The Fight For Everlasting Peace, Waged Through Chess

Chess really isn't my cup of tea, but even I think this is pretty rad. Ben Howard of the tenacious Fizzman Industries, produced a hand-crafted Mega Man chess set with all of your favorite classic series characters. You'll be able to check out this bad-boy in person at MAGFest X:

The game divides the classic series cast into two factions: the good side and the bad side. Dr. Light and Mega Man are the king and queen respectively; as are Dr. Wily and Bass. Roll and Kalinka fill the boots of the bishop, Rush and Treble take on the role of nights, Beat and Batton the rooks, and Eddie and Metools charge to battle as pawns. Quite an interesting twist on the classic strategy game -- it's certainly left a wry smile on my face!

Chess aficionados will be happy to know you can request a commission from Fizzman Industries by filling out an order form here. Not sure how long Ben will offer these particular sculpts, so act quickly!

Check out Ben's website for more pics of the Mega Man chess set as well as his other video game character sculptures.

Rockman & Forte Manga Translation Project Kicks Off

When it comes to translated Rockman manga, there's no better friend than UDON Entertainment. Thanks to UDON, English speaking fans worldwide have be been able to enjoy a bevy of comics from Hitoshi Ariga's Megamix series, to Shin Ogino's Mega Man ZX adaptation.

But in spite of their consistent track record, UDON has yet to revisit twenty-something years worth of untranslated material. Shigeto Ikehara, Yoshinori Iwamoto, and Koji Izuki's works, to name a few. There's an entire backlog waiting to be translated -- so much so it could take years to cover it all! Fortunately, that's where the fans come in.

Manga translation group Rockman Tanjou are gearing up to help lighten UDON's load a bit -- taking it upon themselves to translate Koji Izuki's Rockman & Forte manga. The prologue and first chapter have been officially uploaded for everyone's viewing pleasure, available to download at Tanjou's official blog. The translation sticks closely to the source material, retaining the original Japanese names and vulgarity. Other chapters will be released in due course.

Over-the-top action interspersed with wacky shenanigans make Izuki's Rockman & Forte a non-stop thrill ride. Any classic series fan will dig this stuff, and for fans of Hitoshi Ariga, it's a must read. Click the above and check it out!

Source: The Mega Man Network

Indie Flash Game 'Rokko Chan' Is An Absolute Delight (Updated)

As we bid good riddance to a rather disappointing year, indie developer King dashes onto the scene to end 2011 on a great note. The Japanese team has delivered an authentic and ridiculously enchanting Mega Man parody called Rokko Chan, a free to play Flash game.

Rokko Chan is a parody in every sense of the word. Players take on the role of the titular Rokko, a female robot created by Dr. Sane, who ventures forth to put a stop to the evil ambitions of Dr. Mad. You'll do battle with six robot villains, each with a -man motif, charge through gaping corridors, hop across vanishing platforms, and catch yourself from a spikey doom by the skin of your teeth. Rokko Chan is the hardcore Mega Man game you've been craving all year long.

Although 8-bit styled in presentation, Rokko Chan successfully integrates classic and a smidgen of X gameplay into a polished package. The game even pools mechanics from other classic platformers, like Super Castlevania IV's famous rotating room. There's a boatload of other unexpected surprises, but giving them away would dishonor the experience.

Rokko Chan is nothing short of charming. King has successfully produced a platformer that rivals the official games. It's essentially Mega Man 11 in spirit. There's a lot more to be said, but really, it's better if you give the game a spin yourself. Click here to play it now!

UPDATE: Reader Kirak took the liberty of ripping and compiling the game's soundtrack in its entirety. Download it here! Enjoy!

Rockman X2 Lands On Japanese Virtual Console

Still not sure about North America, but in Japan today you can boot up your Wii, head to the Wii Shop Channel, and purchase Rockman X2 for 800 Wii Points. Capcom even whipped up a special trailer for the occasion:

Still no word on a North American release (or Europe, for that matter). However, we do tend to get releases after Japan, so we'll probably expect something to surface in early 2012. Doubtful X2 will hit this week, but you never know.

Thanks for the tip, Josh!

Jin Saotome Unleashes Custom Mega Man Action Figure

We’ve seen some pretty cool action figures and models over here at Rockman Corner, and today adds one more to the mix. Master action figure customizer Jin Saotome is back at the Mega Man scene again, and this time, he’s rolled out a new, wicked reinterpretation of the Blue Bomber himself.

Check out more photos here!

