Awesome Music / Mega Man X

Since its very beginning, Mega Man X has had a history of Awesome Music. The games have so many amazing tracks, we had to make a separate page!

Unmarked spoilers below. You have been warned!

Mega Man X / Mega Man Maverick Hunter X

• The Title Theme. Just this song alone tells you that we are no longer dealing with the light-hearted Mega Man (Classic) series - we're in X's world now. What an epic way to start an adventure!
• The Highway Stage theme from the intro stage is one of the most iconic themes, setting the tone for the entire Mega Man X franchise. Its dire but heroic sound does well to complement the excitement and anxiety felt by both the player and X as they join the fight against Sigma. Also, ridin' on cars!
  • The song has received multiple fantastic remixes, including Central Highway from the Maverick Hunter X remake and Opening Stage from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
• The first encounter with Vile is legendary at this point, and the music is partially responsible. First, there's the imposing Vile 1, which plays as the fearsome Maverick drops down from his airship in a massive Ride Armor. Then, he strikes! The ensuing Vile 2 is frantic, organized chaos that helps drive home the helplessness of the scenario. These songs were also reused for the bosses in the Sigma Palace stages, possibly because of just how freaky and tense they are.
  • Vile 1 has a great remix in Maverick Hunter X as Encounter With Vile.
• Then there's Zero's theme, Zero. It made him the Big Damn Hero that he is. Plus there's also the more melancholy motif Demo that plays during his heart-to-hearts with X, which is nearly enough to make a grown man cry. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare thy handkerchiefs.
  • Again, Maverick Hunter X has a fitting rendition of Zero's Theme and the somehow even more heartbreaking Zero's Sacrifice. For an even more rockin' version of the first theme, see the rendition from Project × Zone.
• The first Stage Select theme is an inspiring and cool track to get the player pumped to hunt Mavericks. This turns into the much more imposing Sigma Stage Select after all eight Mavericks are defeated, accompanied by Sigma's big mug staring you directly in the eyes with a smug smirk as if to say "Come get me!"
• Spark Mandrill's theme. What is there that hasn't been said already? It's one of the most epic metal tracks to ever hit the SNES's hardware. Let's leave it at that.
  • Maverick Hunter X was aware of this and did its best with Electromagnetic Power Plant.
• Armored Armadillo's theme is a chaotic romp that goes perfectly with riding mach-speed minecarts, running away from drilling machines, and blasting through flocks of bird Mechaniloids.
• Boomer Kuwanger's theme is a stand-out on the X1 soundtrack, going for a more subdued but equally epic sound. That little harmony tune that plays throughout the song is sure to get stuck in your head.
• Any guitarist worth his salt will appreciate Storm Eagle's theme, which has great melody and harmony.
  • Fortunately, Maverick Hunter X's New-Type Airport remix definitely did it justice.
• The theme that plays before bosses is the epitome of slowly escalating hype, as you're locked in a cage match with a dangerous Maverick ready to put an end to your mission (often accompanied by a cool pose). Then, the boss theme is just a classic. Uniquely, it doesn't actually use much of the overdrive or distortion guitars heard so much elsewhere on the soundtrack, instead going for an organ as the driving instrument. Its rolling, playful beat takes some of the edge out of the chaotic boss fights and makes it feels like you can actually overcome this challenge.
  • Maverick Hunter X's boss theme remix goes for an even zanier pace, and injects those electric guitars back in there for an epic track. The song also got a remix in the X Legacy Collection, which is probably one of the most fitting songs for the frantic nature of X Challenge.
• Dr. Light is dead and a memory. Now it's your turn to fulfill your destiny and bring about a peaceful world.
• The Password theme has a sort of bittersweet, melancholy happiness to it. Almost as if the song is saying "good job, but the fight's not over yet." Will the war ever come to an end?
• Sigma Stage 1 is absolutely epic, with a heroic edge that tells the player this is truly the climax of the game. Meanwhile, Sigma Stage 2 is a degree more sad-sounding, fitting since X has just witnessed the death of his friend Zero and has no where to go but onward. Then, Sigma Stage 3 is where the fear begins to set in, as the Mavericks get more and more persistent, culminating in the subdued and haunting Sigma Stage 4. X is finally at Sigma's doorstep, and he's ready to take on whatever lies in the darkness.
  • The Sigma Palace 1 remix from Maverick Hunter X is absolutely amazing, likely the best out of the entire soundtrack. It captures the same epic feeling almost exactly, if not more.
• Sigma's battle theme is shocking and heart-pounding, with electric guitars rampaging in the background while X finally battles one-on-one with the Maverick responsible for this whole mess. Then, he takes on his Wolf Sigma form, pitting X against seemingly hopeless odds with a tune that is truly foreboding. It almost sounds like Sigma has already won!
  • Maverick Hunter X somehow makes Sigma's battle theme even more terrifying, and the Wolf Sigma remix adds a choir for additional horror and tension.
• The Ending is very reflective and conveys being at an uncertain crossroads in life. Then the Cast Roll is a great way to alleviate this tension, as X heads home a changed Reploid and more importantly, a hero.
• Unique to Maverick Hunter X is Vile Mode's Vile Stage theme. It's a great tune that shows Vile's hatred-fueled rush for power. Now, if only it didn't play in every single stage and get old fast...

