SideSmash R-Views: Mega Man 9

As usual, brand new review over at IGN.

It takes some major balls to do what Capcom did with Mega Man 9. No other developer has become more dedicated to reviving an old classic. In fact, you could honestly say that Mega Man 9 is Capcom and retro-gaming's lovechild.

The story of Mega Man 9 (which will now be referred as MM9) is kind of like a T.V. movie plot. After a year or two after the events of Mega Man 8, Dr. Light's new robots malfunction and start terrorizing the world. Soon, Dr. Wily announces that it's not his fault, and has a tape of Dr. Light telling him he has plans for world domination. Suspicious, Rock suits up and charges into battle. Every now and then, after defeating a robot or two, the player will trigger a cutscene in which the story will go further. It's not epic, but it's a facelift from the other core titles.

For those of you who don't know, here's how old school Mega Man works: You have eight robot masters to go to. Once there, you trek through the stage and soon fight the robot master. Once you defeat the robot, you take their ability, and are returned to the menu. And the process repeats itself. It's simple, and by some gaming publications *coughIGNcough*, a little too short. But Capcom has extended the game with some special features.

The first thing you'll notice after you boot up MM9 is the other features that Capcom has offered. First, there are challenges, achievement-like scores, that will test how hardcore you really are. Surviving a boss for ten minutes, killing a thousand enemies, and beating the game thirty times, will give you a run for your money.

The next thing you'll see at the menu is a rankings option. All you do is connect online, and you can see how fast some potential blue-bombers can win. There's also a full game time mode, where only the best can beat the entire game in less than a half-hour.

Finally, the biggest edition is the downloadable content. In the coming weeks of October 2008, different options for content will be available including a never-ending stage, harder difficulty settings, and, the most anticipated, being able to play as Protoman, Mega Man's older brother, with a slide, charge buster, and shield.

How are the graphics? They're very pleasing to the eye. The level design is fantastic. Different mechanics to the gameplay really tell the player that this is no cash-in. The controls are rock-solid, but the game really seems to be built for the Wii's sideways Wii-mote.

The music is fantastic as well. It's not the best in the series, but it is close. Very close. I can't decide whether the title screen or Tornado stage is better.

The clever thing that Capcom's done is create the game so that all the cons are intentional. Boss names, graphics, the game's length are all thought of wonderfully by Capcom.

This is what greatness is all about. The ambitious takes Capcom has thrown will be remembered throughout gaming history. At ten bucks, and being on all three platforms, there's really no reason not to buy it. This is what retro gaming dreams are made of.