X-Men: Mutant Academy 2

X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 is a PlayStation video game, the sequel to X-Men: Mutant Academy. Both feature the X-Men in a 3-D fighting arena similar to Mortal Kombat 4.

Like its predecessor, the game allows the player to select from several heroes and villains and includes many of the signature moves from the comic. The game also includes a behind-the-scenes look at X-Men: The Movie concept sketches, costumes and other similar material.

Gameplay
There are four modes to play:


 * Academy Training - This is where alternate costumes can be unlocked. The majority of characters have the ability to unlock two costumes, but six characters cannot.


 * Arcade - In this mode, it is possible to unlock the ending movies of characters. Another additional feature is the ability to unlock extra characters. This is performed by obtaining all the ending movies for different characters in a row. Psylocke is unlocked for the left row after completing with Wolverine, and Juggernaut is unlocked for the right row after completing the game with all characters, including Psylocke. There are two special characters that can be unlocked after obtaining the endings of special characters. Spider-Man is unlocked if you encounter and defeat him on Arcade Mode, and Xavier is unlocked if one passes with Juggernaut.


 * Versus - Allows two players to fight each other using available characters, provided two controllers are properly inserted into the controller ports. On defeating Arcade Mode, the Pool Party arena is unlocked, which changes the character's skins to pool/beach themes.


 * Survival - Survival Mode allows the player to chose a single character and attempt to defeat multiple enemies without losing their own health. When the player's health bar is drained, the game is over. Each game of Survival Mode consists of one round; it counts wins and perfects (defeats without losing any of one's own health) and when defeated, places the player on a leaderboard, which initially has Beast last with two wins zero perfects, and Rogue first with ten wins, four perfects.

Characters

 * Cyclops: Scott Summers is the field leader of the X-Men and wields the ability to blast optic blasts through his eyes.
 * Beast: Original X-Man and scientist, Hank McCoy is a mutant of acrobatic skill and a coat of indigo fur.
 * Forge: Storm's former lover. His mutant powers allow him to develop machinery; he also has mystical skills.
 * Gambit: A Cajun with a troubled past, Gambit is capable of charging inanimate objects with explosive kinetic energy; usually playing cards, he is also highly trained with a Bo.
 * Havok: Scott Summers' younger brother, Alex Summers is able to shoot powerful solar blasts from his hands. His level is X-Mansion.
 * Juggernaut: Super-strong, resistant to most damage. Though psychic attacks can hurt, his helmet protects him.
 * Mystique: Mutant shape-shifter and Magneto's closest confidanté, Raven Darkholme dominates the battlefield with high-tech weaponry.
 * Magneto: The Master of Magnetism, Erik Magnus Lensherr is able to influence Earth's magnetic fields to propel and manipulate metallic items. The leader of the Brotherhood. He is one of the most powerful mutants. His level is Asteroid M.
 * Nightcrawler: A religious X-Man with a demonic appearance, Kurt Wagner can teleport to anywhere within two miles (3 km) in a puff of smoke and brimstone.
 * Phoenix: An original X-Man, Jean Grey possesses telepathic and telekinetic abilities as well as the fiery prowess of the Phoenix Force.
 * Professor X: The founder of the X-Men, Professor Charles Xavier fights for a world where mutants and humans can coexist in peace. A mutant himself, Charles is the world's strongest telepath. His level is Danger Room.
 * Rogue: A true Southern Belle, Rogue is able to absorb the memories, talents and thoughts of others with just a touch.
 * Psylocke: A trained assassin, Psylocke has been through many changes in her life, but her skill with her psychic blade remain ever constant.
 * Sabretooth: Like Wolverine, Sabretooth is a victim of the Weapon X program, possessing adamantium-laced claws, a potent healing factor and an insatiable blood lust.
 * Storm: The X-Men's second in command. Like her codename implies, Ororo Munroe's mutant ability allows her to harness and manipulate the weather. Her level is Muir Island.
 * Spider-Man: Increased agility, ability to shoot webs. Spider-Man is the only non X-Men related character to appear in this game.
 * Toad: A member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, the grotesque Mortimer Toynbee's mutant ability, like his namesake implies, gives him frog like abilities and skills. He can also elongate his extremely strong tongue to great distances and can spit corrosive slime at his enemies. His level is Morlock Sewers.
 * Wolverine: A victim of Weapon X, Wolverine, a.k.a. Logan, possesses adamantium laced claws, heightened senses and agility as well as a potent healing factor. His level is the Weapon X Lab.

Reception
Unlike X-Men: Mutant Academy, the game received mostly positive reviews by critics. Many praised the game for its improved graphics, new characters, gameplay, its hidden characters, its 3D environment, and the expanded number of combos. However, some criticized the game for its lack of gameplay modes and the combos were usually hard to pull off.

In 2011, Complex ranked it as the 43rd best fighting game of all time.