Mega Man X2

• While maybe not quite as epic as X1's, the Intro Theme is very funky and is a clear example of how much more brass-centered the X2 soundtrack is than its predecessor. Also, there are moments in it where it sounds like something straight out of F-Zero, which is hilarious given the Ride Chasers flying by the background of the opening narration.
• The opening Maverick Factory Stage theme alone is incredibly epic, almost rivalling the Highway theme from X1 before it. It does well portraying just how much X has grown since the last game, and how determined he is to put an end to the remnants of Sigma's rebellion.
• Wheel Gator's theme is funky and action-packed, fitting for a battle atop the back of a giant dinosaur-shaped tank mowing down a city. It is somewhat short, however, clocking in at around 26 seconds per loop, which may leave some wishing it continued what amazing melodies it had going for longer.
• Bubble Crab's theme is pretty iconic. It's a big more laidback for an X soundtrack, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the more memorable songs in the game. It even later got remixed for X5.
• Crystal Snail's theme is also quite chill, but manages to perfectly capture the feeling of a crystalline cave with an epic touch of adventure thrown in for good measure.
• Flame Stag's theme is peak Mega Man X, featuring buttery, droning overdrive guitars.
• Magna Centipede is something like the Boomer Kuwanger of this game, featuring a bit more of a subdued and "sneaky" sounding track fitting its stealth elements.
• The Maverick Boss theme is considerably more tense than X1's, sounding less playful and more dire.
• The X-Hunters Stage 1-2 song is fantastic, easily getting the player pumped to finish off the X-Hunters and save Zero. And while short, the X-Hunters Stage 3 music is arguably one of the most menacing and evil sounding themes in the series, enough so much that it got an awesome remix in X6.
• Zero's theme is so awesome, it refills your lifebar.
  • Special mention has to go to the remix from Marvel vs. Capcom 3; an upbeat and heroic techno remix to the song that provides a few extra parts for even more epic.
• Neo Sigma's theme is very exciting, if not a bit repetitive.
  • Coincidentally, it also got the electro remix treatment in Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, though this time with a subtle dubstep breakdown in the middle to change it up a bit.
• The Ending theme is touching in a sort of nostalgic way.

