way to perform it remaining the same) so that the MHX series could lay sole claim to them. Naturally, the series died after the first game, and so the extras ended up never being used at all.
** {{spoiler|Zero's capsule sealed [[The Virus]].}} He was infected by it during his fight with Sigma, having his armor breached during the battle. He is still the only carrier of it besides Sigma, though.
** they were still in late enough that they were still referenced by info on the box and manual the removal of the new and updated content was pretty much almost literally a last minute thing.
** Arguably, in a related case, {{spoiler|Zero himself was a [[Sealed Evil in a Can|sealed evil]], with the Maverick Hunters temporarily containing him in the lab he woke up in, right before the above events came to pass}}.
* [[Sealed Evil in A Can]]:
* [[Secret AI Moves]]: Any time you fight {{spoiler|Zero}}, he'll start using moves he most certainly did ''not'' have when using him, such as {{spoiler|his signature buster-buster-[[Sword Beam]] combo from ''X2''}} before he was playable. {{spoiler|X}} is guilty too. Regardless of whether or not you obtained the {{spoiler|[[Infinity+1 Sword|Ultimate Armor]]}}, he'll use it. He also uses moves from the previous installment in the series, which do not carry over from game to game.
** {{spoiler|Zero's capsule sealed [[The Virus]].}} He was infected by it during his fight with Sigma, having his armor breached during the battle. He is still the only carrier of it besides Sigma, though.
** Arguably, in a related case, {{spoiler|Zero himself was a [[Sealed Evil in A Can|sealed evil]], with the Maverick Hunters temporarily containing him in the lab he woke up in, right before the above events came to pass}}.
* [[Secret AI Moves]]: ''X5'' is pretty bad about this. When you end up challenging either X or Zero, the character gets moves you cannot (or no longer can) use. X can use several powers from the previous game, which he can use a lot better than he ever could in that game, while Zero gets a huge upgrade to his ranged attack abilities. The latter might have been excusable if {{spoiler|only Maverick Zero could do it (instead he he's just cheaper and gets a one-hit kill attack on top)}}, but Zero can use these powers regardless of the circumstance.
** Well, at least the player can use Genmurei in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (Video Game)|Marvel vs. Capcom 3]]'', so it's not all that bad...
* [[Secret Character]]: {{spoiler|Zero}} in ''X6''. Also, see [[Easter Egg]] above.
* [[Seldom-Seen Species]]: Some of the Mavericks fall under this (how many of you knew what Infinity Mijinon was supposed to be before reading the page?)
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* [[Shoulder Cannon]]: Vile/Vava.
* [[Shout-Out]]:
** Two of the final stages in X5 are based on respectively, [[Mega Man 2 (Video Game)|Quick Man's]] [[Scrappy Level|stage]] and the first stage of Sigma's Fortress from the first Mega Man X... containing updated versions of the Yellow Devil and Rangda Bangda, respectively. Sigma's [[One-Winged Angel]] also seems to be one to Gamma from Mega Man 3.
** To ''[[Blade Runner]]'' with the "retirement" of Reploids, and Reploid being short for ''Replicant'' Android.
** Also, someone at Capcom is a ''[[Guns N' Roses (Music)|Guns N' Roses]]'' fan. Aside from the English names of X5's bosses, [[Visual Pun|check out the background]] in X5's jungle stage.
*** Turns out [[Alyson Court]] (who you may know better as [[Resident Evil|Claire Redfield]]) was responsible for localizing X5, and she's [http://www.destructoid.com/resident-evil-actress-to-blame-for-the-gnr-in-mega-man-x-200061.phtml quite shameless] about letting her love of [[Guns N' Roses (Music)|Guns N' Roses]] determine the bosses' new names.
** Also in X5, Dark Dizzy/Necrobat, a vampire bat with [[Time Stands Still|the ability to stop time]], is apparently based on [[Jo JoJoJo's Bizarre Adventure (Manga)|Dio Brando.]] [[Memetic Mutation|ZA WARUDO!]]
** Here's a bit of a stretch: in the climax of [[OVA]] ''Day of Sigma'', {{spoiler|X inflicts Sigma's signature facial scars with a [[G Gundam|Shining Finger]]}}. Turns out, [[Hey, It's That Voice!|X is]] [[G Gundam|Domon Kasshu.]]
