The CONFUSING History of Zero's Buster - Mega Editorial 

I think Zero is holding back. His X3 buster might be emergencies only. Like out of desperation

I always liked the small story detail of how Z-era Zero simply picked up the dead Milan's Buster Shot pistol and jammed the saber's hilt into it to use as a limitless power source. The poor guy appeared for a mere few seconds before dying, yet Zero ended up using his weapon throughout the entire series to save the people Milan gave his life to protect. There's also a neat tidbit in a piece of supplementary material that states that X had his own buster's charge chip incorporated into the hilt of Zero's saber during the Elf Wars, so the buster shot is literally just a generic peashooter that runs on limited ammunition and can't even be charged without the aid of the saber's hilt. You wouldn't think the most visually unremarkable weapon in the franchise would have so much lore attached to it.

Officially, X and Zero should have 2 busters to use, and this would be a nice explanation of why Zero can double shot in megaman X3, I think he has 2 busters that do different things, one for powerful shots and another for normal shots, probably the theory of one being used only in desperation is the true explanation

As a long time Megaman fan and as a Zero fanatic, I loved this more than I can really convey. One thing I've always told people to keep in mind is to never forget that Zero's never actually portrayed as being a worse gunman than X, save for one really weak scene from Day of Sigma. Tohru Nakayama, the artist for the Megaman Zero series, typical portrays Zero as actually being pretty fierce with his buster often using it to tear his enemies apart with powerful shots of energy at point-blank. Couple this with Zero's design and fighting style painting him as a close-range berserker, I always imagined that he had a much more violent shooting style than X. Like, even in his first appearance, Zero's trump card against Vile is to blast his mech at point blank. We don't get to see it due to the limitations of pixel artwork, but it isn't all that difficult to imagine that the reason the explosion was so lethal and violent was because Zero use his buster to force a blast directly into the machine itself, and when I think about that being his Buster's origin, I think it makes sense that it continues to have hints of this throughout the series. The design changing constantly between X2 and X3 is really odd though, but I imagine trying to reuse assets to save time might have the most to do with it.

Remember how in x3 u can do a double shot with zero? aparently he has 2 busters, but the sprites look the same so... yeah I guess they just messed up, but he could have the 2 busters just one in each arm, maybe the x3 buster he doesn't use it that much cuz he uses more the saber with his left arm

Please keep doing more in this format, I really enjoyed it and I am glad you are thinking of more stuff similar to this

I like how in Maverick Hunter X. You're able to use the some charge shot Zero used when you get his Buster in the cutscene rather than the Light Capsule. It is a nice attention to detail and maybe hints towards Zero's true power.

Zero's X6 Sprite was his best look, IMO

When the X9 forums were still around, I, Zan and others did discuss about Zero's buster, about why it went absent for Zero Series Zero. We came to the conlusion, that the buster was destroyed by acident during his first sealing, as both his body and mind were studied.

My headcannon for Zero using a similar buster to X's first armor in X1 is that the buster he uses is a mass produced model used for the Maverick Hunters (It's known as the Military Buster in X Dive), that he got given when he joined the Hunters after the events of that flashback in X4.

Since the Stock Shots X fires in X4 with the Arm Parts appear similar to Zero's buster shots from X3 and X5, I believe that the Zero Buster in that game, since Zero himself did not use it, might have been made into the Arm Parts with the Stock Charge Shot. And a fact that proves my theory: the first four sprite frames of the Stock Shot when fired from the X-Buster were also used for when a shot is fired from the Z-Buster in X5.

I never really paid much attention to the differences of Zero's Busters in-game,especially in X5 and X6. I didn't really care either,to me they were just cool looking arm canons. Anyway,thanks for doing this,Coleman,it was quite informative.

1:17 Finally! After all this time, I now understand the toe attacker joke! It's taken me so long but now, I feel truly enlightened! I'm guessing Zero holds back from using his buster on purpose since he doesn't want to be overshadowed by X's skills with a buster (even if he can use buster abilities in Xtreme 2) or he just prefers using the Z-saber in X4, 7, 8, and CM. Also I just noticed that Zero shows his teeth when firing the buster in X6. Those were some detailed sprites back then.

I think when Serges rebuild Zero, he designed him to have both X2 and X3 busters that Zero can alternatively choose which one to transform his hand into what buster he chooses (its kinda like TRANSFORMERS when some transformers has 3-ALT-MODES, a vehicle mode, a flight-vehicle mode, and a robot mode).. That idea applies to Zero.