Mega Man X3

• Say what you will about X3s soundtrack, but you can't deny that both the SNES and disc versions of the opening Hunter Base stage themes are great in their own ways. The first is more of a hard rock anthem, while the other is more dire and bitter sounding.
  • It's awesome enough that it was given an equally, if not more awesome remix as X's theme for Project X-Zone 2.
• Zero's theme is also great, carrying on his tradition of having one of the best songs in the game. As usual, the SNES version is more rockin' while the disc is more of a synth and brass-centered tune.
• Gravity Beetle's theme is a stand-out on the soundtrack, thanks to having a more complex melody and a longer runtime than a lot of the others. Here's the SNES and disc versions.
• Neon Tiger's theme is actually quite different between the two versions. The SNES version is a tad more deliberate and slow-paced, while the disc one really kicks it up a notch and makes it faster.
• The disc version of Crush Crawfish's theme is a step above the SNES, featuring a faster beat and more dramatic-sounding guitars that are sure to get you pumped. It's probably the track that benefited the most from the disc-based soundtrack.
• Same goes for Blast Hornet's theme, which took the SNES's "okay" tune and turned it into almost an entirely new song. The result is much more frantic with undertones of a buzzing hornet swarm, and feels a lot more like you're storming a military base.
• Blizzard Buffalo fits the new disc sound perfectly, due to its focus on synths and strings. It even gets added sound effects to make it feel extra chilly. The SNES version is also good in its own right.
• Tunnel Rhino's stage theme features an awesome heavy guitar that conveys the feeling of a big, bad robot rhinoceros with drills very well. The disc version lacks that heaviness of the SNES version's guitars, but still sounds decent in its own right. The two versions mashed together sound almost incredible.
• The Maverick Boss theme here is somewhat mixed, since it's a very competent melody, but both the SNES and disc versions are barely 10 seconds long!
  • The X Legacy Collection remix is arguably the best out of all the boss theme remixes, solely because it extends the song to a full minute! Finally!
• The theme for Vile's secret stage is a classic metal romp, with a thumping beat and heavy use of its overdrive guitars in the SNES version. The disc version instead swaps it out for a synth, but it's up to you which one sounds better.
• It's pretty widely agreed that the SNES version of Doppler's Lab Stage 1-2 is the better of the two versions, due to having more of a focus on guitar that makes it much more brutal and fitting for storming the final base. But again, it's up to you if the disc version does it justice.
• By this point in the series, Sigma's themes were just getting more and more intense. Both the SNES and disc versions of Sigma's first battle are quite freaky, almost sounding like a scary chase scene. Meanwhile, the fight with Kaiser Sigma has a more deliberate SNES track and a more intimidating disc track. Regardless, both versions are perfect for another final battle with Sigma.

Mega Man X4

• Born in the golden age of PSX music, Mega Man X4 has scarcely a weak, or even mediocre track to speak of. This is clear right from the opening stage on the Sky Lagoon. X's version is somewhat bitter and melancholy, reflecting X's usual distaste for needless violence and possibly foreshadowing the game's tragic events. Meanwhile, Zero's version is a little bit more energetic and cool, fitting his more confident demeanor, while retaining some of the subtle sadness.
  • X's opening stage theme was remixed for Project × Zone as his character theme.
• The Stage Select theme is great, and really drives home the desperation of the fight to stop Repliforce.
• Even the "boss selected" theme is awesome too, if not one of the best in the series!
• Web Spider's stage has a more subdued and jungle-y vibe than usual X soundtracks of the time, which is perfectly for such an immaculately-detailed beauty of a level.
• Magma Dragoon's theme is fitting. You can almost feel the rage bubbling up like a volcano; X/Zero's determination to deal with the traitor, and Dragoon's excitement to finally get the fight he was looking for.
• Jet Stingray's theme is fast-paced and epic, perfectly complementing the blistering speed of his Ride Chaser-centric stage.
• Split Mushroom's theme is exciting and mysterious.
• Frost Walrus' stage is unique in that it has two phases. The first is for the cold, blistering blizzard in the first half of the stage. The second is a bit more exciting, since X/Zero is out of the cold and now fighting through the Repliforce base.
• Storm Owl's theme has a very emotional and dramatic tone to it, like something out of a war movie.
• The Maverick boss theme is great, very tense.
• The sad, yet hope-inspiring theme that is Dr. Light's theme.
• The Space Port theme is suitably frantic, as the Maverick Hunters rush to stop Repliforce's launch to space.
• The theme for battles with Colonel and General has a noble poise, showing how these two soldiers are still respectable warriors even if their perspectives no longer align with those of the humans and the Hunters.
• Double's theme, both from his reveal cutscene and his battle with X on the Final Weapon. Its insane guitars are the perfect portrayal of Double's murderous glee and Maverick insanity: the portly little guy X once knew is gone, and he's ready to tear you apart! REAVER FLASH!
• Iris' battle. The Soundtrack Dissonance only fuels the inevitable Tear Jerker.
• Phantom Sigma's battle theme is very eerie, which is fitting for fighting a Reploid version of The Grim Reaper. The following second form theme for Gunner Sigma, Earth Sigma, and the three heads is absolute insanity, taking cues from Double's wild electric guitar and mixing it with the eeriness of his previous theme.
• The American version of the ending theme has a melancholic tone that fits with the game's Bittersweet Ending. For something more upbeat, One More Chance is also worth hearing.

