Mega Man X5 (PSone)
Publisher: CapcomDeveloper: CapcomPlatform: PSonePrice: £29.99
Mega Man has been a platform stalwart since his debut on the NES 15 years ago. They say progress waits for no man, but the blue bomber is still running, jumping and shooting his way through the same colourful 2D worlds that he populated in days of yore. 'Mega Man X5' offers more of the same addictive, old school mayhem that drained sleep from me back when I had a He-Man bedspread.
The plot, for what it's worth, is the usual sci-fi claptrap - the Sigma virus is headed for Earth, and will destroy the planet if you don't complete the defensive Enigma cannon within sixteen hours (alas, not real hours - there's only a few nights gameplay in here).
Once again, players can tackle the eight levels in any order, each offering a familiar mix of jumping and shooting, while - surprise, surprise - a boss character guards the end of each.
As you'd expect, there's nothing here that really pushes the technological envelope. The primitive 2D visuals are effective, but hardly task the PSone too much, while the music consists of standard-issue platform fanfares - including a cool remix of the original theme that will bring a lump to older throats.
In fact, MMX5's only major flaw is the difficulty level. The series, which was famous for being rock hard, has gotten soft in its old age and X5's short levels and pathetically easy bosses won't challenge for long.
Nevertheless, this is an engaging and addictive game while it lasts, and players who cut their gaming teeth in the 8 and 16 bit days will find much to love in X5.
It may not be particularly innovative, but this is a game that gives nostalgia a good name - a bleary-eyed jaunt down memory lane for fans of the originals.
Neil McGreevy
