Mega Man 6
Reviewed by Matt Hull
The sixth Mega Man game was the last one for the NES, but it sure
left the NES with style. An excellent game with more items and
secrets than ever awaited those daring enough to put this game
into their NES. This is more "adventurous" than the first five Mega
Man games due to the multiple routes in several stages. There are
plenty of new items in this game also. Your faithful dog Rush will
now transform into AWESOME armor and a jet suit thanks to Dr. Light.
If you can manage to find the four BEAT parts, the helpful robotic
bird will once again come to the Blue Bomber's aid. There is also an
energy balancer hidden somewhere in the city that will automatically
fill up your weapon energy without having to select the weapon. Talk
about a must have item!! Fliptop will also be waiting for you in certain
stages. With all this help, the Blue Bomber can't lost can he? Don't be
so sure. This is one tough game!! There are new "Mini-Bosses" in some
stages and they are HUGE!! There's something that I want to say about
Mega Man 6. Many people say that Mega Man 6 was rushed because the
NES wasn't doing so well and Capcom just wanted to get this game
out in the stores. That doesn't make any sense! Heck, Mega Man 5
came out less than a year after Mega Man 4 and look at how AWESOME
that game is!! Mega Man 6 came out 15 months after Mega Man 5! Back
to this review, Mega Man 6 is a great game and a MUST HAVE for any
Blue Bomber freak.
Storyline: After defeating Dr. Wily in Mega Man 5, all has been quiet
for a year. The billionaire Mr. X has sponsored the 1st Annual Robot
Tournament. This tournament is where the most talented robot
designers in the world show off their cybernetic creations and
have them fight other robots. The robots do battle in a series of
tests to see which robot can claim the title of "The Most Powerful
Robot In The World." Dr. Light and Mega Man are at the tournament
but Mega Man does not fight because his sole duty is to protect
mankind; not join a robot fighting tournament. Everything goes
smoothly at first and everyone enjoys watching the robots battle
each other. The excitement is top notch as the final eight robots
enter the arena to decide who is the best. The mysterious Mr. X
appears and has something important to say. He explains how the
final test for the robots is to take over the world!! Everyone is in
a panic as Mr. X and his kidnapped robots teleport out of the arena.
Mega Man steps in and is curious about who this Mr. X really is.
Why would this character want to take over the world? It's a cool
storyline except that this Mr. X looks a little bit like someone else.
The sixth Mega Man adventure has begun...
Graphics: Like the other Mega Man games, Mega Man 6 has EXCELLENT
graphics with nice detail, color, animation, and even some double
scrolling!! The Tomahawk Man stage has double scrolling that looks
superb! (especially where the sun is in the background) You venture
through an eerie castle, a cool forest, and more. The animation is
as good as ever in Mega Man 6. In four stages of the game, the graphics
are different after you beat the boss! (This is a way of knowing
which stages have the BEAT parts.) The last few stages have some
of the best graphics I've ever seen for the NES. You won't be let
down by the graphics in Mega Man 6.
Music: Every Mega Man game has tunes that you'll get hooked on and
Mega Man 6 is no different. New, original music plays while you blast
the robotic scum. The Blizzard Man, Mr. X stage, and Knight Man themes
are probably my favorites. The music fits the stage(s) really well in
Mega Man 6! The Yamato Man theme sounds like the stage is in China
or Japan. The tunes in Mega Man 6 are long also. Flame Man's theme
starts out slow then gets fast and plays for a long time before
starting over. Mega Man 6 has excellent music.
Play Control: The play control in Mega Man 6 is like the other Mega Man
games. It is fluid and precise. The weapon control is great!! The Rush
Power and Rush Jet adaptors both have great control. What can I say
except that the play control in Mega Man 6 is FANTASIC!! I like how
well the Rush Jet adaptor controls and the Silver Tomahawk is
awesome! Your Mega Buster blast is a bit smaller than in Mega Man 5
but it still has great control.
Challenge: A category that the Mega Man series has shined in is the
challenge that the games have. Every NES Mega Man game is REALLY
fun yet challenges you to perform at your best. Mega Man 6 is not
any different. Mega Man 6 is probably the toughest NES Mega Man
game. The initial eight stages are surprisingly hard and it only gets
tougher in the last several stages. The second boss of Mr. X's castle
is REALLY TOUGH unless you figure out its weak spot. (which weapon
works well) The Dr. Wily castle has some tough spots also. (yeah I
spoiled the surprise) For a great challenge, try out this game!
Funfactor/Lasting Value: Mega Man 6 is a great Mega Man game and
after playing it, I REALLY would have liked to see another NES Mega
Man game. The game doesn't quite have the feel of Mega Man 5 but
is still a REALLY fun game. There are LOTS of secret items and
several routes in some stages which add to the funfactor. The
multiple routes, excellent graphics and sound, and the tons of stages
in Mega Man 6 give this game a LOT of lasting value. If you want to
play a really fun and involving game with lasting value after you
beat it, get Mega Man 6.
Ending: Every Mega Man game for the NES has a FANTASIC ending but
Mega Man 6 has something that even the first five Mega Man games
didn't have. Dr. Wily being captured! YES!!!! After defeating Dr. Wily's
modified ship, Mega Man captures the maniacal scientist. There is
a screenshot showing Mega Man holding a rope with Dr. Wily's hands
tied up. Cameras flash and news reporters write in the news that
the madman is captured at last! Dr. Wily is placed in prison and a
screenshot showing "The Capcom News" explains how peace has
been restored and how Dr. Wily now rules over a prison cell. After
this course of events, each robot master shows off a little and the
credits roll down the screen. After all the credits roll, the Capcom
logo is revealed and three important words appear. "To be continued..."
Mega Man 6 has a terrific (and LONG) ending!!
Here are the ratings.
Overall: 4.7 out of 5
Storyline: 4.0 out of 5
Graphics: 4.7 out of 5
Music: 4.5 out of 5
Play Control: 4.5 out of 5
Challenge: 4.9 out of 5
Funfactor: 4.5 out of 5
Ending: 4.8 out of 5
Negatives
Mega Man 6 does have some negatives. The Storyline was rather
disappointing. The Robot Tournament was cool, but Mr. X looked
exactly like Dr. Wily except for the beard. That was way too obvious.
The feel of the other Mega Man games just isn't there in Mega Man 6.
Mega Man 6 is REALLY fun but just doesn't have that feel. The Dr.Wily
Stage theme was a little disappointing too. It didn't pump you up and
wasn't as cool as in the other Mega Man games. Why is the BIG Mega
Buster blast of Mega Man 5 smaller in Mega Man 6? That doesn't make
sense. Mega Man 6 is a FANTASIC game but could have done a little better.