Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

X-Men: Gamesmaster’s Legacy delivers a classic 2D side-scrolling beat-’em-up experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly varied. Players begin by selecting from seven iconic mutants—Wolverine, Bishop, Gambit, Storm, Rogue, Jean Grey, and Cyclops—each bringing a unique playstyle to the adventure. Wolverine thrives in close-quarters combat with devastating melee strikes, while Cyclops and Gambit excel at long-range engagements, picking off foes before they even get close. Storm and Rogue’s flight abilities open up vertical exploration, allowing for secret shortcuts and aerial combat strategies that other characters can’t exploit.

The ability to choose any of the eight stages—ranging from the frozen Arctic tundra to the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and even a lunar landscape—at the outset provides a welcome non-linear structure. Each level presents its own environmental hazards: slipping on icy surfaces in the Arctic, navigating shifting sand traps in Egypt, or battling low gravity on the Moon. This branching path approach encourages multiple playthroughs, as different characters will find some stages considerably easier or more challenging based on their powers and movement options.

Combat relies on a limited pool of mutant energy, forcing players to balance regular attacks with special powers judiciously. Mutant energy capsules are scattered throughout levels, but they’re rarely abundant, so activating powerful abilities at the right moment becomes a key strategic element. Between mashing punch and kick buttons for standard combos and unleashing charged attacks—like Storm’s lightning bolt or Rogue’s energy burst—the combat loop remains engaging, though it can feel repetitive if you stick to a single character for too long.

Enemy variety further spices up the action, with hordes of foot soldiers, robotic drones, and even classic X-Men adversaries populating each stage. Boss encounters punctuate the end of every level, demanding players learn attack patterns and execute well-timed counters. These bosses not only test raw reflexes but also push you to fully utilize your character’s special abilities, making each victory feel earned and rewarding.

While the controls are responsive for the most part, occasional hit detection quirks can lead to frustrating moments, especially in tighter platforming sections. Nonetheless, the fundamental beat-’em-up mechanics are solid, and the ability to experiment with different mutant teams keeps the gameplay loop fresh. For fans of side-scrolling brawlers and X-Men lore alike, Gamesmaster’s Legacy presents a satisfying blend of action, strategy, and exploration.

Graphics

On Sega’s Game Gear hardware, X-Men: Gamesmaster’s Legacy showcases surprisingly detailed sprite work and colorful environments that push the system’s limited palette. Each mutant character is easily recognizable, complete with signature costumes and visual flourishes—Wolverine’s claws gleam, Storm’s hair billows, and Jean Grey’s telekinetic aura shimmers—adding personality to every punch and special move.

The level backgrounds are lovingly rendered, with icy blues and whites in the Arctic, warm golds and browns in Egypt, and stark grays against the blackness of space on the Moon. Parallax scrolling is used sparingly but effectively, giving certain stages a sense of depth without overwhelming the Game Gear’s processing capabilities. Enemy sprites vary from generic thugs to more elaborate mechanical foes, ensuring that each wave of adversaries feels distinct.

Animation is largely fluid, particularly during combat sequences where character frames transition smoothly between attacks, blocks, and special moves. However, on-screen slowdown can occasionally occur when multiple enemies appear or during explosive special attacks. While this doesn’t break the game, it does detract a bit from the otherwise polished visual presentation.

Cutscenes between levels are simple but functional, relying on still images of the Gamesmaster and a montage of X-Men faces to advance the narrative. Dialogue boxes are clear and easy to read, though the limited text space means the story is conveyed in bite-sized snippets rather than fully fleshed-out scenes. Despite these constraints, the game succeeds in maintaining a comic-book aesthetic that fans will appreciate.

Overall, the graphics stand as one of the title’s strongest assets. For a handheld release, Gamesmaster’s Legacy manages to capture the spirit of the X-Men universe with bold colors, recognizable character art, and dynamic stage designs that hold up surprisingly well two decades later.

Story

The narrative thrust of X-Men: Gamesmaster’s Legacy centers on the deadly Legacy Virus threatening all of humanity. The X-Men discover that the enigmatic Gamesmaster claims to hold the only known cure, but he won’t part with it freely. Instead, he challenges the mutants to complete a series of perilous games scattered around the globe, turning what should be a rescue mission into a high-stakes competition.

This premise injects urgency into each stage, as players know that failure means the virus will continue to spread unchecked. The added twist that the X-Men’s arch-rivals—Magneto and the Brotherhood—also seek the cure raises the dramatic stakes, creating a race against time and enemy intervention. Occasional dialogue exchanges between levels, though brief, help reinforce these tensions and remind players why each victory matters beyond simple score-chasing.

Despite the Game Gear’s hardware limits, the story is surprisingly cohesive. You follow a clear path: locate Gamesmaster’s challenges, overcome traps and henchmen, and unlock the antidote’s location. There’s little room for narrative branching, but the selection of stages in any order offers a semblance of player agency, allowing you to carve your own journey through the X-Men saga.

Character interactions are minimal, but each mutant’s presence adds flavor. Cyclops might quip about precision shots, while Wolverine growls about hitting anything in his way. These short bursts of personality help distinguish the team members beyond their combat roles and keep the story from feeling purely mechanical.

Ultimately, while the plot doesn’t revolutionize superhero storytelling, it provides a solid framework for action. The Legacy Virus threat is a fitting motivator, and Gamesmaster’s puzzles and traps offer narrative justification for the level design. For players seeking a lightweight but meaningful X-Men tale on the go, this game strikes a satisfying balance between plot and play.

Overall Experience

X-Men: Gamesmaster’s Legacy stands out as one of the stronger handheld entries in the early ’90s beat-’em-up genre. With seven playable mutants, non-linear stage selection, and a global storyline anchored by the Legacy Virus crisis, the game achieves surprising depth on the Game Gear. The combination of varied stage hazards, boss battles, and character-specific mechanics ensures that no two playthroughs feel identical.

While occasional slowdown and limited narrative depth remind you of the hardware’s constraints, the overall package remains engaging. The core combat is solid, with responsive controls and satisfyingly impactful special moves. Collecting mutant energy capsules and discovering hidden paths encourages exploration and experimentation, rewarding players who take the time to master each character.

Visually and aurally, the game impresses for its platform. The bright, comic-inspired art style and catchy chiptune soundtrack work in tandem to bring the X-Men universe to life, even on a low-resolution screen. Cutscenes may be sparse, but they do enough to keep the story moving between levels without overstaying their welcome.

For fans of X-Men lore, portable beat-’em-ups, or simply retro gaming aficionados, Gamesmaster’s Legacy offers a compelling experience that remains enjoyable decades after its release. Its balance of accessibility and depth makes it suitable for newcomers and series veterans alike. While it doesn’t break any new ground mechanically, its faithful representation of mutants and well-paced challenge curve ensure it remains a worthwhile pickup for anyone exploring the Game Gear library.

In the end, X-Men: Gamesmaster’s Legacy captures the essence of team-based superhero action in a compact, portable format. Whether you’re revisiting it for nostalgia or discovering it for the first time, its blend of character variety, stage diversity, and classic beat-’em-up gameplay makes it a standout title worth adding to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10