The "Zero is holding back" theory is funny, I find. Still remember how much he just tears through with fully charged double Charge Shots into Z-Saber combo back in X3. Maybe he thought "We defeated Sigma. I'll let X show off more after switching Busters" then after X5 he just became more comfortable fighting without that combo in X3

I'm for him having both and X3 being for emergencies, I imagine he uses X3 over his X2 Buster in X6 because he's gonna need the big guns to clean up this mess. I mean if High Max wasn't even scratched by X earlier, he'd definitely have to bring out the X3 Buster to stand a chance especially since he might have not fully repaired himself, since it did take 3 weeks to do. There's bound to be some imperfections in his own self repairs. ...actually maybe that or he couldn't fully repair it/had the time to repair it after "dying" in X5. I mean either of the three are completely possible and I accept Zero having two different busters with open arms.

Good video. Never noticed too much between the two busters. Aww man, why you gotta do my boy MMZ Zero like that. I love the sentiment and the detail put behind his buster, even when it isn't mentioned. His buster was a standard-issued, mass produced model that was used in old wars. The one Zero had belonged to Milan, who died in Z1's intro, and it gets access to its charge abilities once Zero obtains and attachs the Z-Saber to it.

So happy you were finally able to get this out for everyone to watch, it turned out great! I can really tell lately how you've had ways to push your creation skills further on the mind. Keep going, you have my support all the way! I like the idea that Zero holds back his X3 buster as a way to easily reconcile all the differences, as flaky a handwave as that is lol. Funnily enough his X1 buster is the one that had the most impact in-story, even if it's arguably at its best when it's his sidearm in X6.

The reason for Zero's X3 look in Power Fighters is the X3 design was Wily's intended final design for Zero but he died before he could complete Zero. In X1 Zero is incomplete and Serges finishes the design in X2 because Serges is a reploid with a Wily AI copy in it that was left over after his death. Same way the Light AI copy continues building X new armors throughout the games.

it may be that Zero has a double buster and uses them on different occasions

Personally, I think that Zero in Megaman X2 had an energy source at the level of X's third armor, and because of that, Zero in Megaman X2 could shoot an energy wave when he used his Z-Saber. In Megaman X3, X could only fire the energy wave if he had the third armor equipped, but if he didn't, he was only limited to using the Z-Saber without the energy wave. In Megaman X3, the energy source that Zero used in Megaman X2 was probably removed, and that's why when you play Zero in X3, he can't use his Z-Saber wave shot, and he can only use the normal Z-Saber which is short range. In Megaman x4, I don't understand why his Z-buster was taken away (beyond the gameplay, in the story it doesn't make much sense, unless we think about the distribution of his energy for the robot abilities), but it could be who he focused the handling of Zero energy (Power Supply Unit) on the speed of melee attacks, having to take away his Z-buster. In Megaman x5, they decided to return his Z-buster to him, but since his power source was largely dedicated to speed and combat strength, the Z-Buster was weaker than previous Z-buster versions. But when Zero gets infected with the dangerous Zero Virus because he spends too much time in Zero Space, his energy source becomes much higher, so he could use the Z-Saber's wave shot again and also use the Z-buster at the same time with the maximum power reached, and all without losing its melee combat capabilities. In Megaman X6, since it wasn't too long since Zero was trapped in Zero Space (in the previous game), he still had a part of that energy boost provided by Zero Virus exposure, and that's why his Z-buster in Megaman X6 was more powerful than in Megaman X5. In X7 and X8, it has been a long time since Zero entered to Zero Space and the virus concentrations in his body decreased, so his system's power management was focused on melee speed, losing all the Z-buster capabilities.

Zero hates his buster so much he had it removed when he got his full body makeover in the elf wars

My biggest question with his buster is how can he have the exact same buster as the one Dr. Light gives to you in X1?

Nice topic, good humor; just a cool video. I personally think he just has both, cause let's be real; if Wily knew about X as he most likely did due to them having the same busters in X's first armor and Zero's initial form: he'd absolutely be like "Well, I'm gonna give him TWO different busters, a plasma saber, long flowing hair and BOOB LIGHTS. Thomas will NEVER match this!" He just wasn't able to do so before dying, which is why Serges did the final, intended design...and probably left a schematic behind for the other one that they ended up using to upgrade Zero one final time, I dunno. But that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

I the first Z-Buster is my favorite design, and I love how it’s also the same as X’s First Armor X-Buster

It seemed the strongest in X, and very powerful in x6 when in close quarters.

Great work! I’m looking forward to more videos in this style.

