You actually missed one reference in Zero 1; the moment you get control of Zero, head all the way to the left. On the wall you will see the emblem for Sigma, which was most likely used as the danger symbol to warn that the Maverick Virus was inside.
Another thing is the place that Zero has sealed and awoked by Ciel is the same place that Zero made his first awakening (When he destroyed almost all the Gamma Unit and Sigma has turned Maverick), the place is none other than Dr Wily's Lab.
@@TwinbeeMint How do you know? Has it ever been confirmed by Inafune and Capcom? Also i'm pretty sure the entire world had completley forgotten of Wily for them to make the connection that Zero was his lattest creation so i'm pretty sure there's no chance this "Underground Lab" happens to be the very same seen in Sigma's flashback.
God, Zero's final quote vs Weil always sends chills down my spine for exactly that reason. Narrative beauty, that. He finally figured out what he was fighting for.
Elpizo's line goes even deeper because the end credits theme, Awakening Will actually has a version with Lyrics, Clover, and it actually also references Iris, with Zero struggling to "Remember the name of that flower" so its very possible Elpizo awakened a deep memory when he said that
That's crazy, I never even thought of the fact that Elpizo may have accidentally knocked Zero's memory. But it actually makes perfect sense, seeing as Zero's memories are coming back slowly. Maybe Elpizo reminded him of Iris before memories of her really started coming back.
A fun little reasoning for all of Zero 3's callbacks to the earlier games, is that Zero 3 was originally intended as the 'end' of the Zero series, hence why so many questions about Zero are brought up and answered then and there, with X finally fading at the end, and leaving the world to Zero, after revealing that the Mother Elf was finally freed. It's also easily why the final battle against Omega takes place within the ruins of the same lab that Zero was sealed away in, in Zero 1, to further connect the trilogy together, ending where it began. It's immense success....at least in regards to Megaman games, prompted Capcom to push for one last game, hence why Zero 4 goes out of it's way to finally end things fully.
While corporate meddling and forcing a sequel is usually a bad thing, I'm glad we got Zero 4. 3 was a good climax for the Zero series, but 4 I think is the perfect end for Zero's character.
@@PrimeShiemthere was a rumor that the dev got pissed with capcom and decided to kill zero off in zero 4 to prevent capcom pushing for another zero games. Idk how true this is tho, given that zero has came back from the dead multiple times in the X series. Most notoriously X6, a game inafune didn't know existed till it was released with it's own (some how palpatine returned) kind of explanation as to why zero was alive.
@@Davestar2112 I mean personally i would have loved to see a new Saga literally revolving around Zero and the remaining 3 Guardians leading a "Civil War" against Weil as it was originally intended before Capcom ruined that in favor of a rushed sequel. Having all 3 Guardians just die randomly because of Omega's explosion is EXTREMELY lazy not to mention unfair for all the fans who liked Harpuia, Leviathan and Fefnir and would have loved to see them alive and well in a direct sequel. Regardless Zero 4 did at least offer a satisfying conclusion to Weil's nonsense while also delivering an emotional ressolution to Zero's arc so i'm nonetheless happy that Capcom didn't totally ruin the Zero series with their corporate meddling.
It could have been worse, when Megaman.EXE crossovers with Boktai in the same game, Django himself crosses over and helps deal with the Dark Chip problem and becomes summonable, while all Megaman EXE gives Django is a Megabuster and a whole new issue with Shademan getting an actual body and hypnotizing Django's friends. At least Zero just got viruses instead of the mind-control superboss.
Well... Just lucky they got this version of Zero. If they'd gotten the one from the X series he probably would have just exported a virus they would have no chance of handling in return...
11:31 Actually, Holy Land *mashes up both the Iris Theme and the X5 outro reference*. Esperanto is just an action-packed version of that same piano theme.
First, yeah I meant to put an image saying that Esperanto uses the motif as well, but Imovie only allows one image at a time. And second nice edited pfp of X6 Zero.
@@samuelpounds1475 it's just a theory, but I think the Blade Armor was the basis for Leviathan. While it isn't really her body, ZX and ZX Advent introduced Model LX and Thetis respectively. Notice that underwater both can dash in the cardinal directions and even diagonally, with the Blade Armor being able to do at least the cardinal directions. You could call Leviathan and her offshoots a nerf and buff to the Blade Armor.
@@Asatora Gaea/Gaia Armor focuses on brute force plus Gaia means earth, and Fighting Fefnir happens to be the brute of the Four Guardians and controls the elements of fire and earth.
@@richardquinata76 I'm sorry, what? I do agree that fafnir is a brute and controls fire but the gaea armor focuses on defense, being slow, low ranged and ass in general, also has no ties with fire whatsoever...
There's also the W-Tank in that one room and a bunch of other stuff references where you get the E-Tank I know the Highway level is straight outta X1 and I'm pretty sure there's something else besides the whole Omega fight.
I like how you admitted that at the last moment of the video, it seems Zero had finally found his own answers. Took years, but he actually pulled it off like a true legend! 🤟
9:50 if you see in the background you can see a golden robot is intersting because is Anubis a boss from zero 1 and a foreshadow of the next battles and how is comeback
All three of the zero games with EX skills have a fire-saber upwards slash, which is almost certainly a callback to the skill gotten from magma dragoon. There's other EX skills that resemble previous special weapons, like reflectlaser resembling the Gemini laser and a downwards ice stab resembling another X4 special weapon, but that seems like the most deliberate. Also, the 'ultimate' form in Zero 2 allows you to use charge attacks instantly using button combinations similar to certain fighting games - given this series history of referencing street fighter, I doubt that it's a coincidence
Fire upward slash is Ryuuenjin Ice downward stab is Hyuretsuzan The spinning slash in the air can also be referenced to Split Mushroom's Kuuenbu jump and Kuuenzan slash The rolling on the ground slash maybe in Zero 4 probably also has roots of Ensuizan from Rainy Turtloid in X6 Not sure which Zero number but I remember him having a Dash Stab move... It's a stretch but maybe you can call Shippuuga from Slash Beast in X4 as the inspiration?
That intro is pure nostalgia. Considering my introduction to the Zero series is with that tune (which, by the way, is from the DS collection), pure, utter nostalgia. Like these references. Also, I believe both X and Zero did get MAJOR revamps to their bodies just because of the passage of time. I believe anyway.
Yeah, I was also introduced to the Zero series with the DS collection. It'd make since they got upgrades, as their bodies are drastically different than that of their X series designs.
@@PrimeShiemif you don't realise every weapons star skill in megaman zero 1 and 2 actually memory zero using another weapon from the past against maverick, but saber actually completely changed because his original saber not shape like that but new saber zero made by light cutting edge but it's totally low durable but it's can be reshaped and fix same form like triangle shape but more sharp than old saber zero, but new zero saber can explode when he charge if you look zero Sprite smash attack to the enemy, you will saw explosion shattered saber can cause more damage to enemy not cutting, normal slash can only for cutting enemy
This was a great video! I noticed a lot of these, since i grew up playing megaman games and many classics more. Watching this made me want to play the entire 'canon' series again!
Awesome vid. I've been a die-hard Mega Man fan since 1992 and something about these Easter eggs gives me chills, as corny as it sounds. I adore this entire franchise so much and almost every incarnation of Mega Man played a special part in my childhood, so seeing these things referenced hits me in the feels in a weird way.
I know exactly what you mean. While I am on the younger side, seeing these references is like a mix of excitement and surprise. It's awesome to see these games reference their legacy.
Heat Genblem, Fenri Lunaedge, Pegasolta Eclair and Tech Kraken are possibly a reference to past megaman x bosses, Rainy Turtloid, Blizzard Wolfang, The Skiver and Squid Adler respectively
You know, Blizzard Wolfang and Fenri Lunaedge are really similar now that I think of it. Tech Kraken and Volt Kraken both want revenge for an allies' death.
@@PrimeShiem Also Herculious Anchus and Kuwagust Anchus from Zero 1 and Zero 2 respectively are _brothers_ with Kuwagust seeking revenge for Herculious's death very similar to Gravity Beetle from X3 been the brother of Boomer Kuwanger from X1 and also seeking revenge for his brother's death.
@PrimeShiem also popla cocapeteti fight in zero 4 use the same gimmick as burn rooster fight in x8 with the moving floors with the fact that cockat are part rooster and deathtanz mantisk from zero 3 and dark Mantis both Mantis theme boss release the same years 2004
@@javiervasquez625plus they are loosely based on the Japanese gods Raijin and Fujin with Herculious begin Raijin with mainly electric base attack and kuwagust begin Fujin using mostly wind base attack
Im honestly shocked characters like Sigma, Vile, Iris or even some of the other maverick Hunter characters like Alia, Axl, Signas, Iris or even Colonel never had any named mentions by X or Zero in the Zero series. Most of those characters had the biggest impacts in their lives and they never really talk about it. Actually what ever happened to Dr Light or Dr Wily. We never find out what happened to the Light hologram after the X serious nor is it mentioned if he made Copy X’s Ultimate Armor (assuming X used to own that version of the Ultimate Armor) and for Wily it’s pretty obvious he’s still alive in a similar way to Dr Light (he’s possibly Serges and Isoc), Sigma constantly mentioned him in x5 in a boss fight. Like Light and Wily are two loose ends we never got in the series at All and it’s not confirmed if Light and Wily are even around by the Zero era
I agree with you, these characters played such a big part in Zero's life, and the fact that they just go forgotten for the most part is honestly criminal in my eyes. And I don't understand why Wily and Light just dissappear in the series. I mean gameplay wise I understand, but story wise, I think Light would still be willing to help Zero.
