Mega-new Mega Man 9 details, screens, hands-on

by Randy Nelson { Jul 3rd 2008 at 5:30PM }

Beyond some crappy scans and lots of speculation, real info on the WiiWare return of Mega Man has been scant. Well, GamesRadar just opened the flood gates with its exclusive, proper reveal of Mega Man 9, featuring a hands-on by Nintendo editor Brett Elston and an interview with series creator (and MM9 producer) Keiji Inafune.

Elston reports that Mega Man 9 is ... well, it's essentially an NES game – just as difficult as the original 8-bit installments of the famed series. "Mega Man 9 is easily on par or above the hardest games in the series," Elston says, adding: "Hell, we played for two hours and only made it to three bosses, and even then only beat two." Read on after the break for more new info.

GamesRadar's piece mentions new mechanics (such as a shop where players can purchase upgrades) and bosses (including Galaxy Man, Plug Man, Hornet Man, Jewel Man, Magma Man, Concrete Man, Tornado Man, and Splash Woman – yep, woman, the first female boss in the series' history) designed by Inafune himself.

Speaking of the Mega Man master, he's absolutely glowing about the project, telling Elston that it has "awoken [his] spirit as a game designer." In addition to handling boss design, Inafune states that, unlike in years past, he has "stepped closer to the designing team" to "get more hands-on with the graphics and game design."

Inafune still doesn't give GamesRadar the goods on potential XBLA/PSN versions of the game, instead asking a question of his own: "Do the fans want them?" Yes, Inafune-san. Yes we do.

[Thanks, Fernando!]

Tags: 8-bit, inafune, keiji-inafune, mega-man, mega-man-9, retro, side-scroller, wiiware

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:32PM

The only way I'm buying this is if they release a cartridge for the NES.

Peter Vazkey @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:34PM

that

would

rock.

samfish @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:46PM

That would be the coolest thing anyone has done in so long.

Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:48PM

Um, no? What you're saying is stupid.

Naota @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:32PM

that would be pretty darn awesome

capt_carl @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:32PM

A-fucking-men my friend.

*busts out his NES*

CJLopez @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:51PM

I'd have to go to my nearest bookmans or fleemarket and get a Nes to play it, still, i'd gladly do it if they release it on a nes catdrige

Mr.ESC @ Jul 4th 2008 1:13AM

Why I can't down vote Markez even lower?

Mr.ESC @ Jul 4th 2008 1:16AM

Oh if only Nintendo started to make Famicoms again.

You know this game could be in black and white for all that I care as long as it holds Megaman tradition of great music and flawless level design I'll buy it.

PSN & GAMERTAG: jorojoserojas - Wii FC: 0749-8609-3752-6926 @ Jul 4th 2008 1:43AM

I was thinking the same thing you were! Well, no, because I'm going to buy it regardless...

But sell a limited edition, NES style cartridge, and I'm all over that!

kinshadow @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:36PM

I wish they would have gone for high quality HD vector graphics instead of 8-bit sprites. The game better be bad-ass to pull off being THAT retro in this day n'age. Nostalgia only gets you so far...

Josh @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:43PM

I absolutely love the look of this game. I've barely even played the Mega Man series, but I'll probably be buying this one, just to show my support of this kind of graphical style.

This is just a really great concept. It's like reliving the 80s/90s. :)

samfish @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:48PM

Nostalgia nothin'. The first 3 Mega Man games in particular STILL hold up great. I even have MMII on my cell phone and, despite the awful controls, it's STILL awesome.

If they can nail that simple, fun and addictive gameplay all over again, I think they easily have a winner on their hands.

TwEE @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:07PM

High quality HD vector graphics? Thats a good idea, why not toss in 90 min cutscenes, and replace MegaMan with Master chief or Vin Diesel? then we'd be talking..

I kid I kid.. But seriously vector graphics? Ewww.

kinshadow @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:21PM

@TwEE Vector graphics as in SVG / Adobe Flash / MS Silverlight = Very high quality, resolution independent 2D graphics. They wouldn't be all that hard to author or deal with (in many cases easier than 8-bit sprites) and they would look good on any TV.

And No, I'm not talking about Virtual Boy.

TwEE @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:46PM

No I know what you meant kinshadow, just not a fan of vector art for the most part.

bm @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:39PM

"Vector graphics as in SVG / Adobe Flash / MS Silverlight = Very high quality, resolution independent 2D graphics."

Urghh, make it look like flash? Make it look like some retarded cheap ass newgrounds cartoon made by a 16 year old? Vector looks awful, why the hell would you want to do something horrible like that to Megaman. Oh, and besides looking cheap, it's also slow as hell compared to real sprites.

Adam @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:46PM

Your comment works both ways. I know quite a few games that look great and play like shit. Haze, Lair etc. Cutting edge graphics only get you so far as well....so yeah.

Ryuukuro @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:55PM

I don't know about vector graphics but I do wish they hadn't gone the full retro-love route like they have. I realize that people are giddy about this but if it weren't Mega Man, if it weren't a known property, would you be so giddy about this? I bet a lot of you would be screaming "LAME. NOT GETTING." or something like that.

I'm not a fan of the classic Mega Man games, but I recognize their charms. I even beat one once even though I think, overall, that the games are too difficult (and that little blue jerk can't duck! What's up with that?) However, while the games were beautiful in their day, I don't think these screenshots are so charming now. As much fun as it is to go back, I see this game as a step backwards. It's just "another" Mega Man game, not a "new" game so to speak. Sure, it ain't broke and they don't need to fix it, but can't it get a paint job? And some freakin' ducking skills?