Mega Man X5

• The main menu theme (which doubles as the opening theme in the US release) is truly amazing, and has a very strong sense of finality to it. It makes good use of Zero's theme from X1 and turns it into a climactic, rocking track befitting of the series' dramatic climax (and intended finale).
• We again have two separate opening stage themes, which serve as leitmotifs for the respective characters throughout the rest of the game. X's theme is quite optimistic and hopeful, a nice contrast to his more melancholy theme from X4. It's just another routine day fighting Mavericks... or is it? Meanwhile, it's actually Zero's theme that takes the more stoic and gritty vibe, filled with electric guitars - makes sense, considering Zero is still processing his losses from the Great Repliforce War.
• It's an oddity to have the final antagonist as the game's first boss, but Sigma's theme is just as frantic and intense as you'd expect. In the first encounter with the Sigma Head, the intensity nicely foreshadows the coming crisis that Sigma has brewing - meanwhile, in the final encounter with Sigma W it's fitting for such an ominous track to play after the end of the gauntlet in Zero Space.
• Shining Firefly's stage is pure Mega Man X, driven along by a dramatic electric guitar.
• Tidal Whale's stage has a fantastic remix of Bubble Crab's theme from X2, which takes some of the bite out of the auto-scrolling level. In the leaked X5 beta, there was also an older version of Tidal Whale's theme included that is quite competent in its own right. It was likely cut for being too mellow, but otherwise it's great.
• Burn Dinorex's stage is epic and grandiose, not too fast-paced but not too slow either. An amazing synth lead backed by crunchy guitar riffs.
• Dark Necrobat's stage theme is beautiful and haunting, just like outer space itself.
• The Maverick boss theme is very intimidating this time around. Unlike past boss battles, here the fate of the world is constantly hanging in the balance.
• The Dr. Light theme for this game is a remix of his theme from X1. It feels especially haunting and final. Then there's the beta version, which was later used as the credits theme for the X Collection.
• Dynamo's theme is catchy and upbeat, just like the charismatic mercenary himself. However, it also has a hint of sinister danger to it, which reflects well his callous disregard for life and his willingness to follow Sigma for the pay, despite the consequences.
• The mysterious Zero Stage 1 really makes you feel like you're exploring a place unlike anything you've ever seen before... and by contrast, Zero Stage 2 seriously sounds as if Sigma wants to hold a rave party, or that a Touhou Project track ended up in the wrong series.
• The theme for Shadow Devil is a horrific church organ remix of the fortress boss theme from the original Mega Man, which is fitting for what an absolute nightmare this boss fight is.
• Rangda Bangda W has a similarly freaky theme, this time a remix of the fortress boss theme from X1. This fight ain't no walk in the park either, unfortunately.
• X vs. Zero. Good music by itself, more so because it fits the circumstances. The hopeful and regretful synths seem to represent X's passion for his friend, while the energetic electric guitars represent Zero's pride and power on the line. It's since become a legendary track to mark the decisive battle between both characters and one of the biggest moments of tension in the series. It's such a fan favorite that it returns for Nightmare Zero in X6, and even made its way into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate two decades later. Now With Lyrics! Track name "X-Buster" from ROCKMAN HOLIC ~the 25th Anniversary~.
• Final Sigma W has one of the most grandiose Sigma boss themes in the entire series, likely since this was meant to be the true final encounter with the main Maverick himself.
• The unused track entitled "Armageddon", for when the Eurasia space colony crashed. It sounds like a rock ballad, but there's a sense of the Earth being wiped clean...
• With Showtaro Morikubo, who has a side career as a musician, being cast as X, Capcom took the opportunity to have him perform a song, "Mizu no Naka". It's a beautiful, yet heartbreaking ode to how much Zero meant to X.