Could it be that, for Light specifically, the energy he was using to keep his artificial conscience running, as well as the capsules, ran out after so much time? Kinda like how X used up all his energy after the fight with Omega, leaving him unable to remain on the real world anymore. It wouldn't be that weird of an assumption, even, considering that the entire world faced an energy crisis shortly after that the elf wars came to a close. On the Willy side of things, it's anybody's guess, really. Maybe he was directly behind Weil's ambitions all along, considering the similarities between them. They both want to subjugate machines and force them to do humanity's bidding, they both want to control the world, and they both have an obsession with Zero. In my opinion, though, he probably expired just like Light might've after the elf wars - he didn't have that much to keep on living for anyway, considering that Zero was sealed and his virus eradicated. Other notable X series characters probably don't get any mention because Zero is amnesiac, with it never being made clear if he ever recovered from that and to which extent. He gets some memories back situationally, yes, but more often than not they're just vague recollections. I'd like to think that his memories were completely wiped off after his death on Zero 4, but since I've never played ZX myself, I couldn't really say if that's true or not.
"Weil" is basically wily. Aged, decrepit, insane, but ultimately still pulling the same shit. Trying to use his magnum opus, Zero, to destroy the world. Its not like Wily had a lot of named references in the X series either but he was there basically throughout, trying to return zero to his "Awakened" state. Doctor light, however, doesn't have a parallel.
To add to the comparisson of the intro stages of both X7 and Z2: Both stages also have Zero running from a giant Scorpion enemy that will become the Boss of the stage at the end and also has a future ally going with Zero to his HQ.
@@PrimeShiem I thought of yet another comparison: Both stages start with a Main Character escaping from an evil organization (Axl is escaping from Red Alert; Zero is escaping from Neo Arcadia).
In the X series, Zero originally was a maverick who was defeated but shown mercy by Sigma and then Sigma taught Zero how to be a maverick hunter and introduced Zero to Mega Man X who would go on to become Zero's best friend. But, when Sigma turned maverick, Zero kept trying to kill him. Then in the Zero series, 1 of the 1st things that Ciel did when she found Zero was lie to him by telling him that his best friend Mega Man X had gone crazy and was killing innocent reploids. It wasn't until near the end of the game when she finally told Zero the truth. But instead of Zero being angry with her, he decided to trust her and support her for 3 more games. Zero didn't get upset all at over the fact that Ciel had lied to him and ruined his best friends reputation.
@@rockmenx8xx411 Granted, Zero's amnesiac as fuck too and barely remembered X. (Also, this might have to do with the Zero 1 script being rewritten at the last minute for X6, and thank god it was. X turning evil feels like an absolute bastardization of who he is)
For those that want to experience the invincibility effect without having to suffer through the pain of collecting and grinding cyber-elves, you can just play the Zero Collection (not to be mistaken with the Zero Legacy Collection) and play the Easy scenario - you'll start with every elf effect, including invincibility. I honestly didn't even know that thing existed until I played that mode lol. Edit: Apparently, the Legacy Collection also has access to something much like the older collection's Easy Scenario, so you can experience that there instead. For the record, I haven't played the Legacy Collection so I had no idea. I've only played the DS collection.
14:12 You forgot to say that is sentence was already said by Zero at the end of Megaman Zero 1. BTW very good video😊.It’s nice to hear people talking about this series which,for me,is underrated.
Something i wish we got in the Zero series was some indication that his memories were fully restored. It would have been a good use of some references to jog his memories. At least some of the more formative ones, like his time with Iris, when he "Awakened" in X5, one of his deaths, or just anything about the Maverick Hunters. Maybe have him telling the story of his life to Alouette after she asks him, with Ciel and some resistance soldiers listening.
According to an interview Inafune gave after the end of the Zero Saga Zero does in fact remember everything he forgot about his past over the course of the Zero series all the way into his final battle with Weil in Zero 4. The official song "Clover" which is meant to reflect Zero's inner thoughts as he's trying to recall his past memories serves as a canonical exposition of his inner resolve to keep going despite everything he's lost following the Maverick Wars (Iris's death included). You should look it up for it's both genuinely heartwarming and emotional while at the same time informative about Zero's mental state following his second awakening.
@@yohhh6715 Not his actual last words but close enough: _I never cared about justice, and I don't ever recall calling myself a hero... I have always fought for the people I believe in. I won't hesitate... If an enemy appears in front of me... I will destroy it! Ciel... Believe in me!_
There is one thing that wasn't mentioned but I think may be more an Akuma reference at the end of the day, but Omega Zero's ultimate multi-hit combo attack almost feels like a sly nod towards Zero's infamous insta-kill combos in the X games, which using a dash cancel technique just lets you avoid hit stun and drain any boss down to zero in seconds.
The Zero series was my saving grace back then. I was just a kid and I experienced bullying at school. I got no friends. I played Megaman Zero series just to cope. Eventually I had to transfer school just to get away from the bullying. I played Megaman Zero alongside Pokemon Emerald and I managed to complete the hard modes of Megaman Zero 1 to 4. I didnt 100% clear each games though and I had to use a guide to find and fight Phantom in MMZ3.
A little more blatant reference I’m kinda surprised you didn’t include were the images to classic Megaman in designs and enemies in levels. In zero 1 the first set of the neo Arcadia park levels contains the disappearing blocks from the classic series and x5’s sigma fortress, fitting as it’s also home to a devil model. And starting with 2 to 4, various classic enemies would get direct redesigns into the zero style such as the tellys in the form of tellybombs, or shotmans from mega man 2 showing up in zero 4. Also, the flying helicopter aircraft’s in this series such as the dragonfly mechs fefnir pops out of in 1 and show up as minibosses later, or the ladybug ships you hop across in zero 2, are a reference to the franchises tradition of having insect themed flying crafts, starting with the bumblebee mechs in x1’s into, or the fruit fly variants from X3’s opening. Loved this video as it’s nice to see someone else dive into all the fun references this series has!
NAH don’t be! This series has so many little bits and secrets even I’m still discovering myself to this day so it’s completely justifiable you didn’t get to all of them in this video, I didn’t even know of some like the e readers or the remixes of x tracks
Additionally to the Copy X facts, though not outright stated, its implied the armor he wears in battle is the Ultimate Armor from X4-X6, as it features golden spikes and repeated use of the Nova Strike. He also makes use of a Sub Tank when knocked to low enough health on a high rank, calling back to the X series. The Sub Tanks are still in the Zero games, so it doesn’t stand out as much. In Zero 3, Copy X MK 2 gets a reflecting laser attack, being similar to the Gemini Laser from Megaman 3. If its a reference to an X series weapon, I’m unaware.
Amazing video, some of these went straight past me completely during my two playthroughs of the Zero series, and this is coming from a hardcore Mega Man X fan and Mega Man fan in general
I like to see the reference to Iris’ last words as having merit within the story, as while Elpizo was sort of just ranting, as crazy villains do, the words “A world just for Reploids” hold some emotional weight to Zero, and probably stirred a memory or two. This is just my headcanon, though.
Thank you! Honestly, the only one I'm really not too confident about is Iris's battle theme, as I listened to both songs for an hour. And I'm pretty sure Straight Ahead sounding like Sigma palace 1 is more of a coincidence than anything.
At 4:20 those blocks are found in the same level as blast hornets in MegaMan x2, the area is seen by the X Hunters as their hideout in cutscenes, and of course in Legends it's the Ruins.
Also wanted to point out, I actually think that these blocks were in the original MegaMan somewhere. Most of Wily's bots had definite eyes on them, and I think the "eyes" on zeros chest plates were his cameras.
Jackson in MMZ is of course a reference to Sting Chameleon and also the real life Jackson’s Chameleon, the same species that Fallout’s Deathclaws come from
Let us all not forget why one cannot forget about Zero after the events Z4, his most famous special ability from X6: HE CAN HIDE HIMSELF WHILE HE REPAIRS HIMSELF!
Good job on this! You brought light to many otherwise obscure references that even I am still finding today and its fun to see how much attention to detail they really put into these games. Heres some stuff you missed: the skills Tenshouzan, Tenretsujin, and Flame Fang/Shouenga represent zeros Ryuenjin from x4 as they are specifically only pairable with the flame chip and are directly showed side by side in the "red hero" trailer, along with Sharp Edge/Rakuretsuzan being a direct reference to Hyouretsuzan from x4 as well, as its specifically an ice chip skill. The trailer also shows rolling slash next to Kuuenzan and his dash attack next to Shippuuga. It all makes sense as Zero relearns his memories and techniques as the series progresses until his finale at zero 4 where he remembers everything and now knows what hes truly fighting for. Erase form is also meant to be a reference to the Shot Eraser part that you can get in x5 and x6 that erases shots with slashes. The Rise form references Zeros standard 3 hit upward slash combo from x6. Lastly, the proto form might not be a direct reference but gameplay wise is basically the same as how black zero works in x8 as they both double zeros attack power but decrease his defense by 50%. Edit: One bonus thing, but X7 makes a small reference to copy X in the zero nightmare ending, and this isnt the first time zero has had nightmares regarding stuff from different points in time. Before he had nightmares about the past with visions of wily. Now, hes having visions of the future, with snipe anteater's dialogue with zero also implying this saying "I see data buried deep within you... Is it memories of the future? Or false images of the past?", but zero simply dismisses it as nonsense and goes to fight him.
Pretty sure Zero's ending in X7 has less to do with Copy X and more so his linger fear that the _real_ X could one day become a Maverick himself very much as it is brought up in X's ending in X4. Seeing as Copy X is a completley _different_ character to the original X it makes no sense for Zero's dream to reference a character who's yet been created.
@@javiervasquez625 that was the original intention to foreshadow for zero 1 but that idea was already scrapped for copy x by the time x7 happened so they dropped that idea. x7 also came out about a year after zero 1 was released which replaced the x going maverick concept with copy x so it was possible to foreshadow that now in the way they did. also it is possible to dream the future via an ability in fiction called precognition. thats why i brought up snipe anteater's analyzation which are directly refered to "memories of the future" and the events are similar to how copy x wanted to eliminate all the "mavericks" in zero 1 which consisted of innocents and he then was going to attack zero. same way zero can see flashes of the past despite not even remembering anything from then, hes now doing so but for the future.
