Preorders Are Go For Kotobukiya Roll

For your convenience, here's a nice handy dandy list of import retailers currently accepting preorders for the Kotobukiya Roll model, slated to ship in December. Amiami was first out the door to offer preorders, but more shops are quickly following suit. Links to buy the model and prices below.

• Amiami -- $25.59 US 
• Mamegyorai -- $25.74 US
• Hobby Search -- $28.16 US
• Hobby Link Japan -- $33.45 US (porder by Oct. 5, get 5% off)
• Bigbe2 Shop -- $35.01 US
• JBOX -- $38.00 US
• Toys Logic -- $39.99

If you're looking to purchase the model, choose which shop best fits your budget and order away. Shipping and handling fees vary depending on the retailer and your location, so the final price tag could end up being a pretty penny.

As mentioned earlier, Roll isn't expected to ship until December. Her counterpart model, Rockman, is due to release at the end of next month and a Blues model (Proto Man) will be coming along before year's end.

Early Rockman X6 Prototype Released

Considering the fact it's not very often betas of Mega Man/Rockman games get leaked, I just had to post this up here. Reader Techokami sends word that Skaarg, a member of the Sonic Retro forums, has dumped and released an early prototype of Rockman X6 onto the net, which you can download here.

Being an early build of X6, there's quite a few differences from the final retail version despite being produced on September 28, 2001 (two months prior to the game's Japanese release). For example, some menu screens actually contain doodles and sketches standing in as placeholders until the final graphics were implemented:

Other differences of note include:

• The Nightmare System, while present, is not indicated by red boss portraits on the stage select screen.
• Stages lack armor capsules and heart tanks.
• Controller options, save menu and loading screens are graphically broken.
• As seen in pre-release screenshots, minor bosses have a skull emblem under their lifebars.
• The boss approach "WARNING" alert is vocalized.
• There are no sound effects during cutscenes (such as hums of machines or howling winds).
• Falcon Armor's Giga Attack lacks sound effects.
• Stage background graphics are incomplete and glitchy in some areas.
• High Max's battle sprite is a brighter hue.
• Nightmare Viruses in Commander Yammark's stage do not infect rescuable Reploids.
• When fighting Nightmare Zero, his armor is traditional red whereas in the final, it's purple/pink.
• Rainy Turtloid and opening stage BGMs are slightly different, lacking instruments.
• As seen in early screens, the giant Reploid, Illumina, is restrained by energy cables.
• There's a brief conversation between X and Infinity Mijinion upon entering his stage. In the final, this conversation takes place when confronting Mijinion at stage's end.
• Portals to the secondary paths are green instead of blue.
• Falcon Armor dashes at a slightly longer distance than final's.

There's probably a few more oddities/differences present so I'll be on the lookout for those when I play the proto for myself tonight (might even record it and put it up on YouTube, or something). I'll be updating this post accordingly and, should you find anything interesting, speak up in the comments.

Thanks for the tip, Techokami!

Reminder: Hitoshi Ariga In Toronto Next Week; Japan Foun. Hosting Event In His Honor

Just sending out a friendly reminder that Hitoshi Ariga, author and illustrator of Mega Man Megamix, will be attending Fan Expo in Toronto next week from August 27-29. Not only slated to appear at Udon Entertainment's booth for autographs, but he'll also be doing a panel on Saturday.

Further, for those who cannot make it out to Fan Expo, Ariga will be appearing at the Japan Foundation on Thursday, August 26th at "Mega Man! Megamix! Mega Event!", an event held in Ariga's honor. This event is free to public, but Udon informs me an RSVP is required due to limited space.

With so much going on, it's easy to get confused, so Udon has hit us up with a press release detailing everything going down next week in great detail. Check it out for yourselves after the jump!

