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| The Mega history of Mega Man. |
By Rich Shivener
Make no mistake, we're still irked that Mega Man Online is a South Korea-only deal, for the trailer seems to promise lots of Robot Master bashing in a semi-apocalyptic world.
We have so many Mega Man games to revisit, though, throwing down with Dr. Wily, Proto Man, Bass, Rush and others. The battle between world peace and evil domination started more than 20 years ago - 1987, to be exact. Here's a quick history of the classic series, as told through the endings of each game. Which game's the best? Let us know in the comments!
Mega Man
Yes, Mega Man should fight for everlasting peace! He owns Dr. Wily's hulking machinery, dashing into the open air as he celebrates the end of evil domination - for now.
Mega Man 2
After an epic, holograph-bashing, siren-busting battle with Dr. Wily, he's a bit pensive, no? There is some significance to Mega Man leaving his helmet behind, right? Discuss.
Mega Man 3
Robot Masters? Check. Dr. Wily beat-down? Check.
Still, Mega Man 3 has its ups. We meet the robotic sidekick dog, Rush, and Mega's semi-brother Proto Man, his whistling savior.
Mega Man 4
The Mega Buster is the only cool facet of Mega Man's fourth venture. The final boss battle is so predictable, it's no wonder Mega Man rides home atop a train.
Mega Man 5
Let's put it this way: Dr. Wily finally grows a pair and comes out with some massively creep machinery. But he's still no match for Mega Man's arsenal, thanks to the flying sidekick Beat. This ending is somewhat neater than its predecessors because we're almost convinced Mega Man will sacrifice himself to save Dr. Light. Enter Proto Man - again!
Mega Man 6
Dr. Wily. Behind bars. Outstanding. Finally! The Mega Buster didn't help, did it?
Mega Man 7
And we were hoping Mega Man would finally pull the trigger. Bass and Treble - basically the evil twins of Mega and Rush - snatch Wily away before yet another castle explodes.
Mega Man: The Power Battle
Mega Man's foray in the arcade world offers several endings. Mega Man champions world peace (again), Bass dismisses Dr. Wily, and Proto Man stays in the shadows (again). But you already knew that.
Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters
The Power Fighters is another arcade game, although the endings here are more detailed. We'll give the win to Bass' ending, in which Dr. Wily reveals the robot's origin and hints at the super-futuristic character Zero.
Mega Man 8
This one got the anime treatment, breathing new life into Mega Man and his allies such as Duo, who reminds us of a Transformer. The final cutscene keeps us interested, as we wonder if Mega Man will indeed live. What's with the R'n'B soundtrack near the end?
Mega Man & Bass
Mega Man's ending above, Bass' ending below.
Breezy and handheld, this one follows the title characters as they thwart the new villain dubbed King. Bass' ending is a tad stronger because of Proto Man's brutal honesty: "... You can't defeat Megaman. Do you know why? It is because you have nothing to fight for."
Mega Man 9
It's definitely cool that Mega Man 9 is an NES revivalist complete with 8-bit music and dialogue. What's more, the ending seems to lampoon the previous game's similar endings, all of which show Dr. Wily begging for forgiveness. And then getting away. Yeah, Proto Man has every right to be a little pissed.
Mega Man 10
Dr. Wily's techno airship is ridiculous - but perhaps not as ridiculous as the ending. Dr. Wily escapes the hospital after a brief (fake?) stint with the "roboenza virus." Mega Man just never learns. Make room for a sequel.
For all the Mega Man X glory and more, go here!
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