"It's Mega Man versus the powerful leaders and fighting forces of Monsteropolis - that strange multi-faceted land of robot-like Humanoids. Brilliant scientist Dr.Wright conceived the construction of fully-operational human-like experimental robots to perform specific everyday duties. Dr.Wright, and his assistant Dr.Wily, encouraged with their very first near-human robot - Mega Man - proceeded to develop six additional Humanoids, all programmed to perform prescribed rituals. But, with the exception of Mega Man, all of Dr.Wright's near-human robot experimentation went awry. Assistant Dr.Wily turned disloyal, re-programming Dr.Wright's Humanoids, now bent on destroying opposition so Dr.Wily could control the world and its resources. Resisting re-programming, Mega Man is chosen the defender of the universe and its inhabitants. Mega Man dares to single-handedly penetrate seven separate empires of Monsteropolis, eliminating the leaders and followers of these sovereignties."
This game marked the beginning of what would be one of Nintendo era's strongest franchises. In this action packed platformer, you guide a robot named Rock (and renamed Mega for the US) who must stop the infamous Dr. Willy. First, he must defeat 6 robot masters who where also made by his creator. Each time he defeats a robot master, Megaman obtains its abilities. Also each robot (and boss) is vulnerable to an attack with a certain ability, hence the game follows a rock, paper, scissors approach being much easier when the appropriate weapon is used.
Its techno soundtrack sets the stage for its nonstop gameplay and relentless difficulty. However due to the incredible soundtrack quality, tight and responsive controls and excellent catoonish (and somewhat goofy) graphics this manages to become a very enjoyable and addictive experience. Although future installments would expand on this formula, this game manages to set the standard under which most action platformers are measured. And to be completely honest, the formula hasn't changed much because of a simple reason, it really doesn't have to. It's just that good!
As for the legendary difficulty, its well deserved. I won Megaman's 2 through 5 as they came out (often at the first rental), the fact that I'm having a VERY hard time trying to beat this one made me respect its well earned position of being the hardest Megaman in the series.
Don't trust me? Good! I could be wrong or just plain lying! Guess the only way you can ever really know is by trying it out yourself muahahahaha...
Play Megaman online at virtualnes.com
Additional Links
These sites contain additional information about Megaman:
Megaman in the Mushroom Kingdom
"Dr. Wily finally concedes that Mega Man may be too much for his evil robotic creations. Determined to get the best of the blue bomber, Dr. Wily contacts another famous villain, Bowser! Having combined their forces, Dr Wily and Bowser unleash their new destructive creations upon the Mushroom Kingdom. After hearing news of Wily's new plan, Mega Man decides to travel to the Mushroom Kingdom himself to stop Wily again. Mega Man now finds himself in a strange new world filled with obstacles and locales very foreign to him. Fearless, Mega Man presses on to Super Mario's old stomping grounds to defeat these new foes."
This is a Megaman hack that turns its landscape into a mash up of Mario 1, 2, 3 and World, type scenarios. Megaman now jumps higher (the plumber's influence I suppose heh) and the level design is made taking advantage of this, introducing a more Mario like ambiance. Also, the overall difficulty is toned down a little bit.
This results in a very bizarre and interesting experience that fuses both gameplay dynamics and not only their graphics. But unfortunately, since this still uses the exact same bosses from the original game I would consider this a mod rather than a new game in itself (and that is why I include in this game's description and not a separate article).
If what I just wrote sounds like a complete disaster. Then avoid it and look for something that suits you (life is short). However if it sounds like a dream come true, or a least an interesting proposition, then by all means give it a try:
or download the patch:
