Confirmed: Mega Man 9 a retro fit for WiiWare [update]
Forget about those fancy 3D graphics and newfangled, over-the-shoulder shooting mechanics you saw in your worst nightmares. According to the latest issue of Nintendo Power, Mega Man 9 is set to hop onto Nintendo's WiiWare service, complete with traditional, two-dimensional platforming and adorable retro graphics. Scans of the magazine allegedly reveal that everybody's favorite robot boy will once again succumb to his rampant kleptomania, this time pilfering the powers of bossmen like: Magma Man, Galaxy Man, Plug Man ("Please purchase Mega Men one through eight!"), Concrete Man and the one that's sure to elicit a "woah, man," Splash Woman.
We've asked Capcom for comment, as well as permission to play the game immediately. Update: Permission denied, but game confirmed. If you want all the details, pick up this month's issue of Nintendo Power.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Undead Priest @ Jun 26th 2008 2:48PM
There's a rumored screenshot that's going around that's also already been debunked:
http://forum.rockmanpm.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=b81ed7a0c6142fa3578df5e1c4c03983&topic=6604.0
Noshino @ Jun 26th 2008 2:49PM
I guess Inafune still hasn't found someone to fund Legends 3....
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 26th 2008 2:56PM
It's a shame too. A game like that has so much potential :(
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 3:26PM
Hellz yeah, I want a MegaMan Legends 3.
But, a new Classic series Megaman game is right up my alley, too.
I feel like I must throw Metal Blades in random directions now to express my happiness (assuming these scans aren't faked).
Noshino @ Jun 26th 2008 3:28PM
fuck it, Im starting the "I want Legends 3!" foundation...
Mr.ESC @ Jun 26th 2008 3:54PM
"I want Legends 3!" foundation".
Include Dead Rising 2 in your plan and count me in.
cjshrader @ Jun 26th 2008 4:57PM
I'd kill 65,000 MORE zombies for Dead Rising 2
arrrgh @ Jun 26th 2008 5:17PM
dead rising 2!!!@! !@!@ ! !!
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 26th 2008 2:49PM
Ehhh I was always a Mega Man X guy. Well...the first 3 X games at least.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 3:29PM
According to the MMN post, Inti Creates (developer of the Megaman Zero and Mega Man ZX series) was formed by former Capcom staff that worked on Megaman X1-X3. And I've found the Zero and ZX series to be great, so I have high hopes for this (if it's true).
ZapDash @ Jun 26th 2008 2:49PM
Now if only Sega wold do this for Sonic.
John Z @ Jun 26th 2008 2:50PM
If this is true, I'll have this on day freaking one. Granted, I'd rather have updated graphics on the series-- I'd be surprised if they didn't give him at least the art from Mega Man 8, if not Powered Up-- but nothing beats good ol' Classic Rock.
Hopefully we'll also hear news about some Alternative Rock: Where the hell is Mega Man Legends 3?!
Shadow Hog @ Jun 26th 2008 2:50PM
Be sure to look at http://wii.kombo.com/article.php?artid=12136, as it actually goes into detail about the scans we can't read.
Such as how the plot revolves around Wily framing Dr. Light. That's... different.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 3:31PM
Eh, not all that different...
MM4 - Dr. Wily frames Dr. Cossack, by blackmailing him
MM5 - Dr. Wily frames Protoman, by creating a fake copy
MM6 - Dr. Wily frames Mr. X, a persona he created
So, dunno if you were sarcastic or not...
Shadow Hog @ Jun 26th 2008 3:53PM
Well, in the sense that Wily is apparently actively saying that Light is behind it, it's different. Wily didn't even show his face in the three cases you mentioned until the big reveal; here you KNOW it's him (even without guessing the obvious plot twist), but have to prove it somehow?
Well, it'd be funnier if you actually DID have to prove it in a court of law, but the obvious Ace Attorney jokes would probably go over most people's heads. Sadly.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 5:18PM
While I don't know how well the Ace Attorney games have sold (they definitely seem profitable enough for Capcom to keep localizing them), I'm sure even more know about the game than those who have played it. They might understand the basic point-and-say-"OBJECTION!" reference, though.
