Notes: Action game taken from the arcade version. Plays basically the same but with cut down graphics, of course. Best to play this one with the Zapper. If you like “Operation Wolf,” you’ll like this.
Notes: One of the early games for the NES that sparked a long history of character development, eventual failure, and legend. This started it all. You play as Mega Man and have to save the world from construction robots altered by the evil Dr. Wily. The NTSC version wins the vote for the worst artwork of any game for all of time.
Title: Mega Man 2
Title: Mega Man 3
Manufacturer: Capcom
Manufacturer: Capcom
Release Date: 1989
Release Date: 1990
Rating: Common
Rating: Common
Price: $5.00-$8.00, $8.00-$25.00
Location: 1-20
Price: $5.00-$10.00, $10.00-$25.00
Location: 1-20
Notes: Sequel to “Mega Man.” Gameplay has gotten a lot better, but this is where the series began to draw away from the original ideas of the first game. Though definitely a great game, it’s a lot easier than the first.
Notes: Third game of the series. The graphics and difficulty have been stepped up again, and there is more of a return to the original premise. Has some of the best NES music ever. Only one stage and enemy begins to show the eventual disintegration of this famous character. Top Man be thy name.
Title: Mega Man 4
Title: Mega Man 5
Manufacturer: Capcom
Manufacturer: Capcom
Release Date: 1991
Release Date: 1992
Rating: Uncommon
Rating: Scarce
Price: $5.00-$8.00, $8.00-$30.00
Location: 1-20
Price: $8.00-$15.00, $15.00-$40.00
Location: 1-20
Notes: Fourth game of the series, and the beginning of the disintegration that I mentioned before. By this time the designers are really short on ideas for more Mega Man enemies, thus you are faced with such gems as Pharoah Man and Skull Man. Still some sense of the first game, plus several new concepts that make it a great game in the end.
Notes: Fifth game of the series, and a real drawback. At this point the designers are evidently drained entirely. The character development is weak as well as the pathetic plot. Some interesting features and ideas here and there, but definitely the worst of the six games. Still good, but every series has its loser.
Title: Mega Man 6
Title: Menace Beach (Black)
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Manufacturer: Color Dreams
Release Date: 1994
Release Date: 1990
Rating: Scarce
Rating: Limited
Price: $8.00-$15.00, $15.00-$45.00
Location: 1, 2
Price: $15.00-$30.00, $50.00-$100.00
Location: 1, 2
Notes: Final game for the NES. Originally designed by Capcom, but given over to Nintendo for some reason. Some find this game to actually be the best out of all of them, even though the enemies have entirely diverted from the original concept and some are simply ridiculous. Several new and original features really bring this game up. Personally, it’s my favorite.
Notes: This game still gets way more attention than it deserves. Though actually really funny and somewhat interesting due to the level of suck it presents, this game is really not worth it. You play as a skateboarder that has to save his girlfriend. Save your money and just buy “Maxi 15” by AVE.
