Top 10 Mega Man Games

The latest installment in the Classic Mega Man series, Mega Man 10, like its predecessor, features 8-bit style graphics on 7th gen consoles, while also including more modern features, such as achievements and downloadable content. The most notable of the latter are the addition of the ability to play as Mega Man’s stalwart frenemy, Bass, who can shoot in multiple directions, as well as several extra stages, which feature boss characters first seen on Mega Man’s early Game Boy titles.

Mega Man’s first foray into three dimensions, Mega Man Legends, also known as Mega Man 64 on the N64, followed an entirely new interpretation of the character. This version of Mega Man works as a treasure-hunter, encountering a bevy of colorful characters and enemies on his search for the legendary Mother Lode. Unlike the games that game before it, Mega Man Legends is an action-adventure, with some role-playing elements thrown in. Though it, and its spin-offs, are somewhat polarizing, love it or hate it, Mega Man Legends is an essential part of the Mega Man franchise.

In the Battle Network universe, Mega Man is not a robot, but rather a computer program, that helps the young hero Lan Hikari battle cyber criminals, in a world where the internet has been even more integrated into daily life. After introducing players to the concept of a Mega Man RPG in the first Battle Network game, Mega Man Battle Network 2 improved upon the first installment’s battle system; allowing for greater customization, and upping the difficulty. Battle Network 2 is also unique in the entire franchise, since it includes language otherwise censored for America, with words like ‘damn’ and ‘hell’ appearing in dialogue.

To move forward, sometimes you have to look back. Capcom eschewed modern graphics and instead returned to the graphics and gameplay of Mega Man 2 and 3, doing away even with Mega Man’s ability to slide or charge up his shots. But after a decade of no entries into the original Mega Man series, fans and critics alike welcomed Mega Man 9’s retro style and no-frills gameplay, as well as the inclusion of newer concepts, such as a female robot master, the downloadable ability to play as Proto Man, and an “endless mode.”

The first of the X series to not be on the Super Nintendo, and one of the first Mega Man games in general to not be on a Nintendo console, X4 featured improved graphics and the ability to play as X’s comrade Zero from the beginning of the game. The addition of Zero’s route greatly increases the replayability, especially since he learns entirely different moves from the bosses he defeats than Mega Man X. Not all of the additions were an improvement though, as those who’ve seen X4’s horrendously dubbed cutscenes can attest. (Zero: “What-am-I-fighting-forrrrrrrrrrrrrrr?!”)

This game is informally known as Mega Man 8.5, since it shares Mega Man 8’s art style, as well as two of its bosses. Though Mega Man 10 would go on to include him as a downloadable character, Bass shares the spotlight with Mega Man here, and it’s a good thing too, as his ability to double jump and dash make traversing the game much easier compared to the Blue Bomber. Originally released on the Super Nintendo in Japan in 1998, North America had to wait five years for a port to the Game Boy Advance.

In a bit of a role reversal, this game, and the series it spawned, stars Zero, while X, or at least a copy of him, is the villain. Set hundreds of years after the end of the X series, Mega Man Zero follows the long-haired hero as he tries to help his fellow reploids, who have become oppressed. Unlike most Mega Man games, the ones in the Zero series have action RPG elements, with weapons and items becoming upgraded via leveling. The first game in particular bears a resemblance to games like Castlevania and Metroid, due to the interconnectedness of its map.

Though it maintains the tight controls and solid gameplay established by Mega Man 2, Mega Man’s third outing fixes some of the balance issues, though it has a few of its own, while adding recurring features such as the sliding mechanic. Mega Man 3 also introduces Rush, Mega Man’s canine companion, and Proto Man, Mega Man’s roguish brother. Fun fact: the game in Japan was originally subtitled “The End of Dr. Wily!?” At the time it must have been a good way to draw in players, but looking back on it now after the dozens of games that followed it, we’ve just got to laugh.

Talk about a great leap forward! Besides being the first Mega Man game on the Super Nintendo, Mega Man X features improvements over the Classic series in gameplay and narrativev as well, with levels designed around forward momentum, but with enough hidden upgrades scattered throughout to give the player a sense of progression. The beginning of the X series is often cited as its strongest entry, due to its impact, involving (if minimal) story, and memorable bosses, stages and music. Is it any wonder they remade the game with the added ability to play as Zero and Vile?

Before we get to our top choice, here are a few honorable mentions:

“Mega Man ZX Advent” (2007)
“Mega Man 4” (1992)
“Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge” (1991)
“Mega Man X3” (1996)
“Mega Man” (1987)

While the original Mega Man may have started the series, many consider its sequel to be the true seminal work of the franchise. Mega Man 2 codified many series staples, such as having eight robot masters and doing away with the arcade-style points system present in the first game. Mega Man’s sophomore outing is by no means perfect. The bluebeam trap anyone? But its iconic bosses, stages, and infectiously catchy soundtrack have cemented it in gamers’ hearts as the quintessential Mega Man game.

Do you agree with our list? Which Mega Man game do you think is the best? For more mega busting Top 10s posted daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.