X-Men - Mutant Academy (USA, Europe)

Getting Started

When you boot up X-Men - Mutant Academy, you'll see a title screen. Press Enter to reach the main menu where you can choose your fighter from a small lineup of X-Men characters. Each one has their own punches, kicks, and special moves. The core loop is simple: pick your mutant, face off against an opponent in a best-of-three match, and try to drain their health bar before they drain yours.

If you're new to fighting games, start with the training mode if it's available. Otherwise, jump into versus mode to fight the computer or, if you have a link cable and another cart, against a friend. Pay attention to each character's unique special moves - they're usually performed by combining a direction with a punch or kick. The shoulder buttons let you taunt or perform other actions. Defense matters too: blocking reduces damage and gives you a chance to counterattack.

This isn't a complex fighter compared to console titles, so expect quick matches and straightforward controls. Experiment with different characters to find one whose moveset clicks with you. The game's AI on higher difficulties can be cheap, so be ready to block and punish openings.