** Also, in ''X6'', after you defeat a boss, an orb drops down, and when you touch it, victory music plays and the level is complete, which could be seen as an homage either to the first ''[[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|Mega Man]]'' or ''[[Castlevania]]''.
** {{spoiler|Awakening/Maverick Zero's [[Sword Beam|Genmu]][[One-Hit Kill|rei]] attack}} has him [[Stab the Sky]] before execution. It really looks like the [[G Gundam|Shining Finger Sword]], as pointed out [https://web.archive.org/web/20111105165740/http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/232/9/5/Zero_and_Domon_by_BlackHammer_0001.jpg here.]
** In ''[[TatsunokovsTatsunoko Capcom (Video Game)|Tatsunokovsvs. Capcom]]'', one of his supers is knocking his opponent to the air, then stopping them using the [[Time Stands Still|Dark Hold]], and then he grows his saber into a [[BFS|bigger version]] of the Z-Saber of ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]].''
* [[Shrug of God]]: Inafune himself says that whether or not Serges is really Dr. Wily is for the player to decide.
** The makers of ''X6'' wouldn't tell people for certain whether Isoc is Dr. Wily or not either.
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* [[Species Surname]]
* [[Speed Echoes]]: Whenever X/Zero dashes, they leave a trail of holograms of themselves. This is carried over to the ''Zero'' and ''ZX'' series.
* [[Spell My Name Withwith an "S"]]: Liberion or Rebellion? Hmmm...
** And then there is ''Axl''...
** There's also ''Pallette''.
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* [[Spikes of Doom]]: Par for the course for a ''Mega Man'' game, but this got really bad in ''X6''.
* [[Spikes of Villainy]]: Sigma added these to his armor after his [[Face Heel Turn]]. They often adorn it in his later incarnations.
* [[Stop Helping Me!]]: Alia ''constantly'' interrupts you in ''X5'' to give you tips that are almost always [[Captain Obvious]] statements. It thankfully became optional in ''X6''.
* [[The Stool Pigeon]]: Lifesaver defies Signas's orders to remain quiet on Zero's {{spoiler|mysterious virus readings}} and snitches to X, causing their fateful showdown and nearly getting them both killed. It's not that surpising that Lifesaver has never been seen since.
* [[Stealth Pun]]: ''X6'' having [[Jump the Shark|Metal Shark Player]] (the jumping part can also be done ''literally'', considering one of Shark Player's attacks) and [[Franchise Zombie|Zombie]] [[Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot|Sigma.]]
** The ice-themed armor being named Absolute Zero? (That doubles as [[Genius Bonus]] as well.)
* [[The Stool Pigeon]]: Lifesaver defies Signas's orders to remain quiet on Zero's {{spoiler|mysterious virus readings}} and snitches to X, causing their fateful showdown and nearly getting them both killed. It's not that surpising that Lifesaver has never been seen since.
* [[Stuff Blowing Up]]: Many fans said that that's what make them love this series (especially true to the boss' cinematic explosions). [[Rule of Cool|You know why.]]
* [[Stop Helping Me!]]: Alia ''constantly'' interrupts you in ''X5'' to give you tips that are almost always [[Captain Obvious]] statements. It thankfully became optional in ''X6''.
* [[Strictly Formula]]: If there's some new Reploids introduced, chance are they're evil or just want to backstab people. Most of the time, [[Hijacked By Ganon|Sigma is behind all of these]].
* [[Strictly Formula]]: If there's some new Reploids introduced, chance are they're evil or just want to backstab people. Most of the time, [[Hijacked by Ganon|Sigma is behind all of these]].
** It then becomes a plot twist when {{spoiler|it turns out in ''X8'' that Sigma is ''not'' the [[Big Bad]] and the [[Final Boss]] of the game.}}
* [[Stuff Blowing Up]]: Many fans said that that's what make them love this series (especially true to the boss' cinematic explosions). [[Rule of Cool|You know why.]]
* [[Superhero]]: What, you think that they're not this?
** Given that [[Straw Man Has a Point]] (above), maybe not...
* [[Super Prototype]]: Both X and Zero, but (arguably) subverted with Axl, who is a prototype to the New Generation Reploids.
** Justified, given the poorer 'mass production models' of which X was supposedly the prototype (Reploids) were more akin to crappy knock-offs made by a significantly less gifted scientist; it took centuries just to completely fix all the problems with them. Not to mention it can also be seen as an aversion if you call Mega Man the prototype and X the finished model.
