First footage of Mega Man 9
by Phil Larsen 
{ Jul 7th 2008 at 10:15AM }
Here's a little confidence-builder for all those developers out there wanting to go in the opposite direction of technological progress. Huzzah, the entirely new Mega Man 9 for WiiWare is essentially an 8-bit game, with terrible graphics, sound and animation. And it's awesome. Evidence is right there in front of you -- the first "man, we totally want it" footage.
It's an uber-short video, and there's a giant Rockman 9 logo in the way, but we still get the gist of what's going on. Mega Man himself is jumping around, shooting stuff and just being generally mega. Sit back, relax, and let the blips and bloops of the soundtrack put you into a dream-like state until the game's Japanese release in September -- though we have high hopes for a short North American waiting list.
[Via Siliconera]
It's an uber-short video, and there's a giant Rockman 9 logo in the way, but we still get the gist of what's going on. Mega Man himself is jumping around, shooting stuff and just being generally mega. Sit back, relax, and let the blips and bloops of the soundtrack put you into a dream-like state until the game's Japanese release in September -- though we have high hopes for a short North American waiting list.
[Via Siliconera]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason Zagar @ Jul 7th 2008 10:21AM
Ah, the one thing I was worried about was the soundtrack, sounds great. Seems like it might be as catchy as the first 3 were.
Gyokusho @ Jul 7th 2008 10:38AM
First? Nifty.
This looks so awesome. Original Metool animation? Sick. Can't wait for this.
raptorspike @ Jul 7th 2008 11:14AM
Never thought they could actually go backwards. We go 16-bit with MM7 and 32-bit with MM8, then we go 8-bit with MM9? Couldn't it at least be like MM7 or MM8 in graphics?
sketchampm @ Jul 7th 2008 11:23AM
I was originally somewhat disappointed that they didn't continue the sexy graphics from Mega Man 8 on the Playstation, but I'm such a fan of Mega Man 2, 3 and 4 on the NES that I don't mind the nostalgia frenzy.
But is it true that the Mega Man's inherent 'mega buster' ability is being stripped away from him? If so, I find that completely unacceptable. Holding charge and firing off a blast is the single most satisfying aspect of a Mega Man game for me, and it's such a trademark move of his (it's in EVERY Mega Man game after 3).
I'm just hoping that it's an upgrade that you can buy it at the store later in the game.
TomSkib @ Jul 7th 2008 11:47AM
Oh Mega Man, how I've missed you!
Morning Toast @ Jul 7th 2008 12:21PM
This is *exactly* what Mega Man 9 should be. Maybe I'm a little bit 8-bit crazy, but I probably wouldn't buy it if it had been in a non-8-bit format. My experience with Mega Man after the NES got seriously less exciting and I didn't follow the series much after. It's good to see Mega Man back home.
Mr Khan @ Jul 7th 2008 12:45PM
Seems to play smoothly enough
TurboFool @ Jul 7th 2008 12:56PM
I hate to dissent, or be accused of being a graphics whore, but this does nothing for me. While I'm the first to trumpet the purity and beauty of 2D graphics/gameplay, as well as simpler gameplay overall, but this just feels like an attempt to copy outdated game styles. We moved on from 8-bit gameplay. I'm all for, say, 16-bit, which was in some ways the best that 2D was, but 8-bit graphics, sound, and gameplay feels artificially constrained to me.
Sisyphus @ Jul 7th 2008 2:33PM
The Megaman games never appealled to me to begin with. Going 8-bit for any new game is just trying to cash in on the nostalgia crowd with minimal effort.
SoshiKitai @ Jul 7th 2008 3:49PM
I honestly don't understand why many of you just want this thing to die.
Seriously, you guys talk about how they're just making a cheap cash-in by trying to suck in the retro-lovers around here. And it's working, but hell, the fans are friggin' happy with it, sorry that you aren't. You shouldn't care though, if you're not a megaman fan anyway.
They found an audience - they found their wants and needs - and they made something to sell to them! The audience is happy, the company gets money for making them happy. BUSINESS! Like every movie, show, fashion, comic, and video game out there!
(yes, sometimes you get the original-gearheads who want to make something completely new that has no demand, but that's the the point of this topic, is it? This topic is about whether or not bringing an OLD SERIES back in older graphics, is a good idea)
8-bit 16-bit 32-bit, what does it matter? Anything below beautiful-awesome 2D would be considered lazy to you guys if it's not on a hand-held!
Maybe people just want a classic-feel again. Rather than trying to amp it up to the next level, people just want a simple game that finishes the storyline and still has generically-new levels.
Honestly, graphics shouldn't matter at all.
It's about gameplay. IT. SHOULD. BE. FUN.
Most of you have said it, and now most of you are taking back your words.
The only reason you should hate this game is if:
A) The graphics are so awful, you can't tell the difference between the eyes from the mouth.
B) It's over 1000 Wii Points.
C) You created a Megaman game and they're refusing to use the same sprites you made.
For the most part: It's making the fans happy. Why should you care?
Maybe. JUST MAYBE. They actually WANTED to try to make a really old-school feel for Megaman 9, and NOT JUST FOR money purposes.
Of course, seeing the experts that you are, you discredit any video game company having a mind of their own, that doesn't make the game you want.
Not every game's made for you. Sorry to break the news. Simply said- you guys think this is a bad idea- but the people who like megaman, for the most part, love the idea! End case.
SoshiKitai @ Jul 7th 2008 3:51PM
"but that's NOT the point of this topic, is it?" is what that's supposed to read. *sigh*
smoe @ Jul 7th 2008 5:09PM
i never liked this look for mega man it sucks
Nick @ Jul 7th 2008 5:15PM
Man I cant wait until this game comes out, does any one know how much points this will cost?
spazzook @ Jul 7th 2008 10:12PM
ummm.. yea... this just made me dirty my pants.. hold up while i go clean myself
TJF588 @ Jul 8th 2008 6:19AM
Thought: What if they pull a Pleasentville and have progressively higher-IRL-tech-based things popping up as you go along, from strangely detailed things in the background to curiously deep enemies to perhaps even a bulgy upgrade on 'your' own so-flat body, culminating in a battle between 8-bit and modern-gen (well, as close as the Wii is capable of being)? A pixelated or similarly bulge Dr. Wily... not sure which would be more impactful.
Hafk @ Jul 8th 2008 11:54AM
Oh sure, that sounds all fun and games, but what happens when you get halfway in the game and the bosses can enter the third dimension? We'll be stuck in a Cartesian Plane!