@@AlloyAmi Yet the X from Zero's dream isn't simply trying to "kill all Reploids" but _anyone_ regardless of them been either Human or Reploid. Regardless of what Anteater said it's clear that the X in Zero's dream is the real deal after having either lost his way following years of fighting Mavericks or succumbed to the Maverick/Sigma Virus similar to how it can happen to Zero in X5. As stated above Copy X had yet been _created_ by an unborn Ciel so it makes no sense for a robot to get magical visions of the future about a character who looks _nothing_ like Copy X and is clearly meant to be his actual friend X where he to loose his way and become a Maverick.
@@javiervasquez625 the dream doesnt show or say that at all, its literally just x over a bunch of destroyed reploid bodies repeating eliminate the mavericks. again i repeat, the idea of a "maverick x" was ELIMINATED and wasnt followed through in zero 1 and was dropped for copy x. x cannot succumb to the maverick virus as he possesses perfect immunity to it. Zero is different because the sigma (formerly maverick) virus was directly made to correlate with zero by wily which is why awakened zero is refered to as zeros true self. and he doesnt lose his way, he becomes the messiah and savior of all, ending everything with the mother elf once and for all, and copy x is clearly established a good year from x7s release date so it makes sense for them to reference it considering how close the games released. so why cant zero get a vision of the future, genuinely what the contradiction with it? its literally consistent with his visions of the past and snipe anteaters statement. copy x is meant to literally be a copy of x so i dont know why they wouldnt look very similar to the degree that zero cant know yet and is just purely confused + the actual contents of the dream are very clearly a reference to what copy x does in the future.
Thanks, I meant to bring up EX moves resembling certain skills from the C series, but forgot. However, I'd be lying if I said I thought about Zero "Relearning" his X Series skillset in Zero 1, thats actually really cool! Only reason why I didn't bring up the Proto Form, is cause X8 released after Zero 2, but I shoulda still brought it up as it matches Black Zero's colors.
Wow, insane view count for one day. Nice job. Also noticed some pretty substantial improvements in your editing skills. Keep up the good work! Also, I just noticed something literally in this video that I had never realized before. The main melody of the song "Fake" from MMZ1 is the same tune as the MMX Boss theme, just without the key change. Edit: Rather, I meant the Vile/Bospider theme
Yeah, I was caught off guard by the number of views myself. And thank you! I definitely tried some new stuff with this video. I had actually heard something similar about Tunnel Rhinos' theme and the Zero 2 base theme.
There’s so many very cool references it’s amazing how many they were able to cram into these games, the Jackson Elf in Zero 1 I never knew about, and its so crazy how you have to go through all the trouble just to get it, totally not worth it. The E-Reader Easter Eggs are all great but the coolest one has to be Phoenix Magnion’s except the only way to see it is to get grabbed by his swooping attack, Bit not having a shield in X3 was always weird since the X5 intro and the Zero 2 Easter Egg depicts him with one.
Yeah, the Phoenix Magnion attack is probably by far the coolest reference in the Zero series, and honestly, one of the coolest call backs in the franchise as a whole.
Interesting reference nobody in the fandom has picked up yet but in Megaman legends 2 there is a rook shaped reaverbot called Fingerii, now in the Megaman zero games there is an enemy type called a Metarook which has the same shape only with tank treads instead of legs but it could be a hint that it is a much earlier version of the Fingerii reaverbot down the Mechaniloid evolutionary line.
There’s actually more music references to Esperanto that stem from X5 than what you mentioned. The beginning of the track (0:00 - 0:07) bears a striking resemblance to Zero’s Opening Stage Theme from X5. And the Holy Land/Area Zero Base Theme is a slower version of Esperanto, so the Iris Battle Theme sampled in there is also in Esperanto (it first plays at the 0:39 - 0:52 mark of Esperanto). So Esperanto loops three different tracks from the X series. X5 Intro Stage (Zero) -> X5 Credits Theme -> Iris Battle Theme Which makes sense as X5 and Z4 mirror each other story-wise. Both have Zero die trying to stop a space colony from destroying Earth. In X5’s ending (if you play as Zero), the player sees Zero’s last thoughts are of Iris. In Z4’s ending, the player sees Ciel’s praying for Zero in his final moments. And Freesia (Zero 4 credits theme) is Esperanto but with lyrics sung from Ciel’s VA. Seriously, Esperanto is my favorite ost in the Zero series because of how much weight it holds from the X and Zero series. It even carries that emotional “beginning of the end” feeling without the context of X5.
Esperanto is by far one of the stand out themes of the Zero series, and I love how it ties the X series into the Zero series. -shame I brought up Zero's X5 intro theme on the iceberg and not this-
9:17 Considering that you get this easter egg from Hidden Phantom's card and that Zero comments "it's calling me from cyberspace", it's more likely the Cyber Elf is not Elpizo, but Phantom himself! Remember, you can encounter Phantom in Zero 3 as secret boss in Cyberspace.
Megaman Zero 3 came out in April 2004, and Megaman X8 came out later on December that year. They couldn't have referenced a game that hadn't even finished developing yet.
Since you brought up music cues in Zero 3 you did miss two of them. The desert level play remix of an ending song of zero 1 and intro of Zero 2. The Neo Arcadia level where you fight Copy X has a remix of the final level of Zero 1 and the midway level of Zero 2. Speaking of the Latter; the first part of the level shows a screen in the background that has zero’s silhouette with “Warning” and the omega symbol. Might’ve been foreshadowing or maybe not but it’s Neat!
Herculious Anchus (red) and Gravity Beetle (blue) are both Hercules beetles, while Kuwagust Anchus (blue) and Boomer Kuwanger (red) are stag beetles. Stag beetles rivaling Hercules beetles is a common motif in Japanese folklore. Another modern example of this is in Pokemon; Pinsir is a stag beetle while Heracross is a Hercules beetle.
@PrimeShiem they are also loosely based on the Japanese gods Raijin and Fujin with Herculious begin Raijin with electric base attack and kuwagust begin Fujin with wind focus attack sidenote wind boss are considered electric type in this series
3:00 it's been nigh a decade for me and zero and while it's rightful I didn't know of the "GET ALL THE ELVES AND LEVEL EM UP" it is neat nonetheless to learn something new about the zero series.
He does remember her in the official song _"Clover"_ where he outright mentions a "flower" which he cannot let go yet feels he should in favor of a new flower which is blooming (the titular clover). You should look it up for it's genuinely emotional while also informative of Zero's inner thoughts over the course of the Zero Saga.
Actually, if you think about.... Z2's "Departure", Z4's "Esperanto", Z4's "Holy Land", Z4's "Freesia" and "Promise - Next New World" are ALL related to Iris' battle theme.
You seem to have missed a reference in Cubit Foxtar's stage, Energy Plant. In the background of the boss room, there's a very obvious refractor from the Mega Man Legends series, implying or even confirming depending how you look at it, that the way to generate large amounts of energy in this era was at least partially through refractors.
Are these track references confirmed? I never noticed any of them. X5 Ending and Esperanto actually look very similar, but I don't think the rest are references. Even Hell's Gate Open and Express UG don't look similar to me. A more clear reference to Sigma would be the Remastered version of Enemy Hall from Zero 1. Intro is literally Sigma 4 from X1
I know that Sub Arcadias theme us a remix of Express UG (it's honestly easier to hear comparing the songs beggining) The Iris motif in both Esperanto and Holy Land was something I was listening for, and I could truthfully barely hear it. Yet I've seen multiple people say that they could hear it.
@@PrimeShiemI didn't hear it in the pass till your video, then I finally got what ppl were talking about. For the sigma one, it's hard to hear since the reference is really really in the background instruments.
What's interesting with Phoenix Maginion's special attack with grabbing Zero and summoning the 'ghosts' of his enemies from the X series to attack him, Vile being among them. Disregarding Vile's appearance in X8 since it was released after Zero 2, Vile in X3, after defeating him in Doppler's lab, vowed to X that he'll haunt him till the day he dies. Zero 2 is when X's body was destroyed and leaving X as a Cyber Elf little time to remain in the physical world before his energy ran out, Vile stayed true to his word.
Wowie! Thats a lot of easter eggs Gotta say, Zero is a pretty good series, right alongside classic and X for me. Also, i wonder something, not sure if this counts as an easter egg, but I'm gonna say it anyway... Perhaps Dr. Weil is a reference to Dr Wily of the classic series, both are old doctors, both want to conquer the world, each being mad scientists building bad robots and in the end, get defeated by a robot, ironically the same thing said doctors use to their advantage for evil purposes. I am aware both are different characters, but i don't think it can be denied there are some similarities between Weil and Wily. This also makes Zero 4's ending all the more powerful and satisfying, finally ridding the world of the chaos and insanity Wily, Sigma, and now Weil have plagued this world with, and letting heroes of yesteryear-XX finally resting after mission complete Sorry if i went on for a while, but yeah! Great video bud, keep it up!!!
I think of "Dr. Vile" (his true name in Japan) as a _successor_ of Wily similarly to how Ciel and her ancestors who created the Mother Elf are the successors of Light. They all follow in the footsteps of previous robot scientists who's ideals and goals affected the very future of Humanity courtesy of their ambitions as to what they could accomplish in their field of robotics.
Think you missed in Z3 in Childre’s stage mid boss, the boss is corrupted by a Baby Elf into a creature similar to Elpizo’s final form or Copy X’s final form. Also there’s a guitar riff in the regular boss theme that sounds like an X6 track iirc (I don’t remember which one).
4:40 Man, I would've never found that reference in all the times I played MMZ2 cuz I always wanted to obtain S Rank (no-hit) every time I played it lol. The fact that Magnion can create illusions of defeated past antagonists makes sense since it's a Phoenix (symbolizes resurrection and life after death) or idk I'm bad at explaining.
