Jada Toys Proto Man Confirmed for Wave 4

Another day, another Jada Toys reveal. The third figure from Mega Man Wave 4 just made an appearance at Comic-Con. To my surprise and delight, it's Proto Man!

There are no other details available at the moment, but we can deduce that he’ll come with a removable shield and an alternate Buster hand part. I’m hoping for an alternate Break Man head... but we’ll see.

So that's Wave 4 for you. Gemini Laser Mega Man, Snake Man and Proto Man. We should be hearing about a release window and distribution plans soon. Stay tuned!

Thanks to Adawg_ng for the tip, and Daniel Protoman for the image! 

Jada Toys Snake Man Spotted at San Diego Comic-Con (Wave 4)

When it rains, it pours—or lightly sprinkles. The steady stream of new figure reveals from Jada Toys continues today with the introduction of Snake Man from Mega Man 3. Joining Gemini Laser Mega Man, Snake Man will be part of Wave 4, along with an unannounced third figure.

Following the trend of previous waves, the fourth figure is expected to be another Robot Master, likely from Mega Man 3 as well. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long to find out. Hang in there!

Many thanks to PadWarrior for the image!

Jada Toys "Gemini Laser Mega Man" Revealed at San Diego Comic-Con

It's preview night at Comic-Con, and Dan Veesenmeyer is on the scene, checking out the new figures and collectibles from Jada Toys. Featured prominently is their Mega Man line, showcasing Waves 1-3, along with a new, previously unannounced figure: Gemini Laser Mega Man.

The figure's color scheme and pose are a direct nod to the Mega Man 3 weapon. Interestingly, it's displayed next to a Penpen, hinting that it might be a pack-in. But the question remains: which wave does this guy belong to? Wave 2 is confirmed to include Hyper Bomb Mega Man, Elec Man, and Cut Man, while Wave 3 features Helmetless Mega Man, Wood Man, and Bubble Man. Since Jada Toys indicated that each wave would consist of at least three figures, this could be our first look at Wave 4.

We'll have more information as Comic-Con unfolds over the next few days. Stay tuned!

Source: @dveese

Rockman-san and Rockman-chan Final Volume Cover Art Revealed

The third and final volumes of Rockman-san and Rockman-chan are set to release in Japan in just a few weeks. In anticipation of their debut, Kadokawa has revealed the cover art for both manga, which look absolute stellar. Full-size images after the break!

Capcom: "Mega Man is Highly Valued, Ongoing Game Development Considered"

During Capcom's 45th General Shareholders meeting, one attendee asked about the company's plans for the Mega Man series. Capcom's response was to the point: "Mega Man is one of our highly-valued IPs and we are considering how to create games for it on an ongoing basis."

This response mirrors a similar one from roughly a year ago, where Capcom indicated that future titles depend on "the development of a solid concept, ideas, and gameplay." They also mentioned that future ports of back catalog titles would involve "addressing technical issues."

Now, on a somewhat related note, another investor inquired if the results of the Capcom Super Elections, where Mega Man was a very popular candidate, would influence the production of new titles in general. Capcom replied: "We value all our IPs and are considering ways to utilize them not only in games but in other media as well. For games, we believe the gameplay and specific appeal that an IP holds are important. We take a multifaceted approach to our games, including new titles, remakes, ports, and collections."

So the quick and dirty version: Capcom continues to evaluate the development of new games regularly, and we'll keep seeing Mega Man (and other legacy IPs) in different media. 

For the complete Q&A transcript, head over to Capcom's Investor Relations page. 

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos (Featuring Zero) Drops Onto Switch, PS4 and Steam

Surprise! The 2003 crossover fighter SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos is now available for download on Steam with a release planned on Monday, July 22nd, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and GOG. This modern port features rollback netcode mutliplayer, online lobbies for up to nine players, and a variety of extras, including a gallery mode and a new hitbox viewer.

For Mega Man fans, SVC Chaos holds a special place as it features Zero from the Zero series as a secret playable character. His moveset draws inspiration from an array of weapons and actions from the games, including the inclusion of numerous Cyber Elfs. Ciel also makes an appearance, dropping in on Zero's interactions with other characters to provide some commentary and support. This is also the game that features the gender-swapped Zero sprite, which you might have seen out of context.

If you haven't played SVC Chaos before, check out Zero in action here and here. 

