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Three more new outfits (and weapons) for Mega Man
Thanks to rather massive gallery update from Capcom, we can now see three of Mega Man 9's Robot Master-acquired weapons in use both by Mega Man and the robots kind enough to deliver weaponry to him: The Hornet Chaser, which allows you to shoot homing (probably) insects, much like The Pain or the dogs with bees in their mouths and when they bark they shoot bees at you. The Jewel Satellite, which appears to be the Leaf Shield. The Black Hole Bomb, the weapon of Galaxy Man. We can't exactly tell what this does other than generate a big purple dot. Maybe it draws enemies in? Having seen these, only Splash Woman's attack remains a mystery. We can now try to start figuring out which weapons might be most useful against which bosses. What is strong against, uh, black holes?%Gallery-30253%
Top 5: RETRO REVIVAL PLZ!
As the release of Mega Man 9 looms closer, the so-called "old school gamers" are about 17 pixels away from exploding out of their skin with anticipation. This is the retro gamer equivalent of a "Phan" witnessing a Phish reunion. The kid inside all of us, having been smothered behind flabby beer guts for years, is beginning to crawl towards the surface. I imagine there's quite a few younger gamers who scratch their heads at all of the love for comparatively prehistoric graphics and gameplay. However, if one were to wipe off the thick coat of nostalgia emblazoned onto the games of long ago, they'd often find enjoyable and satisfying titles. They're not definitively better or worse; just different from much of what is released today. Some prefer that, and they're hungry for more. The biggest hurdle for those folks is commercial success. Not too long ago, retro revivals were rarely considered serious. After all, it would be silly to have Mega Man 9 released on a retail DVD disc. Yet with the success of downloadable services, the floodgates are now blown wide open. The slightly less hyped but similarly retro-themed Gradius: Rebirth was just released in Japan, and cowboy hat-clad developer Igarashi has stated that he's "very much looking into [WiiWare]." Perhaps the style of retro gaming is seeping into the bloodstream of major retail releases. Despite the beautiful hand-drawn graphics and cutscenes of Wario Land: Shake It!, the gameplay is heavily grounded in 2D. Perhaps we're experiencing a retro-renaissance, if I may quote Mr. Greenhough. With this in mind, here's a few more dusty franchises we're nominating to be reborn through the birth canal of Nintendo's online service (wow, gross). These range from the unexpected to painfully obscure, so don't be offended if your favorite was not included. A small note: I excluded some IPs due to either a retro-esque presence on the GBA/DS or because they are likely destined for WiiWare. These include Mario, Castlevania, Contra and Metroid. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
Your Saturday just got better: Mega Man 9 songs
While Siliconera has put up an some excellent impressions of Mega Man 9's official soundtrack in Japan, Rockman 9: The Ambition's Revival!!, Youtube user Blulohhoi has taken it a step further, posting 21 songs from the 31-track production for fans to stream and enjoy.So far, Blulohhoi has put up the tracks in five videos, one we've embedded above and the other four we've tucked past the post break. Make sure to listen to Part 5 at the 00:12 mark for the shop theme -- it's aces.%Gallery-30253%
Wii Warm Up: Mega Marathon
The countdown to Mega Man 9 has (probably) almost reached its spectacular, explosive conclusion; we've heard from some of you that you're going through the original series to get ready for Dr. Wily's latest onslaught. We thought we'd officially take stock today.Are you replaying old Mega Man games now? If so, which? 1 through 6? Through 8? Through & Bass? Or are you exploring the extended series with the X games, Command Mission, the Battle Networks, the Star Forces, the ZXes, the Legends, Misadventures of Tron Bonne, etc.? %Gallery-30253%
Mega Man 9 out in Japan Sept. 24
Capcom has announced that the Blue Bomber will return in Japan for Mega Man 9 on September 24. Wii Fanboy has noted the irony in the traditional game's nontraditional Wednesday release -- typically, Japanese WiiWare games come out on Tuesdays.Now, we patiently await the official announcement of Mega Man 9's alleged September release date in North America and its possible release in Europe this year.[Via Wii Fanboy]%Gallery-28279%
Mega Man 9/24 in Japan
Capcom of Japan has announced a final release date for Mega Man 9: the 24th of this month. It's kind of a strange date to release a WiiWare game, as WiiWare and Virtual Console games usually come out on Tuesdays in Japan -- but, then, Mega Man 9 is kind of a strange WiiWare game. Or something like that. In any case, Capcom can release this any day they want.We're so happy to see this game released anywhere (it's really happening!), but we must admit a modicum of jealousy toward people who can pinpoint the exact moment they're going to buy Mega Man 9. We're just going to have to wait! For everlasting peace!%Gallery-30253%
Rumor: Mega Man 9 DLC details
We aren't entirely sure what to make of this list of possible DLC for Mega Man 9; the list is plausible enough, but, of course, the source is some guy named "SSJ4" who claims to have played the final game on all three consoles. There's also a lot of unseemly console-war type discussion as well, such as how terrible the PS3 and 360 d-pads are for Mega Man 9 and that the Achievements are "Capcom USA's doing. Not worth your time." It makes us think that these rumors are the work of an overenthusiastic Wii fanboy (not to be confused with Wii Fanboy) and not the kind of professional reviewer who would be playing Mega Man 9 right now. For example, he says that the game may come out on the 22nd, or it may be delayed due to a very big VC title -- which seems very much like the kind of thing you would say if you were making up stuff to try to get people's attention. The tipster says that Shooting Star Rockman will be a downloadable character, which makes sense given his placement on Summer Festival merchandise alongside the original, and that Proto Man will also be playable, though he "kinda sucks." Other DLC bonuses include new title screens, Mega Buster upgrades (three-way and homing shots), and new conversations with Auto. Also according to the rumor, Capcom may be looking into some in-game way to earn the DLC, to reward hard work. %Gallery-30253%[Thanks, Tyler!]