Pieces are coming from every which-way to assemble this 6'' scale masterpiece, as per usual. An Armored Avenger Titanium Man figure makes up the body, a DC Direct Flashpoint Cyborg for the arms and legs, and the head is borrowed from a Cloud Strife figure, fitted with an original helmet mold. The Mega Buster is the icing on the cake: comes with two interchangeable magnetic attachments -- a fully charged blast and an electric shield -- borrowed from a Doctor Doom figure. Very cool!

If you like what you see, you'll be happy to know the figure is currently up for auction on Jin’s eBay store. It is described thusly:

"Dark are the foretold days of Future Past, where giant robots roam desolate city ruins once home to a sprawling populace. But this future is not yet set and a hero arrives in a beam of light to make sure it never comes to pass! Megaman, the blue bomber himself is here to save the day in Marvel legends 6" scale! This rockin' Rockman has been hand-painted with deep shading, bright highlights, realistic armor effects, metallic sheens, and amazingly intricate detail which will really make him stand out in your Marvel Legends collection."

You can find the auction here; and much like previous Mega Man customs, is quickly skyrocketing in price. With six days left to bid, one can only image what the final price tag will be. Best of luck collectors!

Source: Tomopop

That One Time Mega Man Saved Christmas

Of the tens of thousands video games released in the last 30-odd years, there aren't too many Christmas-themed games out there, compared to other genres, anyway. But among those released, shines an obscure little game starring everyone's favorite blue robot: Mega Man's Rocket Christmas.

A holiday spin on another equally obscure mobile title, Rockman Space Rescue, Rocket Christmas is exactly what it sounds like. Players take to the skies as Rockman to deliver gifts to all the good girls and boys, using inertia to move about. You'll have to navigate a series of twists and turns to reach the kiddos -- but act quickly, because your jet pack won't last forever! But you need not fret; simply locate a stray Christmas cake, and your fuel will replenish. Yes; Mega Man's rocket is powered by Christmas cake. A tastier alternative to fossil fuels.

When the required number of gifts have been delivered, you'll have to make your way to the exit point, where a platform waits to extract you. And, really, that's all there is to it. Rocket Christmas is a rare Dr. Wily-free game, so the plot is pretty much left open to interpretation. Why is Mega Man delivering presents in place of Jolly Old Saint Nicholas? Why is the rocket powered by cake? Where are all the parents?! Ambiguity at its finest.

Capcom ended distribution of the game some years back, but that doesn't mean you still can't play it. The Mechanical Maniacs hosts a download of Rocket Christmas in .jar format. You'll need a Java platform or emulator to play, of course. It's surprisingly fun, albeit a bit sluggish from time to time. Well worth a play if you're into bizarre Mega Man games.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Rockman Online Has A New Navigator

With so many returning characters from both the classic and X series, one wonders if there's enough room in Rockman Online for some originality. Fortunately there is.

Neo Wiz Games has lifted the veil on a newly announced character named Irene (pictured); a Navigator who will oversee the player's progress. Irene's introduction comes way of a special Christmas message from the Neo Wiz staff, wishing fans a merry Christmas (and a Happy New Year). Speculation indicates Neo Wiz will give Irene a proper introduction in a future post, where her involvement in Rockman Online will be explained in greater detail.

Navigators sport a new look in this era, laced in Tron-esque lights and panels, among other changes. So far, the characters have only appeared in SD form. Irene will be joining the likes of Alia and Layer in Rockman Online, two returning Navigators from the X series. Command Mission's Nana is also expected to return, though Neo Wiz have yet to officially recognize her.

This is probably the last Rockman Online update for 2011. Well, no I take that back: we have an English translation of the third fan Q&A session coming along.  But in terms of new info about the game itself, I think it's a wrap. Well, there's always 2012.

Thanks for the tip, Amunshen!

Maverick Hunter X, Mega Man 4 Half-Off on PSN (Updated)

Capcom's holiday PlayStation Network sale is in full swing! With Christmas around the corner, Capcom has decided to team with Sony to celebrate by offering discounts on two digital Mega Man titles (among other games).

From now through January 10th, you can nab Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X and Mega Man 4 at half-off: Maverick Hunter for $4.99, Mega Man 4 for $2.99. Two great games for under $15, who can resist? Not a bad deal if you’re missing any of these.

Mind you, Mega Man 4 is Complete Works version of the NES classic, sold in its unadulterated Japanese form. As such, navigating menus can be a little tricky from time to time. Fortunately, that's what this handy guide is for. Use it whenever necessary!

If Mega Man isn't your thing (why are you here?), you'll be happy to know virtually every digital Capcom game is on sale. From Breath of Fire 4 to Street Fighter 3 Online, there's a little something for everyone this season.

Head on over to Capcom Unity for the complete list!

Update: Prices have yet to be discounted as of this writing. However, the PlayStation Store is currently undergoing maintenance. The issue may be rectified soon. Check back often!

