Hidden Oddities in Rockman X4 Trial Version (Updated)

I've always had a special place in my heart for Mega Man X4.  Great gameplay, superb music, fun bosses, "what am I fighting for?!", and so on.  Oh, and it just so happened to be the first X Series title I ever owned.  Anyway, the game just turned fifteen years old yesterday. To celebrate, not only did I gave it a quick playthrough, but I thought it would be fun to data mine the trial version of the game (download it here) for hidden goodies; unused graphics, music, etc.

Not even ten minutes into my search, I stumbled across a hidden image tucked inside the stage select tile data.  It's pretty bizarre, to say the least. I love this sort of stuff, so I felt inclined to share it with you all. Check it out after the break!

Rockman 2 Headed to Japanese 3DS Virtual Console

Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise. According to Nintendo Japan, Rockman 2: Mystery of Dr. Wily will release on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console on August 8th for 500 Yen (roughly $6.30). This is a very quick release, I might add. The original Rockman just hit the Japanese eShop no less than three weeks ago!

For the record, this is not a 3D Classic version. Yes, Nintendo experimented with that in the past, but this is not that game. What we've got here is your run-of-the-mill Virtual Console port. And there's nothing wrong with that!

Unfortunately, there is no word when the game will be released in other territories. Same goes for Mega Man 1. We're still waiting on that news to hit...

Source: Nintendo Japan (thanks, SteveMightSay!)

More Mega Merch Coming Your Way

GE Animation has brought us a slew of Mega Man merchandise over the past several months. Charms, key chains, playing cards, posters, plush Busters... all kinds of stuff spanning both the Classic and X series. And as you can see from the post title, they aren't done yet.

A batch of new Blue Bomber items just popped up over at GE Animation's official product page. The latest listings includes an E-Tank throw blanket, a Mega Man X6 Zero wallet, an E-Tank PVC wristband, a file folder carrying bag, and a Mega Man 10 notebook. What's more, that adorable Mega Man Powered Up plushy we caught wind of has been delayed indefinitely. It was due out this month, but it appears GE aren't quite ready to let it loose just yet.

As per usual, you'll find these products both online and in-store within the coming months. Availability varies on the retailer, so try to keep an eye out on more than one venue.

Source: GE Animation

Project X Zone Site Updates with Tron and Servbot Art, Screens (Updated)

Bandai Namco has updated their Project X Zone official site to include some screens, artwork, and voice samples for Tron Bonne and her Servbot. You'll find Tron's page here and the Servbot's page here.

The update also includes messages from the characters' voice actresses, Mayumi Izuka and Chisa Yokoyama. I don't have a translation of that at the moment, but it's bound to show up sometime soon. Soonish. UPDATE: That didn't take long. Hit the jump below for the translated comments!

Source: PXZ Channel (thanks, Jimb0!)

Capcom's Social Trading Card Game Hosts Rockman Event

Capcom Japan have begun distributing Rockman themed cards to Akashic Heroes, a social trading card game exclusive to DeNA's Mobage gaming platform. The cards are entirely free, but there's of course a catch: you have to earn them.

From now until to July 31, Akashic players can participate in a special event called "The invasion of Dr.Wily the Hero God." Details are pretty slim at the moment, but it appears if you manage to successfully defeat Forte and Dr. Wily and earn "100% hero points", you'll be handsomely rewarded with either a Rockman or Roll card. You can add the cards to your deck, then use them in battle against other players and guilds online.

Doubtful most of you reading this can participate in the event; however, that shouldn't stop you from admiring those pictures up there. Spiffy artwork, no? And hey, I don't believe we've seen Roll in pink attire outside of Shigeto Ikehara's work before.

I'll keep you posted should more details arise.

Sources: Akashic Heroes Online, COCOROG (thanks, Amunshen!)

Morishita's Arranged Legends Themes Have a Release Date

Fans of Mega Man Legends have patiently awaited the arrival of Reika Morishita's new arrangements of the original title’s Japanese theme songs, “another sun” and “Your Wind Is Blowing.”  Today, Morishita finally brings us the news we've been waiting to hear: production has wrapped, and the songs have a release date.