Mikey @ Jun 26th 2008 2:50PM
Somebody slap me, this is just too good to be true.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 26th 2008 2:52PM
Nintendo Power Scans here:
http://www.rockmanpm.com/
This is why they are developing the game in 8 bit.
Here's what Inafune has to say about why it's 8-bit after MM8 (the question was about whether the game included elements from previous MMs that they had to cut):
"This isn't really an answer to the question, but Mega Man fans give Mega Man 2 the most praise, and we wanted to surpass that. We weren't thinking about how 9 would look after 8, but how it woulf look following 1 or 2. We wanted to put out a fun game that gets back to basics."
Fuck yes! Everything in 8 bit... I want the music in 8bit too. I love the bleeps and bloops sounds in classic Megaman.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 26th 2008 2:54PM
And the Wii remote is perfect too: on his side, control pad, and two buttons. Nothing more.
Hopefully they'll keep it simple, but maybe put some extra polish into it with say, more enemies, more detailed backgrounds, more animation sprites, and tons of amazing oldschool music.
FOXHOUND @ Jun 26th 2008 2:57PM
I'm pretty much sold on it already, since I freed up some space on the console(temporarily deleted SMB3, FATAL FURY, CONTRAIII, and SUPER C). Let's hope it costs 8-bit/NES Wii Shopping Channel price though. ;D
Jacksons @ Jun 26th 2008 3:22PM
Well he's right. Mega Man 2 is the best entry by considerable margin.
Noshino @ Jun 26th 2008 3:31PM
Lies! Megaman 2 was missing something important....the Snakeman stage (and that memorable theme)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YtHGhT1uAm8
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 5:29PM
I see you've changed to a Protoman avatar. How very appropriate. :)
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 26th 2008 6:02PM
=p
samfish @ Jun 26th 2008 2:52PM
Rumor NOTHIN'! It's TRUE!
http://gonintendo.com/?p=47632#comment-1996883
I'm SO EXCITED!
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 26th 2008 2:56PM
Oh dude... me too... me too.
=p
Vaitork @ Jun 26th 2008 3:12PM
"hopes in surpassing the quality of Mega Man 2"
That's a huge longshot, but I'll have to applaud them for doing their best. To make it look like a NES game is already successful by itself.
Shadow Hog @ Jun 26th 2008 2:55PM
Be sure to look at http://wii.kombo.com/article.php?artid=12136, as it actually goes into detail about the scans we can't read.
Such as how the plot revolves around Wily framing Dr. Light. That's... different.
Shadow Hog @ Jun 26th 2008 3:00PM
Why did this post twice? Bleh. Delete plz.
JPN @ Jun 26th 2008 3:00PM
I can't wait, I haven't liked any Mega Man game that wasn't 1-8. (8 was OK)
Jacksons @ Jun 26th 2008 3:26PM
8's snowboard segments with the voice saying "jump! jump! jump! slide! slide! slide!" drove me right up the wall for some reason.
Jhongerkong @ Jun 26th 2008 3:02PM
EPIC WIN
Xoviet chiK @ Jun 26th 2008 3:02PM
Awesome, thanks for posting that Fernando.
This is unbelievable! I really hope it contains a chip-tune soundtrack reminiscent of the NES games, and that they updated the controls to at least match Mega Man X on SNES (Button Dash option, weapon select without pausing).
Can't wait!
Superstar90 @ Jun 26th 2008 3:11PM
I don't want it to be 8-bit... I'd rather it be higher-res 2D stuff. And maybe, like they did with SF2, they could bring a nice HD version to XBLA/PSN.
Actually, it depends on what they mean by 8-bit. I want it to be like 8-bit mario from Super Paper Mario, and have like detailed backgrounds made to look blocky. I would really love something like that.
Desert Eagle @ Jun 26th 2008 3:12PM
This is probably the best announcement I have ever heard. No more shitty Battle Network crap this time, Megaman is going back to its roots this time, the roots I've always loved playing over time and still play. I'm so happy right now...
juju187 @ Jun 26th 2008 3:35PM
something for me and my boy to play on wii
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 3:39PM
I am thoroughly excited about this. It seems real, but I have to confirm it for myself when I get my next Nintendo Power.