I don't think Zero is holding back at all in X5. Remember, he's been affected by the Sigma Virus, which made him more powerful. Even if you get the "good" ending and still retain Zero sane until the end of the campaign, Zero still comments on how he's been made stronger by the virus' influence.

I always saw it as Zero picking instant results with his saber over having to aim and shoot his buster, or maybe after X2 he decided to go full weeb and hone his skills with laser swords.

2:05 Gotta say, I'm not a fan of the concept art here. The buster looks way too huge for his arm. The visual balance is completely skewed by it. It's really more like a blunt object to smack people with than a projectile weapon. Glad the sprites turned out better. 3:23 So THAT'S what it was for!

I don’t care if the Zero game gun isn’t a buster, that one is my favorite

This was a fun video, makes me excited for what’s to come, keep up the good work dude!

In megaman X, if you dont collect the buster from the Drm Light capsule, Zero gives you his buster upon his death. Maybe that is why they are the same.

It's finally here! I've wanted this video to happen for some time now. I hope you enjoy. Please, let me know what other subjects you would like to see covered in this style! Also, please check out our affiliate links if you are looking for some Mega Man toys! ▶HobbyLink Japan Affiliate Link: tinyurl.com/2stpbdr4 ▶BBTS Affiliate Link: tinyurl.com/5cdc8sru

Awesome video, Colefam! Fun and thorough!

Btw, the reason why Zero didn't use his buster in X4, in Yoshihiro Iwamoto manga it stated that he got trauma so his hand can't change to buster XD

Fantastic job!! I really enjoyed this!!

It’d be even more interesting if Zero just had both, but preferred his X2 Buster over his X3, either for personal reasons, power preservation, or to make X not feel inadequate with his own Buster, because Zero knows he’ll get yet another upgraded Buster anyway. But it’d be cool to see him dual wielding both busters to just kind of flex on other maverick hunters.

Great video! I’d love to see more videos like this!

Zero X series: *"pew pew strong arm buster attack"* Zero Z series: **Le Gun**

I’m pretty sure this is just a simple case of the person in charge simply forgot, or as I like to call it the Super Saiyan 2 phenomenon.

I loved the video, keep up the obscure megaman content!

Awesome video I been hanging to know about this.... I remember getting the buster coz I couldn't find it b4 it back in the day. Loved it. Thank you

If miss the buster upgrade in X1, Zero straight up gives you his buster upon death.

unpopular opinion i love the buster shot

Don't we see Zero using two busters? Like with the ending cutscene of x5, we see zero blasting Sigma with his right arm blaster and at the beginning of the game you see zero with the x2 buster removed from his left arm.

Finally someone makes a video about an ever lasting pet peeve of mine! Very well put together. Awesome vid.

When your character is so cool, you don't remember what weapons he had.

All other zeros: we got guns for arms. Mmz zero: they gave me this hand gun

very nice video, Zero should just replace both his buster and saber for the all powerful Z-Pipe like the one he used against Sigma

I think the reason why Full-Armor X and Zero have the same buster in X1 is because if you enter the Sigma fortress without the Arm upgrade, Zero gives you his and I assume that's the canon explanation.

My head canon is that one arm is X2 and the other is X3.

Good Stuff, Mate.☺️😆

Looks to me like in-game the x2 and x3 busters are on opposite arms. They do appear on the same arm in artwork though, so that's a bit of a doozy. Either they are strictly attached to a specific arm or he can use whichever one he chooses. Either way, it's probably safe to say each buster has some unspecified advantage(s) over the other depending on the situation.

I love your visual jokes, they made me laughed like no one is in the house XDDD Thanks for the good time.

with how zero grows in-game, it feels like the different equipment make sense. he's supposed to be able to adapt to whatever weapon is used against him, so using different busters depending on what kind of shots is needed (from the sinple 'lemon' to the teshouha reverse laser) is something that works

i like how you crossed out the buster shot on Zero's (post elf wars) hand

Will there be video about MMZ Buster Shot (Z-Buster) analysis?

Honestly if we look at X3 buster and X2, then look at how his hand transforms into the Buster in X6. Why instead of thinking they have multiple busters (explaining how they can shoot from both hands) what if it's a lot more simple of a reason? When you do a single charged shot, there's quite a bit of recoil. However when using a double charge, the recoil is instead offset by a second shot. This would imply that they're instead absorbing the recoil and moving it through themselves. After firing the first shot, they retract and then expand the buster on their other arm to discharge said recoil as a secondary blast. One buster that just alternates hands. Using this thought in mind, It would lend credibility to the idea that the various buster appearances for Zero are just alternate firing modes. X2 is lower power consumption for more prolonged fights, while X3 because they're fully used to having the saber (as they only got it in X2) They can now use a higher power setting without as much risk to themselves. Alternating when needed based on the situation.