* [[Superhero]]: What, you think that they're not this?
** Given that [[Straw Man Has a Point]] (above), maybe not...
* [[Surprisingly Good English]]: Dr. Light's warning in ''Mega Man X'''s intro is written in 100% fluent English in both the Japanese and overseas releases of the game.
* [[Swiss Army Weapon]]: X basically ''is'' one of these, thanks to the massively upgraded Variable Tools System originally used by Mega Man (now called the Variable Weapon System). Zero's Z-saber is a more literal version, sort of...
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* [[Sword Lines]]: Everytime the Z-Saber is swung, it creates these.
* [[Sword Sparks]]: In [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXj3Fs0A-gk&feature=related this video,] where Colonel and Zero fight, their [[Laser Blade]]s create electric sparks.
* [[Synchronization]]: In the spinoff, ''Mega Man Xtreme'', the characters ''Techno'' and ''Middy'' share the same CPU despite being in different bodies.
* [[Tagalong Kid]]: Axl in ''X7''. Neither Zero nor the rest of the Hunters want to send him out into battle, but he insisted, seeing the game's crisis was started over him. Later, ''X8'' and ''Command Mission'' depict him as having "grown up", becoming an accepted member of the Hunters.
* [[Take Up My Sword]]: In X1, if the player hasn't acquired the upgraded Arm Cannon before entering Sigma's fortress, X receives ''Zero's'' arm cannon after defeating Vile. In said game, it doesn't make any difference from getting the real Arm Cannon from the capsule, but in ''Maverick Hunter X'', Zero's Buster gives off a huge Red single hit blast charge shot instead of the one from the capsule <ref>it has the original Pink swirly multi-hit Charge shot.</ref>
* [[Taking You Withwith Me]]: The X series supposedly ends when {{spoiler|[[Fan Nickname/Video Games|Gamma Sigma]], in his last breath, tries to take ''both'' X and Zero with him, ''twice in a row''}}. The first time wasn't a success, but the second time? {{spoiler|Zero actually dies, but X survives.}}
** Don't forget Zero's [[Heroic Sacrifice]] in X1, where he blows himself up to destroy Vile's [[Hopeless Boss Fight|nigh-invulnerable Ride Armor]]. ''Maverick Hunter X'' changes it from blowing himself up to taking the brunt of the explosion when he destroys Vile's Ride Armor.
* [[Team Shot]]: An awesome one is pulled off near the end of ''X8'', as the three heroes {{spoiler|prepare to take on Lumine.}}
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* [[Technology Marches On]]: Zero started having dreams where he {{spoiler|sees Dr. Wily's silhouette}} in X4, which came out in the late 90's. With the introduction of online resources like Google and wikipedia, it's a little baffling why Zero doesn't spend some time on the internet looking through historical databases of old robotics experts.
* [[Thanking the Viewer]]: Capcom games love to do this, and this series is no exception.
* [[The Virus]]: Dr. Wily's virus, which acts as a [[Hate Plague]] on Reploids, removing their inhibitions and turning them violent. It became one entity with Sigma after Zero passed it to him, making his true form an essentially immortal [[Energy Being]]. It also doubles in function as a power source for Zero, which "purifies his body", bringing to surface his [[Super-Powered Evil Side|"true self"]]. [[Word of God]] states also that Dr. Wily himself was brought back by the virus, which could mean that his conciousness is carried in it, explaining how he could contact Sigma.
* [[Theme Naming]]: the main three characters of the series (X, Zero and Sigma) are all named after symbols from various "alphabets" (zero's a number, but you know what I mean).
** The name X represents the infinite possibility as stated by his creator, Thomas Light. He even has a theme song that is named [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUBQOmnU8bM Variable X].
** In particular, in Sigma's and Zero's case, [[Word of God|Keiji Inafune]] [http://www.capcom-unity.com/s-kill/blog/2008/09/05/inafunesan_answers_your_questions says] that Sigma and Zero basically represent the idea that nothing is absolute. Sigma was a powerful leader of the Maverick Hunters but after Zero passed the virus to him, his allegiance changed. Circumstances can change anything, and nothing is absolute.
** Zero's name is a reference to the number, which is unique among numbers. Like X, Zero represents limitless potential, just in a different way.
* [[This Cannot Be!]]: Several villains are quite fond of using this trope when they're defeated, such as Vile in Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X when he is defeated by X in Sigma Stage 1 and he screams "Noooo... I can't lose to X...!" before exploding.
