Nightmare Phenomenon

Nightmare Phenomenon is a phenomena caused by the Nightmares created by Gate in Mega Man X6, that affects and changes the area it is on.

The Nightmare is a specialized enemy (looks like a weird alien robot or a DNA robot) You gain Nightmare Souls (look like bluish orbs) by defeating the Nightmares. Also, they'll infect and take control of Rescuable Reploids if given the chance, turning them into Mavericks.

There are also two Nightmare bosses: One Nightmare similar to Zero called Zero Nightmare, and two giant Nightmare masses that are the first boss of the final stages called Nightmare Queen.

Nightmare Souls
Always that a Maverick boss or a Nightmare virus are defeated, they will leave Nightmare Souls. The number of Nightmare Souls collected determines the Maverick Hunter rank of the character that took it and how many parts can be equipped by the character. Dynamo leaves many Nightmare Souls when he is hit by the weapon he is weak, and as it's possible to fight against him several times in the hidden areas (after defeating the Zero Nightmare and High Max), its a good way to rise the rank.

Nightmare virus
The Nightmare viruses are enemies found in almost all stages. They attacks shooting at the player or getting close to him. They leaves Nightmare Souls when destroyed. If the player don't take the Nightmare Soul before it vanish, the Nightmare will reappear, but only one time and it will not leave Nightmare Souls when destroyed again.

When it is in the same screen of a Reploid in need of help, it will try to turn him into a Maverick. If the Nightmares are not destroyed or the Reploid is not rescued before the Nightmare gets close to the Reploid, the Reploid will turn into a Maverick and attack the player. If a Reploid with a item is turned into a Maverick, the item will be lost forever.

Zero Nightmare
The Zero Nightmare is a pink insane Nightmare similar to Zero. He is the first boss of the hidden areas. When he is defeated, Zero will be playable. He is weak to the Z Saber.

Nightmare Queen
In the end of the first zone of Gate's Lab, two giant masses of Nightmare DNA will appear and spin through the room, stopping some times to open their "eyes" to attack. They weak point are their mechanical eyes.