Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,057 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection Game Cover
A wonderful collection of Mega Man off-shoots that deserves your attention.
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The "Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection" compilation includes six games: Mega Man Zero 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as Mega Man ZX and ZX Advent. This collection offers additional features such as an artwork gallery, music player, and special filters. It also includes customization options like Casual Scenario Mode, Save-Assist, and Z Chaser Mode for a new challenge.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,057 reviews
story115 positive mentions
optimization26 negative mentions
  • The collection includes six of the best Mega Man games, providing a nostalgic experience for fans.
  • The addition of save assist and casual mode makes the games more accessible to new players without sacrificing the core challenge.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and fluid, with tight controls and engaging combat mechanics.
  • The keyboard controls are poorly designed, with limited customization options that frustrate players.
  • The game suffers from performance issues, including slowdowns and crashes, particularly after the addition of Enigma DRM.
  • Some cutscenes are unskippable, which can be annoying for players who die frequently during boss fights.
  • story325 mentions

    The "Mega Man Zero" series is praised for its compelling and interconnected storytelling, which spans four games and features deep character development and emotional arcs that resonate with players. While the gameplay is challenging, the narrative is often described as rich and engaging, with many players highlighting its darker themes and plot twists that elevate it above typical platformer narratives. The inclusion of quality-of-life improvements, such as casual modes, allows newcomers to appreciate the story without the steep difficulty, making it accessible while still rewarding for long-time fans.

    • “Megaman Zero has the greatest story of any platformer I have ever played and is also the perfect ending for the Mega Man X series (be ready to cry).”
    • “The story arc of Zero is spread over four games that tell a completely amazing science fiction action story the likes you don't get anymore from the good old days of games and anime.”
    • “On top of the amazing gameplay, the series also has a surprisingly good story, especially compared to most other Mega Man games.”
    • “What set the Zero series apart from other brightly colored GBA action games was its bleak, dystopic story.”
    • “Advent also suffers from horrendous voice acting, meaning the game's story will only age worse with time.”
    • “The overall story is passable but held back by these factors.”
  • music251 mentions

    The music in the Mega Man Zero/Zx Legacy Collection is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its quality and memorable compositions, particularly in Mega Man Zero 3. While the original soundtracks are well-regarded, some players express disappointment over the absence of remastered versions, suggesting that modding can enhance the experience. The inclusion of a music player and art gallery adds significant value, allowing fans to enjoy the series' iconic tracks and artwork.

    • “The soundtrack is iconic and instantly recognizable, just like the entirety of X1 or the MM2 opening theme.”
    • “The music and uncompressed cutscenes are some of the best aspects about this collection.”
    • “The music is fantastic, 10/10.”
    • “Unfortunately, Capcom hates us and decided enhancing a game by modding in remasters of music or translating the Japanese releases of ZX and ZX Advent so that we could play with Japanese voiceovers was evil or something.”
    • “They did not include the remastered soundtracks that they own the rights to and have lying around in a server somewhere.”
    • “The bad news when it comes to sound is with both of the ZX games, where we have a lot of compression, leading to sound bleeding with the soundtrack and the sound effects, making it very hard to make out the actual music that plays when something explodes or an enemy or you yourself attack.”
  • gameplay214 mentions

    The gameplay in the Mega Man Zero and ZX series is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics and engaging level design that rewards exploration and skillful play. While the series maintains a challenging difficulty level, it also introduces quality-of-life improvements and customization options that enhance replayability. However, some mechanics, such as the cyber elf system, can be confusing, and certain gameplay elements may feel outdated, but overall, the series is considered a high point in action-platforming.

    • “Mega Man Zero 3 has excellent gameplay, great level design that rewards exploration without being so cryptic it's difficult to accomplish anything, has interesting collectibles that teach you more about the lore and world of the game, has amazing quality of life improvements like auto-charging your weapons, has multiple different ways you can build Zero to make the game very replayable, has save-assist to make the game easier (and you can turn it off if you want the authentic experience), has new systems that are engaging to test more build options with, a banger soundtrack even by Mega Man standards, a great cast of characters including the 3-game-long face turn of the guardians, and an excellent story with one of the best final bosses in the series.”
    • “Some of the best 2D action/platformers of all time, the Mega Man Zero and Mega Man ZX series are difficult but rewarding games that heavily encourage players to try and try again in order to master the game's mechanics.”
    • “The better you get at the core mechanics, the more you'll appreciate just how incredibly deep the combat and movement in the Zero/Zx series is.”
    • “First of all, gameplay is no fun because you don't get weapons from bosses like you used to in Mega Man.”
    • “The developers have a responsibility to either teach the player how to play the game or make the main facets of gameplay obvious; this port fails on both accounts.”
    • “Out of all the games I've played in my lifetime, Copy X's second form has one of the worst gameplay designs I've ever had the misfortune of experiencing.”
  • graphics115 mentions