** Also, Sigma's last words in Mega Man X8:
{{quote| '''Sigma''': (being defeated) Impossible! You couldn't... destroy... old world... new age... Hrrgh! Argh! [[Big No|NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo!!!!!]] (then he blows up) }}
* [[This Is a Drill]]: In ''Maverick Hunter X'', the remake of the first game, Spark Mandrill gets a drill for a right hand as a pun on his name.
** Also Tunnel Rhino of ''X3'' and Grizzly Slash of ''X5'' (although we don't get the drill weapon from the latter).
* [[Title Drop]]: ''Mega Man X8: Paradise Lost''. Guess what's the final boss' attack name?
** In ''Maverick Hunter X'', after {{spoiler|Zero sacrificed himself to destroy Vile's mech}}:
{{quote| '''X''': Zero! Hang in there, buddy!<br />
'''Zero''': X... I'm always telling you... to be more careful... but now look at me...<br />
'''X''': Don't waste your energy talking, Zero. We've gotta fix you up.<br />
'''Zero''': There's... no time for that... Sigma is close... Very close...<br />
'''X''': Zero...<br />
'''Zero''': Go now... Maverick Hunter X... }}
** Storm Eagle also calls X by his full title, but only on the second playthrough.
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** As well as Infinity Mijinion in X6. Mijinko means "daphnia" (aka water flea).
* [[Tragic Monster]]: Some Maverick Bosses are actually innocent individuals (e.g. Blizzard Buffalo), or have sympathetic backstories (e.g. most ''X6'' Investigators) before being infected; and then there are other Mavericks who are only termed as such by the government (most of the Bosses in ''X4'' (though granted, their army was acting treasonously) as well as ''Command Mission's'' Rebellion army). The most tragic one of all, is, of course, {{spoiler|Zero's girlfriend Iris}}.
* [[Trippy Finale Syndrome]]: ''X5,'' to the max. It is caused by the concentration of the Zero virus being ''so strong'' that it caused the formation of a "Zero Space", in which Cyberspace and the ordinary world merge. This is similar to Omega's power causing doors to Cyberspace to appear in [[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Zero 3]]. He is, after all, {{spoiler|the original Zero}}.
* {{spoiler|[[True Final Boss]]: Lumine in ''X8's'' Normal and Hard Modes. On Easy, it's just Sigma.}}
* [[Turns Red]]: In contrast to the NES originals, bosses start becoming more dangerous when low on HP. In X1, this was limited to two of the Sigma fortress bosses simply moving faster, but in X2, the Mavericks began unleashing new and more powerful attacks after their HP hits 50%.
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* [[Tyrannosaurus Rex]]: Mattrex, complete with [[Dinosaurs Are Dragons|fire breath]]. Justified, as he's a robot.
* [[Unconscious Objector]]: On the ''Maverick Hunter X'' OVA, X gets impaled with a light saber and given a [[Hannibal Lecture]], he has a flashback, finds some [[The Determinator|courage to keep fighting]] , and reacts for a brief moment, enough to [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|pass ''through'' Sigma's Saber and cause him]] [[Scars Are Forever|his signature Scar]] (at least in [[Continuity Reboot|this version]]); when Sigma reacts and is going to attack, he notices X is now immobile (he kind of stabbed him right into his energy generator or something like that) so he retires, satisfied as he witnessed the [[Mechanical Evolution|Hidden Potential]] Dr. Cain talked about.
* [[Unique Enemy]]: The ''[[Mega Man (video game)|Mega Man]]'' era Bubble Bat in Armored Armadillo's stage. Relatively easy to miss, as you're supposed to be on a speeding trolley when you go past him.
* [[Updated Rerelease]]: ''X3'' got a Playstation/Saturn rerelease with a revamped soundtrack and a full video opening and unique openings for each Maverick. It was [[No Export for You|only released outside Japan on PC]] until the release of ''Mega Man X Collection'', as it was the version of ''X3'' included.
* [[Unique Enemy]]: The ''[[Mega Man (Video Game)|Mega Man]]'' era Bubble Bat in Armored Armadillo's stage. Relatively easy to miss, as you're supposed to be on a speeding trolley when you go past him.
