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Mega Man, or Rockman as the character is known in various countries including Japan, is the hero in a series of video games made by Capcom for various Nintendo and other gaming consoles. Over time, the series has 'evolved' to include several spin offs including the X, Zero, Legends, and Battle Network series.
Background
Template:Spoiler The Mega Man character was created in 1987 by Capcom of Japan, then a small company eager to make a breakthrough with a new platform game.
In the story behind the original series, Rock is a robot created as a lab assistant by scientists Dr. Thomas Xavier Light and Dr. Albert W. Wily; following treachery by Dr. Wily, Rock was converted into a fighting robot to defend the world from Wily's violent creations. Thus he became Mega Man (Rockman in the Japanese original).
Megaman's designer, Keiji Inafune, decided to name him Rockman based on Rock&Roll. Some original names for the series include Knuckle Kid and Mighty Kid.
Mega Man Classic
Series History
Mega Man appeared in six platform games originally for the Nintendo Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System, two for the Super Famicom/Super Nintendo Entertainment System (one of them Japan-only), one originally for the Sony PlayStation, five for the Nintendo Game Boy, one for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance (which was a port of the Japan-only game for the Nintendo Super Famicom listed earlier), and one for the Bandai WonderSwan. In addition, there was a Mega Man soccer (football) game for the SNES released in the U.S.A., and a racing game for the PlayStation released in Japan and Europe. The six Famicom Mega Man games were also re-released in Japan on the Sony PlayStation.
In 2004 a Mega Man Anniversary Collection was released for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2, containing Megaman 1–8 with only minor modifications, as well as Megaman: The Power Battle and Megaman 2: The Power Fighters, two arcade games originally only released in Japan although a very limited release of The Power Battle also made it to the US. As of now, there is slight fan demand for enhanced remakes of the games contained in Mega Man Anniversary Collection, especially Mega Man 1–6, and if the fan demand is fulfilled, the collection will most likely be divided into trilogies. There is also a collection of color remakes of the Gameboy Mega Man games, that is scheduled to be released for the Gameboy Advance.
Gameplay
A game in this series generally takes the player to a stage select screen, from which he/she can select any of several (usually eight) "Robot Master" bosses, each whom are given a name in the form of (Noun) Man, for example, "Fire Man" "Wind Man" "Bubble Man" etc. (Notable exceptions go to Quick Man and Hard Man.) Upon selecting a boss, Mega Man enters a themed level associated with that Robot Master, and must reach the end of the level and defeat the boss. When the boss is defeated, Mega Man in turns gains the weapon of the fallen boss—for example, upon defeating the electrified Spark Man, Megaman gains an electrical attack known as "Spark Shock". Robot Masters are affected differently by different attacks, so this greatly affects gameplay and play order. Strategy and logic must be used to determine the best sequence, for example, a fire-based robot master may be weak to a water-based weapon, etc..
Usually, after all Robot Masters have been defeated, Mega Man proceeds to a fortress. Sometimes this fortress is inhabited by Dr. Wily; sometimes another character is at the end of the fortress, in which case a second fortress with Dr. Wily usually follows. In general Mega Man must fight all the game's Robot Masters again at the end of the fortress before facing the final boss.
Notes
The series is set in the ambiguous year 20XX to avoid seeming dated; in Mega Man 2 this was given as 200X, but generally the transition is interpreted as a change in canon rather than an indication of time passing.
Whether the official names of the games use Arabic numerals or Roman numerals depends on which platform the game is being played. In Japan, all of the games use Arabic numerals. In North America, all of the Game Boy games, all of the NES games, and Mega Man VII for the SNES use Roman numerals; Mega Man 8 for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn uses Arabic numerals.
Which numbering should be used to disambiguate between the Game Boy and NES/SNES/Saturn/PlayStation series in North America is unclear. Largely due to a precedent set by Mandi Paugh, author of the Mega Man Home Page, a naming convention has evolved and is generally accepted by most fan-made Mega Man websites: an Arabic numeral indicates that the game belongs to the main series (NES, SNES and PlayStation), while a Roman numeral indicates that the game is in the Game Boy series, which is known as the Rockman World series in Japan.