Rockman Complete Works Fan-Translation In The Works

Several years ago, Japan was graced with a line of classic series re-releases on the original PlayStation under the label Rockman Complete Works. Contrary to popular belief, the Complete Works games did, in fact, make their way to the U.S, going on to form the core of 2004's Mega Man Anniversary Collection. Unfortunately, MMAC stripped down most of what made the Complete Works games so neat; numerous modes and extras such as unlockable art, an enemy encyclopedia and the famous PockeStation features. Fortunately, English speaking fans may yet have a chance to enjoy the Complete Works games in their entirety.

Henger83 has announced, via a series of YouTube videos, is currently hard at work at translating the Complete Works version of Rockman 1, along with the aid of a fellow Japanese gamer. The project is in the early phases, but is already making steady progress.

Check out more in-depth details after the jump!

The Life of Wily, In Between Games

Ever wonder what Dr. Wily does to pass the time in between Mega Man games? You know, when he's not in jail? YouTuber jaroshbarksdale answers that question with a collection of Dr. Wily centric mini-games created in Wario Ware D.I.Y.  Nine in total, the bite sized games have Wily performing minuscule everyday tasks from testing out traps and fueling up his flying saucer, to trimming those bushy eyebrows. Weird stuff, but highly entertaining:

It took Jaroshbarksdale roughly three months and a hundred hours total to design the games and it really shows. Excellent work!

A lot of neat Mega Man-themed games have come about thanks to Wario Ware D.I.Y, so I suggest you check those out on YouTube, too. Perhaps one day I'll compile a whole bunch in one mega sized post...

Kotobukiya Roll Looking A Tad More Colorful

For the last month or so, we've been ogling over a bland, grey prototype of Kotobukiya's 1/10 scale Roll model. While the figure itself looked top notch, I think we could all agree it's in desperate need of some color. Thankfully, this is no longer an issue as Kotobukiya has revealed a full colorized version of the model online today. Spiffy, isn't she? Plenty more shots where that came from; head on down to Ngee Khiong, scroll down a bit, and enjoy.

Coinciding with these colorful photos, Kotobukiya also revealed the figure's price tag of $36.74 USD. Preorders for the model have already begun with Amiami Shop offering it at a slightly lower price -- $27.18 USD, not including shipping.

Expect more online stores to offer up preorders soon. As with the Rockman model, I imagine stores will have varying price points, thus I'll probably be compiling all stores offering the model like I did with Rockman. Look forward to that.

Credit: The Mega Man Network

Rockman Online Releasing This Year

According to a report over at Hankyung, Capcom and NeoWiz Games' collaborative project, Rockman Online, is set to launch in Korea later this year. While a specific release date wasn't disclosed, RMO, alongside two other titles, is said to make up NeoWiz's lineup for the remainder of 2010.

Unfortunately, the report was mum on new details about the game. However, the article provided a summary of the basics we've known for a while: Rockman Online, a side-scrolling action RPG, will boast 3D graphics on a two dimensional plane, much like Mega Man X8 and Maverick Hunter X. Familiar faces and NPCs will make up the game's cast in addition to online players. Further details are expected to surface in the near future.

Rockman Online is currently exclusive to Korea and regions within Asia. While there's been no word of a release for the West, a Japanese release is likely, if a trademark is to be believed. 

Not much else to say than that. I'll be keeping my ears out for any new information.

Wood Man, Ice Man Retro Rotos On The Way?

Once considered indefinitely canceled, it appears Jazwares might be looking to finally release the long awaited second wave of Mega Man Retro Rotos, if the packaging of the new 2010 re-released figures is any indication.

Wood Man and Ice Man Rotos, two figures originally said to be canceled, are being advertised on the backs of the re-released wave 1 figures as "coming soon" (pictured). Keen-eyed fans will note that both Wood Man and Ice Man were advertised on the backs of the original 2005 packaging (click for image), back when they were slated to originally release. However, what's interesting here is Jazwares could have taken this opportunity to remove the ads on the new packages; but they didn't. They did, however, remove all mention of the Build-A-Bot figure, whose pieces are no longer included in the re-releases.

