Machine Guides

Game History

The X-Men arcade machine, developed and published by Konami, was released in 1992 and quickly became one of the most iconic arcade cabinets in gaming history. Based on the Marvel Comics superhero team, the game's character designs were specifically influenced by the 1989 animated pilot "X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men."

The game was a side-scrolling beat 'em up where up to six players could simultaneously control different X-Men characters to defeat Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. What made the cabinet truly legendary was its unique six-player version, which featured a massive double-wide screen setup created by using two contiguous CRT displays with one reflected by a mirror. This distinctive design made it an impossible-to-miss centerpiece in any arcade.

Konami, already experienced with successful licensed beat 'em ups like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons, brought their expertise to X-Men, creating fast-paced multiplayer action that honored the source material. The game was a commercial success, with Game Machine listing it as the third most successful table arcade unit and seventh most successful upright arcade unit of August 1992 in Japan.

For many years, X-Men remained an arcade exclusive until it was finally ported to home consoles digitally in 2010 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

How to Play

Objective

The main goal of the X-Men arcade game is to guide your chosen mutant superhero through various levels and defeat Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. You must progress through each stage by defeating enemies and overcoming obstacles to reach the final confrontation with Magneto. The game is designed for up to six players to play simultaneously, working together to save the world.

Controls

• Joystick: Use the joystick to move your character in eight directions (up, down, left, right, and diagonals)
• Attack Button: Press to perform basic attacks against enemies
• Mutant Power Button: Press to execute your character's special mutant attack (limited use)

Gameplay

• Starting the Game: Press the Start Button to begin your mission. Up to four players can join simultaneously on our machine.

• Character Selection: Choose your X-Men character from the available roster, which includes Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus, Storm, Nightcrawler, and Dazzler.

• Combat Mechanics: Navigate through side-scrolling levels and defeat enemies using your character's standard attacks and special mutant powers.

• Mutant Power Usage: Each character has a limited number of mutant power uses. These special attacks are more powerful than regular attacks but should be used strategically as they are finite.

• Health System: Your character has a health bar that depletes when hit by enemies. When health is depleted, you lose a life.

• Multiplayer Coordination: In multiplayer games, work together with other players to defeat enemies and progress through levels more efficiently.

• Level Progression: Complete each stage by defeating all enemies and reaching the end boss. Successfully defeating bosses allows you to advance to the next level.

• Final Battle: The ultimate objective is to reach and defeat Magneto in the final confrontation to complete the game.