Play X-Men - Mutant Academy (Japan) Online

X-Men: Mutant Academy for the Game Boy Color came out in 2000, published by Activision. It was part of a wave of handheld fighting games trying to capture the feel of bigger console titles, and it landed right when portable gaming was really hitting its stride. You got to pick from a roster of mutants, each with their own look and a few signature moves, all squeezed onto that little green-tinted screen.

You control one fighter at a time, facing off against another character in one-on-one battles across different arenas. The main goal is to deplete your opponent's health bar before they take yours, either in single matches or by moving through a tournament bracket. The game uses a simple four-button layout for punches, kicks, and special moves, which you can chain into basic combos. Matches are fast and often feel chaotic; the AI can be unforgiving on higher difficulties, punishing mistakes quickly. It feels like a stripped-down, frantic version of the arcade fighters I used to love, perfect for short bursts between classes or on the bus.