Opinions and controversies other video games is nothing new. Sometimes a game comes out and the question starts to be asked is that particular game cannon in the respective video game's franchise. Every major franchise has had this question. Mega Man is no exception to this. Indeed, there has been controversy over if Mega Man X6, X7 and X8 are cannon in the X series. Today I'm going to explore that.

Were does the controversy come from.

Mega Man co creator Keiji Inafune stated in an interview that Mega Man X5 was supposed, key word supposed more on that later on, to be the last game in the X series. The original plan was that Zero would die as a hero taking Sigma down with him for good, but at the cost of his own life. The Zero series would start centuries later after the X time frame were Zero did not die instead he hide himself.

This is were the controversy starts. A lot of people think that X6 and onward is not cannon in the X series. In fact game writer Foxhound3857, his or her real name unknown, stated "Based on Inafune own words in his opinion X6-X8 did not happen and was Capcom's way of trying to earn more money". He or she makes the argument on several gaming sites. Given how a lot of gaming sites are on the internet their posts was likely viewed several times. Indeed, it does not take long for things to spread on the internet.

I do not know if Foxhound was the original one who came up with the idea but he or she made it popular. Several you tube commenters have also stated on videos of people playing the games that they are not cannon.

While the idea of them not being cannon is still popular its not true. The ones who made the idea of them not being popular did not listen to all of Keiji Inafune's interview.

Yes it is true Keiji Inafune did say that X5 was supposed to be the last game. Yes he also stated that the multiple endings to Mega Man X5 was to leave it open for future games mainly the Zero series. There are several videos of him stating this.

But in the actual interview Inafune stated

"I had intended for Mega Man X5 to be the last X game and to start the new series which was the Zero Series. However, X5 was doing good in sales that Capcom ordered me to make future games. This really messed the X series timeline up. Also Capcom put a lot of pressure on my team to get the games out quickly. I think that is why a lot of people can tell X6 was rushed because it was. I had a hunch Capcom might do this so that is why I included multiple endings in X5. The now cannon ending in X5 is that the mission succeeds Zero supposedly takes Sigma down with him and X is left with his saber wondering if his comrade survived". (Keiji Inafune Interview).

It really does seem like Capcom really messed things up. The creator had another idea and was going to let the timeline transition smoothly into the next Mega Man Project. But Capcom after having a hit on their hands wanted more games. While some may criticize Capcom from a business standpoint it is easy to see why they wanted Inafune to create more X games. In fact, Inafune went on say in the rest of the interview.

"So I created Mega Man X6 and in what is cannon X finds Zero survived. They rejoin and X and Zero destroy the nightmare. Zero seals himself off for 90-100 years to debug his programming. I thought well that would be a way transition into the Zero Series were Ciel finds Zero and wakes him up. But nope Capcom wanted me to create X7 and X8. For those that are wondering X7 takes place more than 100 years after X6. Zero wakes up and find that X has semi-retired and that a new organization Red Alert is filling the void and Zero know does most of the Maverick Hunter Missions. X8 takes place decades after X7. I'm sorry if this caused confusion among gamers but that is how I was able to fix the timeline it took two games to clean up the timeline. As for those that are wondering if X6,X7, and X8 are cannon. Yes they are indeed Cannon in the Mega Man X series. Whenever the X series ends the Zero series takes places centuries later". (Inafune Interview Part 2).

Indeed, the co-creator has stated that X6, X7, and X8 are indeed cannon and that he had to use X6 and X7 to fix the X timeline. After Inafune left Capcom, Capcom has also stated that X6-X8 are indeed cannon. Therefore you have the creator and the company stating that yes these games are in fact cannon and do take place in the time line.

IN my opinion, due to the creator and company stating multiple times that these games are cannon. There should not be a controversy if they are cannon or not. Indeed, it should have been put to rest when Inafune and Capcom stated multiple times they are cannon. However, once an idea gets on the internet it is hard to put it to rest. What should happen is the ones who posted the idea that they are not cannon should admit they were wrong and listen to the entire interview instead of the first part of it. Sometimes I think ideas that certain games are not cannon can stop people from playing the games. It is easy to see why as gamers could think why should I play these games if they are not considered cannon.

In summary, while there are still questions if X6-X8 are cannon. The fact is they are indeed cannon. Capcom non intentionally created a mess on their hands. It took X6 and X7 to fix the X series timeline, which also lead to some confusion.