Get Equipped with Mega Man answers from Inafune
As the daddy of the Blue Bomber, you'd expect Keiji Inafune to know a thing or two about the Mega Man canon, and readers of the Capcom blog got the chance to test his knowledge in a interview, in which Inafune quickly set about clarifying series minutiae.Other subjects broached include the prospect of Mega Man appearing in not-Mega Man genres (in short, don't be expecting Mega Man Kart in the near future, and let's all be thankful for that), Inafune's fondness for photography (which influenced Dead Rising), and co-op Mega Man (which, argues Inafune, would be "close to impossible" with the current style of the series). He also mentions that he'd be happy to see Mega Man in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and that's not the first time Inafune has dropped that particular hint. Surely the robo-boy is a shoo-in for the next game?%Gallery-30253%[Via Joystiq]
Keiji Inafune clarifies Mega Man lore
It's hard to actually use the word lore in association with Mega Man. That's a word we generally save for Star Wars, Star Trek, Middle Earth and maybe LOST, but it's appropriate when pertaining to series character designer Keiji Inafune's mini-Q&A with the Capcom blog. In it, Inafune (who also produced Dead Rising and the Onimusha series) answers important, nitpicky questions about Zero's ability to kill, the relationship between Zero and Sigma and its significance and Dr. Wily's (non) presence in the Mega Man X series.Also noted is that, given the chance, Inafune would've loved to see Mega Man in Smash Bros. Brawl. What you won't see, however, is Mega Man with co-op multiplayer. "I think this is quite difficult--even close to impossible with the current style of Mega Man," he said. Our suggestion: Player 1 moves, Player 2 aims the arm. Use some cheesy plot device about Mega Man's arm being possessed. Hey, it worked in Metal Gear Solid.
Taking a whirl around Tornado Man's stage
Click to see the new screens Some new screens from Tornado Man's stage have been released by Capcom and, well, it looks like classic Mega Man action. There's a screen full of deadly spikes that Mega Man must navigate, as well as that all-too-familiar close quarters combat with the stage's boss. By now, you should know what the deal is. So head into our gallery and check out the new screens.%Gallery-30253%
Mega Man gets a new weapon
Click image for more screens A few details have hit about another weapon power-up for our little robotic boy in blue: the Magma Shot. As one might guess, this is the reward for slaying one of the eight bosses, Magma Man, and allows Mega Man to shoot out multiple fireballs at once. Check out the power-up, as well as some screens of Magma Man's level, in our gallery below. %Gallery-30253%
Mega Man 9 in Europe this year, too
For Europeans, they're usually left to wait a really long time before getting a game that has already released in other regions. With WiiWare, however, the story has been different. They got Dr. Mario Rx before North America did, and most of the other high profile titles have released there in relatively short time periods after the North American release. Now, another high profile title will see release in the same timeframe: Mega Man 9.Word of this comes from Wiiz, who says Capcom has announced the title for "fall 2008" in Europe. We're willing to believe it, mostly because we want Chris to share in the joy we'll undoubtedly be feeling over in North America. %Gallery-30253%[Via Go Nintendo]
Glorious Mega Man 9 boxart: Japan edition
The screens contained in the latest Mega Man 9 media update at Gpara are a mix of old and new, awesome and also awesome. But the real attraction is this amazing artwork, which serves as a Japanese counterpart to the amusing "boxart" displayed on t-shirts at E3. The disparity between boxart styles continues, though it's intentional and hilarious this time: while the American art is a monsterpiece in vaguely realistic proportions, the Japanese art is on-model and anime-style. It mirrors the style of the classic Rockman covers exactly. Much like the game itself, it could easily have been produced in the late 1980s.The only bad thing about the WiiWare release of Mega Man 9 is that there won't be a box to adorn with this image.%Gallery-30253%
Check out the Concrete Shot in Mega Man 9
Click for more screens With Mega Man 9's September release right around the corner, it's about time that we finally caught a glimpse at one of Mega Man's new powers, the Concrete Shot. As evidenced above, it's basically like shooting some concrete out of your arm-mounted cannon. Simple enough, right?Based on these new screens, though, it looks like it can also have an effect on the environments Mega Man will be traversing. Awesome!%Gallery-30253%
Wii Warm Up: Get equipped with ...