I noticed that in the artwork Zero has his buster in his right arm but in the game its his left

Nice video dude

The MMX3 Anime OP also made a massive blunder by showing X1 Zero using the Z Saber, AFTER showing X2 Zero chop Vile in half. Like in-between cuts, Zero reverted to his X1 self, buster included.

I always loved the first one

I liked this new format, it was very enjoyable.

My headcanon is that he uses the X2 buster normally, but switches to the X3 Buster for more powerful shots, like in X5, he uses X2 since he didn't think it'd be that necessary, but in X6 he realizes he may need to fight at a long range a lot more than he originally thought.

i mean, the mmz weapon may not be a z buster, but by it being a general weapon used by other reploids as well, it just shows its a really good weapon for zero to stick with it

I do really like this format hope you do more stuff like this maybe with different franchises personally the x2 buster is the best in my opinion the x3-x5 buster just has two much details usually I don’t mind stuff like that in designs but the x3 one just rubs me the wrong way for some reason also I’m editing this in but what’s the deal with (insert thing) is actually a good name for this

Zero's buster is the same color as X's upgraded buster in the first game because unless you go find the secret buster upgrade, he literally gives you HIS buster.

In megaman x, if you go to sigma’s castle without getting the buster upgrade zero gives you his buster after you defeat vile.

I think the most likely reason as to why the First Armor buster looks like Zero's is because it's supposed to be his buster. Apparently, if you make it to the Sigma Fortress without getting the buster upgrade capsule, Zero explicitly gives his buster to X after he blows himself up against Vile. Itnwouldn't make sense for their designs to be different, then.

The Zero series Zero just had enough of that lol

I never payed attention to different busters. But I think its just miscommunication between the teams. One team used x2 buster design and another one used x3 buster design. And as it is a secondary weapon, it wasn't that important for them.

Remembering that in X1, if you reach Vile's 2nd fight without the First Armor's buster, you gain it from Zero after he dies, so makes some sense they are similar. As for XZ's gun, yes, according to X Dive, only "arm cannons" are considered busters. That one gun is a pistol model, among other models like spreaders that shot eletricity or fire, rocket launchers, and machine guns.

It's kinda interesting that at the end of X5 Z-buster mk.3 was part of RIGHT hand, while in gameplay he used LEFT buster. It could be reference to X2 anb X3 where X used bought hands and power of charge shots was different P.S. forgive me, my english pretty shity 😄

Megaman Zero's weapon is actually stolen from the dead resistance guy and later upgraded to use the Z-Saber as a source of power.

Doctor: "Now, Zero, I hate to say it, but this slimming process will make it much harder to install a buster without a more complicated energy-matter conversion system, which will be a bit of a drain on your power in addition to your saber." Zero: "Just get rid of it." Doctor: "What?" Zero: "I usually just dash in and attack with my saber anyways. If it's gonna cause complications, don't bother with it."

Zero might have 2 different busters per arm. X2 buster on the left while X3 buster on the right.

My head cannon is that he can't choose between his many busters so he just uses them all

I wouldn't be surprised he just has two at his ready. There's all kinds of good parts for Maverick Hunters.

Personally I like the X2 style buster more. I feel like the simplified design is easier to remember the look of and to animate which is probably why the inconsistency. I noticed that the X3 buster was mostly in just artwork and static cutscenes while not being in proper sprite form until X6.

I'm reminded of the anime Mark Gatha and a lot of the other Megaman X Command Mission voice vets voiced in called Mobile Fighter G Gundam where Burning Gundam piloted by Domon Kasshu was fighting against Dragon Gundam which used a kamikaze attack and decimated the right arm of Burning Gundam which used a special technique called Burning Finger. The fight was about to be won by Dragon Gundam but surprise, surprise! Burning Gundam had two of the same weapons used for Burning Finger in case of emergency hence the pilot's shocked reaction 'BURNING FINGER WITH THE LEFT HAND?!!' Hence, Zero was only gonna use his X3 Buster in case of emergency and since the Nightmare Virus was already out of hand, take matters into his own hands you might say.

I Think Zero might have both busters... Which would explain the X3 charged attack, but it's just me

The Z-buster in mmz is actually a blaster.

