Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Arika Vice President Shares Image of "Unknown" Mega Man Design (Update)

UPDATE: The original tweet was deleted voluntarily, according to Mihara. He apologized for "any trouble to the rights holders". (The image was not intended for public viewing, it seems.)

Original Post: Ichiro Mihara, the Vice President of Arika and former Mega Man director, recently shared a small, cropped screenshot showcasing an unfamiliar design of classic series Mega Man (above). Notably, this render features additional details not seen in any previous iteration of the character, particularly the helmet's distinct paneling and a bolt. What's more, Mega Man's complexion is strikingly off-white, and the glowing eyes bear some resemblance to X's portrayal in Capcom's Teppen

The image was accompanied by the (translated) caption, "I used to make Mega Man's **** and **** and **** official **** ****, so I know a little bit about Mega Man!" Mihara, who's made no secret about his past involvement with Mega Man on the NES, appears intentional in being discreet about the specifics related to the image.

For some added context, Mihara's tweet was in response to Hitoshi Ariga, who shared his own experiences with the series, concluding with the phrase "I know a little bit about Mega Man."

Although Arika is not a subsidiary of Capcom, the company has collaborated with the developer in the past on Mega Man Network Transmission in 2003. More recently, Arika has entered into partnerships with Bandai Namco to co-develop Tekken 8 and with SNK to develop titles based on non-fighting IPs.

So, where does this Mega Man fit in? There are a few viable possibilities. One, Mihara might be hinting at an unannounced collaboration involving Tekken 8. Alternatively, Arika could be co-developing a new title featuring this design. Lastly, it could be connected to a canceled project with ties to Arika. Regardless of the outcome, this is something I'll be keeping tabs on.

79 comments:

  1. Who wants to bet that it's yet another cancelled game!?
    I certainly can't wait to blame Capcom for the millionth time!

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    1. I will! We will blame them!







      Just kidding.

      Can’t believe you fell for that. LOL

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    2. Yeah, Capcom only care money rather making sequels or reboots. -__-

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    3. Joke’s on you, that’s what you said when we found the block man thing in legacy collection 2

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    4. the Block Dropper.

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  2. Definitely a cancelled Rockman game, this is Capcom we're talking about...

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    1. First of all: What in fuck’s name is that supposed to mean?
      Second of all: When has Capcom shown us a cancelled game like this? They are usually upfront in saying that hey, this game is cancelled. Plus, they won’t say that they cancelled something unless they announced it. They didn’t say, “Oh we cancelled MM ZXC”. They only said that Legends 3 was cancelled because they already announced it.

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    2. Found the Capcom employee's account

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    3. That sounds faker than the earth being flat

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    4. Honestly who cares Capcom ported all the MegaMan games like 50 times and is now only thinking of remaking 1 2 and 3? That's the nearest thing to porting and the farthest thing from a new game lol MegaMans been dead a long time and 11 sucked. Again. Who cares lol. Only thing fake in these comments is the blind loyalty MM fans have and how Capcom conducts any form of buisness on the IPs behalf. Im so glad I stopped looking into MegaMan anything in "ernest" I've found other IPs I enjoy and I'm not waiting 2 decades between installments. Care if you want but 2 decades of garbage was enough for some of us lol.

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    5. Please just shut up, 11 was really good. If you don’t like 11, then you don’t like Megaman. It’s literally just more of the same awesome Megaman gameplay. Simple as that

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    6. Yeah I just expected more after decades. I dont think I'm guilty of anything negative when simple expectations aren't met. I'm just not a consumer who likes stagnation and you are right I do dislike MegaMan now Capcom has proven themselves to be the kind of company that is 200% dog and leash. I'm sorry my self respect won't allow me to simply roll over and accept lesser treatment as a consumer when other IPs got a more "appropriate" approach. You can appreciate whatever you wish but most people don't have expectations they simply buy follow and defend because individuality outside what you are given even if it's lesser quality burns lol. I'd rather be me and be hated by common opinion because then im not limited to just followers. 🙂

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    7. So what? Am I a dog now just because I still have faith that Capcom can deliver a good Megaman game?

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    8. They cancelled Legends 3, Megaman Universe, Megaman Online. Many of you seemed to have short term memory, but once burned forever remembered. Never forgive them.

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    9. I bloody fucking said! They won’t say they cancelled it unless they fucking announced it!!!!

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    10. Wasn't Star Force 4 cancelled without being announced and they even showed concept art after the fact? Other than that, yeah, they don't usually show footage or images of a cancelled game without first being cancelled either with or without being announced.

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    11. That’s what I’m fucking saying!!!!

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    12. "and is now only thinking of remaking 1 2 and 3"

      Fake news. That same post about an interest for remaking 1, 2 and 3 also showed interest for making a new game.

