Let's Rank - Mega Man Games & Robot Masters (Double Feature)


Super Fighting Robot: Mega Man! 

Mega Man was my earliest video game memory, not on the NES, but rather my dad's old Compudyne PC.
As a child of 5 years old, no less, I recall the powerful blue bloom of the cathode ray tube, displaying what was soon to become my hero for the rest of my life                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           : Rockman. Yes, it was the ( J ) rom of Rockman, as my dad was at the time working for a Japanese medical company called "Olympus", he frequently visited Japan, coming back with things that seemed alien to me at the time. It was only at 10 years old that I realized "Rockman" was the Japanese name for Mega Man, a series released worldwide. Mega Man forged my love for many of Osamu Tezuka's works, including Astro Boy.

What seemed so hypnotic back then, doesn't translate well to LCD screen




Honorable Mention: Mega Man 9 & 10

Where did the charge shots go?
While "Mega Man 10" improves on "Mega Man 9" in almost every aspect, we ponder why Capcom chose to reduce its mascot into an itch.io fan game for release on the virtual consoles of its time.

While the game was enjoyable, we can't help but cringe at its attempt to replicate faux 8-bit to cash in on our collective nostalgia. Agreeably, the game used a 4:3 aspect ratio and can be played on CRT for an amateurish illusion of "old-school", yet only at 480i, bummer.

Luckily, the game's excessive amount of features, such as having 3 playable characters, 3 special stages featuring the Mega Man Killers, and its unique "Endless Stage" allows it to stand above some of its NES peers but remains a parody perverted by a long-gone era. To give due credit, both have what we would call the best Mega Man soundtracks of all time.

"Mega Man 10" had the most disappointing set of weapons, with the exception of "Triple Blade", so use that.
Comparatively, "Mega Man 9" had quite a good array of weapons,
including the overly powerful "Black Hole Bomb"



#10 Mega Man 2
Really, Wily?

This might make you wince, your stomach turns...
So Mega Man 2 makes the 9th spot on this list, the most popular entry!?

We can't defend Mega Man 2, we don't know why it's anyone's favorite.
While innovative, Mega Man 2 suffers from many issues that slows the game down to crawl, or simply frustrating elements, the rest is only blandness compared to what the latter entries had to offer: Rush & Beat, Auto's shop, Twin Wily castles charge shot, slide, FMV etc...
Sure, it has the best weapon in any Mega Man game - the Metal Blade - which ruins the game as soon as you acquire it, the game was simply not made for directional aim.
We just can't forget the Boobeam Trap, short stages, broken weapons, and yoku blocks.
You have games that are better, with even longer stages using the slide!

This is not Metroid!

"Hard", they say, disregarding that this second entry, also had an easy mode, making it the easiest game in the series. It was certainly as hard as some on normal though!

While the rom hack scene alone definitely pumps this entry above "Mega Man 9", we do not find anything attractive to the experience Capcom wanted to give us with "Mega Man 2".
We would recommend "Rockman No Constancy" after playing this classic. 
We also have a love/hate relationship with the awesome, but unforgiving Mechadragon.

 Sorry Mega Man 2, you're 10th place this time, until knocked out of the race!




#9 Mega Man 3 

Eh, not the best assortment of robots

After the runaway success of "Mega Man 2" all around the globe, Mega Man became a legend of the Nintendo Entertainment System, securing its spot as the mascot of Capcom for decades to come until inevitably rivaled by the success of "Street Fighter"

The Robot Masters of this entry are quite a letdown, with the exception of Gemini Man and Snake Man, both with stellar stage and conceptualization. Shadow Man is barely redeemable, often a fan favorite, but to us, he's just another ninja living in a sewer. Hello, 90s? "TMNT" wants its turtle back.
Their stages are boring, indistinguishable, and unimpressive to maneuver. 
Special weapons, however, are nothing short of amazing, we recommend using the "Hard Knuckles", "Magnet Missile" and "Shadow Blade" while discarding "Top Spin".