Last week, Capcom's amazing E-Tank beverages jumped off of the screen and into Japanese convenience stores. We totally want it, both to have in our small but meaningful Mega Man collection and to taste how Capcom (and whichever food company they've partnered with) imagines the flavor of reserve energy. But even the flavor of robot fuel, were we ever daring enough to open a mint-condition can (we're not) wouldn't slake our thirst for food items that look like things in video games.But enough about our, uh, tastes. Is there one item from any game that you'd like to be made into a real consumable? Eager to try some Lon-Lon Milk? Want to crack open a nice, cold Super Missile refill? Or just something simple like an authentic Merv Burger?
More awesome, inaccessible Mega Man 9 stuff
We could kind of ignore the E-tank energy drink, because we're actually quite happy not to be tempted into hoarding food products. But then Capcom had to go and announce a "Rockman Summer Festival," during which they'll give away all kinds of Mega Man-emblazoned tchotchkes that not even influential media powerhouses like ourselves will be able to get our hands on.We're desperate to get a couple of those sticker sheets (one to put everywhere and one to keep pristine for our collection, of course), but the coolest item, in our opinion, is the Mega Man 9/ Mega Man Star Force 3 notepad seen here. Congratulations, indeed! %Gallery-26790%[Via Famitsu]
A sports drink for hard-working robots
This month, Japanese gamers will be able to refresh their energy just like Mega Man does: with a cool, refreshing E-Tank from the item shop. To celebrate the upcoming Mega Man 9, Capcom announced the release of a "sports drink" (with royal jelly!) in special E-tank cans today, for 137 yen ($1.26) a can. It'll be sold at Animate and Kotobukiya stores, but apparently not on their websites (it didn't come up in searches, at least).Has any WiiWare title gotten its own promotional merchandise before? Probably not. But then, no WiiWare title has been a sequel that people have been waiting ten years for, either.We may not be able to buy this and ... contemplate drinking it here in the US, but at least we now have a working yen-to-bolts exchange rate: 4.567 yen/bolt.[Via Siliconera]
Dr. Wily asks for donations in new Mega Man 9 intro
From the looks of the Mega Man 9 opening, we can conclude at least two things: Dr. Wily thinks people are pretty gullible in 20XX and a certain policewoman has apparently switched careers. In the 8-bit tradition of the rest of the game, Capcom presents to us the opening introduction to Mega Man 9. It is quite cute (or cheesy, depending on your POV) and filled with references, with our favorite being Dr. Light's warning to Mega Man: "Be careful out there! You haven't done this in a while!" Trailer after the jump. In other Blue Bomber news, IGN unveiled three of the new Mega Man 9 bosses for us. Honestly, it's a little hard to keep track of all the bosses over the years. Yet another fire-themed boss is shown above; he is known as Magma Man, who carries the weapon Magma Bazooka. Concrete Man and Tornado Man's weapons are Concrete Shot and Tornado Blow respectively, and sprites of them are after the jump. The artwork for each villain and their weapons on Mega Man are in the gallery below. Check it out. %Gallery-29644%
Watch the Mega Man 9 intro in 8-bit glory
Above you'll see the introduction of Mega Man 9, Capcom's return to the Blue Bomber's 8-bit roots. We're still not quite sure what to make of the decision to release a Mega Man game using antiquated graphics and recycling bosses yet again, but we have to admit that the introduction does conjure up some good memories. Hopefully the actual game manages to do the same thing. It would help if it was fun too.Also, keep your eyes out for Chun-Li, who has apparently abandoned her quest to be the strongest woman in the world for a more mundane career.[Via Joystiq]
Mega Man 9's item shop is the future of Mega Man's past
Though it's intended as a sort of continuation of Mega Man 2, Mega Man 9 still manages to sneak in some elements from the later games. The item store is full of things that have shown up in Mega Man 6 and later, which is fine! We like later Mega Man games, and the idea of synthesizing the best elements from the whole series is a sound one. Plus some of this stuff is really helpful.You can use the bolts found throughout the levels to buy these items. Just for reference, we saw several of these bolts in the E3 demo levels, but couldn't reach any of them. So good luck! You can probably figure out what they all are from looking, but we'll describe them for you as well after the break.
