

In addition to the side-scrolling platform levels, some boss fights and other events are played from alternate perspectives. Other defeated enemies may leave behind metal bits, which can be collected and used to create custom power-ups.

As in most games in the long-running Mega Man series, defeating a boss character earns the ability to use its special weapon. Characters not controlled by the player recover more quickly when the hero onscreen is performing well. Players can switch between two characters in the heat of battle, to solve a platform puzzle or fend of a particular enemy type, and the two characters not controlled by the player will try to help out in combat if the leading character becomes overwhelmed. Mega Man X is joined in this adventure by two close associates, Zero and Axle, and each character has different strengths and abilities. Like its immediate predecessor, Mega Man X8 presents its 2D-style platform-shooter action in a 3D game world.