Mega Man X6

• One of the game's opening themes, "Moonlight", helps to set the tone for an already awesome intro. The lyrics detail how X feels lost in the post-Colony Drop world without Zero at his side. It helps that it's sung by X's Japanese voice actor, Showtaro Morikubo.
• The opening stage has a perfect "after the end" vibe, fitting for exploring the ruins at the Eurasia crash site. It makes it seem like X has been doing this for a while, but is still maintaining hope. The original Japanese version is actually slightly different, missing the guitar riff.
• The Mechaniloid boss theme is used for both the D-1000 and the Nightmare Mothers. It's very intense.
• High Max's boss theme is repetitive, but effective for an enemy that seems invincible at first glance, and even when you learn how to beat him, it helps to set the tone for a long battle.
• This game's Stage Select is fittingly grim for the post-apocalyptic adventure, featuring sinister church organs and a bubbling electronic beat. Uniquely, this game only has one stage select theme.
• Commander Yammark's theme. Harpsichord and flute trade off, backed by toe-tappingly catchy jazz drumming, in one of the series most flat-out relaxing tracks. Perfect for the Nightmare-infested Amazon area. Just watch out for those leaps of faith over death spikes...
• Infinity Mijinion's theme is super epic, sounding like what you'd get if Europe wrote a Mega Man soundtrack.
• Then there's Blaze Heatnix, which sounds like an unreleased Dragonforce song. It's so cool that it almost goes a little too hard for a stage where all you do is fight dragon-donuts.
• Blizzard Wolfang's theme. It sounds melancholy, but shifts to a more hopeful feeling halfway through... and the whole time, there's that amazing synth bass.
• Shield Sheldon's stage theme has an awesome, somewhat wintering vibe underscored by some insane slap bass.
• Metal Shark Player's stage. You might not be paying attention to it all that much due to the stage's infamous difficulty (even by this game's standards), but it's got a very industrial feel to it, and it's a good tune to make you wanna hold out against the stage and see it through.
• Rainy Turtloid's theme. A cool, collected tune with some absolutely gorgeous guitar riffs that compliments the stormy temple area Turtloid is hiding out in.
• Ground Scaravich's theme is downright demented, featuring aggressive synths underscored by swirling piano licks and pounding snare hits. Fitting for arguably the most chaotic stage in the series.
• This game's Maverick boss music is a lot of fun. It sounds oddly like an '80s car chase theme, especially with those little "wacka-wacka" guitar harmonics.
• The theme for Zero's return after you defeat Zero Nightmare. It's made even more emotional given that it's a remix of Zero's death theme in the first game, completely changing the meaning of the tune from the loss of a friend, to finding him again.
• Alia and Gate's story theme has a nostalgic and mysterious vibe to it. It's part of what makes the cutscenes revolving around Alia's past so intriguing.
• Gate's Secret Lab 1 & 2, a fast-paced remix of the third X-Hunter stage's theme from X2. It is fitting for literally the most difficult final stages in any Mega Man game, what with all the spikes, pits, lasers, and Nightmare elements.
• Then Gate's boss theme is truly rocking. It's an exceptionally evil theme for the Big Bad of this game - also, you'd better get used to hearing it a lot if you ever want to defeat him.
• Secret Lab 3, which doubles as Sigma's first form's theme. It makes you feel like a creeping nightmare has come back from the depths of the underworld in an abominable state, exactly the case here with Sigma. Or perhaps you have ventured into the underworld, as robotic satyr statues stand sojourn throughout the stage. And before you run even into Sigma, it gives you a very dark sense of foreboding.
• Sigma's second form, Hell Sigma, is unique among the Sigma final themes. Instead of going for an epic, scary, or melancholy sound, it captures a sort of primal aggression unlike any other. Maybe it's a nod to X and Zero's pre-battle dialogue, where they both basically say "Let's get this over with, Sigma!" in such a dismissive and determined tone. It is possibly the most metal Sigma theme in the entire series, and combines the old Sigma battle themes from X1 and X2 into one epic piece, with a rushing electric guitar and choir.
• The ending theme, coupled with a bittersweet and very emotional ending. X promises Alia they'll fix Gate and vows to end the war, with Zero watching X from afar, proud of how much his old partner has grown. It seems sad, but also very hopeful.
• "I.D.E.A" is the game's surprisingly funky send-off for the credits (though it was removed in the X Legacy Collection). Paired with its fun beat are especially hopeful and inspirational lyrics. It is performed by the band RoST, written again by Showtaro Morikubo.

