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Mega Man 9 Afterthoughts
Mega Man 9's producer speaks about the blue bomber's return to his 8-bit roots.

By Ryan Scott

It still amazes us that after all of these years, Capcom made the daring choice to return Mega Man to 8-bit, Nintendo Entertainment System-style glory with Mega Man 9. We spoke with MM9 producer Hironobu Takeshita about the development of what's effectively the first NES game since 1994 (now available on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and WiiWare).

1UP: Are gamers readily embracing Mega Man's return to his 8-bit roots?

Hironobu Takeshita: We are very satisfied with the results. We've received many positive comments from fans who have long waited for a new Mega Man and we feel relieved to hear that 8-bit gamers are also happy with MM9.

1UP: Was this game a hard sell for Capcom's decision makers? Did anyone express concerns over how the game would be received?

HT: Management was supportive of the e-distribution idea but not of NES-style graphics. We heard lots of negative responses; they thought it would be better to make it 3D and that the 8-bit style would only appeal to the Mega Man fans, which would limit the sales potential. But we disagreed with this opinion. By sticking to this unique style, we believed that we could attract both Mega Man graduates and NES fans. We had different views, but eventually, management appreciated our spirit and desire to revive the 8-bit style.

1UP: We kind of hoped to see actual NES cartridges produced. We heard rumors that Capcom discussed this very idea, which resulted in a limited run of collectors' edition NES-style boxes. What stopped you?

HT: We all thought that it'd be great to see actual NES cartridge production! We put some serious thought into this, working with the U.S. staff. But fundamental differences in the technology prohibited us from producing cartridges without a program to bridge the NES cartridge and the current technology. This would have grown into a larger issue, so we reluctantly let it go. It was a great idea, however, so we wanted to use it somehow then thought of producing the box and cartridge case. By the way, this idea came out of our U.S. office; we are very thankful to our U.S. staff for this great idea!


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Comments (26)


  • zombie123
  • the old stuff

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  zombie123

    it would be really awsome if the graphics and storyline was like megaman x5 or 6 the 3d thing is kinda is justt blahhh..... i really miss the old stuff it would blow ur brains away and make u fall in love with the game :D

  • AnnapolisDentist
  • This game is kinda like Rocky Balboa

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  AnnapolisDentist

    This game isn't the best ever in many ways, but a couple of my friends just love it (kinda like Rocky).  It seems to never die, always has sequels and makes lots of money.  People just flock to it without really knowing why.

    Dentist Annapolis AND Cosmetic Dentist Annapolis

  • megaboy3
  • more please!!!!

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  megaboy3

    more megan nt warrior and starforce for xbox 360

    and in 3d

    just like da one for gba and ds

    please

  • megaboy3
  • wat

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  megaboy3

    this is wack u should make da megaman nt warrior for xbox 360 or megaman starforce

    the graphics for this is wack and da gameplay is wack im a huge megaman fan but u could have done betta can u please make 1 for megaman nt warrir and megaman starforce please and u would gain more money dat way

  • madboy75
  • aarrgghh

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  madboy75

    i like this game and hate it at the sametime maybe with the next one you can tone down the difficulty a little? i've been trying to get by the fucking jewel man level for like 2 months, when you put so many cheap little ways to die in a game it makes you want to never touch it again!! if this was on a disc i probably would of snapped it already

  • Brandone
  • "Moreover...

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Brandone

    ... it's hard to strike a bee with a trident in real life, isn't it?"


    Actually, no, it's not.  But it's implied that if you're dedicated/insane enough to (a) find a trident and (b) find a bee, you are dedicated/insane enough to strike that bee no matter how difficult it may or may not be.

     

    But that's neither here nor there.

  • Thom
  • Great DLC

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Thom

    Totally worth the $15 dollars (is that what it cost?). This and PAA:OTRSPOD Ep. 2 are my two favorite DLC full games.


    I was really amazed by how challenging it was (I never played the ones for NES/SNES) and even though it was designed around NES graphics was more inventive than many "full" (re: $60) games that came out in 2008. Really hope for another one.

  • guymonkey
  • Concerning graphics...

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  guymonkey

    I am 36 and I love the retro vibe of the game.  The graphics are fun in 8-bit, but it would be cool to have an option to "jazz" it up like other XBLA games with old and enhanced (Scramble, Frogger ect).

