Mega Man

"And so, the legend is born..."

I remember a distinct moment in my life when I was but three years old. We had just purchased an NES with two games, Super Mario and Mega Man. The former I did not really care for, but the latter hooked me like the big-mouth bass that I am. This game has a degree of simplicity so that anyone can learn how to play it, but also a degree of complexity to keep the player interested.

Graphics: 8.5 - These graphics beat the pants off of SMB, that's for sure.

Considering that this game is a 1986 release, the graphics are truly something to behold. The structures are well-drawn with a good degree of detail to them. The bosses in this game are also fairly-depicted as sprites with detectable detail (unlike Mr. Bowser in SMB). Megaman himself looks nothing like his picture on the box of this title, but for once, that is a good thing. Also, the shots fired by the blue bomber are crisp and clear, and the enemies exhibit fluid motion.

Though graphics usually do not influence my opinion on a game, Mega Man has many more redeeming qualities to it that make it shine.

Sound: 9 - The famous Mega Man stage tunes are born from strong, solid roots of good composition.

Even though this is an NES game, the music in Mega Man is very catchy, well-composed, and perfectly fits the theme of the game. Heck, I sometimes find myself listening to some of the better themes in this game just for pleasure. CutMan's theme will drill itself into your mind...but you will enjoy it, guaranteed; ElecMan's theme also has a strong bass that will keep your toes tapping. The other themes in this game are also nothing to sneeze at, thus making the Mega Man series well-known for its good music to basically all gamers who have ever played it. Even the sound effects are top of the line; for example, when you hit an enemy with a hard shell, the bullets ''clank'' off of it.

The only reason that the sound is only getting a 9 is because the other games in this series are even better in this aspect.

Control: 9.5 - Smooth as ice...just like the floor.

Megaman responds to your commands almost instantaneously, which is needed in this fast-paced action game. One can easily rapid-fire the megabuster without any problem at all, and moving is a snap...but beware, for Megaman sometimes slides a bit farther than anticipated (though not far enough to really make a difference).

Chalk up another positive aspect for Megaman!

Gameplay: 9 - An excellent concept.

Megaman's gameplay is truly something to revere, for it is like using a Mario that always has a fire flower. You blast and/or avoid enemies in order to reach the final boss at the end of each stage. Once you reach the end; however, you must fight that boss and beat him in a one-on-one showdown. If you deplete the boss' life meter, then he will blow up, you acquire his power, and that stage is completed. However, if your life meter depletes, you must start the stage from a determines checkpoint and try again. Along the way are items to replenish your health, your weapon power, and your lives, but they are quite scarce. Also, there are only 6 main stages in the game (since there are only six robot masters, or bosses, to beat), but the stages should last one at least 10 minutes, a piece.

The stages themselves present a variety of obstacles to the casual gamer and veteran gamer, alike. Not only does one have to destroy enemies to gain points, but he also must complete tough jumping feats, solve some interesting puzzles (like the infamous Mega Man shifting tile puzzle), and avoid treacherous spikes along the way. The bosses are not too hard, which is a minor flaw, but they are tough enough so one must actually try to beat them.

Truly, Capcom's innovative style of gameplay in Mega Man helped put them on the gaming map.

Story: 5 - Not like platformers need a story, anyway...

The story in Megaman is as simple as apple pie, an evil doctor, Dr. Wily, captures six of Dr. Light's prized robots. Using these six creations, Wily tries to take over the world. In order to fight this threat, Dr. Light constructs the ultimate robot, Megaman, to fight the other six malevolent machines. Sure, the story does not have a lot of depth, but this game was built for gameplay, not for a full-blown story quest. In action platformers such as this title, stories hardly contribute to the gameplay, anyway...when I play platformers, I usually do not care about a detailed story to entice me.

Overall: 9 - The first may be the worst...

...but this game is by no means ''bad'', at all. In fact, because this IS the worst of the series, a gamer can fully see the other classic and X titles for the gaming masterpieces that they are. If you see this game, buy it, play it, and relive some great NES memories. You will not be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/12/03