* [[Van Helsing Hate Crimes]]: Shades of this appear in later games; the Maverick Hunters dutifully destroy any Reploid that goes "Maverick", according to their standards... which would be fine, if those standards were limited to those Reploids actively infected with [[The Virus]] or deliberately causing grievous harm to humanity and/or Reploidkind. Unfortunately, it seems to encompass ''any'' form of resistance against the natural order of things, including otherwise non-hostile acts like peacefully exiling themselves to their own space colony (Repliforce and the Rebellion Army; though there are reasons for both of those, albeit not entirely concrete justifications) or merely having traits that could potentially cause problems with controlling them (Nightmare Investigators). In fact, it's revealed in ''X5'' that the (unseen) Maverick Hunter commander in charge during ''X4'' retired in disgrace for ''misapplying'' the label of "Maverick" on Repliforce, and thus causing the deaths of hundreds or thousands of relatively innocent Reploids. Furthermore, the commander who labels the Rebellion "Maverick" in ''Command Mission'' was a [[Manipulative Bastard]] who [[A God Am I|fancied himself a god]]. Doesn't stop X or Zero from blowing away their [[Designated Villain]] targets, though.
** While Repliforce and NI are both sympathetic in one way or another (<ref>They are framed, and some of its members (especially Double) are actually moles working under Sigma, and it's Magma Dragoon who brought down the Sky Lagoon.</ref> and <ref>They were accused Mavericks because they're hard to handle and their DNA datas are unreadable - pretty petty reasons.</ref>), they do have their own faults (<ref>They refused to resign in for interrogation and instead they go to their [[Kill Sat]]; they want peace and seclusion out of Earth, it's just that they're breaking the law.</ref> and <ref>The Hunters saw through the ruse created by the NI the moment Isoc started calling for Reploids to volunteer to help destroy a "ghost" of Zero gone bad. Not just that, said "ghost" are actually Gate's own creation.</ref>)
* [[Victory Pose]]: All of the heroes has one each after defeating a boss.
* [[Video Game Remake]]: ''Maverick Hunter X'' to ''X1'', which serves as a [[Continuity Reboot]].
* [[Villain Byby Default]]: All of the villains in this series (and also ''[[Mega Man ZX (Video Game)|ZX]]'' series) are called Mavericks, ranging from the virus-infected ones, wrongly-accused ones or just the plain criminals with free will.
** ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]]'' playes this from the different side, as [[La Résistance]] who is composed of innocent Reploids are judged Mavericks just because of energy shortage.
* [[Villain Decay]]:
** Inverted with Dr. Wily. Remember his [[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|prior characterization?]] [[Inverted Trope|He's much]], ''[[Inverted Trope|much]]'' [[Inverted Trope|more sinister]].
** Applied to Sigma in ''X6'', where he is a ''zombie'' in that game and has ''[[Giant Space Flea From Nowhere|absolutely nothing]]'' to do with the plot, and in ''X8'', where he's just an [[Unwitting Pawn]] for the game's real [[Big Bad]], Lumine.
* [[The Virus]]: The Maverick Virus; not counting an [[Early-Bird Cameo]] as the [[Final Boss]] in ''X2'', its role becomes prominent in the series from ''X3'' onwards. There are other variations, like the Nightmare Virus in ''X6'' and of course the Sigma Virus. ''X8'' gives us {{spoiler|Sigma's very DNA, allegedly encrypted into all the data of the New Generation Reploids}}.
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* [[Wham! Episode]]: ''X4''; well, [[Narm|most of it anyway.]] {{spoiler|Mavericks that have more to do with politics instead of [[The Virus]] (as was established two games earlier), Iris' death, and [[Foreshadowing|X wondering if he can keep doing the same thing over and over]] (although the last one [[Fauxshadow|was subverted]]).}} The whole thing even ''started off'' with a WHAM:{{spoiler|''Dr. Wily'' appearing for the first time, and to Zero, ''no less!''}} Thus supplementing the trope directly below...
** [[Wham! Line]]: at the end of ''X2'':
{{quote| '''Sigma:''' Zero... He is... last... of the doctor's creations...}}
*** Which at the time could have been taken to mean the last of ''Light's'' creations.
* [[What Could Have Been]]: ''Maverick Hunter X'' is said to be Inafune's reimagined storyline for the series, with better graphics (as it's on the PSP) and focus on plot and characterization. Unfortunately, it didn't sell well.
