Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse delivers a robust side-scrolling brawler experience infused with platforming elements that keeps the action fresh from start to finish. Players are tasked with guiding five iconic X-Men—Cyclops, Wolverine, Psylocke, Beast, and Gambit—through a variety of stages filled with hostile Sentinels, mutant-hunting soldiers, and deadly robotic foes. Combat flows smoothly, alternating between pounding combos and well-timed special moves, ensuring each encounter feels dynamic and rewarding.

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What sets this title apart is the distinct toolkit each X-Man brings to the fray. Cyclops’ Optic Blast allows for long-range zoning, Wolverine’s wall-climbing and feral slashes make close-quarters combat visceral and fast-paced, Psylocke’s acrobatics open up vertical pathways, Beast can cling to ceilings to avoid ground-based traps, and Gambit’s explosive cards add a strategic projectile layer. Special moves require familiar Street Fighter–style inputs, delivering satisfying payoff when you pull off a properly timed dragon-punch or multi-hit Scissors Kick equivalent.

Levels are thoughtfully designed, often culminating in mid-level minibosses and end-of-stage Super-Villains that test both your platforming prowess and fighting skills. Whether you’re navigating hazardous jumping puzzles, dismantling waves of enemies, or trading blows with Apocalypse’s mechanical monstrosities, the balance of challenge and control remains finely tuned. Save progress via password, which is a welcome inclusion for a game of this size, letting you tackle individual missions at your leisure.

Graphics

On the SNES hardware, X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse showcases vibrant, detailed pixel art that brings Marvel’s mutant universe to life. Character sprites are well-proportioned and animated with care—Wolverine’s claws extend with a satisfying “snikt,” Beast’s ceiling cling involves a subtle bounce, and Psylocke’s leaps arc gracefully across the screen. Each hero is instantly recognizable, from Cyclops’ ruby visor glow to Gambit’s trench coat flapping behind him.

The backgrounds span the ruined cityscapes of Genosha, sprawling high-tech laboratories, and ominous dungeons where Apocalypse’s influence looms large. Parallax scrolling layers add depth, while occasional weather effects—like lightning flashes or drifting fog—contribute to the atmosphere without hampering performance. Enemy designs range from generic troopers to imposing Sentinel variants, each bearing a distinct color palette and silhouette.

Boss encounters are particularly impressive, with larger-than-life sprites that fill the screen and showcase dramatic attack animations. Whether it’s a hulking robot stomping in sync with the soundtrack or a familiar comic-book villain unleashing signature moves, the graphical presentation makes each showdown feel momentous. Overall, the visuals marry detail and readability exceptionally well for a mid-’90s platform brawler.

Story

The narrative thrust of X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse is deceptively simple yet effective: a surge of anti-mutant sentiment in Genosha prompts Professor Xavier to scan the island nation with Cerebro, uncovering Apocalypse’s manipulative hand. Genoshan authorities appear to be using the ancient mutant tyrant to quell unrest, but Xavier suspects darker motives. Thus, he dispatches five X-Men—Cyclops, Wolverine, Psylocke, Beast, and Gambit—to investigate and neutralize the threat.

While the game doesn’t rely on lengthy cutscenes, every stage opener and closer includes concise captions and character portraits that drive the plot forward. You feel the urgency as you infiltrate fortified compounds, rescue captive mutants, and piece together Apocalypse’s grand design. The minimalistic storytelling leaves room for the gameplay to speak volumes, yet it still captures the essence of a high-stakes Marvel adventure.

Each X-Man’s level reflects their personality and abilities, subtly weaving character into the narrative flow. Psylocke’s infiltration mission feels stealthy and acrobatic, Wolverine’s infiltration is brutal and direct, and Gambit’s stages brim with explosive flair. By the time all heroes converge on Apocalypse’s citadel, you’ve experienced multiple facets of the X-Men’s struggle, leading to a satisfying, unified finale that rewards your perseverance.

Overall Experience

X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse stands out as one of the premier SNES beat ’em ups, seamlessly blending brawler combat with platforming challenges. The diverse roster of playable mutants ensures high replay value, as each character’s level and move set provide fresh tactics and strategies. Whether you prefer Wolverine’s close-range ferocity or Gambit’s mid-range explosions, there’s a distinct playstyle waiting for you.

Difficulty strikes a fair balance—enemies hit hard, level hazards demand precision, and boss patterns require memorization—but generous health pickups and the password system soften the learning curve. Cooperative couch play isn’t supported, but sharing passwords to swap heroes feels like passing the controller in a comic-book club gathering. It’s challenging without feeling punishing.

For fans of classic Marvel action and ’90s side-scrollers, X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse remains a must-play. Its tight controls, varied stage design, impressive graphics, and faithful adaptation of comic-book characters create an immersive package. Even decades after its release, it stands as a testament to how licensed games can capture the spirit of their source material while delivering engaging, polished gameplay.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10