Articles
Editorial: The Game That Changed The Classic Series
Previously, I covered the concepts that made the Mega Man Classic series fun. This week, I narrow down the one pivotal game that changed that series and set it on a new direction. While Mega Man 2 introduced and refined a few overarching concepts that became series...
A Critical Look at Mega Man Stages: Dr. Wily Stage 3
With Copy Mega Man out of the way, Wily Stage 3 is next. Stage 3 starts you right under a Suzy, and rest of this section is a series of drops with Suzys and Mambus. The second screen isn't dangerous, but the Suzys in the third start moving right away, so you have to...
MM Universe: Looking Back on Something Old with Something New
It's been a full year since the cancellation of Mega Man Universe. It happened to be on my birthday too, making it just a little more special! Anyway, as much as I've racked my brain, I don't have much insightful to say on the matter. Some say this marked the...
A Critical Look at Mega Man Stages: Dr. Wily Stage 2
After the defeat of the Yellow Devil, it's on to Wily Stage 2. Stage 2 puts you in front of a gap with a Heli flying over it. Two more appear when you get to the edge, so it's best to wait for the second one to come to you before jumping. Not bad, but the same pattern...
Rockman EXE Phantom of Network: Initial Coverage and Goodies
One year ago today, Mega Man Battle Network celebrated its tenth anniversary. I guess that makes it a "grown up" series, so to speak; many of players who became fans at the start are beginning to enter adulthood today! (To say nothing of those who practically were...
A Critical Look at Mega Man Stages: Dr. Wily Stage 1
With the fall of Fire Man ending the threat of the Robot Masters, all that is left is to find Dr. Wily in his four-level fortress. The Wily stages have two pieces of music for all four, so here's a link to both, plus the boss music. Wily Stage 1 Now, Wily stages...
Editorial: What Made Mega Man Classic Fun?
When Mega Man's creator, Keiji Inafune, spoke recently at the Game Developer's Conference, he discussed the need for Japanese video game companies to reinvent the brands that brought them so much success in previous years. While we still do not know what the future...
A Critical Look at Mega Man Stages: Fire Man
After skirting the razor's edge in Cut Man's stage, we blaze forward to Fire Man's stage (with its music). We start off going through a few corridors with Screwdrivers. There's not much to these when they're all level with you, but they at least make you walk over one...
A Critical Look at Mega Man Stages: Bomb Man
Following Elec Man, we proceed to Bomb Man's Stage (and its music). Right away, a Blaster jumps into our face. Then a bunch more. Combined with the staggered terrain, this is already among the best couple screens we've seen so far. The exploding thing is a Bombombomb...
A Critical Look at Mega Man Stages: Elec Man
Continuing from where we left off with Ice Man, we now move on to Elec Man's Stage (and his accompanying music). We start out having to climb a few platforms guarded by Gabyoalls. While somewhat difficult, doing this here immediately lets the player know whether this...
A Critical Look at Mega Man Stages: Ice Man
Following our look at Guts Man's Stage from the original NES Mega Man game(which is recommended reading if you're new to what this is all about), we are moving on to Ice Man's Stage (with his music, if you want the full experience). Most of the ground in this stage...
A Critical Look at Mega Man Stages: Guts Man
Mega Man has always been the defining platformer for me, and as a kid there was no series I was more excited to buy a sequel for. Even now, they're by far my most played games on the NES and I'll run through them at the drop of a hat. However, I realized over the past...
Rockman 8 Merchandise Mania
Mega Man 8 released in North America with no more than the usual amount of fanfare. A special edition package came with a small booklet of the series history, and there was also a chance to buy a Mega Man figurine in honor of the Blue Bomber's 10th anniversary (even...
Should Robot Workers Have Rights Too? An Argument For the Affirmative
by James “GS Edgeman” Riser Originally published in The Monsteropolis Times. August 2nd, 200X -The sunrise woke me before my alarm did. I felt rested, even though my excitement prevented me from falling asleep right away the night before. I got dressed and set out to...
24 Years of Mega Man – What Makes You a Fan?
If you consider yourself a devoted fan of the Mega Man series, this has really been a year to test your mettle. I would have a hard time imagining a greater perfect storm of disappointment than this. I've seen some fans grow sad, I've seen some fans grow angry, and...
Mega Man Star Force Turns 5 Today, Let’s Look Back
Not unlike a comet that flares up in the sky as it makes its approach towards the sun along its orbit, today marks the fifth anniversary of the Mega Man Star Force series, which first released in Japan on December 14th, 2006. Truth be told, I don't expect too many to...
Mega Man 4’s Music is Awesome
Yesterday I made a small little tweet congratulating the 20th anniversary of Mega Man 4. Didn't think it was worth a post; game anniversaries happen constantly in a series that has over 100 games, but as a game close to my heart I wanted to say a little something. But...
The Reploid Condition
by James “GS Edgeman” Riser Mega Man lives in the science fiction universe with the creations of Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, and many others. The Mega Man story may have been inspired by many things, but some very cool parallels can be drawn from the novel Do...
Why Mega Man’s Staples Work
by James “GS Edgeman” Riser Every game has its staples, the constant elements that are carried over from one game to the next. These are the reasons why players will come back to a certain series over and over again. Staples are an odd thing for a game developer to...
An Overview of Rockman DASH on Cell Phone
Since moving to Japan, one of the things I wanted to set out to do was try all these various Rockman games that are released her for mobile phones. It's been difficult, and it cost me quite a bit, but I finally accomplished that goal. From here on out, I hope to be...
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