Mega Man Classic
Encyclopedia
The original Mega Man series is the first series of Mega Man
platform game
s from Capcom
, which debuted in Japan
on December 17, 1987 on the NES
with the release of Mega Man
.
as he saves the world by battling Dr. Wily's destructive robots. In each of the games, Mega Man runs, jumps, and shoots his way through stages to defeat a series of bosses known as Robot Masters. Defeating a Robot Master adds their signature powers to his arsenal after each's defeat. Enemies have specific weaknesses that can be exploited by the powers, which have limited, refillable ammunition. After the Robot Masters are defeated, Mega Man traverses several more stages to defeat Dr. Wily.
appeared in six original platformers
first released for the Nintendo Entertainment System/Family Computer
, two for the Super Famicom/Super NES
(one—Mega Man & Bass
—was released only in Japan and later released worldwide for the Game Boy Advance
), one for the Sega Game Gear
, one on the Sega Saturn
and Sony PlayStation
, two as PC games, five for the Game Boy
, and two for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 designed to look and sound like an NES game.
In 1994, Capcom also released a compilation of the first three games as Mega Man: The Wily Wars
for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
. This game was released only in Europe and Japan, and was later offered to Sega Channel
users as an exclusive game; During the original releases of the first six Mega Man games on the NES, Nintendo held exclusive rights to third party companies such as Capcom.
There have been numerous side-story games, such as the sports game Mega Man Soccer
for the Super NES and the racing game Mega Man Battle & Chase
on the PlayStation. Many of the games were ported to
or remade for
newer consoles. The six Famicom games were re-released in Japan with remixed music and unlockable bonus features on the PlayStation
and the previously Japan-only Super Famicom game Mega Man & Bass
was re-released worldwide for the Game Boy Advance.
In 2004, the Mega Man Anniversary Collection
was released for the Nintendo GameCube
and PlayStation 2
, containing Mega Man 1–8, as well as Mega Man: The Power Battle and Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters, two arcade games rarely seen outside of Japan. A version for the Xbox
was released in March 2005. Each version had exclusive unlockable content. Mega Man Powered Up (Rockman Rockman in Japan)—a remake of the first game—was released for the PlayStation Portable
in 2006.
In 2008, Mega Man 9
was released as a downloadable title for the Xbox 360
, Wii
and PlayStation 3
. This game returned to an 8-bit visual style and minimalist moveset. In early 2010, Mega Man 10
was released as a downloadable title for the Xbox 360
, Wii
and PlayStation 3
.
Mega Man Universe
was in development for Xbox 360
and PlayStation 3
, allowing players to create their own levels and customize their characters, but it was cancelled in March 2011.
, the Mega Man games were the first to feature a non-linear "level select" option. This was a stark contrast to both linear games (like Super Mario Bros.
) and open world
games (like The Legend of Zelda and Metroid
). GamesRadar credits the "level select" feature of Mega Man as the basis for the non-linear mission structure found in most open-world, multi-mission, sidequest-heavy games, including modern titles like Grand Theft Auto
, Red Dead Redemption and Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
.
Mega Man
Mega Man is a video game franchise from Capcom, starring the eponymous character Mega Man, or one of his many counterparts. The series is well-known and comprises well over fifty releases, easily making it Capcom's most prolific franchise. As of December 31, 2010, the series has sold approximately...
platform game
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
s from Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
, which debuted in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on December 17, 1987 on the NES
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
with the release of Mega Man
Mega Man (video game)
Mega Man, known as in Japan, is a video game developed and published by Capcom for the Nintendo Entertainment System . It is the first game in the original Mega Man series and the entire Mega Man franchise...
.
Overview
Mega Man is a series of similarly patterned platform games released by Capcom that follow the adventures of the robotic humanoid servant-turned-hero Mega ManMega Man (character)
Mega Man, known as in Japan, is a cybernetic video game character, and the main protagonist of what has been referred to as the original Mega Man series developed by Capcom since 1987. The pixel art for the character was created by the designer of the original game in the series, credited under...
as he saves the world by battling Dr. Wily's destructive robots. In each of the games, Mega Man runs, jumps, and shoots his way through stages to defeat a series of bosses known as Robot Masters. Defeating a Robot Master adds their signature powers to his arsenal after each's defeat. Enemies have specific weaknesses that can be exploited by the powers, which have limited, refillable ammunition. After the Robot Masters are defeated, Mega Man traverses several more stages to defeat Dr. Wily.
Series history
Mega ManMega Man (character)
Mega Man, known as in Japan, is a cybernetic video game character, and the main protagonist of what has been referred to as the original Mega Man series developed by Capcom since 1987. The pixel art for the character was created by the designer of the original game in the series, credited under...
appeared in six original platformers
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
first released for the Nintendo Entertainment System/Family Computer
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
, two for the Super Famicom/Super NES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
(one—Mega Man & Bass
Mega Man & Bass
Mega Man & Bass, known in Japan as , is a video game developed by Capcom. It is a spin-off title in the original Mega Man series and was originally released exclusively in Japan on April 24, 1998 for the Super Famicom...
—was released only in Japan and later released worldwide for the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
), one for the Sega Game Gear
Sega Game Gear
The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress....
, one on the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
and Sony PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, two as PC games, five for the Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
, and two for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 designed to look and sound like an NES game.