Source: SNK Global

Hitoshi Ariga Attending Comic-Con; Mega Man Shikishi Commissions Available to Pre-Order

Hitoshi Ariga, best known for his work on Mega Man Megamix, will be attending this year's San Diego Comic-Con at Udon Entertainment's booth (#100). He is offering a limited number of pre-convention commissions of signed shikishi designs exclusively for attendees, available for pickup at Udon's booth.

If you plan to attend, you can pre-order your commission here. There's two shikishi sizes to choose from: 9.5 x 10.75 inches or 4.75 x 5.5 inches. When you place your order, write in which character from Mega Man Megamix you'd like Ariga to draw (Megamix only) and specify the day you'll be picking it up. Orders without these details will be refunded. You'll need to collect your commission in person at the convention. If you can't commit to going ahead of time, you're out.

Each commission costs $500 and is limited to 20 pieces per size. If you happen to have the Zenny for it, lock in your commission ASAP!

Source: Udon Entertainment

Fan-Mod Adds Model A Grey and Ashe to Mega Man X DiVE Offline

To celebrate the 17th anniversary of Mega Man ZX Advent, the team at RDX Derivative Works has created an new mod featuring Mega Man Model A Grey and Ashe! The pair were noticeably absent from the Taiwan version of Mega Man X DiVE during the first ZX Advent event, but now you can play as both of them in the Offline Steam version. 

Once you've watched the mod in action in the trailer above, head over to NexusMods for the download. Make sure to carefully follow the instructions and install all the necessary plugins. Once that's done, you can unlock the dynamic duo from the "ZXA Special Supply Box" or Memory fragments under the Custom Tab Store.

Thanks to Jo Li KMC for the tip!

ThreeZero MDLX Mega Man X Revealed

Spotted at ThreeZero's Anime Expo booth, here's our very first look at MDLX Mega Man X. The figure currently has no release date. You can see how it scales with the previous MDLX classic series Mega Man after the break! 

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster to Include MegaMan.EXE, Lan Hikari and Tron Bonne Costumes

Dead Rising and Mega Man have a long history together, and the tradition of outfitting Frank West in blue bomber-themed gear continues in the upcoming Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster. 

During today's Capcom Next digital event, several new details were revealed about the remaster. The "Digital Deluxe" version will feature 17 new Capcom-themed costumes for Frank and 17 unique BGM tracks from various Capcom IPs. The "Mega Man Pack" will include costumes based on MegaMan.EXE, Lan Hikari, and Tron Bonne, along with BGMs that can be played in the shopping mall: "Running Through The Cyber World," "Hometown," and "Flutter vs. Gesellschaft."

No images of the costumes are available yet, but the teaser silhouettes give us a good idea of what's to come. I'm sure Frank will look fantastic as Tron, especially since he once pulled off a decent Roll Caskett. What an icon.

For additional details on the Digital Deluxe pre-order content, hop on over to Gematsu!

Teppen Celebrates 5th Anniversary with Iris Skin & New Card Set

Following the "Zero Nightmare" skin, Teppen returns to celebrate its 5th anniversary with a new card set called "The Desperate Jailbreak". The set includes a variety of Mega Man X-themed cards and a throwback to the collab that brought the Mega Buster to Devil May Cry 5. Iris makes her debut as a playable character, appearing as an EX skin for the hero "Felyne."

You can check out all the new cards after the break!

Mega Man X DiVE Global Version End of Service Announced for July 30

The servers for the global version of Mega Man X DiVE will cease operations on July 30th, NebulaJoy has announced. All in-game purchasing options will be terminated soon, although a specific date has not been confirmed, according to an update on the game's official Twitter. Regrettably, there is no information yet on whether NebulaJoy will offer refunds for any paid Elemental Metals, a gesture that Capcom extended to players of the original version in 2023.

The global version, maintained by NebulaJoy, has remained online for the past three years, outlasting the original Taiwan and Japanese versions. In February 2024, a representative indicated they were in talks with Capcom to extend the license and keep the game online. However, with the existence of Mega Man X DiVE Offline, it appears these efforts only secured a few additional months.

We will provide updates on EoS as more information becomes available.

Source: Mega Man X DiVE-NA&EU

New Keisuke Mizuno "American Comic Book Style" Rockman EXE Goods Now Available

A variety of new merchandise featuring the cast of Rockman EXE, designed in an American comic book style, is now available for purchase at Capcom Store Tokyo's online shop.

The art, crafted by the fan-favorite Keisuke Mizuno, who has worked on numerous Rockman projects, adorns nine different products. These include clear files, mugs, t-shirts, acrylic stands, pins, and more! You check out the complete lineup here.

