A Ride Chaser (ライドチェイサー Raido Cheisā), also known as a Land Chaser[1], is a vehicle from the Mega Man X series. It was introduced in Mega Man X2 as a form of high-speed transportation with some combat capabilities. Certain enemies are also seen piloting Ride Chasers to combat the Maverick Hunters.
Characteristics
A Ride Chaser is a type of advanced cycle recognizable for the lack of wheels, relying instead on hovering technology. Ride Chasers serve the purpose of allowing the player to traverse a stage quickly. In Mega Man X2, Ride Chasers could be boarded and abandoned in the same way as Ride Armors, but from Mega Man X4 onwards, those are exclusive to "on rails" stages, where the focus is usually to avoid obstacles on the way to the boss. Ride Chasers cannot stop or be dismounted in these stages, and crashing means instant death. The character will automatically leap off the vehicle upon reaching the end of the Ride Chaser section. In Mega Man X7 and Mega Man X8, the Ride Chaser stages follow a vertical flow, making use of the 3D perspective. Unlike Ride Armors, the pilot will take damage when hit while using a Ride Chaser.
Although the Ride Chaser designs vary significantly, they usually retain the same features: a frontal cannon and an optional turbo boost.
List of Ride Chasers
Mega Man X2
Mega Man X2 introduced the first Ride Chaser in the series, the "Cheval" (チェバル Chebaru), model number ADU-T400 turbo.[2] In the introduction scene and at the beginning of the Opening Stage, a CPU-controlled X and a green Maverick Hunter ride Chevals towards the Maverick factory.
Later, in Overdrive Ostrich's stage, X has full control of the Cheval. It constantly moves forward at a fast pace, and it can accelerate even more and turn around, albeit slowly. It can fire small shots and dash along the ground, as well as jump. Unfortunately, like the Ride Armors before it, other enemies, the Road Riders, may pilot the Ride Chasers as well.
It is also known as Mobile Attack Cycle in North American release of Mega Man X2.[3]
In the manga Rockman X Mega Mission, X rode a Cheval per author Hitoshi Ariga's preference.[4]
Bandai has released a miniature of Ride Chaser Cheval in the toyline Rockman Select.
Mega Man X4 and X5
The Adion (アディオン) is a type of Ride Chaser that the commander of the Maverick Hunters obtained to be used in the Repliforce War.[5] X and Zero ride an Adion through Jet Stingray's Marine Base in Mega Man X4. A new feature of the Adion is the option to perform an offensive dash, which can also be performed in the air. Any enemy that comes into contact with the Adion during a dash will be incinerated by its drive blade, but it is a risky maneuver, as the pilot has little control during the dash. In Marine Base, some enemies ride the Hornet (ハーネット Hānetto), a mass-produced version of the Adion.
The Adion is also used in the beginning of Volt Kraken's stage in X5 to pass over its rough terrain. The player can collect energy spheres to open a door to a Light Capsule.
In Mega Man X4, the Ride Chaser is translated as Land Chaser in both the manual and the description for the Marine Base stage. Additionally, the game's manual inaccurately describes it as a Ride Armor.
In the game Mega Man X DiVE, the weapon Atomic Disintegration, known as Gun Adion (ガンアディオン) in Japanese, is based on Ride Chaser Adion.
Mega Man Xtreme 2
In Mega Man Xtreme 2, an unnamed Ride Chaser appears in Overdrive Ostrich's stage. Its appearance is similar (if not identical) to the Cheval from Mega Man X2, but its functions are like the Adion from Mega Man X4. This Ride Chaser is unable to fire projectiles, replacing them by an offensive dash. Unlike the Cheval, the player is unable to turn around with this Ride Chaser or abandon it, following the "on rail" pattern from later games.
Mega Man X7
Mega Man X7 has an unnamed Ride Chaser that is used by the Maverick Hunters in Ride Boarski's stage to collect bombs before they explode.
Mega Man X8
- Sirius (シリウス Shiriusu): A flying Ride Chaser used to chase Gigabolt Man-O-War in his stage. The Weapon Energy gauge acts as a Nitro Boost used to catch up to Gigavolt, and can be refilled with flashing Weapon Energy items in the stage.
- Barius (バリウス Bariusu): Ride Chasers used in Avalanche Yeti's stage. There's a different Ride Chaser for each Hunter, judging by the different shot attacks and color of the chassis when the player switches characters: charge shots with X, a short-range wide shot with Zero, and rapid fire with Axl.
- Kelpie: A modified Barius Ride Chaser used by enemies in Avalanche Yeti's stage.
Mega Man Maverick Hunter X
In The Day of Σ, X and Zero use unnamed Ride Chasers (referred as "bikes" in concept art). X also uses the Rider Chaser in a highway in the game's ending. Before leaving the building with the Ride Chaser, X looks to Zero's red Ride Chaser for some seconds, remembering his recently deceased friend.
Other games
In the Rockman X DiVE collaboration from Tǎ Fáng Sān Guó Zhì, X and Zero have a Ride Chaser named Atomic Shadow EX (原子絕影EX) as their mounts. This Ride Chaser was based on the Rockman X DiVE weapon Atomic Disintegration, which was based on the Ride Chaser Adion.
Other media
Ride Chasers appear in other media related to the Mega Man X series, including the Rockman X manga series, and Rockman X Mega Mission.
Before Ride Chaser was introduced in Mega Man X2 in December 1994, the 7th episode "Successor" of Rockman X manga, published in 1994 July issue, features a "bike" ridden by Vile.
Ride Chaser Gazelle was rode by X to escape from Curtiss' attack after defeating Boomer Kuwanger Limited in Rockman X Mega Mission.
Gazelle Custom is a Ride Chaser that can turn into a Ride Armor. It was originally planned to be released as part of Rockman X Mega Mission 4 and the Mega Armor series, but it was cancelled, later being revealed in the Rockman X & Rockman X Mega Mission Selection Box.
The Rockman X Giga Armor X figure features the Ride Chaser ADU-R381B Cavalerie (ADU-R381B キャバレリー) that can split into an armor for X named G.B.F. Armor and a support robot named Rush Jagt.
See also
References
- ↑ Mega Man X4 game manual, Jet Stingray stage description.
- ↑ Mega Man X2 ending and Compendium of Rockman X page 185.
- ↑ Mega Man X2 SNES manual of North America version
- ↑ Ariga's comment regarding on Ride Chaser in the manga Rockman X Mega Mission
- ↑ Compendium of Rockman X page 185