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A classic returns
Does new Mega Man share underlying message?
By Michael Maniaci
While the storyline is really nothing special, do not go so far as to assume it is a complete throwback to the earlier Mega Man games.
With the release of Mega Man 9, gamers have a chance to take a step back from current-generation titles and enjoy one of the finer features of present day gaming: playing retro. While revisiting favorites from generations past certainly isn’t anything groundbreaking, playing an established series with an entirely new game is something wildly unheard of. The game, originally released for Nintendo Entertainment Systems, was released this time around for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, as well as the PS3. While there are no distinguishing differences within the gameplay for each system, a player must ultimately decide which controller he/she feels most comfortable using.
In regards to the core of the game play, everything that took Mega Man to its heights of popularity has been included into the newly released version, from the level design on down to the boss battles. The presentation of the game remains virtually unchanged from its 8-bit counterpart; even the sound and music have returned in all their 8-bit glory. And while the storyline is not anything special, do not go so far as to assume it is a complete throwback to the earlier Mega Man games. But let’s be honest. How many times can you make over a game and still keep it fresh? Put simply, this is classic Mega Man.
The level of difficulty remains true to the originals as well; as enemy re-spawns and timing jumps are no longer an issue like they can be in modern day games. Throughout the game the player confronts 50 in-game challenges that will test his/her abilities to make it through the game. With downloadable content on the way, including the ability for players to play as Proto Man and more difficult modes, the replay value of the game should go up significantly. Also featured are leader boards, allowing players to keep track of accumulated high scores and completed levels.
Could there possibly be an underlying message within Mega Man 9? Perhaps, but this game proves that innovations are not obligatory to make a game both challenging and fun. The core concept of the game, in addition to the requisite nostalgia, has an unusually surreal feeling, as if it doesn’t matter how you play so long as you stay true to the fact that gaming is supposed to be fun. Mega Man 9 certainly delivers what it promised and then some, with the addition of DLC, and at $10 it’s probably one of the best arcade titles available for that price.
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