Fans of the Mega Man Zero series were probably thrilled when they found out that the series would be carried on with a few new games on the Nintendo DS. While the games have received relatively mixed reception over the years, the ZX games did a good job of satisfying many Zero fans for their futuristic-action cravings.
If there’s one thing the handheld titles did right aside from plenty of wonderfully designed levels, it’s the fantastic boss fights. With the fast-paced gameplay and access to so many different weapon options, it shouldn’t surprise Mega Man fans that the ZX games are home to plenty of fun boss fights.
10 Vent
There’s something great about fighting against a character that the player previously used. Players who enjoyed the first ZX game likely weren’t disappointed in their battle against the protagonist of the first game within the Quarry level of Advent.
It’s far from the hardest fight in the game, but there’s something fantastic to many about a fight that puts your opponent on an equal level as you. There are very few useful tricks to use on a first attempt at the fight - you must use your skill to take out this familiar foe.
9 Giga Aspis
The first boss fight in the first Mega Man ZX game comes in the form of a giant snake reploid in Area A. The boss is a challenge for the underequipped player and acts as a great way to introduce new players to the controls and combat of the games.
The boss is great because it’s huge for a first boss. Most of its attacks cover the length of the screen offering only small areas to dodge. While the fight is simple, it remains plenty of fun and a surprisingly tough test of skill for new players.
8 Aeolus
It can be argued that Aeolus is one of the easiest of the Mega Man fights in ZX Advent, but that's mostly only if players know what they're in for. Aeolus is a boss that tends to stand their ground against the player for quite a while.
It can be tough to close in, but that is when you should get in as much damage as possible. Once Aeolus begins advancing, their assault can be tough to deal with. Fast sword strikes and tunnels of wind are the smallest of Aeolus's many tricks.
7 Fistleo
One of the tougher bosses in the game is Fistleo, and even though his fight can be tough, it’s a lot of fun. Area G is where players will be able to take on Fistleo in order to further progress through the game.
While Fistleo may have plenty of wind-up on many of its attacks, that’s mostly to trick players into feeling like they can relax. If you aren’t almost constantly moving during the fight, you will find yourself taking more hits than you might expect in this surprisingly tough fight.
6 Atlas
You will eventually make your way to the Oilfield level where you'll be pitted against Mega Man Atlas for the first time. While there are many who can take the boss on with ease, anyone who plays the fight for the first time is likely to struggle.
Atlas will keep most players on the run for most of the fight. The fight plays out in a kind of game of cat and mouse, as the boss and the player each pick their moments to deal some damage. Those that choose their time wrong may end up taking a lot of damage thanks to explosives and projectiles.
5 Thetis
While each of the Mega Man fights from ZX Advent are tons of fun, Thetis is definitely a standout for many players. The fight is not only a great boss battle but it's also a serious test of your platforming ability.
Even one single mistake can lead to your death in the fight against Thetis, while the boss can soak up tons of damage. The one saving grace of the fight is that some of Thetis projectiles can actually be destroyed in the air to help you to cope with the lacking footing.
4 Serpent
The final boss of the first Mega Man ZX game is a two-part fight, which can challenge players who get into the final showdown before they’re really ready. The first phase of the fight can be completed with just a little bit of practice, but it’s still plenty of fun.
The second phase of the fight turns the difficulty way up by having attacks that span across the screen in unique patterns. The tense music and tricky projectiles likely had many players playing the fight over and over, even despite the serious difficulty.
3 Master Albert
The final boss of ZX Advent is a fast-paced and chaotic battle, which makes for a tense and thrilling send-off for the ZX games. Anyone that managed to beat Master Albert on their first try is sure to be a veteran of the series, because not only is it incredibly tough, but it's also a long fight.
The fight features tons of lightning-fast and tough to predict projectile attacks that can eat away at the player's health bar in a hurry. Some attacks seem impossible to avoid at first, but practice shows tiny windows of opportunity for perfectly timed dashes.
2 Omega
Omega is one of the most fun bosses to face in Mega Man ZX, but the fight itself is entirely optional. The fight goes down in Area N, and it may be more challenging than many players expect.
The fight should be familiar to fans of the original Mega Man Zero series, since it’s more or less the same fight from Mega Man Zero 3. The epic battle proves to be one of the toughest fights in the game, but it provides one of the best rewards for players brave enough to seek it out.
1 Prometheus & Pandora
Over in Area O, you will be able to do one of the best boss fights in the entirety of the Megaman Zero series against Prometheus and Pandora. You may have mastered fighting against each boss individually, but together they become a whole new beast of a fight.
The fight features some of the toughest projectiles to dodge in the entire Zero series and requires a lot of practice from even the most skilled players. While there are tricks to make it easier, many people like to challenge themselves by doing the fight with the ZX Model equipped.