Mega Man X3

Mega Man X3, known as in Japan, is a video game developed by Capcom and originally released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It is the third game in the Mega Man X sub-franchise and the last to appear on the SNES.

Like its predecessor, Mega Man X2, Capcom included the Cx4 chip to allow for some limited 3D graphics (more specifically, vector graphics) and transparency effects. Mega Man X3 was the first game in which Zero is a playable character in addition to X.

Story
The story of Mega Man X3 revolves around a Reploid scientist named Dr. Doppler. In the year 21XX, the threat of the Mavericks had been neutralized thanks to Doppler's technology, which prevented the Mavericks from going berserk. The reformed Reploids had formed a utopia near their new mentor called Doppler Town. It seemed that all was well, until the former Maverick Reploids suddenly reverted and once again began causing trouble. Dr. Doppler was held accountable, and X and Zero were sent out to contain the new threat. Once Zero and X defeat Dr. Doppler and his forces, Dr. Doppler snaps out of it and realizes all the damage that he has done. He reiterates that Sigma's true form is now a computer virus, and he realizes that he was corrupted to create a new body for him. X seeks out Sigma after thanking the doctor. After an intense battle, the Sigma Virus in its pure form chases X in an attempt to possess him. After X finds himself at a deadend, one of two things may happen. In the main ending, Zero takes Dr. Doppler's true antivirus and uploads it onto his sabre offscreen. He rushes in to save X just in time and causes Sigma to explode, taking out the lab as they evacuate. However, if Zero was injured during the game, the worse scenario occurs - Dr. Doppler instead uses his own body as the antivirus and sacrifices himself for the greater good.

32-bit re-releases
An enhanced version was also released on the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and PC (herein referred to as the 32-bit CD version) later that year, and the PC version arrived in North America and Europe in 1997.

The 32-bit CD version made its North American console debut in the anthology, Mega Man X Collection.

Differences with the SNES version include:


 * Slightly enhanced sprites and animation, additional animated cut-scenes, remixed music tracks, and new sound effects.
 * The Mavericks' intros use FMV, with a remixed version of the classic Mega Man Robot Masters Intro.
 * The Japanese editions feature two J-Pop songs by Kotono Shibuya, "One More Time" (opening theme) and "I'm Believer" (ending theme).
 * The 32-bit CD versions (except for the PC version) feature load times after the Mavericks' intro FMV, including a very long wait when first booting up the game. The rest of the load times are nearly non-existent.
 * The PC version has a bug that manifests on more modern systems. Depending on the player's install method and CD-ROM speed, the maps for Dr. Doppler's lab may not load properly, instead displaying either "garbage" tiles or a black screen, and X can not teleport into the stage (he instead dies instantly when he enters the stage). One way to fix the bug is to install the entire game on the hard drive, thereby eliminating the loading bug and allowing the game to play properly when the player reaches Doppler's lab.
 * The PC version also has a bug which causes the wire-frame Sigma head in the final segment of the game to be rendered upside-down.

The 32-bit CD version of X3 is the version featured in Mega Man X Collection. It uses the original pieces of music found in the European editions, meaning the two J-Pop songs are left out.

Save feature
This was the last game in the Mega Man X subfranchise (and the entire series) to feature a password save, which means the player has to enter a password in order to continue from where he or she left off. Mega Man X4 requires players to save game progress to either memory cards or the console's internal memory, completely eliminating the password system. The PC and Sega Saturn versions of Mega Man X3 have save features as well as the password feature.

Reception
Reception of Mega Man X3 has been generally favorable.