Additional Legends 3 Comments From Inafune

Following up on our story from the other day, Joystiq recently sat down for a brief interview wit Keiji Inafune at the Tokyo Game Show. Naturally, the subject of Mega Man Legends 3 reared its head.

Recapping his sentiments shared in now infamous 4Gamer interview, Inafune would go on to say he has hopes someone will fill his shoes, and see to it Legends 3 becomes a reality.

"The two projects were really hard to even get started, because the title is kind of old," he said, referring to Mega Man Legends 3. "We were bringing it back. It wasn't easy for me to get the go ahead from the company, I was fighting against the company, and now it's been canceled."

Regardless, Inafune still has hope that the torch may be picked up by someone on his former team, though he's not confident it'll happen. "I was kind of hoping that someone would come forth, again, and fight with the company and get that project going, but like I said, I don't know if anybody will have the guts to fight against the company right now," he admitted.

And if a successor at Capcom has come forth, they've yet to identify themselves, though Inafune noted that he left behind "a really good team," any one of which could emerge as a future leader at the Japanese company. "I didn't choose anyone, but I'm kind of hoping that someone will come forth," he said. 

A lot of people, internally, want to see Legends 3 happen; this I am certain of. It's simply a matter of someone stepping up to the plate and taking up the initiate. Of course, that's probably easier said than done.

With Inafune out of the picture, the franchise is in desperate need of new leadership -- a passionate individual who will oversee what path Mega Man takes from here on out. New blood, so to speak. The good news is, Capcom is bustling with Mega Man fans who are just as, if not more passionate about the blue boy than Inafune. It may take some time, but I'm confident the franchise will fall into good hands.

For all we know, the seeds of the future have already been planted.

Source: Joystiq

Japan Isn't Very Fond of Battle Chip Challenge

What's the most worthless video game in Japan? Jeremy Parish and his 1UP crew wandered the streets of Akihabara to find out. Parish's journey would lead them to "Friends", a small but popular retro game shop at the edge of Chuou-dori. Shimmering midst a sea games, a sight that could only be described as a mass grave...

Mega Man: Battle Chip Challenge.

"We've seen cheaper games than 30 yen (about 40 cents) apiece, but never quite so many at one time," writes Parish. "The sheer numbers of unwanted carts in this basket -- about 90% a single title by volume -- means that you could buy this entire collection for about 10-12 bucks and... I don't know. Use them as tiny bricks in your toilet basin to reduce your water bill?"

The dominate unloved game in question is none other than Battle Chip Challenge, better known as Rockman EXE Battle Chip GP in Japan. Released in the summer of 2003, the title offered a bit of a tactical twist on the standard Battle Network formula. It's not a bad game per se, but it's very existence was relegated "filler" before the release of Battle Network 4, the most successful title in the series' history. To say BCC was quick cash grab is an understatement.

"But don't be sad, Mega Man fans. Battle Chip Challenge has a long way to go before it's regarded as a legendary kusoge (crap game) on the level of Moero! Pro Yakyuu (aka Bases Loaded). It would be tough to take a bath in this relatively small collection of carts."

Source: 1UP 

Mega Man Dual Pack Now Available

Hopped on over to GameStop today, and sure enough, Dual Pack was in stock. As anticipated, it's nothing fancy -- just a simple bundling of Powered Up and Maverick Hunter X for $14.99. Here's what it looks like, for those curious:

Content-wise, it pales in comparison to the Japanese Value Pack; no bonus soundtrack here. Nevertheless, Dual Pack succeeds in being an ideal purchase for PSP owners on a budget, or if you haven't had the chance to play these two amazing games. Unless you're a hardcore compeltionist, the bundle is not recommended if you already happen to own both games.

Before heading out to your local retailer, it's a wise idea to call ahead and make sure the game's in stock. Dual Pack literally shipped yesterday, and may not necessarily be on shelves. If all else fails, it's ready to ship online.

As far as I'm aware, the bundle is exclusive to GameStop and EB Games. Still, it couldn't hurt to scope this one out elsewhere.