Mega Man X7

• X7 is universally known as being the weakest of the Mega Man X games, but it still has a great soundtrack, as evidenced by the opening theme "CODE CRUSH", which is so mind-meltingly awesome that you'll be wishing it was in a better game. The overseas opening is quite competent too, with a dramatic electric guitar and dope percussion that just gets you pumped!
• Axl's portion of the opening stage, "Conflict" is fantastic, perfectly driving home the feeling of a fast-paced flight from those who want you in custody. Zero's segment, "Awake Road Again" is also very epic, and it really feels like Zero is back in action.
• The Stage Select theme is one of the catchiest in the entire series, and perfectly prepares the player to face off against the baddest vigilantes Red Alert's got. Stage Select 2 is also quite competent and foreboding.
• "Mod Electric Wave" is Tornado Tonion's theme. It's an atmospheric track with one hell of a menacing slap bass loop.
• "Underground", the theme of Vanishing Gungaroo, is awesome. Those maddening guitars and synths will get anyone ready to fight through hordes of Ride Armor-piloting goons.
• "Cyber Geometry" for Snipe Anteator sounds like something that would play at some twisted Maverick rave.
• "Naval Battle" is Splash Warfly's majestic, war-like theme, backed up by powerful breakbeats.
• Ride Boarski's "Bomb Recovery" in-your-face guitar lead and sweeping synths take the bite out of the Ride Chaser-centered level.
• "Decisive Battle" is this game's Maverick boss theme, and boy does it hold up. That catchy synth and those rapid rock organ notes in the background make for one energetic track.
• "Just Before Red" somehow feels like true Mega Man music, moreso than any other song on the list.
• "Relation" is quite a funky and cool song, befitting the charismatic and once-respected leader of Red Alert. Listening to it outside the context of the slow-as-molasses boss battle makes it feel like it might've been an actually good fight at some point.
• "Soul Asylum" might be the scariest and most atmospheric song from the entire Mega Man X series, if not the Mega Man franchise as a whole. Why did they make the boss rematch room so scary? No clue.
• "Our Blood Boils", Sigma's first battle theme. First it comes out swinging with a churning guitar riff, then it shifts into a more laid-back, heroic vibe that transitions into a quiet break... before the guitar comes back in with a face-melting solo. If that's not enough for you, try Sigma's second battle them "Conclusion", which remixes the electric guitars into a string section and incorporates it into one of the most epic Sigma themes of all time. It has a true sense of finality to it, sounding less scary and more like the heroic end of a journey.
• Sigma's also got a cutscene theme "Fate", which perfectly represents Sigma's badass return. This is no longer the zombie mess of a Reploid from X6 - he's more cunning and sinister than ever.
• Red's got his own kickass cutscene theme with a deep electric guitar.
• For those into ambient exposition music, "Revealing" is a must. (Its remix in Command Mission, which is included on that list, is pretty sweet too.)
• Showtaro Morikubo's "Lazy Mind". The original western PS2 versions kept the music, but stripped the vocals - even without them, those guitars and synths make for a killer credits theme.