Cyber elves technology didn't exist till after they studied zero's immunity to maverick virus before the elves war tho. But the core program for colonel iris was holding in X4 and her own bears striking resemblance to the darkelf. So I wouldn't be surprised if mother elf looked like that due to zero's lingering emotions for his loss of iris. Both mother elf and maverick virus( which is also purple in colour) originated from zero.
As i understand it that Cyber Elf is in fact _Elpizo_ who in the japanese version of Zero 2 is said to have "lingering nostalgia by simply been in the Resistance Base". It would appear that after the Mother Elf transformed Elpizo into a Cyber Elf his feelings of regret and guilt for what he did lead him to return to the Resistance Base where he proceeded to wander in sadness and shame.
@@javiervasquez625 In the time marked I am referring to the Cyber-Elf found on the roof of the Resistance base, the Cyber-Elf found near the Command Room is actually Elpizo.
@@Snash23 I'm talking about the original japanese version of Zero 3 on the GBA where such words are used to describe the one floating at the top of the base. I don't know if they changed the dialogues in the english Legacy version but in the japanese GBA game that's what is said regarding the Cyber Elf on the roof.
I know MNS made a remix of Straight Ahead with the Sigma Fortress 1 being the introduction to the melody. I knew I wasn't tripping when I thought of the same thing hearing both at the same time
Zero 3 has some more references. First, Copy X's stage in both Zero 1 and Zero3 are in an orbital elevator, a reference to X8 or Command Mission. While Zero 1 released before Command mission and Zero 3 before X8, the idea that these stages are orbital elevators was first introduced in a soundtrack released a month after Zero 3, so it's very likely that at least Zero 3's Copy X stage was referencing Jakob and Babel. Also in one part of Zero 3's tower, we can see other orbital elevators in the backgrouns. Neat! Also not sure if this was X8 referencing Zero 3 or the opposite, but in X8 we fight Sigma and Lumine in a throne room full of pillars, while in Zero 3 Copy X is also fought in a throne room with pillars. I don't think that's a coincidence considering it's in the same stage as orbital elevator in Zero 3. Lastly, Eight Gentle Judges transform from humanoid to monster forms, kind of like New Gen Reploids from X8.
Now that you mention it, in Zero 2, there's a large tower that resembles the Jakob Elevator in the middle mission of the game. Maybe that was some foreshadowing?
Here are some you missed: A)Tretista Kelverian is basically a reimagined fight with Guts Man. He throws boxes (that drop from above, just like GutsMan's boulders) and his Punishment Form is even similar to Guts Man. Pay attention to his jaw. B)An explosive version of Telly appears in the MegaMan Zero series, notably in Area X intro stage in Zero 4. C)Copy X's Dash is a slide, referencing Vanilla MegaMan's own slide. D)Ragnarok is similar to Repliforce Final Weapon in function and appearance (when spread out). The Final Weapon even has a Death Seed Cannon, just like Ragnarok. E)Weil's final attempt at dropping the Ragnarok back to Earth is a reference to the Space Colony crashing in MegaMan X5. F)Fenri Lunaedge is similar to Blizzard Wolfang, in that they're both wolves and use ice as their element. For reference X6 was released in 2001, Zero 4 in 2005. G)Phoenix Magnion's attack ressurecting dead mavericks is similar to Metal Shark Player's junk clones. H)Another X6 boss probably inspired Phoenix Magnion: Blaze Heatnix. They have similar dash attacks across the screen. I)Copy X in Zero 3 has a Reflect Laser similar to the Gemini Laser from MM3. J)The teleport Stage Boss is a reference to Rangda Bangda who appears in X1 and X5 "castle stages". Its name? Randam Bandam. They both use background elements to attack the player. K)The fight against Kuwagust Anchus is a reference to the first battle against Storm Eagle, in that theyre both fought atop a flying base. He even has his own version of Storm Tornado that doesnt do any damage, but simply push you away.
I didn't even realize that the Tellybomb was a reference to the Telly's. and that actually make perfect sense with how they act. I forgot to mention Copy X's slide and this comment just made me realize that. I forgot Final Weapon also existed. These are all pretty cool things that I sadly missed.
In Zero 3, Area X-2 at the beginning you see schematics or diagrams of Zero and at the bottom says "Dr. W Last No. Zero." Although the "W" is a little weird the way it's displayed, but it obviously references Wily. Sidenote, the Japanese version of MMX2 after defeating Wireframe Sigma makes a reference too, "But, Zero, why…he’s…the last of…Wi…num…ers…" Also, in the final battle with Omega, you can see a "W" behind the giant Zero's head from Omega's second Transformation, a throwback to Wily.
I don't know if I'm imagining things, but the command room music from Z2 seems like a callback to X5's boss theme to me. Also on the topic of Jackson, there is a chameleon species called Jackson's chameleon. I know this from being a Sonic fan in discussions over what species of chameleon Espio is, and Jackson's chameleon is the only species that has that central horn, as is also the case with Sting Chameleon.
You actually missed one reference in Zero 1; the moment you get control of Zero, head all the way to the left. On the wall you will see the emblem for Sigma, which was most likely used as the danger symbol to warn that the Maverick Virus was inside.
So true
I thought they wiped out that pesky virus! Remnants of it is still there!?
Another thing is the place that Zero has sealed and awoked by Ciel is the same place that Zero made his first awakening (When he destroyed almost all the Gamma Unit and Sigma has turned Maverick), the place is none other than Dr Wily's Lab.
Didn't know that :0
@@TwinbeeMint How do you know? Has it ever been confirmed by Inafune and Capcom? Also i'm pretty sure the entire world had completley forgotten of Wily for them to make the connection that Zero was his lattest creation so i'm pretty sure there's no chance this "Underground Lab" happens to be the very same seen in Sigma's flashback.
Bro Elpizo using Iris's last words against Zero is so messed up and this is right after he destroys his best friend's body
It's honestly diabolical, even if Elpizo or even Zero realize it at that point.
God, Zero's final quote vs Weil always sends chills down my spine for exactly that reason. Narrative beauty, that. He finally figured out what he was fighting for.
Elpizo's line goes even deeper because the end credits theme, Awakening Will actually has a version with Lyrics, Clover, and it actually also references Iris, with Zero struggling to "Remember the name of that flower" so its very possible Elpizo awakened a deep memory when he said that
That's crazy, I never even thought of the fact that Elpizo may have accidentally knocked Zero's memory. But it actually makes perfect sense, seeing as Zero's memories are coming back slowly. Maybe Elpizo reminded him of Iris before memories of her really started coming back.
A fun little reasoning for all of Zero 3's callbacks to the earlier games, is that Zero 3 was originally intended as the 'end' of the Zero series, hence why so many questions about Zero are brought up and answered then and there, with X finally fading at the end, and leaving the world to Zero, after revealing that the Mother Elf was finally freed. It's also easily why the final battle against Omega takes place within the ruins of the same lab that Zero was sealed away in, in Zero 1, to further connect the trilogy together, ending where it began.
It's immense success....at least in regards to Megaman games, prompted Capcom to push for one last game, hence why Zero 4 goes out of it's way to finally end things fully.
I never thought of it that way, yet it makes perfect sense. Like why they brought Phantom back, to add more to, and complete his character.
While corporate meddling and forcing a sequel is usually a bad thing, I'm glad we got Zero 4. 3 was a good climax for the Zero series, but 4 I think is the perfect end for Zero's character.
Ends things fully...until Zero literally comes back as Model Z
@@PrimeShiemthere was a rumor that the dev got pissed with capcom and decided to kill zero off in zero 4 to prevent capcom pushing for another zero games. Idk how true this is tho, given that zero has came back from the dead multiple times in the X series. Most notoriously X6, a game inafune didn't know existed till it was released with it's own (some how palpatine returned) kind of explanation as to why zero was alive.
@@Davestar2112 I mean personally i would have loved to see a new Saga literally revolving around Zero and the remaining 3 Guardians leading a "Civil War" against Weil as it was originally intended before Capcom ruined that in favor of a rushed sequel. Having all 3 Guardians just die randomly because of Omega's explosion is EXTREMELY lazy not to mention unfair for all the fans who liked Harpuia, Leviathan and Fefnir and would have loved to see them alive and well in a direct sequel. Regardless Zero 4 did at least offer a satisfying conclusion to Weil's nonsense while also delivering an emotional ressolution to Zero's arc so i'm nonetheless happy that Capcom didn't totally ruin the Zero series with their corporate meddling.
Megaman EXE:
I receive: Your sword
You receive: A bunch of viruses I dont want to deal with.
It could have been worse, when Megaman.EXE crossovers with Boktai in the same game, Django himself crosses over and helps deal with the Dark Chip problem and becomes summonable, while all Megaman EXE gives Django is a Megabuster and a whole new issue with Shademan getting an actual body and hypnotizing Django's friends.
At least Zero just got viruses instead of the mind-control superboss.
Well... Just lucky they got this version of Zero. If they'd gotten the one from the X series he probably would have just exported a virus they would have no chance of handling in return...
11:31 Actually, Holy Land *mashes up both the Iris Theme and the X5 outro reference*. Esperanto is just an action-packed version of that same piano theme.
First, yeah I meant to put an image saying that Esperanto uses the motif as well, but Imovie only allows one image at a time.
And second nice edited pfp of X6 Zero.
You can say that Harpuia Fefnir and Phantom were not only created with X's DNA but also with the Falcon Gaia and Shadow armors as templates
Poor Blade Armor
@@samuelpounds1475 it's just a theory, but I think the Blade Armor was the basis for Leviathan. While it isn't really her body, ZX and ZX Advent introduced Model LX and Thetis respectively. Notice that underwater both can dash in the cardinal directions and even diagonally, with the Blade Armor being able to do at least the cardinal directions. You could call Leviathan and her offshoots a nerf and buff to the Blade Armor.
Who uses the gaia armor as template? No one looks or acts in any way that resembles the gaia armor...
@@Asatora Gaea/Gaia Armor focuses on brute force plus Gaia means earth, and Fighting Fefnir happens to be the brute of the Four Guardians and controls the elements of fire and earth.
