I have reviewed remakes of Mega Man X3 and hacks mainly the Zero Project hacks. However, to my knowledge I have never reviewed the original. The Original Mega Man X3 was released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Mega Man X3 is one of my favorite X games in the series. Today I'm going to be reviewing this classic and all time favorite.

Story 10

Mega Man X3 takes place several years after X2. Dr. Doppler a reploid scientists has supposedly invented a Sigma Virus Vaccine. Humans and Reploids gather around Doppler Town named after the scientist. Everything is going well and it appears a golden age is developing. Suddenly, things start to go wrong. The mavericks which were supposed to be neutralized started to riot. Maverick Hunters X and Zero go to points around the city to see why the mavericks are increasing. They realize that Dr. Doppler might be behind the recent outbreaks. Why has Dr. Doppler gone insane, why is there recent maverick outbreaks, or is an old foe at it again. Mega Man X and Zero head out to get to the bottom of the uprising.

Okay, when I first played this game I really thought there was a new bad guy. Spoiler Alert Sigma is revealed halfway through the game to be the mastermind. But at first you do not know that. It was like Capcom was offering something new. The first two games it was obvious and known that Sigma was the main bad guy. I really like the story because it was creative, and trying to give the illusion of something different. Thus, I give the Story a 10 out of 10.

Graphics and Controls-10

The graphics in this game are just amazing. The backgrounds are nice an colorful. The Frozen City looks like a winter wonderland and is a nice touch. The jungle state looks like an actual jungle. All the stages are nicely done. The sprites are also nicely done. There is not one single lag in this came. Later versions of this game had a few lags but not the original. The graphics cannot get much better than this. It really shows what the SNES was really capable of in terms of design, color, sprites, and graphics.

The controls are very smooth. Not one time did I feel like I was fighting the controls. Even when you switch to Zero his controls are also smooth. Basically, the controls are exactly like Mega Man X2 which was infamous for being nearly flawless in its own right. Therefore, I give the graphics and controls a solid 10 out of 10.

Sound-10

Much like Mega Man X2 the sound in this game is amazing. X's buster sound is really nicely done letting you know his attacks are powerful. I like how Zero's Saber has a cutting sound to it. The special weapons sounds are amazing letting you know they are powerful. The enemies sounds let you know their shots are also powerful. But where the game really shines concerning the sound is the music. The music in this game is something special. The intro stage, Blizzard Buffalo, Neon Tiger, Gravity Beetle, Volt Catfish, Tunnel Rhino and the fortress stages are some of my very favorites in this game. I often find myself pausing the game and just listening to the music. The previous game had an awesome soundtrack as well. I give the music a 10 out of 10 it does not get any better than this.

Replay Value-10

The Replay in this game is amazing. This is one of my favorite games to go back and play again and again. I probably played this game hundreds of times. The amazing graphics, music, and depth make this an all time classic. This game has so much going for it. The depth in this game is great which adds to the replay value. I give it a 10 out of 10.

Depth-10

Another way X3 shines is the amount of depth. The stages are long. It takes several minutes to complete a stage. In fact, the stages have check way points in the terms of gates. In addition, the stages have multiple power ups. A lot of times the stages require revisiting with different weapons. Also you can pick 1 of 4 special power ups. A lot of times its fun to play the game with a different special power up. There is even items hidden in the fortress stages. Each area requires lots of exploration. Thankfully, the game gives you passwords which are needed that is how much depth this game has. I give the depth 10 out of 10.

Difficulty-8

If the game suffers at all it is the difficulty is not so bad and it is doable. Now when I first played this game it was difficult. That was because the game was new. However, after playing the game a few times it did not seem to be to difficulty. Now with that being said this game does have some difficult parts and chances are you will die a few times.

The enemies in this game really pack a punch and can do a lot amount of damage. In some spots the enemies will knock you down the wall only for you to climb back and get knocked down again. In addition, the enemies in this game just love to gang up on you. The bosses in this game are very difficult without their weaknesses. If you really want a challenge try fighting some of the bosses without their weaknesses. Even with their weaknesses a lot of the bosses are powerful and fast. Moreover, this game has lots of pits and spikes in it.

However, the game does a lot to help you out. The power ups you can get and the special power ups can make this game not as difficult and really help players out. Also you can carry several energy tanks. The weapons in this game are powerful which can be used to clear out enemies. That is why I do not give the difficulty a higher rating than an 8. The difficulty is good as it challenges your skills, reflexes and strategy. On the other hand, the game helps you out. Therefore, I think about 8 out of 10 is about right.

Overall-9.6

Mega Man X3 came out in Japan in 1995 I want to think it was released in late 1995 or 1996 in the USA. I got this game in 1996. I rented this game at blockbuster and really loved it. I can remember saving my allowance to buy this game. I was happy when I was able to buy this game. At this time the SNES was in its last stages. Later in 1996 the N64 and Sony Playstation came out. It is easy to see why this game was a hit. Several gaming sites list this game as one of the top 100 SNES games. I agree with those rankings. This game like Mega Man X2 is very special.

The story is amazing and offered something new. The graphics, controls, sound, depth, and overall is just an amazing game. It really showed what the SNES could really do. Everything that a great game has this game has. It should be noted this is why there are several remakes of this game as well as hacks. The only version that is equal to the original is X3 Zero Project 4. In the hack Zero Project 4 you can play the entire game as Zero. In this version you can play as Zero but it is limited. Also if you die as Zero you will not be able to use him the rest of the game. That is a bummer now but getting the chance to play as him even in a limited version was special. This game really started Zero being a playable character.

I give the overall rating a 9.6. This game is almost flawless. The only minor problem is not getting to play as Zero throughout the entire game and it seems like sometimes Capcom was trying to make this game easier buy including the special power ups. Would I recommend this game? Yes I would highly recommend this game. I think once you play this game you will want to play it again and again. As I have stated everything in this game is amazing. For first time players the difficulty is average. It is not one of those games that has high difficulty that would turn first time players off. This concludes my review of one of my favorite X games in the series. If you haven't check out this game I do not think you will be disappointed.