Mega Man X8

• The Japanese version and certain releases of the 2005 PC port start off with "WILD FANG" by Janne Da Arc in the intro, putting the "rock" into "Rockman" more than ever before.
• The Title Screen theme is the Leitmotif of Mega Man X8, and will be sure to rear its head many times throughout the soundtrack.
• Noah's Park starts off the game right with its frenetic riffs and echoing synth in the background.
• Troia Base (Forwarding) plays in Optic Sunflower's stage during the zone trials. It's a fast track that gives a sense of hectic action as the player rushes to get a good score/time for each.
• Booster Forest, Bamboo Pandamonium's stage, has a heavenly vibe underscored by something sinister with its powerful electric guitar. Then there's the Ride Armor version, which kicks it up a notch into a pounding action tune.
• Dark Mantis' Pitch Black has one of the most interesting songs on the soundtrack, maintaining more of a stealth-action tone. It wouldn't be out of place in Metal Gear.
• Those who say all music from X8 sounds the same clearly haven't listened to the theme for Gravity Antonion's Primrose, which sounds advanced, ethereal, and totally unique.
• Central White, Avalanche Yeti's stage theme. A fast paced track with some intense guitar riffs and an absolutely godlike slap bass, perfect for speeding through a snowstorm on a Ride Chaser, blasting anything in your way.
• Inferno ~ Descending is Burn Rooster's theme, and it makes you feel like you're descending into the Earth's core with its sweeping guitar. More cowbell!
• The Maverick boss theme, which is a solid contender for the best Boss Battle track in the entire Mega Man series. And that's saying something! The game's Leitmotif also gets used in the Desperation Attack music when the battle ramps up.
• Vile's BADASS battle theme. That wailing electric guitar almost sounds like a warning siren, and someone's going absolutely ham on a rock organ in the background. Also worth mentioning is the song that plays during the cutscene when Vile kidnaps Lumine.
• Jakob, Capcom's idea of elevator music. Don't mind me, just heading to the Moon on an elevator travelling hundreds of miles per hour whilst fighting off Mavericks!
• Copy Sigma's battle theme is surprising light-footed and full of frantic guitars, somewhat reminiscent of his first battle music way back in X1.
• Then there's the theme of the real Sigma, which is a much slower and more intimidating version of Copy Sigma's song. It truly gives off the vibe of a lumbering king who is forcing himself to fight despite his rapidly-decaying body. His cutscene theme is also very foreboding, showing just how evil and off the deep end Sigma has become.
• Lumine's first battle theme is somewhat inspiring yet melancholy, with a church organ and choir befitting X8's constant religious symbolism and themes. Then there's Lumine's second form, which goes all-out with a crazy electric guitar and the dramatic organs used in the prior phase; this song is definitely one of the most memorable out of the bunch, and possibly the most well-regarded by fans. It only gets creepier when Lumine uses Paradise Lost, threatening to One-Hit Kill all the Maverick Hunters at once if he isn't stopped in time.

Mega Man X: Command Mission

• "Fight! X", which is both the title screen song and X's theme, is the epitome of heroic. It just bleeds X's noble, hot-blooded personality, especially his macho tone he has all throughout Command Mission.
• "Place of Oblivion" is relaxed and mysterious, befitting the investigation of the rainy Lagrano Ruins on the outskirts of Giga City. Fun fact, it's actually based on the "Revealing" cutscene theme from X7.
• "Standby, Zero" is another great theme. As opposed to X's theme, Zero's is a bit more relaxed and cool, while still retaining a fiery electric guitar to underscore his headstrong tendencies in this game.
• "Recovery of Hope" and "Central Tower", two of the themes from Central Tower, are both great. They're some of the highest-energy overworld themes in the game.
• "Spider Magic" is, well, Spider's theme. And it is very fitting for such a mysterious and charismatic guy.
• "Final Battle", the Rebellion Army boss theme, is one of the more memorable songs on the soundtrack. Its intense techno sound is sure to get you on edge for an especially difficult fight. And if you haven't come prepared... you'll be hearing this song many many times.
• "Massimo of Steel" is a funky and heroic tune befitting the great Steel Massimo. It is also used during the boss battles with Duckbill Mole and Depth Dragoon, two characters who are similarly devoted to their duties.
• Despite many of the overworld tracks being somewhat subdued and unexceptional, "Thick Forest of Secret Treasures", the theme of Gaudile Laboratory, is exquisite. It nails the atmosphere of infiltrating a secret laboratory just perfectly.
• "Pleasant Thief Marino" is Marino's fittingly sassy and charming theme song. It is also used during the fight with Rafflesian.
• "Event Battle" is an intense tune with deep electric guitars.
• "Irregular Hunt II", which is the regular battle theme for the second half of the game. It sounds surprisingly dire, which makes sense considering how the stakes begin to ramp up.
• "The Partners' Dilemma" is Gimialla Mine's theme, and is surprisingly rockin' for such a slog of a level.
• "Sadness and Regret II" often plays during moments of great nostalgia and sadness, such as Spider's sacrifice. While it is quite sad, it also has a running beat that inspires the player to be better and move on.
• "Deteriorated Stronghold", which plays at the Grave Ruins Base, is incredibly foreboding with its church organ and techno beats. This is the end of the Rebellion Army!
• While somewhat repetitive, you can't deny that Epsilon's battle theme gets you pumped. "Epsilon - 1st Movement" is good enough, but then he releases his limits and "Epsilon - 2nd Movement" starts, hitting you with a slightly faster and higher-key version that shows you're almost at the end of the fight.
• "Judgement of Truth" from the Far East HQ is a degree darker and more somber than any other theme in the game. It really helps nail the confusion and betrayal X and the Resistance are feeling after Colonel Redips turns on them. They're now fugitives, breaking into a stronghold they once admired in order to set things right.
• Colonel Redips' themes are all intense. "Redips - 1st Movement" is so dark and thick you could cut a slice of it, what with its brooding dark piano. Then "Redips - 2nd Movement" as he becomes Great Redips shows just how out of their league the Resistance is, until the fight gets balanced a bit and "Redips - 3rd Movement" kicks in with an added drum beat. Unlike most final boss themes, which go for the grandiose and epic, this one decides to double down on the intimidation factor, and it's quite effective.
• "Certain Victory! Ninetails" means having your ass handed to you by a Superboss never sounded so great.
• The ending theme, "PARTS" by Capricious Comet, deserves mention too. The whispery Engrish vocals may seem bizarre at first, but if you just let it all wash over you, it's one of the most relaxing and melancholy tracks in the entire X series.

