Metal Shark Player, written as Metalshark Player (メタルシャーク・プレイヤー)[1] in Japan, is a Maverick from the X era, appearing as one of the main bosses in Mega Man X6. He is a metal-themed Reploid based on a hammerhead shark, who attacks by throwing anchors and summoning scrapped Mavericks. He is a former recycling research scientist who is now part of the Nightmare Investigators.
Metal Shark Player debuted in Mega Man X6 as one of the eight Mavericks on the Stage Select screen. He serves as the boss of the Recycle Lab, observing the Nightmare Press. He was built by Gate for recycling research, and joined a team working on reusing salvaged parts of disposed Mavericks. Eventually he got into the illegal practice of DNA resurrection, resurrecting the Mavericks instead of recycling them. Gate encouraged his experimentation, which eventually got Player arrested and executed. However, he was later resurrected by Gate to serve as a Nightmare Investigator.[2]
A former member of a recycling research team. He could take the recycled debris of Mavericks and prepare it into parts for use in new Reploids. He has advanced DNA research capabilities, and was made the manager of a recycling facility.[JP]
"Metal Shark Player. An ex-investigator of Recycle team. He studied recycling in order to create a new Reploid from Parts of disposed Mavericks. His most important work was to analyze and control DNA data of the Mavericks. His analysis ability was so great, that he succeeded in resurrecting dead Mavericks. Since DNA resurrection is explicitly prohibited, the law instantly dealt with him. Gate was also interested in DNA resurrection, so he encouraged him to collect the DNA data instead of stopping him. Metal Shark would have continued if Gate had stopped him." - Alia
Former member of a recycling research team. Inspired by Gate, he analyzed Maverick DNA and found a way to resurrect Mavericks. However, he was punished for violating regulations.[JP]
A former member of a recycling research team. Shark specialized in taking the junk parts of destroyed Mavericks and preparing them for re-use as materials for new Reploids. His outstanding DNA research capabilities meant he was soon appointed chief of the recycling facility.
Gallery
Behind the Scenes
Developer Commentary
"The concepts for the boss characters were relatively simple, so I was able to take a similarly simple approach to their overall designs. For example, Commander Yammark has touches of a helicopter and its pilot in him, and Metal Shark Player's legs were made to look like the open jaws of a shark." - (Haruki Suetsugu)[3]
Nomenclature
Language
Name
Origin
Japanese
Metalshark Player (メタルシャーク・プレイヤー)
"Metalshark" refers to his animal inspiration and his metal abilities. The meaning of "Player" has never had official comment, and all explanations remain strictly speculative.
English
Metal Shark Player
References
↑R20: Rockman & Rockman X Official Complete Works. 2008.
Metal Anchor
Rakukojin
Meteor Rain
Ensuizan
