Hello, I have a Mega Man X question.

I am playing MMX and have reached the point where Zero sacrifices himself to destroy Vile's armor. What I want to know is, is it possible to destroy Vile's armor before this, so as to prevent the aforementioned from happening? Do I have to use the secret fireball thing?

You can in the PSP remake, which completely defeats the point.  Thanks for ruining continuity.