Mega Man X2 is one of those SNES games that just feels right—tight controls, slick movement, and that classic run-and-gun action cranked up a notch. You start off with X’s basic charge shot and dash, but pretty soon you’re hunting down Maverick bosses for their weapons, which is half the fun. I always went for Wire Sponge first because that grappling hook move changes everything.

The levels are packed with little secrets—hidden armor upgrades, extra health tanks—and the music? Absolute fire. That opening stage theme still gets stuck in my head. The boss fights are tough but fair, and figuring out which weapon wrecks who never gets old. Also, the Zero fake-out moment? Pure 90s hype.

It’s peak Mega Man X—fast, fluid, and just punishing enough to make victories feel earned. If you missed this back in the day, it holds up stupidly well.