Best of all, Capcom Store Tokyo ships worldwide! They've partnered with Buyee for international shipping. Simply add what you want to your cart and follow the provided instructions to complete your purchase.

Source: Capcom Store Tokyo

Icon Heroes' Mega Man License Expires; Products Cancelled and Removed

If you've been curious about the fate of the $600 Mega Man X2 Ride Chaser diorama (pictured above) or any of Icon Heroes' Mega Man products, here's an update. 

Icon Heroes has informed us that their license to create merchandise based on the Mega Man IP has expired and will not be renewed. As a result, all Mega Man products in development, including those not yet announced, have been cancelled. Previously released items like pins, puzzles, and bobbleheads are no longer available for purchase directly from Icon Heroes. Any remaining stock available through third-party retailers is likely the last of its kind.

Icon Heroes secured the license to produce Mega Man merchandise in 2020, promising a range of high-quality items. Unfortunately, those plans never fully materialized, as evidenced by the off-model diorama that one reader aptly described as looking like a cake topper. If you need a good laugh, BBTS has archived all the stock images of the thing for posterity. 

So there you have it. If anything else from their collection piqued your interest, now's the time to snag it before it’s gone for good.

Behold the Fan-Made Eddie Popcorn Bucket

Responding to the undeniable need for more Eddie-centric merchandise, my buddy Asterisk created this gem: a genuine Eddie popcorn bucket. This masterpiece is 3D-printed, modeled after his Mega Man 11 appearance, and works just as you'd imagine...

Review: Kotobukiya Mega Man X Falcon Armor

Kotobukiya's Mega Man X line takes flight with the Falcon Armor from Mega Man X5 and Mega Man X6! This highly anticipated release completes the main armor sets from the first six Mega Man X games, and that's an incredible accomplishment. Was this kit worth the wait? Does it deserve a spot in your collection? Stick around after the break as we dive deep into the Falcon Armor!

Rockman-chan Manga Says Goodbye

A few weeks after the conclusion of Rockman-san, Rockman-chan has also reached its finale. This gag manga delighted fans with 36 chapters since its debut in April 2021, featuring a cast of whimsical characters including Super Rush Man, Bad Box Art Mega Man and even Mega Man from Mega Man 2's European box art.

Although only the first three chapters of Rockman-chan have been fan-translated into English, Spanish-speaking fans are in luck, as nearly all chapters are available on TuMangaOnline. For those eager to see how the story wraps up, the final volume, which collects the concluding chapters, is set to be released on August 2nd. If you're curious about the manga's ending, you can check it out here!

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Announced

During today's Nintendo Direct, Capcom unveiled Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics. This collection includes seven Marvel arcade titles developed by Capcom, such as Marvel vs. Capcom and Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Mega Man, Roll, Tron Bonne and the Servbots are all present and accounted for too!

Kotobukiya Axl Now Available to Pre-Order

The long-awaited Kotobukiya Axl is now available to pre-order from Big Bad Toystore and HobbyLink Japan! This is Axl's very first plastic model kit and his first genuine "figure" in over 20 years. 

The kit comes packed with two Axl Bullets, wing parts, interchangeable hand parts, and four distinct face parts, providing everything you need to pose and recreate the scrappy fella's signature moves. And yes; he scales perfectly with X and Zero, making him a seamless addition to Kotobukiya's on-going X series line.

Axl is expected to ship in November in Japan and will arrive in the U.S. just in time for the holiday season in December. 

Source: Kotobukiya

Rare Rockman Amusement Ride Gets a New Lease on Life at Arcade Museum

A rare Rockman amusement ride, which is often found in poor condition (sometimes even beheaded), has found a new home at the Sargasso Arcade Museum in Kita Karuizawa. The owners of this museum, which they affectionately refer to as a "retirement home" for classic arcade machines and amusement hardware, have done an incredible job restoring this obscure piece of history to pristine condition.

Produced by Hope Co. in 2000, the ride can carry two people and includes buttons that make Rockman speak and play two, let’s say, charming renditions of classic BGM that aren’t exactly easy on the ears. Although you can’t visit in person regularly, you can catch glimpses of their collection and updates on their official YouTube channel. The museum does open its doors for special events, so if you’re in Japan during one of those times, you might get a chance to give it a spin!

Curious to see the ride in action? Check out popostore’s footage from a few years back here and here. That particular unit has seen better days, but it gives you an idea.

