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By Anthony Swinnich on October 27th, 2008
Mega Man 9 may be the new kid on the block, but it’s a better game than most of its 8-bit predecessors. The game succeeds as both a tribute and an original piece – a gap most retro-revivals have a problem bridging.
"... a better game than most of its 8-bit predecessors."
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Right from the onset it’s clear that Mega Man 9 emulates the spirit of its brethren to great success. The pixel-art graphics and chip-tune music look and sound like they fell out of the 80s and onto your high-def set. There doesn’t appear to be anything in this game that wouldn’t have been possible on the NES, which adds to the nostalgia of it all. The actual game design, the most important part, is incredible as well. Mega Man 9 retains the difficulty curve found in earlier titles, requiring that you learn the levels and play with a degree of practiced skill -- something of a lost art in today’s development climate. Luckily, the levels are as creative as they are hard. The platforms that swing back and forth with your momentum on Jewel Man’s stage are a nifty addition, and each level has its own similar, unique hook. Series staples, like disappearing blocks and mainstay enemy Sniper Joe have been redesigned with clever new twists to keep the veterans in check. Another one of the main reasons this game succeeds so well is it represents a return to basics for the series. The lack of a charge shot and slide maneuver take things back to relying on the limited amount of options you have -- your regular-shot arm cannon and jump reflexes. There’s also another series’ mainstay: the boss powers. As always, some are more useful than others, but creative players will find outlets for each of the eight abilities.
"... just embrace the classic design and soldier through."
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The boss fights, and the bosses themselves, are both well designed and formidable for the most part. Splash Woman isn’t nearly the disappointment she could have been, and is especially unique when compared to the lackluster Hornet Man. Of course, each villain has a specific weakness, and it’s up to the player to figure out what powers work where, especially if they don’t feel like the added challenge of taking each one out with the Mega Buster is something to bask in. To rank Mega Man 9 over four of the six original entries wouldn’t be wrong, it just depends where you fall on the Mega Man 2/Mega Man 3 debate. It’s clearly one of the best entries the series has seen, even if it is 15 years late. Old school gamers and current day masochists shouldn’t hesitate to try this out, and the curious folks who are new to the series may find something fulfilling under the initial frustration if they just embrace the classic design and soldier through. | 