@@richardquinata76 I'm sorry, what? I do agree that fafnir is a brute and controls fire but the gaea armor focuses on defense, being slow, low ranged and ass in general, also has no ties with fire whatsoever...
As a side note, in Megaman ZX you can find an E-Tank from the classic Megaman Series.
There's also the W-Tank in that one room and a bunch of other stuff references where you get the E-Tank
I know the Highway level is straight outta X1 and I'm pretty sure there's something else besides the whole Omega fight.
I like how you admitted that at the last moment of the video, it seems Zero had finally found his own answers. Took years, but he actually pulled it off like a true legend! 🤟
Yup! One of the greatest moments for Zero's character.
My man did 3 playthroughs of each game for this video. that's dedication
Yup! It's probably the most obvious in the Zero 1 and 3 section of the video.
9:50 if you see in the background you can see a golden robot is intersting because is Anubis a boss from zero 1 and a foreshadow of the next battles and how is comeback
I came here to write this
All three of the zero games with EX skills have a fire-saber upwards slash, which is almost certainly a callback to the skill gotten from magma dragoon. There's other EX skills that resemble previous special weapons, like reflectlaser resembling the Gemini laser and a downwards ice stab resembling another X4 special weapon, but that seems like the most deliberate.
Also, the 'ultimate' form in Zero 2 allows you to use charge attacks instantly using button combinations similar to certain fighting games - given this series history of referencing street fighter, I doubt that it's a coincidence
Fire upward slash is Ryuuenjin
Ice downward stab is Hyuretsuzan
The spinning slash in the air can also be referenced to Split Mushroom's Kuuenbu jump and Kuuenzan slash
The rolling on the ground slash maybe in Zero 4 probably also has roots of Ensuizan from Rainy Turtloid in X6
Not sure which Zero number but I remember him having a Dash Stab move... It's a stretch but maybe you can call Shippuuga from Slash Beast in X4 as the inspiration?
That intro is pure nostalgia. Considering my introduction to the Zero series is with that tune (which, by the way, is from the DS collection), pure, utter nostalgia. Like these references. Also, I believe both X and Zero did get MAJOR revamps to their bodies just because of the passage of time. I believe anyway.
Yeah, I was also introduced to the Zero series with the DS collection. It'd make since they got upgrades, as their bodies are drastically different than that of their X series designs.
@@PrimeShiem Which one do you prefer, DS Collection or Legacy Collection BTW?
me three also got first experience of the whole zero series on the ds collection 😁👌
Honestly, if ZX and Advent weren't included, I don't know. It's actually a lot closer than I thought. Maybe its just nostalgia, but idk.
@@PrimeShiemif you don't realise every weapons star skill in megaman zero 1 and 2 actually memory zero using another weapon from the past against maverick, but saber actually completely changed because his original saber not shape like that but new saber zero made by light cutting edge but it's totally low durable but it's can be reshaped and fix same form like triangle shape but more sharp than old saber zero, but new zero saber can explode when he charge if you look zero Sprite smash attack to the enemy, you will saw explosion shattered saber can cause more damage to enemy not cutting, normal slash can only for cutting enemy
This was a great video! I noticed a lot of these, since i grew up playing megaman games and many classics more.
Watching this made me want to play the entire 'canon' series again!
Awesome vid. I've been a die-hard Mega Man fan since 1992 and something about these Easter eggs gives me chills, as corny as it sounds. I adore this entire franchise so much and almost every incarnation of Mega Man played a special part in my childhood, so seeing these things referenced hits me in the feels in a weird way.
I know exactly what you mean. While I am on the younger side, seeing these references is like a mix of excitement and surprise. It's awesome to see these games reference their legacy.
Heat Genblem, Fenri Lunaedge, Pegasolta Eclair and Tech Kraken are possibly a reference to past megaman x bosses, Rainy Turtloid, Blizzard Wolfang, The Skiver and Squid Adler respectively
You know, Blizzard Wolfang and Fenri Lunaedge are really similar now that I think of it. Tech Kraken and Volt Kraken both want revenge for an allies' death.
@@PrimeShiemHellbat Schilt is also a reference to Dark Dizzy from X5
@@PrimeShiem Also Herculious Anchus and Kuwagust Anchus from Zero 1 and Zero 2 respectively are _brothers_ with Kuwagust seeking revenge for Herculious's death very similar to Gravity Beetle from X3 been the brother of Boomer Kuwanger from X1 and also seeking revenge for his brother's death.
@PrimeShiem also popla cocapeteti fight in zero 4 use the same gimmick as burn rooster fight in x8 with the moving floors with the fact that cockat are part rooster and deathtanz mantisk from zero 3 and dark Mantis both Mantis theme boss release the same years 2004
@@javiervasquez625plus they are loosely based on the Japanese gods Raijin and Fujin with Herculious begin Raijin with mainly electric base attack and kuwagust begin Fujin using mostly wind base attack
I've been waiting for so long
Hope this didn't disappoint!
not at all
@@PrimeShiem
Im honestly shocked characters like Sigma, Vile, Iris or even some of the other maverick Hunter characters like Alia, Axl, Signas, Iris or even Colonel never had any named mentions by X or Zero in the Zero series. Most of those characters had the biggest impacts in their lives and they never really talk about it. Actually what ever happened to Dr Light or Dr Wily. We never find out what happened to the Light hologram after the X serious nor is it mentioned if he made Copy X’s Ultimate Armor (assuming X used to own that version of the Ultimate Armor) and for Wily it’s pretty obvious he’s still alive in a similar way to Dr Light (he’s possibly Serges and Isoc), Sigma constantly mentioned him in x5 in a boss fight. Like Light and Wily are two loose ends we never got in the series at All and it’s not confirmed if Light and Wily are even around by the Zero era
I agree with you, these characters played such a big part in Zero's life, and the fact that they just go forgotten for the most part is honestly criminal in my eyes.
And I don't understand why Wily and Light just dissappear in the series. I mean gameplay wise I understand, but story wise, I think Light would still be willing to help Zero.
Specially Sigma
Could it be that, for Light specifically, the energy he was using to keep his artificial conscience running, as well as the capsules, ran out after so much time? Kinda like how X used up all his energy after the fight with Omega, leaving him unable to remain on the real world anymore.
It wouldn't be that weird of an assumption, even, considering that the entire world faced an energy crisis shortly after that the elf wars came to a close.
On the Willy side of things, it's anybody's guess, really. Maybe he was directly behind Weil's ambitions all along, considering the similarities between them. They both want to subjugate machines and force them to do humanity's bidding, they both want to control the world, and they both have an obsession with Zero. In my opinion, though, he probably expired just like Light might've after the elf wars - he didn't have that much to keep on living for anyway, considering that Zero was sealed and his virus eradicated.
Other notable X series characters probably don't get any mention because Zero is amnesiac, with it never being made clear if he ever recovered from that and to which extent. He gets some memories back situationally, yes, but more often than not they're just vague recollections. I'd like to think that his memories were completely wiped off after his death on Zero 4, but since I've never played ZX myself, I couldn't really say if that's true or not.
Imagine talking about someone for over 100 years after their death just to say their name. That's how i think it would feel to mention them.
"Weil" is basically wily. Aged, decrepit, insane, but ultimately still pulling the same shit. Trying to use his magnum opus, Zero, to destroy the world. Its not like Wily had a lot of named references in the X series either but he was there basically throughout, trying to return zero to his "Awakened" state.
Doctor light, however, doesn't have a parallel.
To add to the comparisson of the intro stages of both X7 and Z2: Both stages also have Zero running from a giant Scorpion enemy that will become the Boss of the stage at the end and also has a future ally going with Zero to his HQ.
I never even thought of it like that. You even also have the threat of falling into a bottomless pit if you aren't careful.
@@PrimeShiem I thought of yet another comparison: Both stages start with a Main Character escaping from an evil organization (Axl is escaping from Red Alert; Zero is escaping from Neo Arcadia).
But where does the lobotomized Aztec Falcon fit into place?!?!?
@@yohhh6715 Eh, nowhere. Not *everything* has to fit.
The X and Zero series have a lot of great stories. Awesome vid for the first snow of january!
In the X series, Zero originally was a maverick who was defeated but shown mercy by Sigma and then Sigma taught Zero how to be a maverick hunter and introduced Zero to Mega Man X who would go on to become Zero's best friend. But, when Sigma turned maverick, Zero kept trying to kill him. Then in the Zero series, 1 of the 1st things that Ciel did when she found Zero was lie to him by telling him that his best friend Mega Man X had gone crazy and was killing innocent reploids. It wasn't until near the end of the game when she finally told Zero the truth. But instead of Zero being angry with her, he decided to trust her and support her for 3 more games. Zero didn't get upset all at over the fact that Ciel had lied to him and ruined his best friends reputation.
@@rockmenx8xx411 Granted, Zero's amnesiac as fuck too and barely remembered X. (Also, this might have to do with the Zero 1 script being rewritten at the last minute for X6, and thank god it was. X turning evil feels like an absolute bastardization of who he is)
@@neonthunder3261 Amnesiac or not, Ciel admitted to lying on somebody who was innocent, and Zero was said to hate evil.
@@rockmenx8xx411Aside from reploids, X’s reputation was still spotless for humans. Copy X focused on them after all
@@train4292 That still doesn't change the fact that Zero decided to trust and support a girl that lied to him and on his best friend.
For those that want to experience the invincibility effect without having to suffer through the pain of collecting and grinding cyber-elves, you can just play the Zero Collection (not to be mistaken with the Zero Legacy Collection) and play the Easy scenario - you'll start with every elf effect, including invincibility.
I honestly didn't even know that thing existed until I played that mode lol.
Edit: Apparently, the Legacy Collection also has access to something much like the older collection's Easy Scenario, so you can experience that there instead. For the record, I haven't played the Legacy Collection so I had no idea. I've only played the DS collection.
