XCOTA TAG for X-Men: Children of the Atom

Release details and change log

Parent: Clean XCOTA Euro 950331 and MVC1 Euro 980123. Write-up: /blog/xmcota-two-on-two-tag-teams.

What changed in v5.6

• Correct Gambit crouching LK/MK/HK low guard classification.
• Repair the tested crouching LK→MK→HK chain using source-measured native medium-kick recoil; retain damage values and startup.

Previous versions

1. Download XCOTA TAG V5.5 two-player builder

   v5.5 · released Oct 15, 2026 · Latest. Extract the whole V5.5 builder into a fresh folder, then drag clean XCOTA Euro 950331 and MVC1 Euro 980123 ZIPs together onto BUILD XCOTA V5.5.cmd. Load output/xmcota.zip with the stock XCOTA driver.

   • Gambit punch and magic-series chains in both editions; retain tested air/landing routes.
   • Buffer legal hitstop special inputs without duplicating the previous normal contact.
   • Remove extra KO cues on healthy tag/KO entry while preserving the original native KO path.

   xcota-tag-v5.5-two-player.zip · 1.8 MB
   SHA-256 3b61076a1f41be843549474980eb7c7be2c13ced07bf6c7ca27b86ed08633540

2. Download XCOTA TAG V5.4 two-player builder

   v5.4 · released Oct 7, 2026 · Latest. Extract the whole V5.4 builder into a fresh folder, then drag clean XCOTA Euro 950331 and MVC1 Euro 980123 ZIPs together onto BUILD XCOTA V5.4.cmd. Load output/xmcota.zip with the stock XCOTA driver.

   • Repair the tested Gambit crouching-HP launch into down-up and air LP/MP in both editions.
   • Adapt six selected heavy-normal reaction records to native XCOTA reactions.
   • Keep the original character-select artwork and layout, existing CPU policy and ordinary damage rules.
   • Rebuild from all required clean games together; keep the complete builder and matching Special core together.

   xcota-tag-v5.4-two-player.zip · 1.8 MB
   SHA-256 670c0e2f8e577f727c608460899aac866acc76d6feffae3e324c27b39b98cb03

3. Download XCOTA TAG V5.3 two-player builder

   v5.3 · released Oct 5, 2026 · Latest. Extract the whole V5.3 builder into a fresh folder, then drag clean XCOTA Euro 950331 and MVC1 Euro 980123 ZIPs together onto BUILD XCOTA V5.3.cmd. Load output/xmcota.zip with the stock XCOTA driver.

   • Repair Gambit air-card contact effects and selected donor audio cues; preserve all six air normals and familiar commands.
   • Retain the original character-select artwork and frames; make setup labels clearer and start fresh selection at Harder.
   • Use delayed visible observations, legal inputs, ordinary damage and earned meter in the retained CPU policy; external testers judge its difficulty.
   • Rebuild from all required clean games in one drag/drop operation, with finished README and launchers protected by the complete package inventory.

   xcota-tag-v5.3-two-player.zip · 1.8 MB
   SHA-256 3fdb8aeae691c0fcb8010ef7dfd662182e4b993ccfebd6f37669109601dbec4a

4. Download XCOTA TAG V5.2 two-player builder

   v5.2 · released Oct 4, 2026 · Latest. Extract the package, then drag clean XCOTA Euro 950331 and MVC1 Euro 980123 ZIPs together onto BUILD XCOTA V5.2.cmd. It creates output/xmcota.zip for the existing stock-compatible XCOTA driver.

   • Repair Gambit forward/backward walking and card/staff presentation while preserving the existing character-select screen.
   • Accept unique clean ROM members in wrapped folders and small desktop metadata; preserve exact content authentication and source ZIPs.
   • Read the authenticated Euro parent from merged XCOTA/MVC1 archives while leaving regional clone folders and original ZIPs untouched.
   • Retain the V5.1 drag/drop input fixes, clean-source authentication and source-preserving output workflow.
   • Keep the disclosed bounded stock-size Gambit card/effect adaptation; full Royal Flush donor art is exclusive to Special.

   xcota-tag-v5.2-two-player.zip · 698 KB
   SHA-256 db259a237dd7a44557c54b8c98a0eb9fb68124ae2f2528b392ad697ae8d9fe31

5. Download XCOTA TAG V5.1 two-player builder

   v5.1 · released Oct 4, 2026 · Latest. Extract the package, then drag both clean XCOTA Euro 950331 (xmcota.zip) and MVC1 Euro 980123 (mvsc.zip) onto BUILD XCOTA V5.1.cmd. Either order works. The corrected builder produces the same V5 two-player game without changing your originals.