This Mega Buster Is Stitched With Love

Capcom's official Mega Buster plush may be coming out this Winter, but one fan was already ahead of the game. Rockman Corner reader Kelsey crafted a plush arm cannon of her own as a gift for her boyfriend. If that wasn't cool enough, Keiji Inafune actually blessed the buster at New York Comicon 2010:

Who needs GE Animation's Buster when you could have one stitched with love by your significant other? Very touching.

I find it very interesting that some of the more popular fan-made products are becoming official goods. Those stitched Mega Man caps? They're licensed now. Garage kits of Rockman, Blues, and Roll? Kotobukiya's got those rights in the bag. It seems Capcom is on the lookout at what's hot when it comes to homebrewed Mega Man paraphernalia.

Quickly, now, someone build an Eddie trashcan. I want one of those!

Plush Mega Buster And Other Goods Coming This Winter

MORE Mega Man merchandise! Good gravy, GE Animation are on a roll here. The folks behind a number of official blue bomber paraphernalia are at it again, gearing up to release a slew of new goodies by year's end. And no, we're not talking about November's loot, but December's. Is there no end to the madness?

Most of the new items are inexplicable themed after Mega Man X6, but there's a few neat classic series products of interest such as a plush Mega Buster(pictured), and a helmet cap.  All merch. listed below are due out by December 30th, 2011:

• Mega Man 10 Mega Buster Plush
• Mega Man X6 iPhone 4 Case 
• Fleece Mega Man 10 Helmet Cap
• Mega Man X6 Wallet
• MMX6 Messenger Bag
• Powered Up Sweatband
• Mega Man 10 Keychain
• Rush 8-bit Keychain

Hands-down, the plush Buster is the coolest of the lot. I think it's safe to assume it's a sleeve of sorts; shove your hand inside, and you've got yourself a rockin' Buster. Coupled with that helmet cap, and you'll be ready to fight for ever lasting peace!

GE Animation Mega Man products are typically sold at Hot Topic and other major pop-culture chains across North America. You can't order these trinkets directly from AAA Distribution, mind you. AAA  is merely a liaison for retailers. You can, however, request an item to be sold at a store near you.

2011 is undeniably the year of merchandise. Mega Man video games? What are those?

Inafune's Failed Attempt To Finish Legends 3 At Comcept

Giving in to peer pressure, I've decided to post this story. As a wise man once said, "There are no old video game stories, just stories people have forgotten, or never read to begin with."

Keiji Inafune's interview with 4Gamer.net took place back in November, in which he discussed his desire to continue development of Mega Man Legends 3 at his new company, Comcept, in cooperation with Capcom. Given Legends 3's ultimate fate since, the interview is just as relevant as ever:

4G: So if you want to save Capcom, you can continue working on that even after leaving. It seems like there are a lot of people like that.

Inafune: So, I told them that I was going to found my own independent company and leave Capcom. However, I stated that I was ready to make a contract with them so that I could keep working on those projects that I started. I couldn’t start making contracts with other publishers for sure if Capcom agreed to the proposition, but I wanted to see those projects that I started to completion. But it couldn’t be done. They answered, ‘We have no need to do that.’"

"[I went to the trouble of]…Finding the right time, gathering the team members, planning strategies, all so we could barely start on Mega Man Legends 3. I really don’t want to quit at this crucial moment…but I can’t keep going at Capcom. I am too tired to keep going. I wanted to leave Capcom to recharge my energy, and support Capcom from there, but it seems they don’t allow it. I want to make all my effort to keep Legends 3 alive, but I’m really not sure I can do it." 

Simply put, Keiji Inafune was so devoted to the project that he was willing to develop it outside of Capcom, picking up the reins at his company. Infaune was willing to gather the staff and resources needed to complete Legends 3... but Capcom simply wouldn't budge. Eight months later, Legends 3 was cancelled.

Had Capcom allowed Inafune to develop the title at Comcept, perhaps things would have ended up differently.

I'd like to thank everyone who passed this my way; your patience was appreciated!

Do You Hear the Fanbase Sing? A Musical Ode To Mega Man Legends 3

The inevitable sequel to Dashe's Waiting For Legends 3 Musical Tribute has arrived! Eleven months later, the fans singing an entirely different tune....

