Mega Man is an action-platform video game developed by Freestyle for the Sega Game Gear. The game was sublicensed by British publisher U.S. Gold from Japanese-based company and creator of Mega ManCapcom. It was released only in North America in 1995. The game features Mega Man fighting against the mad scientist Dr. Wily and the six Robot Masters under his control. The game features Robot Masters and stages from Mega Man 4 and Mega Man 5. Mega Man received generally positive reviews from video game critics upon release, though retrospective reviews was more mixed. Due to being exclusive to North America, copies of the game go for US$400.
Gameplay
Mega Man is an action-platform game that is very similar to the original series. The protagonist, Mega Man, is able to run, jump, shoot, and climb his way past obstacles and enemies. It is based on elements from the Nintendo Entertainment System versions of Mega Man 4 and Mega Man 5. Differences include a lack of continues, the addition of vertical scrolling, powerups bouncing when they hit the ground, and a hard difficulty mode. The Robot Masters featured at the beginning are Bright Man, Napalm Man, Star Man, and Stone Man. Dr. Cossack's fortress contains Wave Man's and Toad Man's levels and respective bosses. Wily's fortress is Quick Man's stage from Mega Man 2, though the player is taken to a condensed Dr. Wily stage after going through the first boss door instead. The ending features Dr. Cossack's fortress being destroyed.
Development
Mega Man was published by British-based publisher U.S. Gold. The Mega Man series was created by Japanese-based company Capcom. U.S. Gold sublicensed the series from Capcom and had a different company, Freestyle, develop the game. It was released exclusively in North America on the Game Gear in 1995.
Reception
Reception to the game was generally positive. Mega Man received an 87% from the UK-based magazine Sega Power. GamePro gave the game a total score of 3.75 out of 5, complimenting its graphics and sound, but noting that the small Game Gear screen increases the difficulty. Mean Machines gave it a 75%. Retrospective reviews for the game have been mixed. 1UP.com's Nadia Oxford elaborated, "Mega Man often has to fight with his enemies in such close quarters, he might as well hold their hands and try his luck at a friendship. The constant screen-scrolling and sticky controls makes for a very frustrating game, although the Game Gear's low battery life ends the torment in a couple of hours anyway." GameSpot contributors Christian Nutt and Justin Speer described it as "a decent, if somewhat sluggish, translation of the Mega Man series". Damien Butt from Retro Gamer, while giving it praise for its graphics, was more mixed towards its gameplay, criticizing its difficulty and the enemies moving too fast for the player. Robert Workman for GameZone believed the game deserved a second chance for re-release, praising it for its controls, visuals, and sound. In 2013, due to an ESRB listing, there was speculation that the Game Gear title was being released for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. Despite the listing, nothing came of it. Because of the game's North American exclusivity, copies of the game garner a high price point, with complete copies going for $400.
