Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection

When most people hear Mega Man, they immediately picture Capcom's iconic "Blue Bomber." But in the Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection, it's the saber-wielding warrior Zero that takes the stage. Zero's solo story unfolds over the course of the four Mega Man Zero games, and his legacy continues in the two Mega Man ZX games included in the collection. While these might be an offshoot from the main series, they shouldn't be dismissed as any less entertaining. All the core elements that made Mega Man near and dear to gamers' hearts are still here. There's plenty of fast action, death defying acrobatic platforming, and a slew of power upgrades to help the heroes take advantage of their foes' weaknesses. Between the excellent gameplay mechanics, the sometimes insane difficulty, and the engaging stories, there's no denying that these spin-offs more than live up to the legacy of the Mega Man series.

Instead of just tossing six games together and calling it a day, Capcom decided to add a few extra features to the collection. Some of these are great, while others leave something to be desired. On the positive side, the addition of the Casual Scenario mode and Save-Assist options are great. These make the games much more forgiving for newcomers by reducing the damage, eliminating insta-death from falls, and adding multiple checkpoints to save your progress. Since the ZX games were originally developed for the dual-screen Nintendo DS, the collection gives players a few layout options for dealing with the second screen. Some feel natural and intuitive, while others make that second screen much more invasive than needed. The game's attempt at multiplayer, the "Z Chaser" mode, pits players against each other or AI opponents in a race against the clock. It doesn't add anything to the overall experience and feels like nothing more than filler. Still, the package as a whole is a great addition to any Mega Man fan's library and shows exactly why Zero has earned his time in the spotlight.