X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse

"A genre blend that should be brought to next-gen systems"

Imagine combining an arcade beat-em up like Captain Commando or Final Fight, a 2D side scroller like the Megaman X series, and a fighting game like Street Fighter II or Mortal Kombat games.

X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse pits five X-Men (Gambit, Beast, Cyclops, Psylocke and Wolverine) against almost infinite nameless henchmen, and some (at times gratuitously used) X-villains. The twist about this game is that in addition to just beating the snot out of these henchmen, you use fighting game special moves to use your X-Man's mutant powers.

Graphics- 9 / 10

Let's be fair, this IS an SNES game, so don't expect anything that will impress you in comparison to the Next-generation systems. That being Said, the graphics are as good as you could ever get from the 16-bit relic. They far surpass anything with the X-Men brand made prior to MA's release.

Smooth animations, good graphics, and no slowdown when the screen is filled with baddies. You can't ask for much more.

Gameplay- 8 / 10

Each character has his / her own unique strengths and weaknesses. Gambit's moves are the easiest, Beast is the strongest, Wolverine is the most mobile, etc. etc. etc.

The first level, each charachter has his / her own environment that they must fight through, but after that, it becomes a matter of strategy in deciding who fights in what level. Chances are, you will not be using one charachter for every level, unless you REALLY love a specific charachter.

There is also a small amount of variation in how you go through the level, depending on who you pick. There isn't alot, but pace on an SNES cartrage is limited.

The moves themselves are similar to those that are seen in Capcom fighters (the fireball motion, the Dragon Punch motion etc.) There is only one attack button, there is a jump button as opposed to hitting up, so this exactly like a fighting game, but it's similar.

Sound- 6 / 10

Again, one must remeber what system we're using, so don't expect a great deal from the Sound effects. The attack sounds are pretty dead on, but the laser effects, and Wolverine's claws are just wrong.

The music is on par. The sort of MIDI metal you'd hear on any run of the mill sidescroller game.

Difficulty- Easy

There are a couple of cheap places in the game, but if you have right characher for the level, you can't lose to easily.

Replay Value- Medium

Trying to beat the game using all the charchters can be a fun time killer. But beating the game five times is all there is.

Overall Score (not an average) 9 / 10

Buy this game if you see it and you have an SNES. What's it going to set you back? Five bucks? You'll love it if you like fighters, beat 'em ups, or side scrollers, because it uses the best aspects of the three genres.

I'd also say the same of Marvel Super Heroes: War of the Gems for the SNES. Same game with four other charchters (Wolverine is in that one, too.) and based on the ''Infinity Gauntlet'' and ''Infinity War'' stroy lines.

Personally, I'd love to see this type of game put onto the Playstation, or Playstation 2. This type of game could be the last hurah for 2D gaming. Megaman X can't do it by himself, and a game like MA on a next-gen system could have incredibly indepth play. Of course, I'm getting off topic here. Play Mutant Apocalypse, you'll be glad you did.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/25/02, Updated 01/25/02