Parish: 'Mega Man 9 may save video games'

by JC Fletcher { Jul 7th 2008 at 9:00PM }

When someone leads off an article like that, it's hard not to highlight it. 1up's Jeremy Parish thinks Mega Man 9 is a great idea, but not just because it looks neat, and not because of nostalgia. In his estimation, the return to the style of Mans 1-6 signals an admission on Capcom's part that NES-era technology suits the series best in gameplay terms. Mega Man X and other spinoffs worked well on other systems, but Mega Man is best on NES. "The inescapable truth is that Mega Man, at least the incarnation represented by a plucky little Astro Boy knock-off fighting googly-eyed robo-critters, works best as an 8-bit game."

He admits at one point that the 8-bit design could simply be an appeal to nostalgia or a budget-saving tactic, but it's a lot more fun to believe that Inafune et al. are doing what they're doing for an artistic reason. Even the ugliest Wii games are attempts to represent games in a "modern" way -- generally the best 3D that the budget will allow. While No More Heroes uses 8-bit elements for flair, the idea of intentionally regressing, of making a game look "worse" than the technology will allow in the interest of gameplay, seems bold and clever. Of course, some people happen to think the style of NES Mega Man games is every bit as attractive as any modern game on its own merits.

Tags: capcom, mega-man, mega-man-9, nes, platform, run-and-gun

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Gewurztraminer says: R.O.B. is the last Cylon! @ Jul 7th 2008 9:24PM

I think it's great. On one hand I really like the idea of a new game with an older graphical style. On the other hand, I wasn't very good at the NES Mega Man games.

Mrblonde @ Jul 7th 2008 9:25PM

I very much want this, but I would also like to see a next gen mega man game. A GOOD ONE

Synch @ Jul 7th 2008 9:26PM

Ha ha, I read that as though some church was hailing video games. As if that would ever happen, eh?

And, yes. 8-bit MegaMan is every bit as attractive as the 5.1 billion-color Mario of the Galaxy variety.

manyquestions @ Jul 7th 2008 9:47PM

No pun intended I'm sure. :)

Mrblonde @ Jul 7th 2008 11:41PM

It could. You never know. Capcom im sure could do it.

Avoli @ Jul 7th 2008 11:09PM

I do love this return of style. They're sticking to 8-bit hard also. It's nostalgic, it lets new gamers experience just how damned hard NES games could be, and this HAS to win Best Fan Service EVER.

SoshiKitai @ Jul 8th 2008 3:12AM

Not sure about that... there was a game that SEGA developed that WAS FULLY RUN BY FANS.

It was on the dying years of the Dreamcast. SEGA got "desperate" and wanted to make a game that all fans would love. So they looked toward their fans for the inspiration.

I have no idea what the name of the game was. It's a JRPG though. Never released in any world other than Japan, of course.

Avoli @ Jul 8th 2008 8:40AM

Oh wow. Never did hear of that. Me, I wouldn't count it since it was Japan only. Fan service to them, sure, but RM9 is for all.

il_duce620 @ Jul 7th 2008 11:21PM

I can't say that I've ever actually played a Mega Man game (a travesty, I know...), but I _really_ like the idea behind this and will probably buy it simply on principle.

One thing that really gets me about the whole "next gen" argument is that "next gen" has somehow been equated with "high def." Personally, and I think most Wii Fanboy readers will agree, gameplay _always_ rules regardless of what platform it's on, _and_ regardless of whether it's in 480p or 1080p.

If Capcom can make a compelling game with a good story that's in 8-bit or 1080p, then count me in. That's what matters.

Josh @ Jul 8th 2008 12:17AM

Same here. I've barely played any Mega Man games (I can't even clearly remember if I've played any of the game from the original series), and like you, I'm going to buy this simply because it's a new NES game, and melikes the NES. :)

Rollins @ Jul 8th 2008 1:28AM

All I really hope is that Sega looks at this, sees the incredibly
positive response, and develops some ideas about returning Sonic to the simpler days. I'm tired of these 3D games or a million
forgettable characters. I don't want an RPG. I just want a fast
moving, good looking 2D sonic game.... heck just make a sequel to
Sonic CD or Sonic & Knuckles. Is it really that much to ask?

gbuell @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:54PM

Get a DS and buy Sonic Rush.

theboy @ Jul 8th 2008 2:38AM

I don't get why people seem to just completely ignore part 8. Is there a stigma against it or something or what? I'm sincerely curious. To me, part 8 was part of the golden age of gaming. Gorgeous 2D graphics, awesome sound, and refined 2D gameplay. So can someone tell me why no one ever bothers to mention it.

SoshiKitai @ Jul 8th 2008 3:13AM

Maybe it wasn't as difficult.

samfish @ Jul 8th 2008 10:17AM

In brief, a lot of people feel Mega Man 8 sucked because it added a bunch of junk elements that bogged the gameplay down and ultimately strayed too far from the original.

TJF588 @ Jul 8th 2008 6:46AM

H'h, so Mega Man 1-6 were 8-bit (I'll use "classic") style, the the ninth game is returning to that style. Add in the title "Mega Man X", and I've drawn a comparison to the FINAL FANTASY series. Yeah, I'm guessing the "X" doesn't mean "X", but with the ninth entry returning to roots after the seventh and eighth were modern/higher in style/graphics, I'm brought to think about the medieval style of FFIX, similar to the first five games (with FFVI being a sort of transition point between classic FF form and a modern epic tale).

Michael K. @ Jul 8th 2008 9:16AM

I see it as using nostalgia to cover up laziness, I'm not falling for it.

Mark 2000 @ Jul 8th 2008 11:18PM

I like the idea of this, but the execution is off. So far the screens don't look as good as some of the better stages of MM3. I think they're being too sloppy. Yes, do an 8 bit game, but do a dazzling one. The graphic on this thing are not up to the best 8-bit standards.