Source: Sargassou

The "Capcom Super Elections" Results Are In (Mega Man's Popularity, Sequel/Remake Desires & More)

A few months ago Capcom conducted a survey to gauge fans interest in their games and how they engage with the Capcom brand. One of the questions asked fans which games from Capcom's back catalog they would like to see remade. Among the options were remakes of the first three Mega Man games.

The results of the survey have now been published, revealing not only the response to that particular question but also that the Mega Man series is one of the most beloved Capcom franchises. The survey also provided other interesting data about fans' preferences and engagement with Capcom's games.

You can see all the relevant Mega Man data after the break!

"Make a Good Mega Man Level 3" Now Available to Download

The wave of fan-created Mega Man projects continues with the highly anticipated release of Make a Good Mega Man Level 3 Make a Good Mega Man Level 3 (MaGMML3).

Six years in the making and serving as the pinnacle of all previous entries, MaGMML3 features 200 unique stages, 300 mini-stages, a plethora of costumes and skins, secrets, upgrades—everything you could want! There's something here for every type of player, ensuring hours of gameplay meticulously crafted by the community.

In terms of story, MaGMML3 takes place after Make a Good 48 Hour Mega Man Level. While prior MaGMML knowledge isn't necessary to enjoy the game, familiarity with the series enhances the overall experience. But there's plenty to appreciate on its own, and you'll be doing yourself a favor by checking it out.

You can download the game from the official MaGMML website here!

All Five Game Boy Mega Man Games Now Available on Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo has announced that all five Game Boy Mega Man games are now available on Nintendo Switch Online. This includes Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge, Mega Man II, III, IV, and V. This also covers Japan, as they have received Rockman World 1-5.

With these re-releases, this marks the second time all five games have been officially available outside of Game Boy hardware, having previously been accessible for individual download from the Nintendo 3DS eShop. However, to play them, you will need an active subscription to Nintendo Switch Online. The basic membership will get you in the door, so don't fret if you're not an "Expansion Pass" member.

Not much else to add—fire up your Switch and relive these bite-sized classics today!

"EZ Web" Versions of Rockman EXE Mobile Games and Battler's Tower Preserved

Hey, Mega Man fans! This is RockmanCosmo, the leader of SciLab Secrets – the team working to preserve lost Rockman games released on Japanese feature phones (keitai). The past couple of months have been extremely eventful for Rockman keitai game preservation. Since December 2023, we have preserved nine previously-lost games, including Rockman DASH 5 Islands and both original Rockman EXE games. Today, I’m happy to announce that the SciLab Secrets team has preserved even more games: the EZweb versions of Rockman EXE Phantom of Network and Legend of Network, and a companion app for Phantom of Network called Battler’s Tower. We’ve even preserved phone wallpapers and ringtones! Read on for all the details.

Mega Man-Themed Evercade Alpha Arcade Announced (w/Power Battle & Power Fighters)

Evercade has announced two 16-inch tall, bartop-sized versions of the Evercade Alpha, which will include a selection of officially licensed Capcom arcade games. The Mega Man-themed variant will come with Mega Man: The Power Battle and Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters built-in, along with four other titles: Carrier Air Wing, Final Fight, Knights of the Round, and Strider.

Both units are compatible with physical Evercade cartridges and controllers, allowing for two-player local multiplayer. The units will be available in November, with pre-orders starting on June 4th for $229.99 (£199.99 / €229.99). This is a special "introductory" pre-order price, as the price will increase to $250 (£229.99 / €249.99) after the pre-order period ends.

If this sounds like something up your alley, head over to the official product page for more details.

Source: Evercade Alpha

Capcom Vs.Tezuka Characters Exhibition Returning This Summer

Capcom and Tezuka Productions are teaming up once again for the third iteration of the Capcom vs. Tezuka Characters art exhibit. This time, the event will be held at the Tokiwaso Manga Museum and Tokiwaso Street Showa Retro Museum from July 20th to November 24th.

The exhibit will feature unique collaborative illustrations of Osamu Tezuka characters drawn by Capcom creators and Capcom characters drawn by Tezuka Productions creators. While fighting games are a major highlight this time around, new pieces inspired by Mega Man will also be included. In fact, you can see Mega Man, Rush, and a Servbot in the event's main visual. Mega Man and Astro Boy also form the "heart" of the event's logo.

If you're in Tokyo during the event, you can find more information here. Ticket reservations will start on June 20th at 2pm JST.