Mega Man X
Series History
A more action packed and violent Mega Man X for SNES was released because Capcom felt the need for a more adult Mega Man game series in order to compete with other more violent games like Mortal Kombat.
Gameplay
Similar to the original series, the Mega Man X series features a formerly peaceful robot who, after to a disastrous betrayal, begins fighting to save the world. This robot, named X (hence the series name), is Dr. Light's final creation; he was the most advanced robot ever created, and the first truly sentient robot. As part of a testing procedure to prevent him from becoming dangerous, X lay dormant for thirty years, during which Dr. Light apparently died (though he lives on in the form of a sentient hologram) and the events of the original series were forgotten. In 21XX, X was discovered and awakened by a scientist named Dr. Cain, who used X's design and numerous modified versions to create a race of sentient robots known as "Reploids." However, a mysterious computer virus, apparently contracted from a Reploid-like robot named Zero, spread amongst many of the Reploids, and convinced of their superiority, these so-called "Mavericks" began to terrorize the human race. A task force was created to silence the uprising, and a strong, brilliant Reploid named Sigma was created by Dr. Cain to lead the newly-formed "Maverick Hunters." Sigma managed to defeat Zero in battle, after which he was rebuilt and became a Maverick Hunter himself. Sigma later contracted the Maverick virus and took most of the Hunters with him, leaving X and Zero responsible for defeating the Mavericks and protecting Reploids and humans alike.
It is strongly implied that Zero was the final creation of Dr. Wily—in Mega Man X2, upon his defeat, Sigma mentions that Zero was "the last of the doctor's creations." To support this theory, Wily, in his later years, was said to have worked on a robot to counter both Mega Man and his own renegade creation, Bass, who described its plans as "girlie-looking" and "long-haired" (as seen in Rockman 2: The Power Fighters).
Despite the different storyline and characters, gameplay is very similar to the original series, with several exceptions (most notably, X and Zero can cling to walls, and Zero is armed with a beam saber rather than the traditional "buster" gun.) Mavericks replace the Robot Masters, and Sigma replaces Dr. Wily. The Mavericks all take the form of robot animals instead of "men." For example, instead of "Flame Man" there is "Flame Stag," instead of "Spark Man" there is "Spark Mandrill" etc. Though some Mavericks have new, never before seen powers, such as "Toxic Seahorse," most have the traditional elemental based weapons of the past games, such as fire, water, air, earth, etc.
Notes
There seem to be running jokes with this series in the form of references to Star Wars—in the first game in particular, Zero played a role similar to that of Obi-Wan Kenobi (including dying and his body disappearing) and Sigma fighting with a light saber (Zero, who returned in the second game, gained such a saber himself in the process). The most prominent resemblance is that Vile (known in Japan as Vava) wears something very similar to Boba Fett's distinctive "T" helmet.
It should be noted that the relation of X to the original Mega Man is under dispute. Some fans believe X is an upgraded form of Mega Man; others believe he is a totally different robot who simply has a similar design. Comparisons between the two in terms of personality and technical parameters, as well as X's lack of any memories of the 20XX era, seem to indicate that the two are separate. Keiji Inafune, the man generally associated with being the creator of Rockman, expressed in an interview that Rockman and X are two different robots entirely.
In Mega Man X5, it should be noticed that almost every new Maverick had some relation to members of the band Guns 'N Roses. (Note that in the Japanese X5, there were no such Guns 'N Roses allusions. With the possible exception of the guns in the background of Spike Rosered's stage.)
Mega Man X5 also contained many allusions to past games in the series. Some of these connections are certain boss fights (Ranga Banga from Mega Man X), Duff McWhalen's stage music (Bubble Crab from Mega Man X2), and the first Sigma Stage, which is an exact replica of Quickman's stage from Mega Man 2.
Mega Man Zero
Series History
Mega Man Zero
After sleeping for a hundred years, Zero awakens in 22XX to a world where repliroids (reploids) are being constantly accused of being Irregulars (Mavericks) and systematically exterminated, apparently under the direction of X himself. Assisting a small resistance group led by a human named Ciel, Zero fights against X's utopia, Neo Arcadia, and its leaders: X and the Shitenou (Four Heavenly Kings), Leviathan, Harpyuia (Harpuia), Fafnir (Fefnir), and Phantom.