      Nice try at spin tho, you bunch of never Capcomers never cease to amaze me on that front.

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  3. It appears to not be a crack, but a separation of panels on the helmet, as you can see how it curves and corresponds around the earpiece at equal distance. The eyes do look more like screens, similar to the Smash Bros.’ MegaMan appearance.

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    1. Makes sense now that you mention it. If you click on the image (appears smaller because it's low res) and zoom out, it looks a lot more like seams where parts of the helmet fit together.

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  4. This has to be connected to whatever the kotobukiya tease was

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    1. This is what I was thinking too. The emphasis on the glowing eyes is really what got me thinking.

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  5. I know this doesn't really fit with what they've worked on but this design seems most similar to the Medabots S crossover designs for Mega Man X and Battle Network

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  6. This sort of resembles some of the concept art that surfaced within the last couple years from cancelled projects.

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  7. It's not just the last phrase that's repeated between both his response tweet and the original from Ariga; You can compare the whole statements, the characters are the same from start to end, just with 5 certain words redacted to ****.
    The redacted words being:
    漫画描 (Manga)
    大百科 (Encyclopedia)
    カプコン (Capcom)
    アートワーク (Artwork)
    本 (Book)

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    1. The characters fit in the original Japanese:
      "おれは昔ロックマンの***いたり***とか****オフィシャル****の*を作ったりしてたので、ロックマンにはちょっと詳しいんだぜ"
      How did you figure it out? Does the chōon not apply to Artwork in order to fit the 4 characters?

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    2. I didn't really figure much out, It's just taken from Ariga's initial post when compared to Mihara's response. If you look at both statements you'll see which words are there and which aren't. And yeah, I don't think the chōon was counted since it's not really like a standalone character in itself.

      I think Mihara was just joking in some way about Ariga's statement, but I don't know the full context to derive intent beyond guessing. I mean, it is kinda funny to me since the original Ariga post sounds like he's downplaying the work he's done and his familiarity with MegaMan while listing an extensive amount of work he's done on the franchise lol, but that's my personal smooth-brain interpretation at first glance.

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  8. Oh, yes! Mega Man for Tekken 8 would become a true reality! X3

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    1. I don't have (nor want) a PS5, but I gotta admit Tekken 8 looks cool. Maybe I'll get a steam copy some day.

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    2. I'm also not really a wanting a PS5 that much to be honest so I'm glad Tekken 8 is multiplatform.

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    3. Yeah, these days, I just stick with Steam or emulators, not consoles.

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    4. Same here Gary, my man.

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  9. Dam capcom a new mega game is way overdue

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  10. Maybe sega vs Capcom

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  11. Berserk Rockman! Maximum overdrive!

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  12. At this point I'm kind of wondering if whatever is in the works is planned for the Switch successor.

    It could help mitigate the risk if it really is something with a bigger budget than any Mega Man game has had before, launching along or early in the life of a new, highly anticipated console.

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    1. Would be cool and blessing. But I hate how Capcom never released physical formats for Europe due its useless rules of selling market.

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  13. I ran the post through a different translator and got “I used to draw Rockman manga and create encyclopedias and books with Capcom's official artwork, so I know a little bit about Rockman.” Obviously Rockman would be replaced with Mega Man, but I’m not sure why the official post didn’t translate what kind of works he made…

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    1. I mentioned it up in the comments earlier, but like the article says Mihara was responding to the original post by Ariga. Ariga's original post is the exact same statement without the redacted words. I think Mihara was just joking around or something when he redacted Ariga's words in his quote retweet.

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  14. This topic posts seems like someone grasping at straws. I'm sure it is nothing too, or nothing of import. when I see evidence of a new game (if ever) then I will get hyped, and cross my fingers it is not then canned.

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    1. Pretty much this. That's the short version.

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    2. This is literally evidence. Note that evidence is not the same thing as proof.

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    3. Mihara removing the material, voicing concern he might have offended Capcom, is pretty telling at this point. (He even said he'll have to consult his lawyer how to proceed). The image was not intended to be so widely seen... but it's too soon to say if it's related to something in production, or a cancelled product.

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    4. *sigh* A cropped image that could be from literally anything is not evidence. Your hoping it's evidence. Note hope is not the same as evidence. I'd advise you not to jump to conclusions. But do what you want.

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    5. Yeah, and anyone can make a pic, especially these days. A pic isn't evidence of a new game. More need to raise their standards on what evidence is. Also extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and a new game these days is an extraordinary claim. A trailer would suffice maybe if posted on Capcom's website to ensure some fan did not make it (some fans like to deceive people by making dumb fan made trailers for certain movies, I notice).