    The graphics of the Mega Man Zero and ZX Legacy Collection receive mixed reviews, with many praising the nostalgic pixel art and detailed animations that capture the essence of the original games. However, some players report graphical glitches, particularly on certain platforms, and express disappointment with the port's optimization and the application of filters that alter the original artwork. Overall, while the collection offers options to customize graphics settings, opinions vary on whether the updated visuals enhance or detract from the classic experience.

    • “This collection brings the culmination of a classic video game series, both on the storyline front as well as in its graphical pixel art style, that started back in the 8-bit generation with Mega Man.”
    • “While I was super entertained by the gameplay, as solid as ever despite the confusing map, what brought my attention the most were the backgrounds and graphics.”
    • “One of the main reasons for that is the sublime artwork in these games, especially the fullscreen 'story' artworks, which still look incredibly good today.”
    • “Not impressed with the 2020 graphics for this game.”
    • “When I first tried to play it, there were lots of graphical problems on my Windows 10 NVIDIA card, and it was completely unplayable.”
    • “All, and I mean all, the pixel art artwork has that weird filter that makes every single image in-game look like an oil painting and that's impossible to remove.”
  • optimization72 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users citing significant performance issues, particularly related to the newly implemented Enigma DRM, which has caused stuttering, crashes, and reduced modding capabilities. While some players report smooth performance on various hardware, the overall sentiment leans towards dissatisfaction due to the invasive DRM and its negative impact on gameplay experience.

    • “Good news for me at least, through my testing of each opening level of the Zero/Zx collection, I have found no issue of crashing or any other performance-related issue.”
    • “Unlike others, I had 0 performance issues in all 6 games or Z Chaser.”
    • “Everything runs smoothly, the Z Chaser is a cool addition, the music player is great for the beautiful soundtrack, and the fact that you can link ZX with both MMZ3 and Z4 for the extra in-game content is just amazing.”
    • “Tbh I'd have rated this game higher, but the optimization is abysmal.”
    • “This collection has trash optimization with bad stutters.”
    • “Capcom recently added Enigma DRM to a lot of their games, even old games that were left untouched for years. This DRM broke mods for such games and introduced performance issues like stuttering.”
  • grinding52 mentions

    The grinding aspect in the Mega Man Zero series is frequently criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the first two games where players must invest significant effort to unlock weapon skills and upgrades. While some players appreciate the challenge and depth it adds, many find it detracts from the overall enjoyment, with some opting for easier modes to bypass the grind entirely. Overall, while the games offer solid gameplay and enjoyable mechanics, the grinding remains a notable flaw that can hinder the experience.

    • “Then I spend a large amount of time farming energy to fill those life bars before I can comfortably face a boss.”
    • “Problem two, following up from the difficulty, is the grinding required for those upgrades.”
    • “It's got plenty of good gameplay moments, and very solid bosses as always, but it's marred by grinding (yes, grinding) and some occasionally outright bad level design.”
  • replayability32 mentions

    The game collection offers high replayability due to its diverse gameplay styles, multiple character builds, and engaging bonus modes, including mini-games and achievements. Players appreciate the tight controls and rewarding exploration, while leaderboard features and unlockable content further enhance the replay value. Overall, the combination of challenging gameplay and various customization options makes it a compelling choice for both new and veteran players.