In 1994, Capcom also released a compilation of the first three games as Mega Man: The Wily Wars
Mega Man: The Wily Wars
Mega Man: The Wily Wars, released in Japan as is a video game compilation by Capcom for the Sega Mega Drive. The game features remakes of the first three Mega Man games that were originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Wily Wars was released in cartridge format in Japan and...
for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
. This game was released only in Europe and Japan, and was later offered to Sega Channel
Sega Channel
Sega Channel was a project developed by Sega for the 16-bit Sega Mega Drive/Genesis console. Starting in December 1994, Sega Channel service was provided to the public by Time Warner Cable and TCI, which later was acquired by AT&T during its cable acquisition spree that formed AT&T...
users as an exclusive game; During the original releases of the first six Mega Man games on the NES, Nintendo held exclusive rights to third party companies such as Capcom.
There have been numerous side-story games, such as the sports game Mega Man Soccer
Mega Man Soccer
Mega Man Soccer, known in Japan as , is a soccer video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System . The game is based on the original Mega Man series of action-platform games...
for the Super NES and the racing game Mega Man Battle & Chase
Mega Man Battle & Chase
Mega Man Battle & Chase, known in Japan as , is a PlayStation racing video game based on the original Mega Man series from Capcom. The game was released in Japan on March 20, 1997 and in PAL territories in April 1998. Although it was not released individually in North America, Mega Man Battle &...
on the PlayStation. Many of the games were ported to
Porting
In computer science, porting is the process of adapting software so that an executable program can be created for a computing environment that is different from the one for which it was originally designed...
or remade for
Enhanced remake
A video game remake is a game closely adapted from an earlier title, usually for the purpose of modernizing a game for newer hardware and contemporary audiences. Typically, a remake shares essentially the same title, fundamental gameplay concepts, and story elements of the original game...
newer consoles. The six Famicom games were re-released in Japan with remixed music and unlockable bonus features on the PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
and the previously Japan-only Super Famicom game Mega Man & Bass
Mega Man & Bass
Mega Man & Bass, known in Japan as , is a video game developed by Capcom. It is a spin-off title in the original Mega Man series and was originally released exclusively in Japan on April 24, 1998 for the Super Famicom...
was re-released worldwide for the Game Boy Advance.
In 2004, the Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Mega Man Anniversary Collection a compilation of video games developed by Atomic Planet Entertainment and published by Capcom. It was released exclusively in North America on June 23, 2004 for the Nintendo GameCube and Sony PlayStation 2 and on March 15, 2005 for the Microsoft Xbox...
was released for the Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
and PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, containing Mega Man 1–8, as well as Mega Man: The Power Battle and Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters, two arcade games rarely seen outside of Japan. A version for the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
was released in March 2005. Each version had exclusive unlockable content. Mega Man Powered Up (Rockman Rockman in Japan)—a remake of the first game—was released for the PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
in 2006.
In 2008, Mega Man 9
Mega Man 9
Mega Man 9, known in Japan as , is a video game developed by Capcom and Inti Creates. It is the ninth numbered game in the original Mega Man series. Mega Man 9 is the first, new home console game in the original Mega Man series since Mega Man 8 and Mega Man & Bass, which were released at least one...
was released as a downloadable title for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. This game returned to an 8-bit visual style and minimalist moveset. In early 2010, Mega Man 10
Mega Man 10
Mega Man 10, known in Japan as , is a video game developed by Capcom and Inti Creates. It is the tenth main entry of the original Mega Man series...
was released as a downloadable title for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
.
Mega Man Universe
Mega Man Universe
was an upcoming 2.5D action platformer game in the Mega Man series being developed by Capcom for Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network, and has since been cancelled. Mainly based on Mega Man 2, the game would have allowed players to create their own levels and customize characters...
was in development for Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, allowing players to create their own levels and customize their characters, but it was cancelled in March 2011.
Reception and legacy
According to GamesRadarGamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
, the Mega Man games were the first to feature a non-linear "level select" option. This was a stark contrast to both linear games (like Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
is a 1985 platform video game developed by Nintendo, published for the Nintendo Entertainment System as a sequel to the 1983 game Mario Bros. In Super Mario Bros., the player controls Mario as he travels through the Mushroom Kingdom in order to rescue Princess Toadstool from the antagonist...
) and open world
Open world
An open world is a type of video game level design where a player can roam freely through a virtual world and is given considerable freedom in choosing how to approach objectives...
games (like The Legend of Zelda and Metroid
Metroid
is an action-adventure video game, and the first entry in the Metroid series. It was co-developed by Nintendo's Research and Development 1 division and Intelligent Systems, and was released in Japan in August 1986, in North America in August 1987, and in Europe in January 1988...
). GamesRadar credits the "level select" feature of Mega Man as the basis for the non-linear mission structure found in most open-world, multi-mission, sidequest-heavy games, including modern titles like Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto (series)
Grand Theft Auto is a multi-award-winning British video game series created in the United Kingdom by Dave Jones, then later by brothers Dan Houser and Sam Houser, and game designer Zachary Clarke. It is primarily developed by Edinburgh based Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games...
, Red Dead Redemption and Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is a video game featuring Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions blends together four universes from the Marvel Comics multiverse, allowing the player to play as four different Spider-Men...
.
See also
- List of characters in the Mega Man series
- Mega Man series
- List of Mega Man games
- Rockman Perfect Memories, ISBN 4-5751-6354-6