   • Fix Windows drag/drop: the first ROM remains an input, rather than becoming the output-folder argument.
   • Accept separate clean game ZIPs, one bounded outer ZIP holding them, or one common member folder; keep originals unchanged.
   • Explain xmcota.zip/xmcota.key, missing inputs, unsupported revisions and the two-player/Special workflows.
   • Keep the released thirteen-character Gambit game byte-for-byte unchanged; clarify the MAME QSound BIOS requirement.

   xcota-tag-v5.1-two-player.zip · 688 KB
   SHA-256 e1b18f82744ef57b108dad9f8807d3bb79f99c4652af2a43e5d8c8ef356056e0

6. Download XCOTA TAG V5 two-player builder

   v5 · released Oct 4, 2026 · Latest. Extract the package, then drag clean XCOTA Euro 950331 and MVC1 Euro 980123 ZIPs together onto BUILD XCOTA V5.cmd. Either order works. It creates output/xmcota.zip without changing your originals. Uses the existing stock-compatible emulator core.

   • MVC1 Gambit replaces Akuma in thirteen centered native menu choices, with Juggernaut and Magneto directly selectable.
   • MP+HK tags; LK+MP breaks for one bar; QCF+MP+HK calls supported team supers; QCB+MP+HK starts timed Duo at full meter.
   • Slower clock, stage selection, Normal and Harder boss damage floors, connected normal team-action cancels and preserved Storm/Iceman commands.
   • Original-game portraits, body art, colors and shadows; health bars remain through the in-stage result and clear on the separate victory screen.

   xcota-tag-v5-two-player.zip · 685 KB
   SHA-256 8d085b3f3eceaedf43068479025c8d7e32cb40ba41e95fa3825f7a039c8c73d7

7. Download XCOTA TAG v4.1 (preview)

   v4.1 · released Sep 25, 2026 · Preview. Windows one-file installer: drag your clean xmcota.zip (Fightcade's works as it is), xmcotau.zip, xmcotaj.zip or xmcotar1d.zip onto it, or put the ZIP beside it and double-click. It writes <set>_tag_v4.1.zip beside your ZIP and never changes the original. A split clone ZIP needs your clean xmcota.zip in the same folder, and a merged xmcota.zip gives a patched xmcota. On macOS or Linux, use the Python patcher in the patch package. Apply it to the clean ROM, not on top of v4.

   • Fixed: the game could reset after a knockout while a team had both X-Men on screen (Cross Over Fever or a team super). Testers hit it in Fightcade on Genosha and Mutant Hunting. The combo and message display that may not draw while a partner is in play now writes into a scratch block instead of through a leftover address.
   • Everything else is v4: tag cancels, full-screen tags, COMBO BREAKER, six colours, the same X-Man twice, the stage-break fixes, the fever sky and the HUD.
   • Stated plainly: 54 scripted scenarios per set pass in MAME 0.264 (cloud, unpinned); on each installer output in a headless build of Fightcade's FBNeo core, xmcota 54/54, xmcotau 52/54, xmcotaj 54/54, xmcotar1d 54/54; the reset replay passes on that core; Windows PowerShell 5.1, Fightcade online play and real hardware are untested.

   xcota-tag-v4.1-preview.cmd · 337 KB
   SHA-256 a787f960485b0c3b548014d16a2039cb022e1ac3ba138e5116a2f3c0926a292f

8. Download XCOTA TAG v4 (preview)

   v4 · released Sep 25, 2026 · Previous. Windows one-file installer: drag your clean xmcota.zip (Fightcade's works as it is), xmcotau.zip, xmcotaj.zip or xmcotar1d.zip onto it, or put the ZIP beside it and double-click. It writes <set>_tag_v4.zip beside your ZIP and never changes the original. A split clone ZIP needs your clean xmcota.zip in the same folder, and a merged xmcota.zip gives a patched xmcota. On macOS or Linux, use the Python patcher in the patch package. Apply it to the clean ROM, not on top of v3 or v1.

   • Six colours: the button that confirms a pick picks the colours, as in the MvC1 six-colour patch. LP is the game's own; LK, MP, HP, MK and HK are Marvel vs. Capcom 2's LK, HP, A1, HK and A2 colours for all thirteen X-Men. Partners keep theirs through tags, and the HUD portraits wear them.
   • COMBO BREAKER: while you're being hit, toward or back + HP or HK (the throw input) breaks the combo for one bar. Only for a side with one X-Man on screen; not during your own duo, a tag or against an X-Power.
   • Tag cancels: a normal or special that hits or is blocked cancels into the tag. A whiff or an X-Power can't.
   • Full-screen tags: the incoming partner flies at the opponent wherever it stands, and its kick comes out in reach.
   • The same X-Man twice, in two colours. The stage breaks on Mutant Hunting and Mojo World no longer leave a partner in the ceiling (or make Spiral vanish).
   • The Cross Over Fever sky's scrolling X's are back, with calm colours and a floor under the fighters. The partner's bar is MvC1's darker gold, a healing bench shows it, and POW sits with the gauges.
   • Stated plainly: 54 scripted scenarios per set pass in MAME 0.264 (cloud, unpinned); in a headless build of Fightcade's FBNeo core, 54 of 54 on three installer outputs and 52 on xmcotau; Windows PowerShell 5.1, Fightcade online play and real hardware are untested.