The Legacy Collection's casual mode also starts you with all the elves
@@Marcy5080 Ohh, that's an infinitely more accessible option, then. I didn't know whether the Legacy Collection had that too, honestly.
Casual Scenario Mode in the Legacy Collection is the same.
@@jruler93 Someone else already said so, yes. Maybe I should edit that out to avoid repeated replies stating the same thing...
As one that did it the hard way... That small compensation. But nice to know.
Still need my 100% files, so gonna be doing it AGAIN!
14:12 You forgot to say that is sentence was already said by Zero at the end of Megaman Zero 1.
BTW very good video😊.It’s nice to hear people talking about this series which,for me,is underrated.
True, he doesn't exactly say that same statement, but there pretty close.
@@PrimeShiemIf you compare the Jap script of Zero last words in Zero 1 ending and Zero 4 final battle, you will see that are the same line.
Something i wish we got in the Zero series was some indication that his memories were fully restored. It would have been a good use of some references to jog his memories.
At least some of the more formative ones, like his time with Iris, when he "Awakened" in X5, one of his deaths, or just anything about the Maverick Hunters.
Maybe have him telling the story of his life to Alouette after she asks him, with Ciel and some resistance soldiers listening.
According to an interview Inafune gave after the end of the Zero Saga Zero does in fact remember everything he forgot about his past over the course of the Zero series all the way into his final battle with Weil in Zero 4. The official song "Clover" which is meant to reflect Zero's inner thoughts as he's trying to recall his past memories serves as a canonical exposition of his inner resolve to keep going despite everything he's lost following the Maverick Wars (Iris's death included). You should look it up for it's both genuinely heartwarming and emotional while at the same time informative about Zero's mental state following his second awakening.
I think his last words sum it well, "I fight for the people I believe in"
@@yohhh6715 Not his actual last words but close enough:
_I never cared about justice, and I don't ever recall calling myself a hero... I have always fought for the people I believe in. I won't hesitate... If an enemy appears in front of me... I will destroy it! Ciel... Believe in me!_
@@javiervasquez625 badass
I never had the e-reader, shame how much was attached to it. Totally missed all of that stuff. Thanks for covering all of it!
i dont think most of the e reader content was even around in NA? they added it into the DS and later legacy collections tho
There is one thing that wasn't mentioned but I think may be more an Akuma reference at the end of the day, but Omega Zero's ultimate multi-hit combo attack almost feels like a sly nod towards Zero's infamous insta-kill combos in the X games, which using a dash cancel technique just lets you avoid hit stun and drain any boss down to zero in seconds.
I'm glad videos like this get made because I only know a few of these references yet there was SO MANY of them shown in this video! 👍
Yup, that's why i like making them!
Never knew about Jackson from MMZ1! That's a neat piece of trivia for never using the elves!
Yeah, it's a col easter egg, just wish it wasn't so painful unlocking him.
You should keep doing these more in depth longer videos there really fun to watch
I plan to! It's just that they take a while to make.
The Zero series was my saving grace back then. I was just a kid and I experienced bullying at school. I got no friends. I played Megaman Zero series just to cope.
Eventually I had to transfer school just to get away from the bullying.
I played Megaman Zero alongside Pokemon Emerald and I managed to complete the hard modes of Megaman Zero 1 to 4. I didnt 100% clear each games though and I had to use a guide to find and fight Phantom in MMZ3.
4:56 actually it was also in mega man x3 ps1's intro cutscene
A little more blatant reference I’m kinda surprised you didn’t include were the images to classic Megaman in designs and enemies in levels. In zero 1 the first set of the neo Arcadia park levels contains the disappearing blocks from the classic series and x5’s sigma fortress, fitting as it’s also home to a devil model. And starting with 2 to 4, various classic enemies would get direct redesigns into the zero style such as the tellys in the form of tellybombs, or shotmans from mega man 2 showing up in zero 4. Also, the flying helicopter aircraft’s in this series such as the dragonfly mechs fefnir pops out of in 1 and show up as minibosses later, or the ladybug ships you hop across in zero 2, are a reference to the franchises tradition of having insect themed flying crafts, starting with the bumblebee mechs in x1’s into, or the fruit fly variants from X3’s opening. Loved this video as it’s nice to see someone else dive into all the fun references this series has!
Homages* darn it
I didn't even realize, and honestly I'm kinda mad and disappointed at myself for not thibk of really any of this.
NAH don’t be! This series has so many little bits and secrets even I’m still discovering myself to this day so it’s completely justifiable you didn’t get to all of them in this video, I didn’t even know of some like the e readers or the remixes of x tracks
Thank you very much for this video. I only recognized a handful of these references when I played all 4 games.
No problem. Thank you for watching!
Additionally to the Copy X facts, though not outright stated, its implied the armor he wears in battle is the Ultimate Armor from X4-X6, as it features golden spikes and repeated use of the Nova Strike.
He also makes use of a Sub Tank when knocked to low enough health on a high rank, calling back to the X series. The Sub Tanks are still in the Zero games, so it doesn’t stand out as much.
In Zero 3, Copy X MK 2 gets a reflecting laser attack, being similar to the Gemini Laser from Megaman 3. If its a reference to an X series weapon, I’m unaware.
I don't believe X ever gets an attack similar to Gemini Laser. Lasers, sure. Weapons that bounce off surfaces, sure. Not so much both.
Amazing video, some of these went straight past me completely during my two playthroughs of the Zero series, and this is coming from a hardcore Mega Man X fan and Mega Man fan in general
Thank you, as i'm learning from the comments, a lot of references flew me as well.
Thanks for this video. Most I knew of already since I’m a diehard MegaMan fan, but some I didn’t know of. Well done!
No problem, and thanks!
Zero: *makes a crazy spin* 11:45
All humans in Area Zero: what 😦
Both Zero 1 and Zero 2's title sequences are direct callbacks to X1 and X2's title sequences respectively.
Had to rewind and replay that part of the video.. thanks for using my Zerp image. 😂
Thank YOU for making the image!
I like to see the reference to Iris’ last words as having merit within the story, as while Elpizo was sort of just ranting, as crazy villains do, the words “A world just for Reploids” hold some emotional weight to Zero, and probably stirred a memory or two. This is just my headcanon, though.
Great video. Honestly, some of the music references felt like a liiitle bit of a stretch but that doesn't hurt the video or anything.
Thank you! Honestly, the only one I'm really not too confident about is Iris's battle theme, as I listened to both songs for an hour.
And I'm pretty sure Straight Ahead sounding like Sigma palace 1 is more of a coincidence than anything.
6:52 reminds me of the trash stage from MMX6
fan of megaman zero series and inticreates here! love your content!
I'm glad to hear that!
You forgot to add 12:50 this section is a reference to Burn DinoRex's stage.
Maybe I forgot that for a good reason.
@@PrimeShiem And the reason being?
@mohdadeeb1829 The level is pretty annoying, especially when Alia talks when the Lava is coming, forcing your death.
@@PrimeShiem Make a "What if Mega Man 1-10 Rms had Gears?"
At 4:20 those blocks are found in the same level as blast hornets in MegaMan x2, the area is seen by the X Hunters as their hideout in cutscenes, and of course in Legends it's the Ruins.
Also wanted to point out, I actually think that these blocks were in the original MegaMan somewhere. Most of Wily's bots had definite eyes on them, and I think the "eyes" on zeros chest plates were his cameras.
another great video good work my man!
Thank you! hopefully Theres many more to come!
Amazing references, i love the video!
Thank you! im glad you enjoyed it!
Jackson in MMZ is of course a reference to Sting Chameleon and also the real life Jackson’s Chameleon, the same species that Fallout’s Deathclaws come from
Let us all not forget why one cannot forget about Zero after the events Z4, his most famous special ability from X6: HE CAN HIDE HIMSELF WHILE HE REPAIRS HIMSELF!
idk if anyone's already mentioned this, but the upgraded form of the giant cyberelves look a lot like King from Megaman & Bass!
Good job on this! You brought light to many otherwise obscure references that even I am still finding today and its fun to see how much attention to detail they really put into these games. Heres some stuff you missed: the skills Tenshouzan, Tenretsujin, and Flame Fang/Shouenga represent zeros Ryuenjin from x4 as they are specifically only pairable with the flame chip and are directly showed side by side in the "red hero" trailer, along with Sharp Edge/Rakuretsuzan being a direct reference to Hyouretsuzan from x4 as well, as its specifically an ice chip skill. The trailer also shows rolling slash next to Kuuenzan and his dash attack next to Shippuuga. It all makes sense as Zero relearns his memories and techniques as the series progresses until his finale at zero 4 where he remembers everything and now knows what hes truly fighting for. Erase form is also meant to be a reference to the Shot Eraser part that you can get in x5 and x6 that erases shots with slashes. The Rise form references Zeros standard 3 hit upward slash combo from x6. Lastly, the proto form might not be a direct reference but gameplay wise is basically the same as how black zero works in x8 as they both double zeros attack power but decrease his defense by 50%.
Edit: One bonus thing, but X7 makes a small reference to copy X in the zero nightmare ending, and this isnt the first time zero has had nightmares regarding stuff from different points in time. Before he had nightmares about the past with visions of wily. Now, hes having visions of the future, with snipe anteater's dialogue with zero also implying this saying "I see data buried deep within you... Is it memories of the future? Or false images of the past?", but zero simply dismisses it as nonsense and goes to fight him.
Pretty sure Zero's ending in X7 has less to do with Copy X and more so his linger fear that the _real_ X could one day become a Maverick himself very much as it is brought up in X's ending in X4. Seeing as Copy X is a completley _different_ character to the original X it makes no sense for Zero's dream to reference a character who's yet been created.
