New Mega Man Legends 3 Promotional Trailer

Don't get too excited; it doesn't contain gameplay. Capcom Europe and Capcom Unity released a promotional trailer for Legends 3 earlier today, which mostly advertises the devroom. On the plus side, the trailer does contain 3D models of Servbots and some nice concept art the flashes by. Try not to blink!

The Mega Man Network has taken the liberty of screen caping those brief flashes of concept art, so if you're seeking a better look, hop on over there.

It remains to be seen if these pieces, which depict new locations, equipment, and even a new outfit for Roll, will reflect the final product.

Alternate Mega Man #1 Cover Art Revealed

IGN.com scored an exclusive look at a preliminary variant cover design for the first issue in Archie Comics' Mega Man series. The variant cover (pictured), is being illustrated by Chad Thomas, best known for his work on Sabrina: The Teenage Witch and Young Salem.

The variant will be distributed on a 1-in-5 ratio against the standard cover (illustrated by Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante), so it's more than likely this will become quite the collector's item one day.

Additionally, IGN has also revealed that issue #1 will hit newsstands on May 4, 2011. Curiously, this date contradicts Archie's official teaser, which touts a release sometime in April. Who's got it right? Well, we might just have to wait and find out.

Written by Ian Flynn of Sonic the Hedgehog fame and illustrated by the likes of Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante, John Workman, and Matt Herms, Archie's Mega Man is definitely shaping up to be quite the project. Do look forward to it!

More information and full story available at IGN.

Goodbye Sephira, Hello Aero

Capcom asked, you answered. The results for the Legends 3 heroine name poll, the heated debate between Aero or Sephira, have been posted and surprise, surprise, the winning title is... Aero!

The following tidbit coming from the English devroom:

"What up, Volnutts?! After discussing the issue at length amongst the dev team and also consulting all you fans about it, the verdict is in--our heroine's name is. . . . ::drumroll:: . . . . . . .AERO!!!

Yup, her name is Aero! I, for one, am relieved. That gal has "Aero" written all over her, not to mention it keeps in line with the whole four-letter pattern they had going and doesn't recall images of a certain silver-haired goon from our distant past. So let us rejoice, friends, for that's one less thing to lose sleep over."

And thus ends the Sephira saga -- the name's Aero across all territories, not just Japan anymore. Still, the question remains: why did Capcom see fit to localize her name in the first place?

Source: Capcom Unity

Vintage Mega Man SNES Promo Reel

This is a little something SuperMega and I have trying to get on YouTube for a while, and we finally got it up and running. What we have here is a vintage Mega Man-themed Super Nintendo Promo reel -- a short promotional VHS tape sent out to video rental stores in the mid nineties to advertise then-current games for the SNES. These tapes would continuously play in the background of the store as you shopped, usually on television kiosks stationed nearby the game aisle.

Footage consists of Mega Man X2, MM7 and MMX3, all narrated by a rather bland voice over. I suspect the footage yields from slightly early game builds due to noticeable flicker, lack of music, and graphical glitches not present in the final retail versions:

(Oh, hey, continuously dying is a great way to market a game!)

A neat little blast from the past, if I do say so myself. I remember always being mesmerized by these reels back in the day; spent more time watching them than actually renting anything.

I've got a few more neat little treasures laying around on some old tapes at home, one of which is this bizarre 15th anniversary promo that, to my knowledge, hasn't been archived online anywhere. I don't want to spoil its contents right now but take my word for it: it's pretty darn weird.

Stay tuned!

Clearing Up Star Force: Official Complete Works Release Date Confusion

Lately, I've received several emails concerning Amazon's Mega Man Star Force: Official Complete Works listing. Within the last few days, Amazon updated the book's release date from January 11 all the way to July, 2011. That's a pretty big delay, but fret not, it is by no means correct.

Our pal at Udon Entertainment, Matt Moylan, has personally confirmed with me that Amazon's SF OCW release date is incorrect. The book is not coming out in July... but it is seeing a slight delay: Matt says we can expect to see the book in stores by the end of March.

In the meantime, he's looking into correcting the Amazon release and already the March date has been reflected on Udon's own release schedule. As for Battle Network OCW, the book is still on track for somewhere between January/February. We should have a clearer release date soonish along with an inevitable set of preview pages. Look forward to that!

Well, that's that. Thanks again to Matt for keeping us in the loop. More OCW news as it comes!

Up Close And Personal With Kotobukiya Roll

Kotobukiya's 1/10 scale Roll model finally went on sale last week in Japan, and for those of us who aren't fortunate enough to have it in our hands right now, we've got some great high quality shots of the figure in action for you to admire.

This Japanese blog has taken the liberty of snapping several photos of the fully constructed model in all its glory. There's quite a few of them, too, so check out the preceding link for the full set and below for a small morsel.

Check out the full set here

As mentioned earlier, the Roll model kit is on sale now. You can find a list of importers currently selling the figure here. Also, bear in mind, we're probably seeing this one, along with her brothers, on our shores in Summer, so you may want to reconsider importing. 

Thanks for the tip, Adam!

Toys "R" Us Selling Bandai Trading Figures

Well, this is a pleasant surprise: Bandai’s “Super Model Spirit” Rockman Trading Figures are now being sold outside of Japan, through Toys "R" Us, no less.

