Mega Man Powered Up

"Could this be the best Megaman game ever?"

"Could this be the best Megaman game ever?"

Quite possible. Why? First, the Megaman series has been heralded as one of the best games of all time, defining just how great the side scrolling formula can be. Over the years it's attracted gamers of all ages. Children, adults - you name it, they've played it. Not only is Megaman a prime example of side scrolling at it's greatest, but it's one of the top games of all time when it comes to Hardcore gamers. People will play a Megaman game all the way through from start to finish without taking a single hit. Wracking up phenomenal scores, beating other's level times, this is just a taste of how many fans Megaman has encountered.

And now the blue bomber has made his way to the PSP. This title is a remake of the original Megaman Game ever made. "The year is 20XX... Humankind has gained a new friend." It begins with Willy stealing all of Dr. Light's robots and using them against him for his own plans to take over the world. Rock's courage and will leads him into battle to defeat Dr. Willy and put a stop to his horrible regime.

Megaman Powered Up is a remake of a classic, remade in 3d, features a Story Mode with PLENTY to do, a Challenge Mode, and a Construction Mode with new downloads via WiFi available through MMWeb. It also contains Old Style mode (very similar to the original game in terms of level design), as well as two new boss characters and stages (along with their own unlockables) that were not in the original game. Plus you can upload your created levels to MMWeb via your PSP's WiFi!

"The sights, the sounds and music."

Megaman's music is nice in this entry. It includes revamped music from the original title, plus some new music. There's nothing outstanding, but the feeling of nostalgia you get is remarkable as you hear some of your favorite old tunes recreated. New tracks have also been added to the mix. The sound effects are nice. They have a similar cartoony sound they had in the past. There's plenty of good sounds effects, all are done well.

As for the graphics, everything looks great, especially on the PSP. The 3d characters, enemies and bosses are all well animated, all of them unique in their own way. The level editor allows you to great your own levels which, believe it or not, can even look GOOD. The graphics fit the gameplay very well in this title, the music and sounds fitting the light-hearted them that the Megaman series is known and heralded for.

The only thing which is unsettling about the graphics would be the lag which occurs when too much is happening on the same screen. The lag slows down game play on occasion depending on how many enemies and special blocks populate the screen at once. This is not a huge gripe, but it's a gripe nonetheless.

"For hardcore gamers and beginners."

The gameplay of Megaman has been wait always sets it apart. You start out as Megaman throughout the title, and by defeating bosses and gaining their skills, you add more weapons to your arsenal. By the end of the game, you're an unstoppable juggernaut. You can toss a bomb into a pit of enemies, jump on an oil slider and rush over a conveyor belt, then unleash a stream of fire upon another set of enemies. All of the weapons of this game are valuable to at least some degree, something very uncommon in many other titles.

Megaman Powered Up plays well for both Hardcore gamers as well as beginners. A beginner can shift the game into low gear and have it beat if he really tries. He'll take some damage, beat the bosses, gain powers, and finish the title. The hardcore gamers will be at home here too, as the game features my favorite extra. A hard mode. Now you can play through the game as enemies have different techniques and abilities, as well as the bosses (something rarely scene in other games). The game features score bonuses for defeating the level in a good time, as well as how much you scored. Believe it or not, you even unlock an icon for the levels you have played through and beaten without taking a hit! Talk about compliments for the hardcore.

The Construction Mode is perhaps the best feature of this game. The ability to use a simple interface and create complex levels is at your fingertips. Good items and enemy packs are available, many through unlocking them by playing the main game in normal mode. What's best about the construction mode is that you can take a level you creation, give it a name, and upload it to MMWeb where you can upload your own levels, and download other people's levels via WiFi. There are also downloads available through the "Special" selection of the downloads, featuring new stage packs, an unlockable character's alternate uniforms, and even magazine's different levels the staff has created. Trust me, I'm addicted to the Construction Mode, as well as just about everyone else who plays this game. Right now I'm even working on my newest level.

Unlockable boss characters in this game are certainly entertaining to play with. Fireman unleashes a shield of fire and shoots a ball of flame. Fireman even melts ice blocks, allowing for more crazy inventions by those people who are constantly uploading their levels. Iceman never slips on ice floors, and can use his attack to freeze enemies into platforms. Cutman can shoot two scissors at once and jump off of walls, and so on. Each character is perfectly suitable to every stage in the main game, and all of them allow the players countless opportunities to utilize their abilities in various levels.

"To buy or not to buy?"

After my ranting on what an excellent title this is, the question comes down to this. Should you buy this game, or rent it? Honest opinion: buy it. It is the one game in my PSP collection that I play the most, almost every single day. It's like an addiction, one that you feel the need to seek help but enjoy the results of too much. It's the best title for the PSP right now, and is quite possible the best Megaman came of all time. There was so much work in this game, so much effort put into it by it's makers, and it's shown. They've truly given the fans what they've wanted, and the only thing extra we can hope for now is Megaman Powered Up 2, if it ever comes out.

I would recommend this title, and I have recommended this title, to every who owns a PSP looking for a great game. This is the one game that's occupied my PSP's UMD shaft more than any other game. Believe me when I say this, you'll be hooked. There is almost no way for anyone to NOT like this game. If you place your money into this game when you go out looking for something in your PSP collection, it's no doubt that you'll be satisfied. Now if you'll excuse me, I must go and upload my latest level to MMWeb. I'll see you on the boards!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/08/06