@@javiervasquez625 that was the original intention to foreshadow for zero 1 but that idea was already scrapped for copy x by the time x7 happened so they dropped that idea. x7 also came out about a year after zero 1 was released which replaced the x going maverick concept with copy x so it was possible to foreshadow that now in the way they did. also it is possible to dream the future via an ability in fiction called precognition. thats why i brought up snipe anteater's analyzation which are directly refered to "memories of the future" and the events are similar to how copy x wanted to eliminate all the "mavericks" in zero 1 which consisted of innocents and he then was going to attack zero. same way zero can see flashes of the past despite not even remembering anything from then, hes now doing so but for the future.
@@AlloyAmi Yet the X from Zero's dream isn't simply trying to "kill all Reploids" but _anyone_ regardless of them been either Human or Reploid. Regardless of what Anteater said it's clear that the X in Zero's dream is the real deal after having either lost his way following years of fighting Mavericks or succumbed to the Maverick/Sigma Virus similar to how it can happen to Zero in X5. As stated above Copy X had yet been _created_ by an unborn Ciel so it makes no sense for a robot to get magical visions of the future about a character who looks _nothing_ like Copy X and is clearly meant to be his actual friend X where he to loose his way and become a Maverick.
@@javiervasquez625 the dream doesnt show or say that at all, its literally just x over a bunch of destroyed reploid bodies repeating eliminate the mavericks. again i repeat, the idea of a "maverick x" was ELIMINATED and wasnt followed through in zero 1 and was dropped for copy x. x cannot succumb to the maverick virus as he possesses perfect immunity to it. Zero is different because the sigma (formerly maverick) virus was directly made to correlate with zero by wily which is why awakened zero is refered to as zeros true self. and he doesnt lose his way, he becomes the messiah and savior of all, ending everything with the mother elf once and for all, and copy x is clearly established a good year from x7s release date so it makes sense for them to reference it considering how close the games released. so why cant zero get a vision of the future, genuinely what the contradiction with it? its literally consistent with his visions of the past and snipe anteaters statement. copy x is meant to literally be a copy of x so i dont know why they wouldnt look very similar to the degree that zero cant know yet and is just purely confused + the actual contents of the dream are very clearly a reference to what copy x does in the future.
Thanks, I meant to bring up EX moves resembling certain skills from the C series, but forgot. However, I'd be lying if I said I thought about Zero "Relearning" his X Series skillset in Zero 1, thats actually really cool!
Only reason why I didn't bring up the Proto Form, is cause X8 released after Zero 2, but I shoulda still brought it up as it matches Black Zero's colors.
Another amazing video :)
Thank you so much, I'm glad you thought as much!
Wow, insane view count for one day. Nice job. Also noticed some pretty substantial improvements in your editing skills. Keep up the good work! Also, I just noticed something literally in this video that I had never realized before. The main melody of the song "Fake" from MMZ1 is the same tune as the MMX Boss theme, just without the key change.
Edit: Rather, I meant the Vile/Bospider theme
Yeah, I was caught off guard by the number of views myself. And thank you! I definitely tried some new stuff with this video.
I had actually heard something similar about Tunnel Rhinos' theme and the Zero 2 base theme.
Love to see you cover references in the battle network series!
Once I complete the Battle Network series, I plan on doing it.
@@PrimeShiem it’s a shame you’ll have to cover all 10 games since the version exclusives have some very minor differences.
what😭😭😭
There’s so many very cool references it’s amazing how many they were able to cram into these games, the Jackson Elf in Zero 1 I never knew about, and its so crazy how you have to go through all the trouble just to get it, totally not worth it. The E-Reader Easter Eggs are all great but the coolest one has to be Phoenix Magnion’s except the only way to see it is to get grabbed by his swooping attack, Bit not having a shield in X3 was always weird since the X5 intro and the Zero 2 Easter Egg depicts him with one.
Yeah, the Phoenix Magnion attack is probably by far the coolest reference in the Zero series, and honestly, one of the coolest call backs in the franchise as a whole.
Interesting reference nobody in the fandom has picked up yet but in Megaman legends 2 there is a rook shaped reaverbot called Fingerii, now in the Megaman zero games there is an enemy type called a Metarook which has the same shape only with tank treads instead of legs but it could be a hint that it is a much earlier version of the Fingerii reaverbot down the Mechaniloid evolutionary line.
Oh, that's actually really cool! Man, I really need to play the Legends series at some point.
There’s actually more music references to Esperanto that stem from X5 than what you mentioned. The beginning of the track (0:00 - 0:07) bears a striking resemblance to Zero’s Opening Stage Theme from X5. And the Holy Land/Area Zero Base Theme is a slower version of Esperanto, so the Iris Battle Theme sampled in there is also in Esperanto (it first plays at the 0:39 - 0:52 mark of Esperanto).
So Esperanto loops three different tracks from the X series.
X5 Intro Stage (Zero) -> X5 Credits Theme -> Iris Battle Theme
Which makes sense as X5 and Z4 mirror each other story-wise.
Both have Zero die trying to stop a space colony from destroying Earth.
In X5’s ending (if you play as Zero), the player sees Zero’s last thoughts are of Iris.
In Z4’s ending, the player sees Ciel’s praying for Zero in his final moments.
And Freesia (Zero 4 credits theme) is Esperanto but with lyrics sung from Ciel’s VA.
Seriously, Esperanto is my favorite ost in the Zero series because of how much weight it holds from the X and Zero series. It even carries that emotional “beginning of the end” feeling without the context of X5.
Esperanto is by far one of the stand out themes of the Zero series, and I love how it ties the X series into the Zero series. -shame I brought up Zero's X5 intro theme on the iceberg and not this-
Maybe this is not a big secret, but some of the EX Skills in Zero Series reference Zero´s past abilities in Megaman X4 - X6.
Yeah, I literally wrote about it in the script for the Zero 2 section, and then forgot to include it.
This video was incredible! Ty for sharing!!
9:17 Considering that you get this easter egg from Hidden Phantom's card and that Zero comments "it's calling me from cyberspace", it's more likely the Cyber Elf is not Elpizo, but Phantom himself! Remember, you can encounter Phantom in Zero 3 as secret boss in Cyberspace.
Yeah I meant to clarify that the Elf from the Phantom card was him, but I did a poor job at it.
14:09 - 14:14 if i remember right in the Japanese version, Zero also said that line at the ending of Zero 1 right after Cyber Elf X leave the scene.
I think that Omega's attack in which he is protected is the one from scratch in X8
The one he gets from Optic Sunflower? That could be true.
@@PrimeShiem Yeah, that's obviously Tenshouha from X8.
Megaman Zero 3 came out in April 2004, and Megaman X8 came out later on December that year. They couldn't have referenced a game that hadn't even finished developing yet.
You're right that it resembles Tenshouha more than it does Rekkouha, but it is supposed to be Rekkouha.
Since you brought up music cues in Zero 3 you did miss two of them. The desert level play remix of an ending song of zero 1 and intro of Zero 2.
The Neo Arcadia level where you fight Copy X has a remix of the final level of Zero 1 and the midway level of Zero 2.
Speaking of the Latter; the first part of the level shows a screen in the background that has zero’s silhouette with “Warning” and the omega symbol. Might’ve been foreshadowing or maybe not but it’s Neat!
10:46 Might I add, the beginning part of the loop also sounds vaguely similar to the intro in Zero's intro stage theme for X5.
True, mentioned that on the iceberg, but forgot to mention it here.
Omg, i never noticed the leifmotifs of the songs in mz4, they are pretty cool
Nice video man 👏👏
Thank you 🙌
Great video, hope your channel grow bigger
Thank you!
10:06. Did not know this. Probably because I was not a Battle network fan. Still really cool.
1:25 Mega Man 3
You're thinking of the Metall DX, which doesn't have the guns as legs.
11:50 I always thought that soundtrack was a remix of the Esperanto theme and the song fressia by ríe Tanaka
wow evidently there's a lot more to these games than i thought i knew lmao
Herculious Anchus (red) and Gravity Beetle (blue) are both Hercules beetles, while Kuwagust Anchus (blue) and Boomer Kuwanger (red) are stag beetles. Stag beetles rivaling Hercules beetles is a common motif in Japanese folklore. Another modern example of this is in Pokemon; Pinsir is a stag beetle while Heracross is a Hercules beetle.
I actually never knew that. Japan has some really cool folklore, myths, and legends, which they clearly show love to with their media.
@PrimeShiem they are also loosely based on the Japanese gods Raijin and Fujin with Herculious begin Raijin with electric base attack and kuwagust begin Fujin with wind focus attack sidenote wind boss are considered electric type in this series
Also they follow the red oni and blue oni troops it especially common with the beetle brothers
>modern example
>Heracross debuted in 1999
>Pinsir debuted in 1996
3:00 it's been nigh a decade for me and zero and while it's rightful I didn't know of the "GET ALL THE ELVES AND LEVEL EM UP" it is neat nonetheless to learn something new about the zero series.
Yup! Just heed my warning and don't waste your time!
The saddest thing about the answer to that infamous X4 question.
When Zero answered it, he doesn't remember Iris.
He does remember her in the official song _"Clover"_ where he outright mentions a "flower" which he cannot let go yet feels he should in favor of a new flower which is blooming (the titular clover). You should look it up for it's genuinely emotional while also informative of Zero's inner thoughts over the course of the Zero Saga.
Not only as @javiervasquez625 described, but Inafune also confirmed that by the time of Zero 4, he remembered the entire X Series.
Incredible video. I hope you make it big one day!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks for blessing my future!
Now that I'm playing Z3, the highway in the background at the start of the old residential area looks similar to X1's intro stage.
Actually, if you think about.... Z2's "Departure", Z4's "Esperanto", Z4's "Holy Land", Z4's "Freesia" and "Promise - Next New World" are ALL related to Iris' battle theme.
zero 4 final speech not only references the question from x4 it also makes references to many dialogues that zero has with x when reassurring him
You seem to have missed a reference in Cubit Foxtar's stage, Energy Plant. In the background of the boss room, there's a very obvious refractor from the Mega Man Legends series, implying or even confirming depending how you look at it, that the way to generate large amounts of energy in this era was at least partially through refractors.