Source: tokiwaso_mm

Mega Man: Phantom of the Network and Legend of the Network English Fan-Localization Patches Now Available

For the first time ever, you can now play Rockman EXE: Phantom of Network and Rockman EXE: Legend of Network in English. The Rockman EXE Zone has released the highly anticipated English localization patches for both games, enabling you to experience these two full-length stories from start to finish. Phantom of Network takes place after the events of Battle Network 3, while Legend of Network is set before Battle Network 6. Each game features unique events and characters that could not be fully appreciated outside of Japan before today.

As detailed earlier, the patches also include a handful of quality-of-life changes and updates, ranging from Buster MAX Mode and improved background animations to the restoration of Phantom of Network's online ranked Virus Battle Mode.

Head over to this post at The Rockman EXE Zone for the download links! It's imperative that you lookover the README.html before playing as you'll need to follow the install instructions carefully. What's more, you'll need the original i-αppli game files for Phantom of Network and Legend of Network in order to apply the patches. You can find those from this post here.

And yes; you CAN play them on Steam Deck. Check out this tutorial to learn how.

To the localization team and SciLab Secrets, know that you have our sincere thanks and gratitude. A job well done, folks!

Rockman-san Manga Comes to An End

Debuting in April 2021 to celebrate Mega Man's 33rd anniversary, "Rockman-san" launched alongside "Rockman-chan" in Young Ace UP magazine. The manga told the story of a world at peace, where a grown-up Rock, now a dentist, works alongside his assistant Roll at their dental clinic. After a successful three-year run, the manga concludes today with the final part of chapter 44.

The final volume collecting the last chapters of Rock's adventures as a dentist will be published in Japan this summer, bringing the series to a total of three volumes. Currently, the manga is only available in Japanese, with no official announcement for an English release. However, you can get a glimpse of this unique story through fan translations available on MangaDex.

There is no word if Rockman-chan will end next week when the next chapter will be published. We'll keep you posted!

Review: Kotobukiya Roll.EXE

Kotobukiya is back with the next entry in their ever-growing Mega Man Battle Network model kit line. Roll.EXE, perhaps one of the more unexpected releases, is a very welcome addition that helps round out the line. Is this Navi worth the Zenny, or does she belong in the recycle bin? Join me after the break to find out!

Fan-Localized Mega Man: Phantom of the Network and Mega Man: Legend of the Network Will Release on May 25th

About four months after being announced, the English fan-localizations of Mega Man: Phantom of Network and Mega Man: Legend of Network are almost finished! Prof. 9, a member of the project team, has confirmed that both games will be released on Saturday, May 25th. A how-to-play guide and patching instructions will be provided, ensuring everyone can enjoy them with ease.

Alongside the release date, Prof. 9 also unveiled a slew of additional features and enhancements aimed at making these the definitive versions of the games! These include the addition of Buster MAX Mode, mirroring its functionality in Battle Network Legacy Collection, as well as the inclusion of extra Battle Chips and Folders. Moreover, animated Cyber World backgrounds and Online Ranked Battles have been incorporated, though availability at the time of release can't be guaranteed. You can find a more detailed rundown of these features here.

I'll provide an update when May 25th rolls around in case you forget. But hey, exciting stuff! Did you ever think we'd actually get to play these games in English after all this time?

Source: Rockman EXE Zone

Review: Jada Toys Mega Man Wave 1 (Mega Man, Fire Man, Ice Man)

A new Mega Man toy line has hit the scene with Jada Toys' first wave of Mega Man figures! Were these highly anticipated figures worth the wait? Join me after the break as we look into the first wave of Jada Toys' Mega Man line!

Reversible Mega Man-to-Rush Plushie Revealed

Get ready for the latest addition to your collection: the officially-licensed reversible Mega Man-to-Rush plushie! Yep—it's like having two buddies in one! Just flip it over, and Mega Man becomes Rush! Or the other way around!

According to its Amazon listing, this cute little guy from TeeTurtle is set to ship out next Wednesday, May 15th. There are other reversible Capcom plushies too, like Ryu and Chun-li, Palico, Palamute, and Mizutsune. Click the links to see for yourself.

Honestly, this is a pretty neat concept.  It makes you wonder what other Mega Man characters could work. X to Zero? Dr. Light to Wily? Spider to Redips? The possibilities are endless!

Source: Amazon

Kotobukiya Axl, Sigma, Forte.EXE and More Shown Off at the Shizuoka Hobby Show

This year's Shizuoka Hobby Show is upon us and with it, we get a good amount of news and updates on previously announced model kits from Kotobukiya! Although no groundbreaking announcements were made, there's plenty to delve into. Stick around after the break as we review all the insights gleaned from this show!