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    6. @shrap Why the patronizing tone signified through a sigh? Do you regularly look down on people and belittle them just for stating facts? I'm not "hoping" this is evidence, I'm simply stating that it is evidence. Take note of what I said next: Evidence is not the same thing as proof. Evidence by itself is insufficient to come to any conclusions. This is evidence, it does indeed point towards the possibility that it could be from a new game. It does not however act as proof all by itself, and could be from any number of other sources.

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    7. Shrap always has a bad attitude for no reason when responding to people, it gets pretty old to be honest.

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    8. Really? I've had spats with sharp nothing crazy but even I find them more pleasing than all the "Yes only" fans in the MM community that ignore the obvious signs if being devalued as a consumer. I'd probably vote any bad attitude no matter how toxic leaps and bounds above the "Yes only" fans. 😅 letting a company run around without consumer expectation is just... well consuming everything regardless of quality drop lol.

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    9. I don't know which is worse yes only fans or no only fans... Probably no only fans. At least yes only fans logically allow the series to continue, if they yes something I don't like I could just disown it and ignore it. No onlys just... What's the point in them? Make people miserable, like them, I guess.

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    10. Yes only fans have 0 opinion of their own and only have 1 function "pick up and buy" again quality is irrelevant to them same with stagnation. I'd say there is no such thing as a No only fan as that would imply they aren't a fan at all? Meaning they would never have had an entry point into the series kinda like haleys commet they didn't see it at all lol.. a fan that can say No is simply a fan that had expectations outside of "pick it up" and has been exposed to more than likely the majority of the said series because only someone with an experienced opinion of said series would notice a decline while new fans would just "pick it up" due to their complete lack of expectation and that they more than likely enjoy it and would simply continue till their experience matched older fans and then notice stagnation. Or they would be Yes only fans and literally Enable a company to release whatever with 0 conciquences because the only thing CURVING companies is "Consumer Expectation" with 0 expectations it leads to less quality control and in most cases lowering of product part quality/engineering and selection of quality materials this also affects the future of IPs thats why you've got 99 ports and now that they have done it for a 100th time they are thinking of remaking MM1 2 and 3 that's the closest thing to porting.. 2 decades not enough? Let the younger fans play they will be hit with the same reality when their experience matches ours. It's not logical to consume everything and it puts far to much freedom and power in the hands that earn the most money but work the least. Of course we are seeing quality drop attention spams are dead and people want "friendship" over fair practices because any opinion outside of "Yes" is met with an ocean of tears for no reason.

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    11. ^Does any of what you wrote even sound coherent to you? Christ.

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    12. "there is no such thing as a No only fan as that would imply they aren't a fan at all?"

      Past a point at least. It implies they entered at some point and are now gatekeeping and saying only no to anything past the aforementioned point.

      It's not a logical inconsistency the way you frame it.

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    13. March 14th and 15th (the first) anon here, this is the first time I'm hearing about "yes only" and "no only" fans, I can extrapolate what these phrases mean via context clues but mostly I'm just wondering how the discussion even turned into this. What is the first 18th anon even replying to? It looks like a complete non-sequitur to me.

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    14. If you wish to argue a point you should start by actually speaking on said point lol. What I said makes complete sense if not you are a young fan or are just a follower with a blind fold. 🤣 I layed out how not having expectations affects the world around us and I get "grrr angry hate butt hurtness errrr!" 👍 Sharp makes you all mad? I don't even like him but at least he can stand in the rain with me and say the "obvious".... "it's wet out here" Sharp might have their own curved opinion but it's at leist outside the basic parameters of "Yes" and has actual reasons lol. You Yes fans can only insult and never make any valid points have you ever noticed that? Because you know you can't argue the actual validity of a company ran by "Humans" to be a tad corrupt? Maybe some shady buisness here and there? No? That's not human nature on the "majority" of buisness? Huh.. could have fooled me throughout... sec.... oh yeah the entirety of our spices history rofl! 🤣👍 Fact is having something like your opinion being the foundation in something you appreciate is how you actually have an opinion. Other than that it's "puts blind fold in your hands" you don't need to see or walk just act as free advertising and promoting endless 100% no failure capcom is Jesus ROFL! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Next time make an actual argument and don't talk about the "Frame" of a boat if you cant even make one let alone float hah! 👍

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    15. Bro gotta slow down on the typing, typos/grammar kinda crazy. Emojis making that read more unhinged than it is.

      But I def agree with the op and shrap, evidence of a new game or something big feels kind of like a reach to me. This could just be a screenshot of some old cancelled game concept from who-knows-when that just never saw daylight till now. It's fine to hope tho and cool to see whatever this low res cropped megaman head is.