At the end of the first game, Zero entered X's inner sanctum, to find that he was not what he seemed: he was, in fact, a copy X, created to replace the real one, who had gone missing a long time ago. Copy X was defeated, and that was the end of it. Or so it seemed.
Zero finally met up with the real X, who had now assumed the form of a Cyber Elf, and he told Zero about how he was tired of all the fighting… He asks Zero to defend and fight for him… while The Cyber-elf X rests!
Mega Man Zero 2
The three surviving members of the Shitenou (Phantom was killed in Zero's assault on Area X) assumed command of Neo Arcadia, with Harpyuia as the leader. Copy X's death was covered up, as the humans revered him as their saviour.
Some time later, the conflict between Neo Arcadia and the Resistance continued with no difference. Meanwhile, Ciel worked on a way to solve the energy crisis that lead to all of these problems in the first place. A Resistance leader, the repliroid Elpis (Elpizo), however, thought that Ciel's search was futile, and lead an assault on Neo Arcadia, which resulted in him being the only survivor. Driven mad by this, he sought the power of the legendary Dark Elf, which brought about the Elf Wars a hundred years ago.
Elpis, using the powers granted by unsealing a portion of the power of the Dark Elf, invades Neo Arcadia and single-handedly breaks into the temple where the body of the real X, revered by all in the utopia, was kept. X had disappeared because he ended the Elf Wars by sealing the Dark Elf away with his body. Elpis destroys X's body, unsealing the Dark Elf, and uses her powers. Zero manages to stop him from unleashing them on the world, and Elpis is defeated. As he lies dying, he apologizes for everything he's done. And then… the Dark Elf glows with a warm light, and saves him, turning him into a cyber elf. He tells Zero that she isn't evil, and departs. X then shows up, and tells Zero about the Dark Elf, who, too, departs. She was created to be a saviour, but was cursed by a man named Bairu (Weil), and used…
Meanwhile, a mysterious voice calls for someone named Omega to act.
Mega Man Zero 3
The third game starts not much later. A fallen spaceship emits energy similar to the Dark Elf, and Zero sets out to investigate. This leads to the climax of the story, with Bairu finally revealing himself, Omega, the Dark Elf, the return of another Copy X… and the revelation of who the real Zero is.
Dr. Weil a scientist banished for his corrupt and destructive senseless reploid creations is somehow aged after a century of living and is now contained in a life preserving suit. He seeks out the legend and the body of the real Zero because in his eyes he sees through the present one to be a false and un final version of the actual Zero. However through his soul somehow was stayed in this body and not the final; Dr. Weil knowing that the final version body of Zero which is the real Zero lurks somewhere…
Gameplay
The games are most similar to the Mega Man X series, with the classic trial and error gameplay. The Zero series is considerably harder then most games. Another notable difference is the boss names: they no longer follow the format of "Adjective Animal" anymore, with names like "Leviathan" and "Harpuia" popping up.
Notes
Much is left unknown as to what happened between the X and Zero series. X stopped fighting and became a Cyber Elf, Zero's latest body was shut down. Perhaps only time (and more X games) will explain the gap.
Cameos
- Onimusha Buraiden - Blade Warriors (PlayStation 2), along with Mega Man.EXE.
- SNK vs Capcom: Chaos (PlayStation 2).
Mega Man Legends
The Mega Man Legends (also Mega Man 64; Rockman Dash in Japan) series was at first regarded to be strange by fans of other Mega Man games. Some skeptics who played the games, soon grew to love the characters and plot, which developed over time to become something beyond anything seen in any other Rockman series. At first, it was thought to have no connection to the original or X series at all until the sourcebook for all Rockman series was released.
In the sourcebook, Rockman Perfect Memories, it was stated that the Legends series takes place after the X series (or more accurately the Zero series) and some have even speculated on such a connection based on comments in the X series, most notably the use of the word "Elysium" (with a capital E, indicating that it's a name) in one the endings of Mega Man X5).