Mega Man Gigamix Official Spanish and Catalan Edition Announced

Manga publisher and distributor Ooso Comics has announced that they've secured the license for Hitoshi Ariga's Mega Man Gigamix. The news surfaced at Comics Barcelona, where the publisher stated that, following the success of their Megamix releases, Gigamix was the natural next step. While all three volumes are slated for publication, a specific release window has yet to be disclosed.

TThe Ooso Comics edition will include cover art from the Japanese 2015 re-release, which itself featured minor adjustments to certain panels and artwork, courtesy of Ariga. Additionally, it included a handful of "bonus" content absent from previous prints. It remains uncertain whether the Spanish and Catalan editions will incorporate this content or simply utilize the cover design.

Source: Mision Tokyo

Officially-Licensed Mega Man Star Force T-Shirts Up for Pre-Order from The Yetee

New, licensed Star Force merchandise? In 2024? You bet! The Yetee has teamed up with Capcom once again, unveiling a pair of fresh Mega Man Star Force t-shirts just in time for summer.

Designed by artist Mikoto, the shirts reunite some of fans' favorite characters. The "dark heather" tee showcases SF Mega Man, Harp Note, Rogue and Acid Ace, while the aqua-colored "Allies" tee includes Geo Stellar, Luna Platz, Sonia, Bud Bison, Zack Temple, Solo, Ace, and Omega-Xis.

You can pre-order both designs now from The Yetee's Mega Man landing page (limited to North America only) They're scheduled to ship on May 31st.

Fan-Made 16-Bit Remake of Game Boy Mega Man V in the Works

 

Out of the 120-or-so Mega Man games, Mega Man V on Game Boy has undeniably secured a spot as a fan-favorite. Despite being primarily confined to the Game Boy with few official re-releases, the game continues to hold a special significance, inspiring a variety of fan-made games and mods over the years. Now, after 30 years since its release, there's an different kind of project in the works.

Dubbed Mega Man: The Rulers of Space, the fan-game by MarcDWyz is set to be a substantial 16-bit remake of Mega Man V, drawing heavy artistic inspiration from Mega Man 7. You can see it in action in the trailer above.

Jada Mega Man Wave 2 Figures Go Up For Pre-Order on April 29th

If you've been enjoying the first wave of Jada's Mega Man figures, you'll be pleased to know that Wave 2 is finally going up for pre-order in just a few short days. According to Preternia, Hyper Bomb Mega Man, Cut Man and Elec Man are scheduled to be available for pre-order starting Monday, April 29th, at noon EST, from both Big Bad Toystore and Entertainment Earth. 

Currently, there's no available information regarding the shipping dates or pricing for these figures. However, if they follow the trend of Wave 1, expect them to be priced between $19.99 and $21.99.

To tide you over until Monday, take a peek at some lovely new stock images above.

Source: Preternia

Teppen Adds "Zero Nightmare" Skin

Teppen introduced a fresh wave of supplemental cards today. Despite the absence of new Mega Man-themed cards, the game has a treat in store for Zero fans: a brand-new skin!

From today until May 16th, players have the opportunity to purchase either the Teppen Special Pack 30 or the Teppen Special Pack 31 from May 17th to June 2nd, these packs will be offering a chance to obtain the Zero Nightmare skin. Each pack is priced at 240 Jewels, which is a premium currency in Teppen obtainable exclusively through real-money transactions or by completing specific missions for Season Pass holders.

This skin is purely cosmetic, so there's nothing particular reflected in its abilities. 

The next Teppen card pack is slated to release in July. Look forward to it!

Mega Man X2's Planner Shares Original "Green Biker Dude" Scene Design Notes

He made only a brief appearance, but Mega Man X2's "Green Biker Dude," as fans fondly call him, is an icon. Blink and you'll miss him— that split-second wheelie at the game's start left a lasting impression. For over 30 years, this enigmatic Reploid has inspired endless parodies, memes, art, and even fan-games. Yet, amid all the hype, one question lingers: What is his real name?

When Mega Man X2 planner Yoshihisa Tsuda began sharing more about X2's development on Twitter, I took the opportunity to ask him about it. While Tsuda confirmed that nothing concrete was ever conceived during the game's development, he did share something equally intriguing: the original design notes for the Green Biker Dude scene and a little background behind its development.

Rockman DASH 2: Episode 1 English Fan-Translation Patch Drops April 24th

The Japan-exclusive Rockman DASH 2: Episode 1, a special demo/prologue for DASH 2 known for its unique missions and scenarios, is finally receiving an English translation. This news comes from Hilltop Works, a translation group recognized for bringing overlooked Japanese titles to English-speaking audiences.