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    16. If the truth is what matters I personally wouldn't care what flavor it was. Same with grammar. Perfected Grammer is for those who fear the weak whip of judgement from individuals they don't even know or will meet lol. Again insults over making an authentic argument or point but everyone gets angry at dead ends when they know the truth but can't defend their interest especially when the truth is so evident and potent. Someone give me something intellectually accurate and stop exposing yourselves by having absolutely nothing but insults. I've never met a fan base so proud of running around nude lol. 😅😂 Insults are a dull minds weapon of choice and someone like me is sooo far beyond caring especially when I'm exposing the truth about the fan base the more angry they get at me. Why get angry? The only time anger is an option is when something is "Threatened" in your world and you wouldn't get mad if I'm nowhere near the truth right? Than why act like I just touched you all with a branding rod? Grammar? Your fan base has far worse issues lol. 😅 The more I talk to the MegaMan fan base the more I realize what a bullet I've dodged in leaving the series behind so make a valid point or keep showing me I was right to leave lol.

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  15. Between the two teases and the leak mentioning Taisen, I have to imagine that SOMETHING is happening.

    Now if Taisen ended up getting cancelled and nothing really comes of it, I won't hold it against Capcom. Especially since we weren't supposed to know it existed in any capacity officially.

    But I will be critical that they've gone so long with seemingly nothing to show for it.

    Here's hoping for the best.

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    1. Nothing is happening.

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    2. Imagine still believing that Taisen is real lol

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    3. At most we might get another few collections but I don't see a new game happening.

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  16. Kinda reminds me of Teppen actually

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  17. I used to have a very good friend who taught me all about the Japan-only stuff before Wikis were a thing, so I know a little bit about Mega Man!

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  18. Methinks Mihara, in his playful exuberance, forgot for a few seconds that what he was originally posting could be seen the general public. LOL

    Hoping he doesn't get in too much trouble. But now, I definitely think something is going on...

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  19. I REALLY hope if Taisen is real and releases at all, that is not a fighting game. It reminds me of the pattern the .hack series had which is not the best of outcomes. Basically, after the success of the third entry in the new trilogy(G.U. 3) back in 2007, a Japan only main entry came out on Psp(Link) in 2010 which sold decently(140,000 copies), but fans rejected. Two years later, a freemium spin-off game(Guilty Dragon, allegedly it was a success but can't find any data about it), a movie(55M ¥ at the box office which I'm not sure if it is a good number or not) and a crossover fighting game(Versus, which bombed with 16,664 copies sold in 2012 according to geimin.net and 30,000 copies up to now according to vgchartz.com) all released(all of them stayed in Japan) in 2012. Since then, nothing was released until 2017, but instead of a new entry it was an HD collection of the G.U. trilogy(Last Recode) with an added fourth "game/volume"(is more of an epilogue after volume 3 which conflicts with an epilogue OVA called Returner and extremely short) that decanonizes everything from Link onwards. Now here's the kicker, it sold well with more than 300,000 copies worldwide however there hasn't been a main entry since.
    I just hope Taisen doesn't turn out to be the Versus of the Rockman franchise. It feels like a spin off could potentially really hurt or even kill the franchise(Crash Team Rumble also comes to mind) for good.

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    1. Forgot to comment that the most important difference in the order of events between CyberConnect Corporation and Capcom is that Capcom already played the re-release card unlike CyberConnect Corporation which did it as a last resort. This means everything releasing forwards has to be successful.

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    2. People still care about that fake Taisen rumor?😂

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    3. "Fake Taisen rumor".

      https://i.postimg.cc/WjjG5M8d/taisen-1.png

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    4. @protodude

      What am I looking at here? Pardon my ignorance lol

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    5. I can't share the full thing, but this is a portion of the leaked released schedule from the 2020 breach. This is where Taisen is listed, originally slated for Q3 2022 release. The game's budget and sales forecast are included as well. Other games in the chart have since released, while others remain unannounced.

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  20. Multiple leaks, industry mutterings, the involvement of Akira Kitamura for a project? The plot thickens... (at least I'm hoping it does lol)

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  21. @Anonymous March 15, 2024 at 2:57 PM of the previous article
    It's amazing how you completely missed the point of my comment.
    Not going to release something, fine. They should've at least made more content for 11 like they did with Street Fighter instead of completely abandoning it. Just like Sega does with Sonic(Mania, Frontiers, etc.) using either dlc or free updates instead they did neither. They would've been less criticized for their collaborations.

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    1. Honestly I agree that they should have released more content for MM 11. I was pretty disappointed that despite selling well they did nothing to maintain interest like making Bass and Protoman playable.

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    2. Imagine a world where we actually got those stage concepts by Yuji Ishihara as fleshed-out remix stages complete with bosses, a'la Mega Man 10. Wild to think about, isn't it?

      Even if it were paid DLC again, I might have actually bought it. (If it was reasonably priced, anyway.)

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    3. From what I've seen of some of the 11 concept art there is a ton of unused content that could have easily been made into optional dlc.

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  22. I love the comment section on this site it's so wild. Even with the drought of games there is at least one place left where you can get Mega Man related entertainment.

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