Regarding Mega Man's Mega arm is in subcategory of "buster" in mmkb wiki, does Zero Knuckle from mmz 4 count as glory kill / za hando buster?

3:32 with the coloration on the sprite I think it is supposed to be the x3 burster but simplified (tho why the gem inside is red idk)

What about the z-saver projectile cut that is almost never used whenever we control him, but it's a trademark attack of him since x2

actually, in X3, Zero has TWO busters(in gameplay). when you fully charge his buster, you get two charge shots, one from each arm, and then a saber slash.

I really wish Capcom would make an open world slashing & shooting game with Zero from Megaman X saga as the main hero. ... The gameplay would be something like Devil May Cry, God of War or Kingdom Hearts that has a cool story mode from easy, normal, hard and extreme difficulties. ... It also has lots of extra missions to unlock rare items, weapons, other characters, images, videos/cut scenes, etc. ... Most of the bosses would be gigantic reploids affected by a unknown virus that turns them into Mavericks. ... I think that would be awesome if Capcom make it happen.

6:35 no Copy Zero, this is a Gun, not a Buster.

I think it's that they didn't have a standard to follow like Sigma's Chin. Also when it comes to the X3 anime cut scenes that's not the only error but things that were animated at that time always had errors. I miss X3's Z Buster game play in later games.

I always just saw it as a artstyle change

These androids are capable of transforming in weird ways. Like Zero has white gloves in one photo and then a big arm cannon with gems in it next. How?

In X3 intro PSX you can see how X can use buster, by changing his hand in X buster, maybe X3 buster is his R-hand and X2 buster is his L-hand

Really interesting. It seems that there are either inconsistencies between the sprite artists and the concept artists when deciding how the z-buster should look OR the X3 buster is Zero's trump card. Anyhow, very good video!

Surprised you didnt touch more on x3 with zero being able to double charge shot but still glad someone finally is wondering whats up with the z buster.

One wild headcanon theory I have about the buster design is... that Zero wasn't designed with a buster by Willy. One of the artworks of Omega (MMZ3) shows his hand opening up like the Z-Knuckle from MMZ4. In Z4, the weapon is used to rip other weapons off enemies and use them... So, if Omega is the original body of Zero... Headcanon : Omega is the original robot designed by Willy, personality and all, with Zero being an amnesiatic alter-ego. The Knuckle was intented as a perversion of Rockman and Bass's Weapon-Get system, with the deliberate change that it now robs the victim of the weapon while turning it against them. A very devastating combination if the robot was to ever be used against the origional Rockman. Thus, Zero/Omega has no native buster. The X1 and X3 busters are proably just ones that he grabbed off enemies, with the X2 buster being an earnest repair attempt by someone who didn't understand the origional design. This also explains why he uses the handgun in the Zero series, rather than a traditional buster design.

Beta Buster from sketch from X2 and X5 be looking good too. 😎

I've always thought that Zero's X3 buster was an ABSOLUTE UNIT.

Given how he doesn't use it much, perhaps there is a draw back to X3 buster that they didn't explain...

If we assume that everything we see on screen in this video is canon, then my headcanon would probably be that Zero is indeed using a weaker buster on purpose. We know that Zero is reversed in regards to the Maverick Virus compared to other Robots/Reploids. He's patient 0 (No pun intended), the virus is actually just the software Wily installed into his operating system designed to keep his personality in check. He can't "Go Maverick" because that's his true personality, it's only a corruptive influence on others when installed into their operating systems, as their systems weren't designed for it and so for them it counts as a sort of corruptive malware. For Zero, his "Corrupted" state is actually his sane, good guy persona who is friends with X and wishes to protect innocents from other mavericks. With that in mind, I'd say that Zero's good guy persona sees his default buster as being overkill. The weapon of a maverick designed to do excessive force. If true, it makes sense that he would replace it for use in his duties as a Maverick Hunter as his job is to stop Mavericks, not blow up the innocents that are being threatened by them. However, he does somehow seem to be keeping his original buster on his person at all times for use as a last resort or final trump card, though where he is keeping it I have no idea. This whole thing is ironic if true however, as X doesn't seem concerned with this at all and powers up his buster into a weapon of mass destruction on a regular basis despite X himself being a pacifist by nature. On the matter of the Z series Buster present in the GBA/DS series, I'd actually say that's the strongest of Zero's busters we have seen so far. It's charged shot is decent, but it's also able to be used with much more offence and utility than Zero's other busters and can be modified on the fly to fire off shots of several different elements and qualities. It pales in comparison to X's better busters, but it's definitely no slouch by it's own right.