Was their inclusion an error or intentional?  Jazware's has yet to comment, but past remarks made by Jazwares' National Sales Coordinator, Scott Levine, indicate the company is pushing to get wave 2 out the door along with a line of new 3.5'' figures. Further, it appears even Jazware's own website is gearing up for a potential second wave as the site now clearly labels the current, re-released figures as wave 1; a tag dropped many, many years ago.

It'd be nice to finally get these guys, so I'm hoping to get the official word from Jazwares soon. In the meantime, you can support the realization of wave 2 by telling Jazware's you want them via Twitter or FaceBook.

Thanks to greatbuysguy for the image.

MM2 Wily's Castle On Accordion

Mega Man 2's Wily castle theme is undeniably one of, if not the most famous song in the series. Its popularity has warranted a plethora of renditions, interpretations and remixes over the years -- played on practically everything from guitars and pianos to violins and flutes. Today comes another version of the song... played on an accordion. How does it fare? Have a listen.

Impressive, to say the least and it sounds very close to the original song. Even if you're sick to death of the theme, you've got to admit that was pretty good. Personally, I've yet to tire of theme and always love hearing stuff like this. Looking forward to the next big interpretation!

Source: Game Revolution

Even More Oddball Swag From Thailand

From the wacky world of Thailand bootlegs, comes two more unlicensed Mega Man products that are sure to raise a couple eyebrows. Admittedly, not quite as obscure as the space gun from last week, but pretty bizarre nonetheless.

Spotted by Rock Miyabi and Rummenie, here's a cheap wannabe Mega Man X, based off of Bandai's Mega Armor model kits. "Super Fighter Component Model Rockman" here apparently sports two Busters and a blue/yellow armor that just reeks of Mega Man 1 American box art influence. Interestingly, the toy is capable of firing little pellets from its Buster(s), so it's certainly unique in its own right. The toy's actually up on Ebay right now if you're interested in adding this oddity to your collection.

And in the apparel department:

What is this, I don't even...

Pretty self explanatory; Mega Man X and Batman, meshed together in one truly psychedelic hat. Quite an odd crossover choice, if you ask me -- I don't even think we have fan-fiction based on that pairing.  Interesting bit of trivia: the hat's owner, reader Robert, points out the image of X is actually based off of his player select sprite from Mega Man X4.

If you happen to come across other bootleg stuff of equal or greater obscurity, send them my way. We'd love to see it!

Rockman X Mobile Released In Korea

Reader JinRo sends word that a mobile phone port of the original Rockman X is now available in Korea, distributed exclusively through Com2Us. The game is a complete port of the original with all stages, music and sound effects intact. Aside from a few minor graphical alterations, it's the same game we all know and love.

For those interested, you can check out the game's trailer below, which features gameplay clips spliced together with footage from The Day of Sigma:

Can't see the video? Let me know in the comments! The embed code for this one is a bit wonky so if need be, I'll try provide a YouTube version.

UPDATE: YouTube version added. Thanks, Shin Star!

Kotobukiya Roll On Display

Kotobukiya is exhibiting a prototype of their forthcoming Roll figure this weekend at their direct store in Akihabara, Japan. Photos of the display, provided by Seaside Tears and Moeyo, give us a closer look at the figure's details and just how nicely she looks when positioned next to her Kotobukiya brethren, Rockman. Meanwhile, Capcom Japan recently added a tiny blurb about the figure on their Rockman 10 website, showing off a couple poses, too. 

As detailed earlier, Roll (releasing in December) comes with interchangeable parts that can be arranged to resemble her classic NES look or her Mega Man 8 look and a series of swappable faces and hands. Like the 1/10 scale Rockman (slated to release late September), Roll stands at 13cm in height with twenty points of articulation. Bear in mind, what you see is a prototype so the final design may vary slightly.