    • “Mega Man Zero 3 has excellent gameplay, great level design that rewards exploration without being so cryptic it's difficult to accomplish anything. It has multiple different ways you can build Zero to make the game very replayable, and new systems that are engaging to test more build options with.”
    • “Insanely replayable, fantastically tight controls, the peak of being both way too hard and entirely fair.”
    • “In the end, this legacy shows more love than the X legacy, and it was a blast to 100%. There is replay value if you go for expert modes and, in the case of ZXA, the extras plus the canon ending.”
    • “It has some segments with frustrating design, but overall this is just a big improvement over Zero 1, aside from less replayability.”
    • “The rank system might be intimidating for new players, but it adds a lot of replayability for veteran Mega Man fans.”
    • “As with all Mega Man collections, the leaderboard retains a video record of your runs (but only if you're within the top 400 this time) and the top scores are well clear of cheats, meaning this mode is, again, actually meaningful and adds a lot of replay value.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heart-wrenching and interconnected story, particularly in the Mega Man Zero series, which evokes strong feelings and even tears from players. The narrative is described as both challenging and deeply impactful, with a notable "aftermath" theme that resonates throughout the gameplay, culminating in a powerful emotional ending. Overall, players appreciate the emotional depth and storytelling, making it a worthwhile experience for newcomers to the series.

    • “But with all that aside, I think this game is very well worth your money if you look for a challenge, and the Mega Man Zero story is pretty depressing and emotional. I think you would enjoy this collection if you're new to this series :)”
    • “It breaks a few things along the way, and the story has a definite 'aftermath' taste after Zero 3, but the conclusion is definitely worth checking out, with a tier A emotional ending.”
    • “Listen, this was done on a DS ROM, it worked perfectly. The ending of ZX made me cry even more because the voices over there do make a difference.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The stability of the game varies significantly across platforms; users report frequent freezing on Windows and graphical glitches on the Steam Deck. However, some players have experienced smooth performance with minimal issues, highlighting that the collection runs well overall, aside from minor controller trigger problems.

    • “This collection runs great!”
    • “It runs great, with the only minor problem I see is not being able to use your controller triggers.”
    • “Props on that and also experiencing no glitches or anything.”
    • “Runs poorly on Windows; it freezes on startup most of the time.”
    • “Graphical glitches on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Runs poorly on Windows; it freezes on startup most of the time.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as strong and oppressive, effectively conveying a sense of drama and a metaphorical dark age. However, the poor quality of acting detracts from the overall experience, undermining the otherwise immersive environment. While the sound quality has improved, inconsistencies in gameplay systems also affect the cohesion of the atmosphere.

    • “It's also the place where story and atmosphere get on the highest gear and satisfy with surprising subtlety and grace.”
    • “They're fun, atmospheric, story-driven games.”
    • “While the sound quality has been improved, the quality of the acting is very poor and ruins the atmosphere of most scenes.”
    • “And it's really, really ruining the atmosphere.”
    • “I also appreciate the atmosphere and drama, feeling like this is the metaphorical dark ages following the decline of the previous world.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as feeling rushed and resembling a cash grab, particularly aimed at younger audiences drawn in by its colorful advertising. However, some reviewers acknowledge that the game offers more than just a simple re-release, featuring meaningful additions that enhance the old-school action-platforming experience.

    • “Almost like the game was made for consoles and quickly rushed onto Steam as a cash grab.”
    • “Kids who buy it because of its colorful advertising may get frustrated, put it down, and not pick it up again.”
    • “It’s old school action-platforming at its finest, and the additions that were included this time make it more than just a rerelease cash grab.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by quirky elements, such as a "funny hat" and amusing scenarios involving an "edgy robot man." Players appreciate the lighthearted tone and comedic touches, although some suggest that the original games may offer a more substantial experience.

    • “Go sail the seven seas with your funny hat and some tunes, or look elsewhere to play the originals, which are incredible games and worth your time.”
    • “Hilariously, there are controller rebinds for a controller.”
    • “Edgy robot man funny”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the series is often criticized for being tropey, particularly in ZX, though some players appreciate the more menacing character designs introduced in earlier titles. While Advent is noted for its superior character designs and soundtrack, the expansion of abilities like a-trans is seen as underdeveloped. Overall, the character development lacks depth, with many characters adhering to familiar archetypes.

    • “Advent's best feature is its character designs, vastly superior soundtrack, and the expanded concept of a-trans, which is still a half-baked, if cool idea for an ability.”
    • “I prefer the skinnier and slightly more menacing character designs of 1-4, compared to the usual blocky and cartoonish design of the original Mega Man series.”
    • “The characters are a bit tropey for my liking, especially in ZX, but I do actually prefer the skinnier and slightly more menacing character designs of 1-4 than the usual blocky and cartoonish design of the original Mega Man series.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection

Play time

17hMedian play time
34hAverage play time
15-94hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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