   xcota-tag-v4-preview.cmd · 336 KB
   SHA-256 43732af7b789682f2fd099d6908e58fe9378e67d746b442aceada7ec33f5067f

9. Download XCOTA TAG v3 (preview)

   v3 · released Sep 24, 2026 · Previous. Windows one-file installer: drag your clean xmcota.zip (Fightcade's works as it is), xmcotau.zip, xmcotaj.zip or xmcotar1d.zip onto it, or put the ZIP beside it and double-click. It writes <set>_tag_v3.zip beside your ZIP and never changes the original. A split clone ZIP needs your clean xmcota.zip in the same folder, and a merged xmcota.zip gives a patched xmcota. On macOS or Linux, use the Python patcher in the patch package. Apply it to the clean ROM, not on top of v1.

   • Two X-Men on screen. At Level Max, QCB+HP+HK calls Cross Over Fever: your partner flies in and one stick drives both until the TIME bar at the bottom runs out, with free X-Powers. QCF+HP+HK is a team super: both X-Powers fire on the same frame. CPU teams do both.
   • Marvel vs. Capcom's HUD: the point's bar, the partner's bar and the X-Power gauge in three stories, names inside the bars, two portraits per side that trade places on a tag, and a benched partner's name in darker letters.
   • Part of every hit stays red on the bar, and a benched partner wins it back.
   • Two crashes from the v2 video are fixed (a leaving partner's beam, and a register the CPU's throw check lost), and at time-up a partner finishes its move before it leaps out.
   • The installer also patches the four graphics ROMs that hold the new HUD tiles: a split clone is completed from the xmcota.zip beside it into a complete set, a merged xmcota.zip works, and Fightcade's xmcota.zip is taken as it is.
   • Stated plainly: 37 scripted scenarios pass on each set in MAME 0.264 and on each installer output in a headless build of Fightcade's FBNeo core (cloud, unpinned); Windows PowerShell 5.1, Fightcade online play and real hardware are untested.

   xcota-tag-v3-preview.cmd · 203 KB
   SHA-256 85253dd30b854755353d9aa67e0615cf072fa3b4ffeb066e99d5eb205ca41fb4

10. Download XCOTA TAG v1 (preview)

    v1 · released Sep 23, 2026 · Previous. Windows one-file installer: drag your clean xmcota.zip, xmcotau.zip, xmcotaj.zip or xmcotar1d.zip onto it. It writes <set>_tag_v1.zip beside your ZIP and never changes the original. On macOS or Linux, use the Python patcher in the patch package.

    • Two picks per side on the select screen. The first pick starts the fight, and 1: and 2: labels under your name show the team as you build it.
    • Press HP+HK while standing, walking or crouching to tag, Marvel vs. Capcom style: your fighter leaps backward off your side of the screen, and your partner flies in from that edge with a flying kick (a real attack), lands and says a line.
    • A partner life bar and name sit under each main bar. The main bar always belongs to the fighter on screen; a knocked-out partner's bar empties and its name changes colour.
    • A knocked-out fighter is replaced by the partner, who flies in from the edge behind. One round per match, time over compares team totals, and CPU stage opponents get a partner while Juggernaut and Magneto fight alone.
    • Stated plainly: 31 scripted scenarios pass in MAME 0.264 on each set (cloud, unpinned) and the Python patcher passes its layout and refusal gate; the installer's PowerShell was syntax-checked but has not run on Windows, and FBNeo, Fightcade and real hardware are untested.

    xcota-tag-v1-preview.cmd · 85 KB
    SHA-256 5edfc2bca1f8388ea14b88d013e9b494da0b05cb8736d031b857509aca6057c5

Files from previous versions

1. Patch package: README, patch spec, Python patcher for macOS and Linux

   v4.1 · Sep 25, 2026

   xcota-tag-v4.1-preview-patch.zip · 484 KB
   SHA-256 03a83bbd6fe23151b96967003dfcf8e629be8f567f52211677251882b9c38d01

2. Patch package: README, patch spec, Python patcher for macOS and Linux

   v4 · Sep 25, 2026

   xcota-tag-v4-preview-patch.zip · 482 KB
   SHA-256 e1193babea2b330add54cbea9caa8594d2790af3bbdf15399b0651a938ac2c7f

3. Patch package: README, patch spec, Python patcher for macOS and Linux

   v3 · Sep 24, 2026

   xcota-tag-v3-preview-patch.zip · 301 KB
   SHA-256 377eb2bf31ef8f80a260aba7fdf596cc474208bd11a39204ba60cc7ae44bcbf6

4. Patch package: README, patch spec, Python patcher for macOS and Linux

   v1 · Sep 23, 2026

   xcota-tag-v1-preview-patch.zip · 34 KB
   SHA-256 5f9445b21572eec32fe891d76ff37e2fe980273503d420d68a8986fbe6c6cde3