TRU's online store started selling the miniature figures, which, until now, have largely been exclusive to specialty importers. For $23.99 USD (eligible for free shipping!), you'll receive a set of three, randomly chosen individually packaged, blind-boxed figures.

Standing between two to three inches, the figures are based off of various character from the Mega Man universe. These include:

• Mega Man w/Met A
• Mega Man w/ Met B
• Roll
• Bass A
• Bass B
• Proto Man
• Mega Man X
• Zero (X series)
• Zero (Zero series)
• Air Man
• Cut Man

As noted in the product description, the figures are online exclusive so you won't be finding them at your local TRU. Additionally, it remains to be seen just how long they'll have 'em in stock, so you might want to order ASAP.

If this is something up your alley, you can order a set of your very own right here.

The Ghost Of NubyTech's Lost MMX Controller

Over the years, I've amassed a rather nice collection of old Mega Man assets and resources: promos, advertisments, press releases, prototype footage, and other miscellaneous memorabilia.

Despite not necessarily being classified as "news", I really do enjoy sharing these little blasts from the past; they're fun! So, continuing this endless tradition, I thought I'd share another little nugget. I dug up this old item of interest that some of you may remember, unfortunately, never saw the light of day: NubyTech's Mega Man X PlayStation 2 controller.

Waaaay back in 2004, NubyTech announced a partnership with Capcom to produce a series of Mega Man accessories. Kicking off this joint venture, Mega Man X-inspired Gamecube and PlayStation 2 controllers. After a slew of delays, NubyTech finally released the GameCube version in 2006, exclusively sold at EB Games and GameStop. The PlayStation 2 variation was inexplicable scrapped; all we have left of it now is the above proof-of-concept image.

If memory serves me right, it was once mentioned that the PS2 controller would have special compatibility with Mega Man X8; "lighting-up" under certain conditions during gameplay. Pretty cool idea in theory... might get annoying after a while, of course.

So why is this relevant today? For the past couple months or so, the controller has taken on a vanishing act of sorts over at GameStop's online store. Every so often, the controller appears under the store's Mega Man listings, only to vanish a short while later. The listing has no price, no release date, or description; merely the image of the controller and title, Mega Man X PlayStation 2 Controller.

I don't believe plans to release the controller are back on -- this vanishing act is likely due to a glitch on GameStop's part. Still, like Amazon's instance upon keeping Mega Man Mania listed, this is a pretty big taunt to those of us who eagerly awaited the arrival of this item all those years ago.

Keep checking GameStop online; the controller's ghost is bound to appear once more.

Mega Man New Year's Day Marathon

Happy new year's, everyone!

Just a friendly heads up: The folks over at Golden Horsehoe Street Fighter are ringing in the new year in a very special way: blazing through every numbered classic series Mega Man game, and taking donations for Child's Play along the way.  To keep things fresh, the team will set in place little challenges throughout the day, such as Mega Buster-only runthroughs.

The stream begins below at 12 PM, EST. All donations will go directly to the Child’s Play charity. Be sure to check them out and give them your support!

Many thanks to Zach O' Doherty for bringing this to my attention!

Mega Man Olympics Round 4: Quick Man Challenge

The Mega Man Olympics wage on! In the fourth round, jgonzo and Ucchy-san take on the appropriately named Quick Man stage, a hundred meter dash to the finish.

With only four challenges remaining, things are really starting to heat up.!Who will come out on top? USA or Japan? We'll just have to keep watching to find out.

GoNintendo via The Mega Man Network

Sigma Returns In Rockman Online

It was simply only a matter of time: with all these old baddies being revived for Rockman Online, Sigma's return was inevitable.  On the verge of wishing all a happy new year, Alia's "transmission" at the official Rockman Online was sabotaged by the head-honcho himself, dropping the following message:

"Young masses, a new revolution is drawing near! The sun you all knew from long ago has disappeared beneath the horizon. As the new year dawns, everything you know, ladies and gentlement, will change.

We, for example, were born as far greater beings than the humans, yet… we are bound to their principles. Throw off the bonds of the ancient humans, and join the evolution of the new generation! Yes! We will evolve and progress! For our revolution! Please do not forget the day the era our new evolution began! Yes! Once again, that new age is drawing near! The day of the Reploids!

Until that day comes, pray you’re one of the chosen… and a survivor."

It certainly sounds like Sigma is once again the mastermind behind the sudden Maverick outbreaks, possibly even the leader of RMO's 'Ultimate Reploid Association', the opposing force.

Let's try to act surprised.

Credit: The Mega Man Network

Mega Man: MAD Magazine Style

Jose Garibaldi, the freelance artist best known for his work in MAD Magazine, whipped up this nice interpretation of the Blue Bomber some weeks back on his personal blog. It's illustrated in a style that gives off this interesting, every-day-kid portrayal of Mega Man; the look of a young sprat eager to go about saving the world!

Jose suggests you listen to this tune as you ogle over the image:

Gotta love those pseudo-sneakers!

Plenty more of Mr. Garibadli's video game inspired art can be found at his official website, Little Brown Heart and official blog!

Source: Comics Alliance