Lyrics in video description here

Dashe writes "The long-anticipated sequel to my favorite video game in the world was abruptly canceled, so I did what all normal people do in that situation and animated a choir spoofing a smash from one of Broadway's most beloved shows of all time."

A lot of hard work went into this, and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Oh yeah, the dude on the far right at 1:04? That's me. 

Great work, everyone.

Shield Your Eyes With The Met Sleeping Mask

Sleep masks are a wonderful invention -- they block out light so you can sleep longer. The downside here is they don't necessarily look good on you. Fortunately, there's a solution. A Mega Man solution!

Ditch those bland old sleeping masks, because it's time to shield your peepers the Mega Man way. Etsy user Milk And Juice brings us this homemade Met-themed sleeping masking, an imaginative product ideal for fans who like to sleep in total darkness. You're practically *becoming* a Met when you wear this!

The mask will run you $20. It's made from silk and satin, so it's entirely washable. Good news, too, because you can totally share it with friends and family without having to worry about conjunctivitis.

A little pricey, but bear in mind it's entirely by handmade. Interested? Hop on over to Milk and Juice's shop and grab yours.

Exploiting Mega Man 8's Mega Ball

Who doesn't love the Mega Ball? This is a weapon you can literally punt into enemies -- death by (practically) a kick ball. Humiliating. WMD capabilities aside, the Mega Ball can also be used to reach hard-to-reach areas. When timed properly, you can pretty much exploit the trick into ascending to staggering heights, and even cruise through stages without touching the ground! Keiji Dragon shows off these feats and more in his video compilation, "I Totally Like the Mega Ball."

You know that Bolt in Clown Man's Stage? This one? Yeah, it took me ten years to figure out you can ball hop to it. My mind was blown. Rush Cycle? What Rush Cycle?

Thanks for shooting this one in my direction, Keiji Dragon!

Dr. Wily's Revenge Blasts Onto eShop

After having heard musings of it coming months ago, Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge has finally arrived on the Nintendo 3DS eShop. And not just in Europe territories, but in North America as well. The Game Boy classic will run you $3.99 (£3.60).

Wily's Revenge may not be the best of the Game Boy sub-series (that honor goes to V), but it does boast a nice, bite-sized Mega Man experience. Also Enker.

With Wily's Revenge under our belt, we can look forward to the next 3DS Virtual Console release. What could it be? Well, there's a lot of possibilities from Mega Man II, to the early-late 2000 Game Boy Advance outings (Battle Network, Zero, etc.). Anything in particular you'd like to see down the line?

Thanks for the tip, Kagu

D-Arts Full Armor X Coming To US Next Month

Seems with Zero on his way out the door, Bandai is looking to the next D-Arts release in America: Full Armor X. I've received word from Adam Newman of Bandai that the figure is indeed headed stateside, due for release in October.

Pre-orders should show up soon, closer towards the end of the month. Yes, Full Armor X is releasing this month in Japan, but the localized version offers a more accessible venue to obtain it within North America. No need to worry about those nasty import fees!

Full Armor X is an entirely new figure, and not just a set of replacement parts. All joints are interchangeable with the original D-Arts X, in case you want that incomplete armor look. Parts/joints can even be exchanged with the Zero for even stranger results. Of course, Full Armor X comes with his own accessories: two hand parts, shot effects and charge blast effects.

Color me excited!

Rockman Dot Straps Volume 3 Revealed

Capcom and Creative Union are teaming up once again with the arrival of all new Rockman Dot straps. A new batch of the popular sprite themed charms were revealed some hours ago at Rakuten.

Volume 3 will once again play host to ten charms, the focus this time being on the cast of Rockman 2. Metal Man, Air Man, Heat Man... the gang's all here. A lone Rockman sprite fleshes out the batch, depicting the blue bomber in agonizing pain (guess they're running out of Rockman frames to immortalize in rubber). The identity of a tenth charm is currently shrouded in mystery...

The new lot of straps are due out in January, 2012, priced at 4,000 Yen ($52.00) for a full set. You can usually find them sold individually at a cheaper price, but it's random. You never know which character you're going to get.

Credit: The Mega Man Network (thanks, Heidi!)