Gameplay
The player controls Mega Man Volnutt, a teenage boy. Mega Man is a Digger, an archaelogist, meaning that he goes into underground ruins, searching for remnants of a lost civilization for a living. He has help, or course, from his adopted sister Roll and their grandfather, Barrell Casket. Giving them trouble are the Bonnes, a group of pirates consisting of leader Tiesel Bonne, his sister Tron (who is, ironically, infatuated with Mega Man), the large "baby" robot Bon Bonne (known primarily for his oft-repeated line "Babu!" which has become a catch phrase among the series' fans), and the 40 Servbots (which vaguely resemble Lego figures). There are only two main Mega Man Legends games at present (the first is available for PlayStation, N64, and PC, though the second is exclusive to the PlayStation), plus a spinoff PlayStation game called "The Misadventures of Tron Bonne" starring Tron Bonne, and the 40 Servbots, in a quest to rescue Tiesel and Bon Bonne.
Notes
Mega Man Legends was the first 3D Mega Man game.
Extremely early in the development cycle of this game, the name was originally going to be Mega Man Neo.
Cameos
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (Arcade): Servbot and Tronne Bonne are playable characters
- Auto Modellista (PlayStation 2): Servbots appear in the workshop.
Mega Man Battle Network
Series History
The series is set in the year 20XX, in an alternate version of the original universe in which computers, not robots, were the subject of the most research. the result was the PET (PErsonal Terminal), a small computer which is used similarly to a cellular phone or PDA and which contains a customizable artificial intelligence known as a Net Navi (short for Net Navigator). The Battle Network series focuses on the adventures of relatively ordinary fifth-grade student Lan Hikari and his very extraordinary Navi, MegaMan.EXE. Lan and MegaMan fight primarily against the schemes of madman and failed scientist Wily, who is evidently an alternate version of the villain from the original series. This consists mostly of defeating Navis operated by Wily's henchmen. (Incidentally, most (but not all) of the Navis are named after characters from the original series). Out of battle, gameplay is typical RPG fare. In battle, they are a unique hybrid of classic MegaMan gameplay and RPG-style fights. There are four main Battle Network games, all for the Game Boy Advance, as well as several others that are best described as "gaidens".
Gameplay
Known as the EXE series in Japan, the MegaMan Battle Network games are RPGs for the Game Boy Advance. Out of battle, gameplay is typical RPG fare. In battle, they are a unique hybrid of classic MegaMan gameplay and RPG-style fights. There are four main Battle Network games, all for the Game Boy Advance, as well as several others that are best described as "gaidens". The battle system is the most unique part of the MMBN games, featuring a 6x3 grid, with each character controlling half.
Notes
The team that worked on the EXE series was the same team that did the Legends games (Capcom Production Studio 2).
Mega Man on TV
Mega Man once starred in a Saturday-morning style cartoon by animating company Ruby-Spears. This show only lasted two seasons, and while appealing to little kids, was not particularly enjoyed by older Mega Man fans.
Characters losely based on Mega Man, his robotic dog Rush, and mentor Dr. Light appeared in the cartoon series "Captain N: The Game Master" in the United States. Dr. Wily was a villain in the same series. A later cartoon series was based completely on Mega Man and his friends and enemies, although they were distinctly different from their video game forms. Mega Man has also been featured in comics and manga in Japan.
There is also an anime based on the Battle Network/EXE series, simply called "Rockman EXE". The series is loosely based on the first two games, but also include elements introduced in the third game (e.g.: the "N1 Grand Prix" and 3's PET design). The second series, "Rockman EXE Axess", is not directly based on any of the games but contains elements of Rockman EXE 4/Megaman Battle Network 4 which is, as the name implies, the fourth game in the series. A heavily edited version of the anime airs in the United States and Canada and is called "MegaMan NT Warrior". The manga of Rockman EXE, which was written by Ryo Takamisaki, is also known as "MegaMan NT Warrior" in North America.
The two anime series are not canon, and Axess is generally regarded by people as a "mahō shōnen"-type anime.
See also
- List of Mega Man games
- List of Mega Man characters (original series)
- List of Mega Man characters (X series)
- List of Mega Man characters (Zero series)
- List of Mega Man characters (Legends series)
- List of Mega Man characters (Battle Network series)
- MegaMan NT Warrior
External links
- Capcom, the official site of the company responsible for the Mega Man games as well as many others.
- Dmoz directory of Mega Man sites
- Yahoo! Directory of Mega Man sites
- Google Directory of Mega Man sites