'X-Men '97' Episode 4 Takeaway: Wicked twist during Jubilee's 18th birthday hints at Motendo's nightmarish reality
Contains spoilers for 'X-Men '97' on Prime Video
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Disney +'s 'X-Men '97' just released Episode 4 on Disney+ on Wednesday, April 3, sparking immense excitement among video game enthusiasts. This episode stands out with its nostalgic 90s-style 16-bit animation that was used in video games, capturing the hearts of fans.
Notably, it's packed with Easter eggs, including nods to the classic 'X-Men Mutant Apocalypse' video game for the Nintendo SNES. Interestingly, these references also influence the design of the 'Motendo' console featured in the episode.
'X-Men '97' unfolds across 10 action-packed episodes, showcasing the X-Men's gripping saga as they navigate the aftermath of Professor Xavier's heartbreaking demise.
Episode 4 reveals it's Jubilee's 18th birthday, and she's eager to celebrate it by playing video games all day. But Magneto, now their leader, insists she trains to hone her powers, reminding her of many birthdays yet to come.
As Jubilee and Roberto relax in their room, an unexpected turn of events unfolds as they find a new video game that captures them and transports them inside its world.
Mojo's mastermind video game Montendo puts Jubilee and Roberto in trouble
While Jubilee vents to Roberto about wanting a break from superhero duties to celebrate her birthday, they stumble upon an unfamiliar video game in her room named 'Motendo', a console she claims not to own and has never seen before.
After some persuasion, Jubilee gets a hesitant Roberto to join her in playing the game. However, the moment they switch on the console, a flurry of wires bursts from the video game, entangling them and whisking them away into the game's digital realm.
Later, it's revealed that Motendo was created by Mojo, an inter-dimensional alien with technology far superior to anything on Earth.
Will Jubilee and Roberto make it out of Motendo?
As the episode progresses, we learn that Mojo has designed this video game specifically for the X-Men to engage with, but there's a twist. If any X-Men die within the game, they meet the same fate in reality.
This poses a challenging predicament for Jubilee and Roberto, particularly for Roberto, who is still grappling with mastering his powers.
However, it's worth noting that Jubilee is a passionate video game enthusiast, dating back to the 'X-Men: The Animated Series' era. In fact, the first episode of the show portrays her frequently visiting arcades and thoroughly enjoying her time immersed in video games.
This could be a lifeline for the pair, as Jubilee's knowledge and passion for video games might be their only chance. Will they manage to escape from 'Motendo' unharmed, or is it game over for Jubilee and Roberto?
Four episodes of 'X-Men '97' are available to stream on Disney+