Mega Man Xtreme / Mega Man Xtreme 2

• The first Xtreme is full of funky, 8-bit Game Boy remixes of classic tracks from X1 and X2.
  • Chill Penguin is surprisingly jazzy, setting it well apart from the original.
  • Wheel Gator is a bit slower, and has a short solo in between loops that makes the entire song sound a little more complete.
  • Storm Eagle also possesses an additional solo.
  • Sigma Stage 2 is a sped-up remix of X-Hunter Stage 3. That's right, Xtreme actually did it before Gate's lab did in X6!
• Xtreme 2 also has some good remixes.
  • Neon Tiger is a lot more thumping and rhythmic than the original versions. Its speed is also somewhere in between the slow-paced SNES and fast-paced disc versions.
  • Launch Octopus is a fearsome remix, and the 8-bit sounds fit it perfectly.
  • Wire Sponge is much more bumpin' and energetic here.
  • Blast Hornet is great, being based on the disc version of the song.

Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2

• "The World Of X" is the compilation's intro theme, and will no doubt get you pumped to play one of the most legendary action-platformer series of all time.
• "Gallery" continues the odd tradition of really great art gallery themes in compilation video games. The "Gallery (Relaxed)" version is ironically less relaxed, but still very good in a new way.
• Of course, there's all of the aforementioned Maverick boss theme remixes from X1 to X6 used in X Challenge.
  • X1's perfectly captures the sort of sinister playfulness in the original.
  • X2's is definitely an improvement, adding a mysterious-sounding warp effect.
  • X3's is absolutely transcendent, since it takes a 10-second long loop and turns it into a full minute!
  • X4's leans into techno and EDM, which is a fresh direction for the X series.
  • X5's transforms the somewhat foreboding original song into a hopeful, rave-like tune.
  • X6's does a great job of preserving the original's cheesiness while making it sound fresh and cool.

Rockman X DiVE

• Ever wanted to hear a traditional Japanese remix of Storm Eagle's theme, done on taiko drums and shamisens? Look no further.
• There's also the Christmas-themed remix of Blizzard Buffalo's theme, which sounds like Carol of the Bells.
• Crystal Snail got a rocking remix that somehow maintains the cunning elegance of the original X2 track.
• Jakob got a fantastic remix that manages to escape X8's same-y style.
• Sigma's final phase from X4 got quite the intense remix as well.
• And what better theme to fight the final battle against Via-square- to than an incredible metal remix of the subseries' most iconic theme, X5's "X vs Zero"? It even makes sense given the context of the battle.

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