1up’s interview with Mega Man 9producer Hironobu Takeshita offers a look back at the brilliant downloadable sequel and its development. The 8-bit style, which is one of the game’s most distinctive and eye-catching features, almost didn’t happen! While Capcom’s management liked the digital distribution idea (it’s cheap!), they didn’t go for the retro look at first. “We heard lots of negative responses; they thought it would be better to make it 3D and that the 8-bit style would only appeal to the Mega Man fans, which would limit the sales potential.” Presumably, they eventually figured out that 8-bit graphics were also cheap.
Takeshita also describes the idea behind the item shop, which is wonderful and hilarious. “Even if MM9’s 8-bit design interested them, the difficulty level would turn them off. With that in mind, we tried to create a system that encourages casual gamers who might not be so experienced with action games.” That’s right, the item shop is in there to offer assistance to casual players. We love the idea that someone at Capcom thought that all people needed to be able to finish Mega Man 9 was a few E-tanks and a new dress for Roll.
Not that we’re complaining! Monster Hunter 3 (tri-)will probably launch in Japan next year, but first the port-happy Capcom wants to get you in the mood/tide you over with … more Monster Hunter! Famitsu reveals that Monster Hunter G, an extra frills edition of the first Monster Hunter game, will be coming to Japanese Wiis in the spring.
The Wii version, which Famitsu says (with ridiculous specifity) is 77% complete, will allow you to choose from PS2 or PSP controls, has widescreen support, and is apparently a near-identical port. Will we see this in places that aren’t Japan? We hope so! The title already came to the west (as Monster Hunter Freedom), but only on the PSP.
Maybe that should be a little lessDead Rising, considering, but we love all versions of the game like ice cream, so in the end, it hardly matters. What does matter is that in these latest Dead Rising screens, you can witness what we hope is the lead-in to one of the more daring (and fun) rescues in the game, as well as some very irritating cultists. We also get a look at the wholly different menu screens, and even though these are in Japanese, you can get a feel for what’s what — particularly if you played the original.
The Wii’s wholly-different version of Dead Rising has been somewhat controversial since it was first announced. Sometimes it seems that the only thing the two versions have in common is that you occasionally use things to kill zombies; everything else — the where and how of it, and even your purpose — has been tinkered with. Some people think that’s already. There’s enough game here to spread a second approach around. Others think there’s something missing, some essential element, though no one seems to be able to tell us exactly what we’re getting. With everything we’ve seen, what do you think of the game? It’s hard to argue against the indiscriminate slaughter of the undead, even if it means making some sacrifices.
While some of us are hesitant to commit to Tatsunoko vs. Capcom (not because of questions of game quality, but for financial reasons, and concern for the safety of our Wiis), we are quite certain that some of you either
And we are jealous. We’re getting by for now on YouTube combo demonstration videos, but it’s tough going. If you’re now a proud owner of a fighting game about obscure Japanese television characters, let us know! Was this your first time importing? And if you’re holding off on the purchase (and you like Capcom fighting games), is it for the stated reasons or others?
Gallery: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes
Resident Evil sure looks familiar, doesn’t it? That’s probably because this latest Capcom port is just the GameCube version with a dash of motion. That isn’t to say it doesn’t look good (it does), it’s just that this game has been remade, reworked, and re-released a lot.
How many times do we need to replay great games — particularly when we can already play them on the system in question?
Mega Man 9 is back-to-basics in more than just the graphics. Rush can no longer turn into shoulder pads, for example. There’s no charge ability for the Mega Buster, nor are there the shot upgrades available in Mega Man 8’s store. You can’t even slide any longer. If we were going to get into Mega Man X, we could add the wall-clinging business as well.
Is there one addition to the post-Mega Man 2 world that you miss the most? The Mega Buster? Sliding? Clown Man’s voice acting?
You’ll have to travel a helluva distance to find somebody who likes the Wiimote and Nunchuk as much as we do, but there’s no getting away from one fact: Nintendo’s unique peripherals weren’t made with intricate, combo-heavy fighting games in mind.
Fortunately, when it comes to Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes, Capcom has two solutions. Solución uno: a simplified control scheme whereby a chain combo can be pulled off with a single button press, and special moves don’t require input commands. Solución dos: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom will be compatible with the sleek, delicious slab of plastic that is the Classic Controller for the hardcore set. Not that we’d expect fighting enthusiasts to play this with anything other than a Hori Fighting Stick but, you know.
In Japan, the Monster Hunter series is one of the most successful game franchises in history, selling millions of copies on the PlayStation 2 and (especially) PSP. But outside of Japan, it’s that one action RPG from Capcom or something. It’s far from the system-selling sensation it is for Capcom of Japan — over there, it sells PSP systems.
Is the Wii version enough to change that in North America (if it even comes out in North America)? Has your interest in the Monster Hunter games been increased at all by the existence of a Wii version?
Wherever you’re reading this, wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care, because Mega Man 9 has been dated for North America.
After months of build-up and hype and oh-mai-gawd-is-this-really-happening levels of disbelief, September 22 is the date we all need to circle with copious amounts of red. That’s 57 and a half hours away at the time of writing. Capcom, we think we might just love you. Best of all, North American Wii owners will be amongst the first to play the game — Japan has to wait a further two days, and owners of other console will have to exercise some patience (the PS3 will get it September 25, while the Xbox 360 version is due — snigger — October 1).
While you wait for your chance to take down the Robot Masters, pass the time by getting misty-eyed in our Mega Man boxart gallery.
Guess what? We’re all about Mega Man 9. Check out our review of the game right here, as well as our top 5 favorite things about the game. Heck, while you’re at it, check out our column on Mega Man Legends, as well as our top 5 favorite Mega Man games. Oh, and be sure to read our Point/Counterpoint feature, where Mega Man is in the spotlight.