According to the latest blog post by Morishita, the arranged themes “another sun 2012″ and “あなたの風が吹くから～Your wind is blowing~” will release on September 12th on iTunes and ring tone service Recochoku.  The songs are being distributed by Victor Entertainment, a company well known for distributing music, movies and anime throughout Japan.

Morishita is very excited things have wrapped up, promising to share more news soon about the songs themselves, and the soundtrack jacket cover.  We'll certainly be keeping an ear out for that.

Source: The Mega Man Network

Robot Master Inspired 'Magicka' DLC Now Available

Good news for you Magicka players: the Robot Master inspired robes, which were previously discovered by Joseph Collins, are now available for download. You can grab the "Mega Villain Robe" pack on Steam or GamersGate for a mere $1.99.

In Magcika, players don robes instead of armor; you're a wizard, after all. And what better way to instill fear in your enemies than in the guise of either Ice Man, Fire Man or Elec Man? Pretty cool tribute, if I do say so myself. There's definitely a Mega Man fan or two at Arrowhead Studios.

Thanks to Joesph Collins and Niroth for the tip!

Capcom Unity Mega Man 7 Livestream Tomorrow

Continuing their monthly livestreams of Mega Man games counting down to the 25th anniversary of the Blue Bomber, Capcom Unity will be playing Mega Man 7. The stream kicks off tomorrow, July 27, at 2pm PT on Twitch TV.

As per usual, you'll have the opportunity to win some prizes. Simply keep track of how many times Brelston dies, and you could win a copy of Rockman 7 for the Super Famicom or a pair of nifty dot straps (Dr. Wily and Rush).

For further details, check out Brelston’s post over on Capcom Unity.

Project X Zone: Tron Bonne, Servbot Screenshots

Famitsu.com unleashed a bevy of new Project X Zone screenshots, and among them are a some nice shots of Tron and her Servbots in action. Have a look:

Project X Zone is due on October 11. Whether or not the game will release outside of Japan is still a looming mystery. That decision rests with Namco Bandai, not Capcom.

Be sure to check out Andriasang's full report for more screenshots.

Tron Bonne and Servbot Confirmed for Project X Zone (Updated)

According to the latest issue of Famitsu, Tron Bonne and a Servbot will join the roster for Project X Zone. Alongside Mega Man X and Zero, that brings the total Mega Man characters up to four! The characters will be voiced by their veteran actresses, Mayumi Izuka and Chisa Yokoyama, respectively.

We have no images of the two currently, but stuff should surface within the next day or two. UPDATE: Oh look, an image.

Source: Andriasang (thanks for the tip, Rock Volnutt!), Image: The Mega Man Network

100,000 Strong Rocket Fundraiser Goal Reached

Thanks to the generous efforts of various community members, 100,000 Strong for Mega Man Legends 3 (aka Get Me Off the Moon) was able to fulfill their goal of $1000 to build a 3-foot-tall model rocket. Mind you, its eventual blast-off is entirely symbolic; a fun tribute to not only Legends 3, but the Mega Man franchise itself. We've got a 25th anniversary coming up, after all!

Now that the goal has been reached, 100K has a question for you: would you like to see a slightly taller rocket? The group is toying with the idea of building a 5-foot-model instead, which would require an additional $500.

Think it's worth the investment? Send your thoughts to 100K here.

Old Rockman X3 Trailer Emerges, Cancelled 3DO Version Confirmed

Courtesy of KeijiDragon, here's an old preview trailer for Rockman X3 that further confirms the game was headed to the ill-fated Panasonic 3DO. Check it out:

We can now say with absolute certainty the 3DO version did exist at one time. According to our previous findings, it would have launched on the same day as the Sega Saturn/PlayStation version. Less-than-stellar sales of the 3DO, itself, presumably led to the game's cancellation.

But who knows? Perhaps one day it will leak out onto the net. Even if it appears to have been a straight port from the PlayStation/Saturn version, I think it's worthy of preservation!

Thanks again, KeijiDragon!