  • JJJ_UNIT
  • Lost World

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  JJJ_UNIT

    It's odd and scary but also sad that it perplexes modern devs on how to code in such a basic style due to the quantum leap in programming technologies over the recent years. It's more sad when you hear that certain games simply cant be recreated due to someone losing the original code. thankfully the team that made MM9 was able come up with something technically independent but wholly transparent to the originals. Kudos!

  • hiro2290
  • awesome

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  hiro2290

    old school snes game would be badass

  • pokejohn
  • You can't go wrong with 8 bit Mega Man

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  pokejohn

    Hard as hell but still has that essence of what the nes titles brought.

    hella awesome.

  • KENSHERMAN
  • Improvements to the Classic Blue Bomber

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  KENSHERMAN

    How about smoothing out the graphics to modern style, yet maintaining the 2D theme like in the DS games of New Super Mario Bros. (wink!), Final Fantasy, and Street Fighter (*wink, wink)... This will still have that 20th century retro feel with a touch of the 21st century upgrade! Here, everyone wins or include the 8-bit graphics as a "Bonus" option. By the way, great job on that Mega Man X9 question. However, I'm not so sure about having MMX9 SNES graphics, though.

  • Rei-Rei
  • NES Cartridge

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Rei-Rei

    Sounds like a neat idea.

  • Dectilon
  • Well...

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Dectilon

    [quote]But I thought the PlayStation 1 versions of Megaman X were best so I would rather see X9 go back to that style![/quote]

    They look better and the level design is better overall, but they were really, really slow, and X couldn't rapidfire anymore making Zero so much better in comparison. Also, X6 was an abomination of terrible design choices... X5 was excellent, but it still had a lot of design issues (like the stupid, stupid text messages you get from Alia).

    I'd like the speed from X1, Zero from X5 and all new level designs that make better use of the kind of movement you're able to do.

  • Ralavik
  • I want to play this game

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Ralavik

    though last time I checked it was 10 dollars, I believe. I know it's NES graphics were intentional and it's more than likely a great game but I can't see myself spending that much. 5 dollars yes, 10 no. But I probably will anyway once I get more spare money.

  • BlazingAero
  • Kicked ass...

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  BlazingAero

    Really, the game kicked a lot of peoples' asses. The levels themselves are tough, but the achievements are for diehards only (dieeasies need not apply).

  • Bondo123
  • Woah

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Bondo123

    I just got this bad boy, and it's hard. Still awesome though, and yes Capcom is tight.

  • Mahew
  • The return of 2D gaming

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Mahew

    It's awesome if it can come true.

  • Mahew
  • 2D Megaman X

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Mahew

    But I thought the PlayStation 1 versions of Megaman X were best so I would rather see X9 go back to that style!

  • Dectilon
  • Demand

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Dectilon

    So how would the fans go about 'demanding' this product? I'd love another classic X-game if they could just do something about the level design this time around. MMX 1-3 had pretty dang bland level design. The control scheme made it all worth it though :)

  • ShadowflareXIII
  • ^_^

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  ShadowflareXIII

    Most of these comments sound great, I agree!

    I can't help but beg that these remakes get the "Rearmed" treatement too.

     

    Send a memo to Square-Enix about FFVII while your at it...they can't seem to get that one right.

  • Onyx242
  • Where do I sign?

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Onyx242

    Hey Capcom while you guys are in the spirit of remakes can we PLEASE get a STRIDER game?!

  • Kerro
  • Fans' demand?

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Kerro

    Fans have been demanding Megaman Legends 3. Where is that at? I didn't see anyone demanding Megaman Star Force.

  • hantak
  • Hell yeah

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  hantak

    Mega man was best on the nes and snes. Capcom is doing the right thing by producing mega man games in the style they were most successful in. 8 bit and 16 bit technology rules.

  • Malarke
  • mm9

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  Malarke

    capcom did a great job with this one.

     

  • smiling_celios
  • Fans' demand

    Posted: userComment.createdDate by  smiling_celios

    I notice that in a lot of interviews with people from Capcom the person being interviewed always mentions that if the fans demand it enough it has a great chance of happening.  That's what I like about Capcom--they always try to do what the fans want while taking into consideration the other not-so-hardcore gamers.

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