This entry introduces the player to the Mega Man's beloved pet "Rush", and a cooler, sunglasses-wearing super fighting robot named: "Proto Man" - "Mega Man's brother?!". Mega Man gets a pet and a brother, and we love Capcom for it.


While the "Doc Robots" fights aren't quite as bad as the "Dark Man" fights revisiting each level twice did feel a little underwhelming;
we still liked the callback to our favorite Mega Man 2 robot masters.
Ultimately, Mega Man faces his rivalrous brother, under the alias "Break Man",
captured by Dr. Wily, giving in to a pretty forgettable Wily Castle section.




#8 Mega Man

Pausing is cheating.
Nearing 35 years old, this early entry of the Nintendo Entertainment System is more impressive and innovative than we could ever give it credit for. 
"Mega Man" still has some of the most memorable Wily Castle bosses to date, including "Copy Mega", and "Yellow Devil"
While the instrumentation of the soundtrack was lacking at the time, compared to other entries, its compositions remained catchy and memorable enough to become instant retro soundtrack classics.
The difficulty is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.


"Mega Man" has the most memorable cast of robots drawn to fiction, with Guts Man, Ice Man, Elec Man and Cut Man captivating hearts. It might deserve a lower spot on this list, as its design flaws are simply too grating to ignore. Looking at you, Magnet Beam.
Overall, "Mega Man" has some of the best robot master battles of the NES era, despite being the first game, and plays like a cult classic, making its charm unrivaled by other entries.


#7 Mega Man 4

Mega Man 4's introduction never gets old


With the introduction of the "Twin Wily" castles formula, also seen in "Mega Man 5" and "Mega Man 6", this iteration offers a relief from the recycled stages used in its direct predecessor, "Mega Man 3".
We can always use more Wily Castle - "Mega Man 4" offers us a whopping 8 Wily stages to boot, in addition to the 8 robot masters.
While the Robot Masters themselves are hit or miss, looking at you - "Toad Man", *cough* "Dust Man" - some of them are the most memorable characters of the franchise, mainly including the memorable Skull-Man and fan-favorite Pharaoh-Man.

Where Mega Man 4 shines is in its brilliant stage design, featuring some of the cleverest ideas and stage hazards introduced in the franchise so far, every stage has quirks that make them uniquely challenging to maneuver - be it moving sand, heavy rain, or rainbow roads.
Multiple mini-bosses are present throughout the stages to keep you occupied, and there's just something about defeating these oversized robots that make us feel like a total bad-ass.

Our main complaint was how the newly introduced charge shot felt too powerful and stole the show to the now useless special weapons. Notable weapons are the "Dive Missile", "Skull Barrier" and "Ring Boomerang", as well as the sometimes handy "Rain Flush".



#6 Mega Man 7 

The best ending?
In my honest opinion, there is nothing more criminally underrated than the wonderful Mega Man 7 experience on the Super Nintendo. Many things that could have gone wrong, went right; saving the series from what could have been a disastrous descent into obscurity with complete success.
 
Mega Man 7 features an amazing presentation and polish, compared to its earlier NES entry, rushed at the end of the NES lifespan. An introduction stage sets the stage for the 4 robot masters you must defeat, before revealing the 4 final robot masters, with their more unforgiving stages and boss battles, helped keep the pace mid-game. Robot Masters joining the fight in this iteration are quite the menace:
"Cloud Man, Burst Man, Junk Man, Freeze Man, Shade Man, Slash Man, Spring Man, and Turbo Man" are masterfully designed, their stage unique from each other, with secrets to discover.


Mega Man 7 features a two-player
"Versus mode", only unlockable 
through its password system.


Capcom also went all-in on improving the game graphics for this 16-bit iteration, which to this day, remains one of the best-looking SNES games to our inner child's eyes. Every Robot Masters feel alive, with fluid animations and a lot of attention is put into every detail of their personality and quirks. Mega Man VII excelled in its generous nature, a labor of love.

