Mega Man Xtreme 2 is an action-platform video game developed and published by Capcom for the Game Boy Color. It is a spin-off title in the Mega Man X series and a follow-up to Mega Man Xtreme, which was released the previous year. Mega Man Xtreme 2 takes place in the 22nd century, between the events of Mega Man X3 and Mega Man X4. The DNA souls of robots known as "Reploids" around the world are being stolen and used to create an army of undead "Mavericks". The "Maverick Hunters" X and Zero quickly spring into action, now with the help of their young ally Iris.
The gameplay is similar to previous Mega Man games, retaining most elements from the home console versions of the series, but adds the ability to switch between characters to use unique abilities and obtain upgrades through "DNA Souls" collected from fallen enemies. Each character has a different set of stages and bosses; defeating the stage's boss will earn that character its special weapon.
Mega Man Xtreme 2 was first announced in Japan in March 2001, with Capcom intent on localizing it for the western market. It was released in Japan on July 19, 2001, and in North America in November that year. It was met with a mixed critical reception; while reviewers were content to see some improvements over its predecessor, some felt the game's lack of innovation may not resonate with newcomers to the series. In 2013, Mega Man Xtreme 2 was made available on the Virtual Console of Japan's Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS, and was released in the North American eShop the following year.
Like its predecessor, Mega Man Xtreme 2 is an action-platform game that contains the same gameplay as other Mega Man games. Notable changes for the sequel game, however, are the ability to switch between player characters X and Zero and the "DNA Soul" system, none of which is present in previous Mega Man X games. The player is tasked with completing a series of side-scrolling stages by avoiding obstacles and destroying end-stage bosses. Stages are typically linear and present a number of traps and enemy robots to combat, whereby the player can collect DNA Souls and items that refill health, ammunition, and extra lives; power-ups that improve the player's maximum health; and armor parts that grant X new abilities. Defeating the Maverick boss at the stage's end will earn the player its special weapon. These weapons can then be used to more easily defeat other bosses, as each one is weak to a unique weapon. After each stage, the DNA Souls gathered in the stage will accumulate, which the player can use to purchase additional upgrades from Iris. These upgrades range from improvements on speed and power, to health recharge and shielding.
In the game's normal difficulty mode, the player is given the option to choose between using X and using Zero, each lending their own advantages and disadvantages. X uses his long-range "X-Buster", which can be charged up for increased damage. Alternatively, Zero uses his "Z-Saber" for close-range combat. Zero risks losing health by getting closer to enemies, but his sword attacks deal more damage. A difficulty setting called "Xtreme Mode" can be unlocked where the player can switch between X and Zero on any stage, thus allowing them to gain different weapons depending on which bosses they defeat. The major change in this game compared with other Mega Man X titles is that X and Zero do not both gain a weapon when a boss is defeated; only the character used to destroy the Maverick will get the special weapon. This adds a hint of strategy to the gameplay, as one must consider not only the order in which they will fight each boss, but whether X or Zero's gained weapons will prove more effective later on, and which are needed to gain hard-to-reach power-ups. Beating Xtreme Mode will unlock a "Boss Rush" that allows the player to battle all eight Mavericks from this game as well as the eight Mavericks from the first Mega Man Xtreme.