Oh, I never knew. I haven't played the Legends series, so sadly, a lot of the references to those games fly right past me when making these videos.
Are these track references confirmed? I never noticed any of them. X5 Ending and Esperanto actually look very similar, but I don't think the rest are references. Even Hell's Gate Open and Express UG don't look similar to me.
A more clear reference to Sigma would be the Remastered version of Enemy Hall from Zero 1. Intro is literally Sigma 4 from X1
I know that Sub Arcadias theme us a remix of Express UG (it's honestly easier to hear comparing the songs beggining)
The Iris motif in both Esperanto and Holy Land was something I was listening for, and I could truthfully barely hear it. Yet I've seen multiple people say that they could hear it.
@@PrimeShiemI didn't hear it in the pass till your video, then I finally got what ppl were talking about. For the sigma one, it's hard to hear since the reference is really really in the background instruments.
8:21 pretty nice easter-egg
I never noticed some of these. Specifically the similar music tracks. I also never noticed that Repliforce logo.
I'm happy that I wad able to show you some new stuff!
What's interesting with Phoenix Maginion's special attack with grabbing Zero and summoning the 'ghosts' of his enemies from the X series to attack him, Vile being among them.
Disregarding Vile's appearance in X8 since it was released after Zero 2, Vile in X3, after defeating him in Doppler's lab, vowed to X that he'll haunt him till the day he dies. Zero 2 is when X's body was destroyed and leaving X as a Cyber Elf little time to remain in the physical world before his energy ran out, Vile stayed true to his word.
Honestly, Vile's real for that. Stuck to his word.
awesome video dude
Thank you!
The eye at 4:19 looks the same eyes from Rangda Bangda from Megaman X.
I forgot bro existed ngl.
Wowie! Thats a lot of easter eggs
Gotta say, Zero is a pretty good series, right alongside classic and X for me.
Also, i wonder something, not sure if this counts as an easter egg, but I'm gonna say it anyway...
Perhaps Dr. Weil is a reference to Dr Wily of the classic series, both are old doctors, both want to conquer the world, each being mad scientists building bad robots and in the end, get defeated by a robot, ironically the same thing said doctors use to their advantage for evil purposes.
I am aware both are different characters, but i don't think it can be denied there are some similarities between Weil and Wily. This also makes Zero 4's ending all the more powerful and satisfying, finally ridding the world of the chaos and insanity Wily, Sigma, and now Weil have plagued this world with, and letting heroes of yesteryear-XX finally resting after mission complete
Sorry if i went on for a while, but yeah! Great video bud, keep it up!!!
I think of "Dr. Vile" (his true name in Japan) as a _successor_ of Wily similarly to how Ciel and her ancestors who created the Mother Elf are the successors of Light. They all follow in the footsteps of previous robot scientists who's ideals and goals affected the very future of Humanity courtesy of their ambitions as to what they could accomplish in their field of robotics.
Your completely fine, and thank you! Yeah, Dr. Weil is most definitely the Zero Series stand in for Wily.
Also, the Tellybomb enemies from Z2 & Z4 are based on the Telly spybots from Classic Mega Man.
I didn't even realize the Tellybombs were just a bomb version of the Telly's till reading the comments.
That was great. Very informative
Thank you! I'm glad you found it to be informative!
In MMZ1 the final boss theme "Fake" had a high pitched version of the maverick theme of X1 in the background of the main melody
I can kinda hear it now.
@@PrimeShiem Same experience I had, saw a youtube comment pointing it out and decided to listen more to it. Now its plain as day for me.
Think you missed in Z3 in Childre’s stage mid boss, the boss is corrupted by a Baby Elf into a creature similar to Elpizo’s final form or Copy X’s final form. Also there’s a guitar riff in the regular boss theme that sounds like an X6 track iirc (I don’t remember which one).
Yeah I did, I just thought about it, it even uses Copy X's voice lines. Ima make a video on references I missed.
@@PrimeShiem I remembered; the intro to X6’s boss theme has a similar guitar riff to Z3’s boss theme
THATS THE MAIN THING I FORGOT
4:40 Man, I would've never found that reference in all the times I played MMZ2 cuz I always wanted to obtain S Rank (no-hit) every time I played it lol.
The fact that Magnion can create illusions of defeated past antagonists makes sense since it's a Phoenix (symbolizes resurrection and life after death) or idk I'm bad at explaining.
The attack where Omega summons a pillar of light is called Tenkouha I think
X8 wasn't released at the time, which is why I aint mention it, but it does look more similar to Tenkouha.
Nice vid 😁
Thanks!
9:16 I have a theory that this Cyber-elf is Iris, due to the dialogue that Zero releases when he interacts with the Cyber-Elf.
Honestly, now that you mention it, it is a lil weird that there's a sadness to the Elf while calling Zero from cyberspace.
Cyber elves technology didn't exist till after they studied zero's immunity to maverick virus before the elves war tho. But the core program for colonel iris was holding in X4 and her own bears striking resemblance to the darkelf. So I wouldn't be surprised if mother elf looked like that due to zero's lingering emotions for his loss of iris. Both mother elf and maverick virus( which is also purple in colour) originated from zero.
As i understand it that Cyber Elf is in fact _Elpizo_ who in the japanese version of Zero 2 is said to have "lingering nostalgia by simply been in the Resistance Base". It would appear that after the Mother Elf transformed Elpizo into a Cyber Elf his feelings of regret and guilt for what he did lead him to return to the Resistance Base where he proceeded to wander in sadness and shame.
@@javiervasquez625 In the time marked I am referring to the Cyber-Elf found on the roof of the Resistance base, the Cyber-Elf found near the Command Room is actually Elpizo.
@@Snash23 I'm talking about the original japanese version of Zero 3 on the GBA where such words are used to describe the one floating at the top of the base. I don't know if they changed the dialogues in the english Legacy version but in the japanese GBA game that's what is said regarding the Cyber Elf on the roof.
I know MNS made a remix of Straight Ahead with the Sigma Fortress 1 being the introduction to the melody. I knew I wasn't tripping when I thought of the same thing hearing both at the same time
Zero 3 has some more references. First, Copy X's stage in both Zero 1 and Zero3 are in an orbital elevator, a reference to X8 or Command Mission. While Zero 1 released before Command mission and Zero 3 before X8, the idea that these stages are orbital elevators was first introduced in a soundtrack released a month after Zero 3, so it's very likely that at least Zero 3's Copy X stage was referencing Jakob and Babel. Also in one part of Zero 3's tower, we can see other orbital elevators in the backgrouns. Neat!
Also not sure if this was X8 referencing Zero 3 or the opposite, but in X8 we fight Sigma and Lumine in a throne room full of pillars, while in Zero 3 Copy X is also fought in a throne room with pillars. I don't think that's a coincidence considering it's in the same stage as orbital elevator in Zero 3.
Lastly, Eight Gentle Judges transform from humanoid to monster forms, kind of like New Gen Reploids from X8.
Now that you mention it, in Zero 2, there's a large tower that resembles the Jakob Elevator in the middle mission of the game. Maybe that was some foreshadowing?
Here are some you missed:
A)Tretista Kelverian is basically a reimagined fight with Guts Man. He throws boxes (that drop from above, just like GutsMan's boulders) and his Punishment Form is even similar to Guts Man. Pay attention to his jaw.
B)An explosive version of Telly appears in the MegaMan Zero series, notably in Area X intro stage in Zero 4.
C)Copy X's Dash is a slide, referencing Vanilla MegaMan's own slide.
D)Ragnarok is similar to Repliforce Final Weapon in function and appearance (when spread out). The Final Weapon even has a Death Seed Cannon, just like Ragnarok.
E)Weil's final attempt at dropping the Ragnarok back to Earth is a reference to the Space Colony crashing in MegaMan X5.
F)Fenri Lunaedge is similar to Blizzard Wolfang, in that they're both wolves and use ice as their element. For reference X6 was released in 2001, Zero 4 in 2005.
G)Phoenix Magnion's attack ressurecting dead mavericks is similar to Metal Shark Player's junk clones.
H)Another X6 boss probably inspired Phoenix Magnion: Blaze Heatnix. They have similar dash attacks across the screen.
I)Copy X in Zero 3 has a Reflect Laser similar to the Gemini Laser from MM3.
J)The teleport Stage Boss is a reference to Rangda Bangda who appears in X1 and X5 "castle stages". Its name? Randam Bandam. They both use background elements to attack the player.
K)The fight against Kuwagust Anchus is a reference to the first battle against Storm Eagle, in that theyre both fought atop a flying base. He even has his own version of Storm Tornado that doesnt do any damage, but simply push you away.
I didn't even realize that the Tellybomb was a reference to the Telly's. and that actually make perfect sense with how they act.
I forgot to mention Copy X's slide and this comment just made me realize that.
I forgot Final Weapon also existed.
These are all pretty cool things that I sadly missed.
You can always make an update video years later. I also left out some things.. Which had been brewing in my mind for several years now.
It would be funny if Jackson was a remnant of sting chameleon that some how became a cyber elf
Seeing as reploids live in Cyberspace after death, it could be possible.
In Zero 3, Area X-2 at the beginning you see schematics or diagrams of Zero and at the bottom says "Dr. W Last No. Zero." Although the "W" is a little weird the way it's displayed, but it obviously references Wily. Sidenote, the Japanese version of MMX2 after defeating Wireframe Sigma makes a reference too, "But, Zero, why…he’s…the last of…Wi…num…ers…"
Also, in the final battle with Omega, you can see a "W" behind the giant Zero's head from Omega's second Transformation, a throwback to Wily.
I don't know if I'm imagining things, but the command room music from Z2 seems like a callback to X5's boss theme to me.
Also on the topic of Jackson, there is a chameleon species called Jackson's chameleon. I know this from being a Sonic fan in discussions over what species of chameleon Espio is, and Jackson's chameleon is the only species that has that central horn, as is also the case with Sting Chameleon.