I've waited so long for another Classic Megaman game.
No X.
No Star Force.
No ZX.
Megaman only.
.... FINAL DESTINATION.
The fact that it's being done by Inti Creates gives me high hopes for it, too. They've done great work with the Zero and ZX series (and apparently, were the staff behind X1-X3), so I know they'll treat the Blue Bomber right.
samfish @ Jun 26th 2008 3:46PM
Sven on the Capcom-Unity forums is saying it's real.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 3:52PM
Good enough for me.
MS. EXCEL! MY TEARS! THEY FLOW LIKE WATERFALLS!
Cesaria (www.cesariatic.wordpress.com) @ Jun 26th 2008 3:50PM
My god. Now if they'll only give us the other ones for the NES before this comes out.
Antonio @ Jun 26th 2008 3:52PM
I would've preferred a high-res 2-D Mega Man to this. They're trying to surpass Mega Man 2? Well good luck with that. They must realize a large percentage of gamers consider some classic games from the NES era basically unbeatable. No matter how catchy the tunes or cool the bosses, it'll never measure up.
Mega Man 2 is a piece of nostalgia for me. It's gameplay has been surpassed several times over in subsequent Mega Man games, even though those only made incremental changes. I doubt there's anything they can do to change things up that they didn't try with Mega Man 3-8.
All that aside, I'll pick this up on day one provided it's reasonably priced.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 5:23PM
Actually, Megaman 2 was one of the easiest in the series, even on Hard Mode. You know why? Two words:
Metal Blade.
That thing had very low Weapon Energy consumption, could be fired in multiple directions, killed most normal enemies in one hit, mid-bosses very easily, and even Metalman himself was weak to his own weapon!
About the only thing it couldn't kill was the Wily Alien (whose weakness was, oddly, the Lead Bubble).
The reason why Megaman 2 is remembered so fondly isn't because of how hard it was, but because of how easy it was. It was fun to just run around and throw Metal Blades at everything, without thinking too much about weaknesses and such.
Hell, it's still the best selling Megaman title of all time (as far as I can tell, at least...).
Antonio @ Jun 26th 2008 8:08PM
You misunderstood me. When I said "unbeatable", I meant it can't be surpassed in terms of quality. In other words, no matter how good of a Mega Man Capcom makes, some people will always swear by Mega Man 2.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 27th 2008 12:53AM
Ah, my mistake.
bounchfx @ Jun 26th 2008 4:01PM
this is amazing. I only hope the music is as good as the first 3 games. (particularly 2 and 3). gameplay I would like to see updated a tad to keep with times (not by just adding women.. although that is a neat thing to see. women robots.. who'da thunkit?)
I'm personally waiting for Megaman X in full HD 2d Glory. PLEASE?
either way I'm getting this day 1. hope they still got 'it'
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 5:29PM
If you mean a remake of the first X, it was already done on PSP (Megaman: Maverick Hunter X). It was redone in 3D, new stage layouts, anime cutscenes, and Vile as a playable character.
If you mean a new X game... Well... who knows. There hadn't been a new classic Megaman game since the 1999 WonderSwan release of Rockman & Forte (a Bandai-developed sequel to the 1998 Super Famicom original; the original was ported to GBA and officially translated as Megaman & Bass).
So, it's rather incredible they'd finally continue the series. Who knows, a new X game could be around the corner.
Mr Khan @ Jun 26th 2008 4:03PM
It would still make more sense for DS. Heck, DS has larger cartridge sizes than WiiWare's rumored 43 MB size limit
But it makes much more sense than the original PS360 proposal
acefondu @ Jun 26th 2008 4:56PM
Dude you do realize that since this is in 8-bit it's going to be a really small file size. I mean the largest NES games may have reached 1MB? I could be totally wrong about that, but I know they were very very small.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 26th 2008 5:17PM
Megaman 2 is a 120KB game.
fidgetwidget @ Jun 26th 2008 5:08PM
The current word is that there is more than just the wii ware version we are seeing here.
So, DS is possible, as are xbla and psn versions of the game.