The game is slower, easier for most, but becomes a challenge once you reach the Wily Fortress, Wily 7 notoriously being one of the hardest capsules to beat so far!

For those looking for an extra challenge, a Japanese fan-made project that takes Mega Man 7 and turns it into an NES-style game was made available in 2008, made by Japanese developer "Mend", also responsible for the equally excellent "Rockman 8 FC" which demake the eight game.
Learn more about "Rockman 7 FC" here. We can't recommend them enough!



#5 Mega Man 5


"Mega Man 5" turns the page on its predecessor's flaws to bring us the best of its predecessor on a golden platter.
"Mega Man 5" sticks to its formula insanely close, bringing the "Doc Robots" and "Twin Wily" castles together for a best of both worlds situation. With some of the best boss battles, missing from the 4th itineration, and a proper stage design, missing from its 3rd itineration.
"Mega Man 5" polishes everything its predecessor did, pushing the NES's graphics and sound limits far beyond its end of life, this masterful game is a threat to eyes and ears alike.
It may have had the worst Special Weapons of any game so far, and an incredibly overpowered Mega Buster, it is painfully easy to forego the use of special weapons.
The soundtrack is some of the best in the series, my favorites being Wave Man's theme, as well as the title theme, which remains the raddest Mega Man opening ever conceived.
Again!?

As for our opinion on the many encounters against "Dark Man", there isn't much to say about them. He is a forgettable guest villain recycled throughout Proto Man's fortress. Finally, Robot Master fights are decent once more, with working AI, although not quite as good as those from Mega Man 1 to 3.

Notable weapons included the "Gravity Hold" and "Gyro Attack".

This one was a well-built, fair entry with few flaws.


#4 Mega Man 8

Featuring the very useful Mega... Ball?

Mega Man 8 is the 32-bit entry to the franchise, featuring multiple changes in its formula, stage gimmicks never seen before such as shoot 'em up, or snowboarding sections. Although opinions on divided on the matter, most fans do not think of these stages as truly great. We enjoyed some of the sections but found them drawn out, the rest of the game is clever aside from a few puzzle sections. This game will run you up to three-time as much playtime as the usual "Mega Man" game, usually averaging at around an hour and a half. It's rich in content, beautiful stages, lively 32-bit sprite animations, and a unique space jazz soundtrack sure to get you hooked.

Special weapons are embarrassingly bad in this title, with only the "Flash Bomb" being worth defeating Grenade Man prematurely; later, "Astro Crush" from Astro Man, once the next levels are unlocked.
The game featured mind-blowing FMV sequences, accompanied by a suspicious choice of voice actors, giving the title a "meme status" among fans. We would advocate playing the Japanese release, simply for the absolutely incredible opening sequence playing "GANASIA - Electrical Communication". This is again, a Rockman X4 situation where the west never got "Makenai Ai Ga Kitto Aru"; instead, western releases play a generic track that could put an elephant to sleep.

Saturn version has two additional bosses: Wood Man and Cut Man.
They won't make the game better, but they are enjoyable to fight.


#3 Mega Man 6

Mmm!
With the stupidest story in Mega Man history, "Mega Man 6" had better come up with something worthy of higher esteem. And boy, did it ever deliver!
"Mega Man 6" introduces multiple new features to players including the powerful body armors: the "Rush Jet Adapter" as well as the "Rush Power Adapter", allowing Mega to fly like Super Man, smash like Hulk!
The best selection of Robot Master
Robot Masters have some of the best thematics to date, with Knight Man being designed by a western fan of the series in Nintendo Power's "Mega Man Design Contest" for the very first time. Usually Japan only.

The "Twin Wily" castles return once again from the 4th installment, ultimately saving the player from "Dark Man" and "Doc Robot" unpleasantness and cutting middlemen.

The beauty of Mega Man 6 isn't in its achievement, but in how it decides to do everything by the book, learning from the mistakes of past titles to forge itself stronger and more polished than ever.