Revamped Mega Man X Hits App Store Today

Well, this is a surprise. Preempting a release in Japan, the revamped Mega Man X iPhone port is now available on the New Zealand App store. What's more, according to Pocket Gamer, Mega Man X will hit North America and Europe later this evening! To keep your appetites whet till then, here's some footage of the game in action...

The iPhone port boasts optimized graphics, leaderboards, two new difficulty levels (easy and normal) and 80 challenges for the seasoned gamer. Additionally, Capcom has implemented a "shop" option where players can purchase Heart Tanks, Armor Parts and Sub Tanks. Arranged music (assumingly, the Maverick Hunter X soundtrack) can be purchased as well. Jump to 6:15 in the video above for shopping footage.

It's a little unsettling that you now have the option to pay for armor upgrades and the like with real money. Heck, you can even fork over $3.99 to buy everything in one fell swoop! Yeah, I don't quite see the point either. EDIT: Fortunately, you can still find the items in-game. This has been confirmed by our Japanese correspondent Amunshen.

UPDATE: Bit of a weird situation going on in Japan right now. The game has been removed from the App store due to a nasty bug where customers are receiving a demo version in lieu of the full game. However, Japan is the only affected region thus far. Here's hoping things will work out sooner rather than later.

The game will retail for £2.99 / $3.99 in Europe and North America respectively when it releases later tonight.

Hit the jump for more info...

The "Green Biker Dude" Gets His Own Game

Many acts of great bravery were performed by the Maverick Hunters during the Great War, but none more admirable than the Green Biker Dude's selfless charge into battle. Green Biker Dude's brief but heroic moment in Mega Man X2 has garnered a considerable following in way of fan-art and musical tributes. But fangames? Well, he finally got his due.

Here we have the aptly titled "Green Biker Dude" by Blyka, a side-scrolling fan-game starring GBD in his own PC adventure. Set before the events of Mega Man X2, players take on the role of GBD as they hone their wheelie skills for battle:

"Challenge the main "story" mode, blasting enemies for score as you race hard to the finish of the four tracks, ending with a boss battle and the tragic story of Green Biker Dude. Brush up on your racing skills in Time Attack mode, where you leave behind score and enemies and race hard for the best possible time. Submit your highest score and best times to the Global Records to compete with players around the world, or battle and chase with a friend locally in VS mode. "

If you like what you see, you can download the game at Blyka's Door. The GBD devoted will no doubt get a kick out of this.

Thanks for the heads up, Blyka!

Capcom Looking to Develop Rockman Pachinko

Having tackled practically every genre under the sun, Rockman may be headed to the uncharted waters of pachi slot. According to a report from 100,000 Strong (via Yahoo! Japan), Capcom are seeking out programmers to help develop pachinko games based off of Rockman, and a number of other popular properties:

 “Capcom is now looking to hire an experienced game programmer under a one year contract. We want to make a fun electronic slot machine using characters such as Mega Man, Ryu, and Zombies. Once hired, you will be in charge of this project from planning to completion.”

In Japan, it’s pretty common for video games licenses to spurn off into pachinko territory.  I'm actually surprised its taken this long for a Rockman pachislot to come around! But, Rockman is no stranger to the arcade/gambling scene in Japan. The Blue Bomber previously starred in a fast and frantic pinball game, and a highly obscure Rockman X3-themed roulette machine some years back.

Today's pachinko machines are more than just cabinets for spinning metal balls. New machines feature large LCD displays and surround sound to keep players engaged in an immerse experience. I'm sure Capcom has some interesting ideas up their sleeves to make the whole experience very Rockman-like.

More news on this story as it comes!

Cover and Solicitation For Mega Man #12

New solicitation and cover artwork for Archie’s Mega Man #12 is live, which intends to cap off the Mega Man 2-inspired story arc, "The Return of Dr. Wily." The cover, alone, is enough to make anyone want this issue instantly! But alas, we have to wait until March 2012. 

"This is it, the grand finale of “The Return Of Dr. Wily!” Dr. Wily has hidden himself in his latest fortress and surrounded himself with killer robots as he plots his counter-attack. 

Can Mega Man breach the defenses and stop the mad scientist in time? Maybe not alone — but the Original Robot Masters have got his back! It’s all-out robot warfare in the explosive conclusion!" ---- 32 pages, $2.99.

Well fancy that... the cover art is a reinterpretation of the European Mega Man 2 packaging! Quite the improvement, wouldn't you say?  And really, Dr. Wily’s “Seal of Disapproval” is just the icing on the cake. Splendid work on behalf of Patrick 'Spaz' Spaziante!

Credit: The Mega Man Network via Comics Continuum