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Jul 4th 2008 12:39AM

well i was thinking they were going to do something like what they did with Bionic Comando. keep the same 2D style of gameplay but upgrade the graphics. oh well, i guess this is still kinda cool 2, but since ive never been a fan of the Mega Man series, i doubt ill get the nostalgia factor.

Chyld989 (MKWii: 5241-2307-2882) @ Jul 4th 2008 2:55AM

"I realize that people are giddy about this but if it weren't Mega Man, if it weren't a known property, would you be so giddy about this? I bet a lot of you would be screaming "LAME. NOT GETTING." or something like that."

I know I sure as hell wouldn't. I've been saying that they need to make 2d games in 8bit & 16bit again for a few years now. Why spend millions and millions of dollars to make a game uber pretty when 8bit & 16bit graphics do just fine. Gameplay makes games fun, not graphics.

bm @ Jul 4th 2008 5:18AM

"if it weren't a known property, would you be so giddy about this? I bet a lot of you would be screaming "LAME. NOT GETTING." or something like that."

You are SADLY mistaken. Hell, a whole new NES style game might have even been more awesome than a new game in the Megaman franchise.

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:38PM

This needs a Fernando tag.

4MyFriends @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:59PM

Can you guys leave the man alone for one blog entry?

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:02PM

What the hell are you talking about? Fernando's a joystiq friend of mine who I play games with.

BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:45PM

Stop fighting for your friends, 4MyFriends.

That's my job. :D

Shadow El @ Jul 4th 2008 1:52PM

Do you also do crack and heroine?

BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 4th 2008 3:14PM

I do prefer doing heroine to heroin. [gives a thumbs up]

Jerk Face @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:42PM

Honestly, I think their decision to make it 8-bit style was really, really fucking stupid. They could have made an attractive, updated side scroller Mega Man - in the cartoon-like graphic style that the Wii excels at. Instead we get to pay a lot of money for an ugly NES clone. It isn't nostalgia when it's new.

Peter Vazkey @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:54PM

It's nostalgia when it feel/looks old.

TwEE @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:14PM

This game is garnering attention because of the retro look. Seems a good move on their part to resurrect a dead franchise.

Noshino @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:17PM

samfish will find you...

Adam @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:59PM

You don't HAVE to pay for anything. If you don't like the decision that Capcom has made for this game, than don't buy it. It really is that simple ya know??? There are plenty of other (omfg graphics are so good they make my eyes bleed) games coming out this year with 10hrs or less of actual gameplay at a $60 price tag, unless you want to spring for the extra (super awesome junk you don't really need we're just looking for an excuse to drive up the game another $20 to $80) collectors edition. So if you wanna talk about a ripoff.

This game will find the people it's meant for and you are obviously not one of them. Back to Halo 3 and Resistance for you.

BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:46PM

Don't be such a jerk face, Jerk Face.

WiNG [Life in a Game] @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:56PM

I agree with Jerk Face

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:22PM

@Jerkface

Congratulations. This game isn't for you!!!

this game is obviously for the hardcore fans only.

Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:01PM

I'm sorry, have to agree. The series as a whole has progressed and this seems like a kick in the dick. ESPECIALLY if this is the chapter that tells the story of the great robot wars which eliminated technology all over the world and forced Light to build and bury X....

Someone CAN be critical of an art style when it's raiding the NES assets, you know.

Noshino @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:32PM

Vegeta, that is utter bs, Im a hardcore Rockman fan, and yet Im utterly disappointed by what the game is shaping up to be...

WRE (PSN: WorstReviewEver; Gamertag: HaloKissesBoys; Wii Friend Code: 4204-4590-6106-3583) @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:47PM

Hey, Jerk Face, where have you been man?

DizzyBoyDizzy @ Jul 5th 2008 4:48PM

OMG WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU IGNORANT PEOPLE, THIS IS **MEGAMAN 9**
you do not give it new graphics, lol

They already HAVE graphically updated megaman games,
if you want an "updated cartoon sidescroller" get an SNES and go play the MegaMan X series, which is megaman with better graphics, sound, story and gameplay, they have like 7 of them ..yea

Or go get Mega Man ZX for DS, updated sidescrolling graphics and gameplay, with new playable characters, all in the palm of your gay little hand.

Fuck, you can whip out ur N64 and play a full 3D megaman with MegaMan 64.

The POINT of this is the creator is doing the dopest thing he could ever do ever and releasing a 9th game to the **original** Mega Man series. aka, you do not paint it in flash. this IS retro/nostalgia/old-school gaming in its next-gen form.

if the man wanted to make a newer-aged megaman game he would have made a new X or started a new series.

So it's pretty much like you people have no idea what you're even speaking about, and you're showing your gay pride gamer flags in the process.
all you lame kids coming on here slurring "it need grafiks" ...bunch of fucking douches XD

and NO, they probably couldnt get away with these graphics with any ohter new game, which is why it's AWESOME.

And YES, if they released it on an original NES cartridge i will walk outside my house right now and do a backflip on the concrete, and i've never pulled off a backflip in my life.

Aside from how the series works, anyone opposed to a brand new original styled megaman game obviously didn't grow up with, doesnt understand, or doesnt even like megaman to begin with. or you're just 12.

So you dont know the series, you're not a real fan... what the hell are you doing on this page complaining?