Helmet Upgrade
X can headbutt through certain materials to open up passages.
Storm Eagle - Destroy the flamethrowing turrets on the moving platforms, and proceed right. Climb the tall, metal structure, and slide down the other side. Perform a dash jump (Foot Upgrade required) to reach the fuel tanks. Use Fire Wave (Mammoth) to destroy the fuel tanks. Head east to spot the capsule.
Buster Upgrade
X can charge his X-Buster to a fourth level. The charged shot produces a large, double helix burst. X has access to the charged versions of his special weapons.
Flame Mammoth - Before the area with the pickaxe-men, there are some square blocks along the left wall. Dash jump to reach these blocks, and use the Helmet Upgrade to destroy them. Climb up the wall to find the capsule.
* This upgrade can also be obtained in Sigma's Fortress #1. Zero will give X the mandatory upgrade after the defeat of Vile.
Armor Upgrade
Reduces damage taken by 50%.
Sting Chameleon - Just before the rock cave, dash jump (or use a charged Shotgun Ice) to reach the cave's upper wall. Climb the wall to encounter a large, grapple-claw robot. X will have to take down this robot to uncover the capsule.
Foot Upgrade
X can perform a simple dash on the ground, dash-jump, or dash-wall jump. He can also break certain blocks using a "wall-kick."
Chill Penguin - This upgrade is mandatory and can be found during the middle parts of the stage. X will be forced to obtain it.
Heart Tanks
(needs to be ported to the wiki!)
Heart Tanks provide your character with a permanent boost in total energy. There are eight attainable Heart Tanks, one for each level of the eight Maverick bosses. Complete locations for each Heart Tank are described below.
#1. Snow Mountain (Chill Penguin)
Head through the level until you reach the suit of green armor. Jump on top of the first green pole you come to. Jump into the air, out of the armor, and shimmy your way to the top of the ledge. Use the Fire Wave (Mammoth) on the first bunker in front of you. It'll be destroyed, revealing the once-hidden Heart Tank.
#2. Sky (Storm Eagle)
The Dash Boots (from Chill Penguin) are required. Begin the stage, and ride the moving platforms as high as they will go. Once you reach the top, perform a dash jump to the left as far as you can. With good timing, you'll land on top of the building. The heart is to your left.
#3. Oil Factory (Flame Mammoth)
After beating Chill Penguin, this factory will freeze over, and the lava flowing across the bottom will become harmless. In the high room with all the pickaxe-men, stay on the ground, and head all the way to the lower-right corner of the room. This heart is an easy grab.
#4. Power Plant (Spark Mandrill)
After encountering the sub-boss, head right until you reach a wall. It seems you'll have to drop down the gap to reach a new area, but if you scale the wall to the right, you'll see the heart. It's still out of reach since it's on the ledge. There are two ways to obtain this Heart Tank. Either "hook" it with the Boomerang Cutter (Kuwanger), or perform a dash-wall jump.
#5. Gallery (Armored Armadillo)
After falling down the pit to face the second grinding machine, use your buster or the Fire Wave to destroy it as fast as possible. Once it's destroyed, carry on down the path until you see the Heart Tank above you. Climb up the wall, and grab it.
* If you don't destroy the machine quick enough, it will tear down the wall you need to climb.
#6. Ocean (Launch Octopus)
When you get to the section of the level containing the whirlpools, climb into the third one you see. It will take you to a boat. Destroy the boat, and remain standing on it as it falls to the bottom of the ocean. Head to the right, and defeat the large snake-like object while carefully avoiding the spikes. Once you've killed it, continue right until you reach the Heart Tank.
#7. Tower (Boomer Kuwanger)
After climbing the outside of the tower as far up as you can go, throw your Boomerang Cutters (from Kuwanger himself) at the throbbing heart to retrieve it.
* Another way to obtain this Heart Tank is to use a charged Shotgun Ice (Penguin). Ride the "ice", and jump off when the ice slides past the platform with the Heart Tank. Grab onto the side of this platform, and voila!
#8. Forest (Sting Chameleon)
Before entering the cave of falling rocks, drop down the pit, and hug the wall to the right. Destroy the blocks using a "wall-kick." You'll have to make a dash jump to the reach the tank. Defeat Launch Octopus to fill this area with water. This will enable the dash-jump to travel the distance.
Sub Tanks
(needs to be ported to the wiki!)
Sub Tanks are used to refill X's life gauge in battle. There are four Sub Tanks in Mega Man X1, and they are scattered throughout the world. Be warned that you will always completely use up your Sub Tanks when selected, regardless of your current health or what remains in the tank.