The Episode 1 translation patch goes a step further by granting direct access to the debug room (previously accessible only through cheat codes and modifications) and includes the unused town that prominently appeared on the back of the game's case, all now translated into English for the first time.

The patch will be released on Wednesday, April 24th. Stay tuned for more updates!

UPDATE: The patch is live! Grab it here (no paywall).

Source: Hilltop Works

Rare Footage Surfaces From the Rockman Grand Exhibition Stage Show

Back in 1997, Capcom threw a massive birthday bash for the Blue Bomber at the Tokyo Dome called the Rockman Grand Exhibition. Fans and families were invited to check out the latest games, snag exclusive merch, and join in all sorts of activities like RC races, obstacle courses, and even aerobics. Footage from this event was captured on the Capcom Friendly Club Vol. 6 tape for posterity, but sadly, it was missing a key element—the live stage show. 

Now, after 27 years, a little over 4 minutes of fresh footage from this rarely-seen gem has been uncovered.

The Making of Mega Man 10's "Retro" Cover Art

Back in 2008, Capcom heavily marketed Mega Man 9 as if it were a game released in 1987. To achieve this, they hired iam8bit artist Gerald de Jesu sto design a cover for the game reminiscent of the iconic North American cover of the original series' first game.

A few years later, when Mega Man 10 was released, Capcom repeated this approach, but with distinct covers for the Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 versions. Once more, the designs were crafted by Gerald de Jesus. He later offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the cover design process on his blog, which was shared many years ago.

To preserve this piece of history for those who missed it, you can find this behind-the-scenes process after the break below!

How to Enable and Play Mega Man 10's Unused Co-Op Mode (Updated)

Earlier this year, a handful of pre-release builds of Mega Man 10's Xbox 360 version emerged, showing evidence of an unused online multiplayer mode, "Assist Co-Op." Although inaccessible initially, thanks to the efforts of a couple dedicated fans, this lost feature has been resurrected.

Follow the guide below to learn how you can start playing!

New Exoprimal x Mega Man Collaboration Trailer

As the Exoprimal and Mega Man collaboration event approaches its April 17th launch date, Capcom has unveiled a comprehensive trailer featuring the Mega Man and Air Man exosuits in action. 

The trailer also offers a peek at the different classic series-themed items and emotes that players can scoop up, and more footage of the event-exclusive Yellow Devil boss battle. Yellow Devil's iconic attack patterns are faithfully recreated, looking really nice in a 3D space. If there were a classic series third person game, I don't think it's a stretch to say it might look a little something like this.

The collaboration coincides with the Title Update 4 on April 17th. More details from the game's official website here.

"Gangsta Sigma" Wreaks Havoc in Teppen's Newest Card Pack

A new Teppen card pack is available starting today, shining the spotlight on the Rival Schools series with "Schoolyard Royale" card pack. However, fans need not worry; the Mega Man remains in the spotlight as well.

Following the debut of Mega Man Zero characters in the previous pack,  we've got a handful of new cards based on Mega Man X DiVE. These include Gangsta Boy Sigma and Gangsta Girl Eratoeir from X DiVE's "Attack of the Thugs" event plus, Angepitoyeir, and even Droitclair. 

You can check the art and flavor text after the break!

Rare Medal Network: Rockman EXE Arcade Game Dumped and Preserved

No April Fool's joke here. Another Rockman EXE arcade game has been successfully preserved! Medal Network: Rockman EXE has remained somewhat of a mystery to fans for several years, with only a couple of low-quality images and scarce information available. But that's history now—I'm happy to announce that the game has been extracted from its aging hardware and made available to download. 

Rockman's Soccer Pre-Release Version Dumped; Includes 4-Player Multitap Support

Today, March 25th, marks the 30th anniversary of Rockman's Soccer. To commemorate this milestone, a Japanese sample version of the game has been uncovered and dumped by C. Davis on The Cutting Room Floor.

While closely resembling the final retail build, this pre-release version stands out for its inclusion of features that were ultimately removed before launch. Most notably, it supports 4-player Exhibition matches via the SNES Multitap, a feature curiously absent from the final game. Remarkably, all functionalities seem intact in this sample, including the ability to extend match durations to a full 60 minutes, whereas the final game caps at 10. Additionally, this sample contains a partially complete ending cutscene for Story Mode.

