Mega Man

Capcom · Since 1987

Capcom's blue robot action franchise defined precision platforming on the NES: defeat Robot Masters, acquire their weapons, conquer Dr. Wily's fortress. Eleven numbered entries and dozens of spin-offs over four decades.

Mega Man (1987) established a formula that Capcom refined through ten subsequent numbered entries: six or eight Robot Master stages completable in any order, each ending with a boss who drops a special weapon, which provides advantage against a specific other boss. The non-linear structure rewarded experienced players who learned the optimal boss order while remaining accessible to players who simply chose their own sequence. Mega Man 2 (1988) is generally considered the series peak, refining the original's mechanics and presenting its most beloved roster of Robot Masters. The Mega Man X spin-off series on SNES added wall-climbing and dash mechanics for a faster, slightly darker interpretation. Mega Man 9 (2008) and 10 (2010), deliberately developed as NES-aesthetic games for download platforms, demonstrated the franchise's enduring resonance with audiences who had grown up with the original series.