Mega Man ZX

Mega Man ZX contains elements from both the Mega Man X series and the Mega Man Zero series. The player controls a character along a side-scrolling 2D plane, using jumps, dashes, and both melee and ranged weapons to traverse platforms and engage enemies, in order to cross the game world and complete missions. Missions are selected from a list, displayed on a computer. The player can freely explore the game world during and between missions, and they must find a mission's specified area themselves. The game also adds metroidvania concepts into the level design, with more exploration elements than the main Mega Man series.

During the game, the player uses "Biometals", sentient mechanical artifacts, to transform into different forms whose appearances and abilities are based on X, Zero, and the Four Guardians from the Mega Man Zero series. Each form has unique abilities that can be used to fight enemies, solve puzzles, and obtain special items found throughout the game world. The function of the Nintendo DS's touch screen changes with each form as well; for example, one form displays a radar on the touch screen, while another allows the player to customize the trajectory of their shots. The Model X form is initially only available temporarily at the beginning of the game, but it becomes a permanent transformation option during a second playthrough. The player can also choose to transform back into a powerless human, allowing them to crawl through tight spaces and move through civilian areas without frightening civilians or being attacked by security devices.

In the year 25XX, humans and Reploids (sentient androids) now coexist peacefully, successfully restoring Earth's former nations thanks to the efforts of Slither Inc., an energy development and private security organization run by a Reploid named Serpent. However, the peace is disrupted by several incidents of Reploids mysteriously going Maverick. Trading between nations became obstructed, forcing the nations to separate into utopian cities.

To repel the attacks, people banded together to create the Guardians, a Maverick-fighting defense and investigation force. The group's original leader, Ciel, mysteriously disappeared after an investigation where she discovered a Biometal (a living artifact containing characteristics of someone who lived long ago) called "Model W", which turned her team into Mavericks. In response, Ciel created six new Biometals (based on X, Zero, and the Four Guardians of Neo Arcadia) to counter the growing threat. The current leader of the Guardians is a female Reploid named Prairie, who is implied to be Alouette from the Mega Man Zero series.

News of a Mega Man game for the Nintendo DS first appeared on GameSpot, January 2006 on the same day that Capcom created an official teaser site. Capcom promised that this game would be a 2D side-scrolling action game with the ability to choose between a male character, Vent, or a female character, Aile.

A demo first appeared in Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2006 at an unlabelled kiosk at the Capcom booth. Much of the main introductory plot was revealed and two in-game levels, Area H and Area E were playable. The controls were said to be "simple enough… yet challenging", but reviewers did see some slowdown.

Mega Man ZX garnered positive reviews from most sources, garnering a Metacritic score of 76 out of 100. Similar to Mega Man Zero, Mega Man ZX was compared to the original Mega Man series. Its high level of difficulty was enjoyed by some, but criticized by others. Its gameplay presentation and level designs were praised. Low points in reviews were the confusing world map and frustrating difficulty level.

Mega Man ZX was the sixth-best-selling game in Japan during its release week at 33,652 units sold. 94,341 units of the game were sold in the region by the end of 2006. A direct sequel, Mega Man ZX Advent, was announced for release the following year.