There's a handful of other small changes and differences, and even a collection of unused graphics presumably intended for an unknown baseball game. For further details, hit up The Cutting Room Floor!

Those Mega Man Keychains You Like Are Coming Back in Style

Hey, remember those collectible foam keychain things from, like, six years ago? Sure ya do! Well, they're making a comeback with a second wave. 

By way of distributor Monogram International, the 3D Foam Bag Clip Series 2 is poised to ship to various retailers across North America this Spring. Series 2 showcases a refreshed art style, spotlighting  Robot Masters from Mega Man 2, various iterations of Mega Man himself, Dr. Light, and Rush. The company also plans on releasing a larger magnet version of Mega Man as well.

Even though the original wave of these keychains debuted in 2018, they're still actively sold today. It seems they're popular enough to justify expanding the lineup with additional characters even after all this time. Keep an eye out on Amazon, Target, or wherever you usually find your miscellaneous game paraphernalia.

Source: Monogram International

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.

Exoprimal x Mega Man Collaboration Announced

Exoprimal, Capcom's dinosaur-based multiplayer game, will receive a healthy dose of Mega Man-themed content for Season 4. The collaboration will include exclusive Mega Man-themed exosuit skins, emotes and an original mission that pits players against Yellow Devil.

The Mega Man collaboration drops with Season 4 on April 17th. You can get an idea of what to expect from the trailer above. More info is expected to arrive closer to launch.

Source: Capcom US

Indie Dev Makes a Single Level of Mighty No. 9 Playable on 3DS and Vita

The developer behind a Kickstarter campaign for Breath of Thunder, an RPG inspired by Capcom's Breath of Fire, found themselves in the crosshairs of frequent comparisons to the infamous Mighty No. 9. In a savvy move, Jerrel Dulay opted to confront these comparisons head-on by creating a playable level of Mighty No. 9 for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita. 

"The campaign is being compared to Mighty No. 9 and its failures," writes Jerrel. "It is unlikely Breath of Thunder will be funded, so I made Mighty No. 9 for PSVita and 3DS instead. Please download and enjoy for FREE!" (3DS here, Vita here)

The 3DS and Vita versions of Mighty No. 9 were supposed to hit the shelves back in 2017. And despite both consoles being discontinued, believe it or not, these games have never officially been cancelled by Comcept or the publisher Deep Silver. In fact, you can still go ahead and pre-order the 3DS version on Amazon UK. Because, you know, why let a little thing like reality get in the way of a good pre-order?

For fans of Mighty No. 9, Jerrel's efforts should provide a little fix for that long-standing itch to play the game on-the-go. As one would say, it's better than nothing. 

If you're interested in checking out Breath of Thunder, hit up the game's Kickstarter campaign here.

Street Fighter 6 Delivers Brand-New Hitoshi Ariga Artwork

Released earlier last week, Street Fighter 6's latest Fighting Pass "Mega Man Gala" had a little surprise in store for fans-- a brand-new piece of artwork drawn by none other than Hitoshi Ariga!

Read more after the break!

Original Mega Man Creator Akira Kitamura Returns for New Projects at Brave Wave

Fortunate to get an early glimpse at future plans, I can confirm exclusively that Akira Kitamura, the original creator of Mega Man, is gearing up for a comeback after a hiatus of more than 30 years. 

Kitamura's return will be marked by a collaboration with Brave Wave, a record label known for its high-quality re-releases of classic game soundtracks. He will play a direct role in various projects currently in production, including a non-music related project. This particular endeavor, closely tied to a certain blue robot, is slated to be announced later this year and has been enthusiastically described by Kitamura as "a dream project."

Zero and Lan Hikari Join Capcom's "Capcorom" Plush Line

After the debut of MegaMan.EXE and Bass.EXE back in late 2022, two additional characters from the Mega Man series have joined Capcom's well-loved plush line, "Capcorom."

Starting this Friday, Zero from the Mega Man Zero series and Lan Hikari from the Mega Man Battle Network Series will be available to purchase at the Capcom Store locations in Tokyo, Osaka and Umeda for 1,100 yen each (around $7.32 or 6,74€). Alternatively, they'll be available on Capcom's online crane game service "Captore" the next day.

With these two new additions, the Mega Man series now boasts a total of eight characters transformed into these palm-sized beans. The current lineup includes MegaMan.EXE, Bass.EXE, Lan Hikari, Zero from Zero Series and Mega Man, Roll, Rush, and Proto Man from the Classic Series.

If you're looking to add these little guys to your collection, keep your eyes peeled to your favorite online import-friendly stores!