** The design for X was actually not the Mega Man-esque one we know, but instead a red robot with booblights and long hair we know nowadays as Zero. Because he thinks that the design doesn't look like the original Mega Man, Inafune discarded the design and then created a new character for that design. And then [[Word of God|Inafune says that]] [[Spotlight-Stealing Squad|Zero will steal all the good scenes.]]
** According to [http://www.themmnetwork.com/2010/11/23/the-ultimate-uncovering/ this article] the person who designed X's Ultimate Armor for X4 also made an armor for Zero, that ''would've been related to Dr. Wily.'' It sadly didn't make it into the game. Though this does explain why the Black Zero code in X4 didn't do anything: like the purple recolor of X, the new color just meant that the code worked and that the secret armor was unlocked.
* [[What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?]]: The boss intro screens in ''X8''.
* [[What Do You Mean Its Not Symbolic]]: Pretty much all of ''X8'', though ''[[Continuity Reboot|Maverick Hunter X]]'' seems to indicate that this was what the series was trying for the whole time.
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** Played with in Mega Man X 6; as the second part of the Infinity Mijinion level opens, you do have to go right to progress. But directly to the left of the starting point ([[Behind the Black]]) is one of the game's upgrade capsules, which most players would miss because of this trope.
** There's also some variations in other games in the X series: The heart tank for Storm Eagle's level is directly above the player, unreachable from the start point, so you have to go right, then left when you get high enough. In Armored Armadillo's stage, you need to go right to get away from a death machine, then go back left to get a sub tank. In fact, from the very first game, the X series has delighted in hiding things from the player that assumes forward is right.
** The general case applies as well, starting from the original [[Mega Man (Videovideo Gamegame)|Mega Man]] days and carrying forward from there; most levels (if not all) start you at the left end and send you to the right.
* [[Where It All Began]]: A subversion: in ''X2'', Sigma is fought in an earlier Maverick stage, but not necessarily the first stage.
** Plus, the map shows that the stage is located in a different place, implying that the Computer Core was duplicated for the North Pole facility.
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* [[You Can't Fight Fate]]: No matter what happens in ''X5'', {{spoiler|Zero and Mega Man X will always have their destined battle.}}
** However, Zero is still more or less the master of [[Screw Destiny]], since {{spoiler|Dr. Wily programmed him to be a weapon of mass destruction; technically, Zero is one, but he doesn't use his abilities for the evil purposes Wily wanted him to.}}
* [[You Can't Thwart Stage One]]: In X5, your initial defeat of Sigma is [[My Death Is Just the Beginning|part of his plan]], setting in motion a [[Colony Drop]]. You then spend most of the game building machines to prevent the crash — but no matter [[Luck-Based Mission|how good your luck is]], you can't stop it completely. What's more, the second thing you try may {{spoiler|turn Zero evil}}, and this was also part of Sigma's plan. (Even if Zero's okay, he and X will end up fighting, leaving just one hero to stop Sigma.)
* [[Your Princess Is in Another Castle]]: ''X8's'' {{spoiler|"Gateway" ([[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|never mind the title]]!)}} level is the standard Mega Man X formula for the final level: shorter than most levels, the [[Boss Rush]] initiated halfway, and confronting Sigma as the Boss. {{spoiler|However, this Sigma is not even the real one. The final level is on the moon afterward}}.
* [[You're Insane!]]: ''Maverick Hunter X'' has the titular Azure Hunter pointing out that Sigma has completely lost it to his subordinates. None of them deny it, but rather believe that Sigma, despite his insanity, [[Mechanical Evolution|has a good point]], and people would rather ignore it than deal with the implications.
{{quote| '''Sigma''': Our potential is limitless!<br />
'''X''': You think you have potential?! You're insane, Sigma! }}
* [[Your Princess Is in Another Castle]]: ''X8's'' {{spoiler|"Gateway" ([[Exactly What It Says On the Tin|never mind the title]]!)}} level is the standard [[Mega Man X (Video Game)|Mega Man X]] formula for the final level: shorter than most levels, the [[Boss Rush]] initiated halfway, and confronting Sigma as the Boss. {{spoiler|However, this Sigma is not even the real one. The final level is on the moon afterward}}.
* [[Zeerust]]: The first game's pre-title intro is done as a computer read-out on X's data and Dr. Light's warning about his abilities, prefaced by a boot-up sequence. Despite the OS being as advanced as 2114 (with RAM to match: all told, the system's packing ''40,960 terabytes'' of memory) asides from the blue typeface it's a clear knockoff of DOS.
 
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