I've been playing MMX8 a few times already and this is just one of the coolest bonuses a Mega Man game has had. Even though the navigators are just clones of X, Zero, and Axl playstyle wise, there is still a lot of flavor when it comes to them.

Apparently there was also supposed to be voice lines for them while they fight bosses, and even having the boys navigate for them! That would have been so cool.

They even have their own Ride Chaser colors too!

@pillodirk