Mechadragon has competition.
It is a pleasurable experience with no frustration, having learned from its past 8-bit titles and delivering a final blow to the Nintendo Entertainment System in its twilight.

Special weapons in this title are great! We recommend the  "Silver Tomahawk", "Knight Crush", and "Centaur Flash", note that "Yamato Spear" pierces armor.

Our main complaint would be the difficulty - or lack thereof -  defeating the robot masters; while completely functional, the robot masters hardly pose any threat to Mega Man, now equipped with multiple armor widget, dash, and charge attacks. "Mega Man 6" is, unfortunately, the perfect, but easiest "Mega Man" game on the "Nintendo Entertainment System"



#2 Mega Man 11 

Wily steals the entirety of Dr. Light's creation once again

Everything came in line for "Mega Man 11", after a 10-year hiatus, "Mega Man" was back in force with a fully-fledged game worthy of the 21st century. 
Despite a disappointing "techno" soundtrack shunned by most of the fanbase at release, an "instrumental" soundtrack was also dropped as a pre-order bonus, while neither would fit the Mega Man game; we enjoyed the relaxing instrumental tracks, which reminded us of the melodic Touhou soundtracks. Many mods are available, aiming to put the "Rock" back in "Rockman 11". 
The game felt great, with content and polish we had only wished to see in Inafune's disastrous "Mighty No 9".
Special weapons were useful and creative, we had the charge shot and the dash back, the levels were creative, each with their own stage hazards and thematics, and graphics stylized to modern taste. Many difficulty settings were added, considerate of die-hard fans and casual players alike. While the gear system made the game easier, you could beat the game without using it once. It was a nice feature, not forced onto players, and added plenty of depth to the game.

Don't bully the chubby kid!
Bosses were unique, each equipped with a "gear system" of their own, allowing them to overdrive their robotic capabilities, gnarly.
Block Man transforms into a giant cube golem midway through the fight, becoming a hair-raising opponent for unprepared players.

Each stage featured a mini-boss unique to his stage, all very fruity, unique, and full of life. Mega Man 11 certainly does not lack in its soul.

"Mega Man 11" is surely one if not the greatest incarnation of the Blue Bomber, rivalling Nintendo's most significant works for his rightful title as one of the greatest gaming icon.



#1 Mega Man & Bass

A menacing guest villain!

For the first time in Mega Man history, not only can 8 robot masters be defeated; you can defeat them as two characters: Mega Man & Bass!

Bass was an anti-hero who first appeared in "Mega Man 7", the first entry for the then-new Super Nintendo system, this exciting new robot quickly became a fan favorite for his angsty, mysterious personality, contrasting well with our heroic Blue Bomber.

Bass can attack in 8 directions, jump twice and dash, but lacks the charge shots effective to take down bosses. His mobility and speed are unrivaled.
Mega Man has the superior dash, sliding beneath his enemies, but also through tight passages, uncovering secrets and power-ups. It is, however, clear that Bass is stronger than Mega Man, some might call the Mega Man playthrough a "hard mode".

From left to right

Robot Masters rejoining this entry are two from the then-released Playstation entry "Astro Man" and "Tengu Man" - was Capcom attempting to promote its newer entry, or simply recycling sprites? Also, joined by the villainous King, a robot turned against humanity are 6 never-seen-before robot masters: Cold Man, Burner Man, Pirate Man, Ground Man, Magic Man, and the ever-frustrating Dynamo Man.

Some annoyances, for sure.
With a few hiccups in its difficulty, Mega Man & Bass frustrated many players into dropping, even throwing their controllers at their television, we, however, enjoyed the challenge and the massive content and secrets.
Every special weapon had its use there and there wasn't a single weapon that we didn't use during a playthrough.
The game allows you to collect "discs" to unlock more information about your favorite robot masters from every Mega Man games up to the seventh entry, including the planeteers from "Mega Man V".
Check out the CD Database here!

Here are all the discs you can collect in this entry!