http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=450094
Quote:CAPCOM® ANNOUNCES MEGA MAN™ ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
CAPCOM® BRINGS TOGETHER THE ULTIMATE MEGA MAN™ ANTHOLOGY IN THE MEGA MAN™ ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
SUNNYVALE, Calif - September 12, 2003 - Capcom today takes players on a retrospective journey through the evolution of their renowned blue action hero with the announcement of the Mega Man Anniversary Collection, a compilation of Mega Man titles for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Nintendo GameCube™. Featuring hours of endless entertainment, the Mega Man Anniversary Collection is an anthology of classic Mega Man games (Mega Man 1 through Mega Man 8) from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, PlayStation game console and arcade systems. This set will also include two never-before-released-in-the-US Mega Man arcade games: Mega Man the Power Battle and Mega Man 2 the Power Fighters. The Mega Man Anniversary Collection is scheduled to release throughout North American in February 2004. The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) rating is pending.
“The Mega Man Anniversary Collection pays tribute to the brainchild behind this multimillion unit selling franchise, Keiji Inafune, and the original games that he created,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing, Capcom Entertainment. “It gives gamers, who have not experienced the Mega Man phenomenon, an opportunity to play the titles that redefined the platform genre.”
In the Mega Man Anniversary Collection, players will be challenged to see if they have the skills to master some of the most extreme Mega Man titles ever released and to unlock a cache of bonus features that includes 30 minutes of anime, producer interviews, footage from the original TV commercials, and a history of the series. This ultimate set provides a comprehensive look at Mega Man’s progression through the years, as this near human robot embarked on his journey to becoming one of the longest running videogame icons to date. Take a trip down memory lane, reliving Mega Man's numerous quests to defeat Dr. Wily and his attempts to control the world and its resources. Gamers will reacquaint themselves with past adversaries such as Elect Man, Metal Man, Gemini Man, Pharaoh Man, Centaur Man, and Tengu Man, just to name a few. The Mega Man Anniversary Collection encompasses everything a new and hard-core fan would want for their existing library.
The Mega Man Anniversary Collection will include the following features:
• 10 Mega Man games on one disk –
o Mega Man 1 through Mega Man 8
o Two never before released in the US Mega Man arcade games: Mega Man the Power Battle and Mega Man 2 the Power Fighters
• Additional content – Unlock hidden original artwork, producer interviews, footage from the original TV commercials, anime videos and information about the entire franchise
• Updated soundtracks
Capcom Entertainment, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capcom, Co., Ltd. of Japan. A leading force in the multi-billion dollar interactive entertainment industry, Capcom’s legacy spans more than 22 years of entertaining video gamers. Capcom develops, markets, and distributes home video games for the PlayStation® game console, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo® GameCube, and Xbox video game system, Game Boy® Advance and Game Boy® Color Systems, personal computers, and coin-operated games. Worldwide recognizable product lines include the Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Breath of Fire, and Onimusha series. World headquarters in Osaka, Japan, the company also has offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, London and Sunnyvale, California. The company is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange code number 9697.
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Capcom, Street Fighter and Resident Evil are registered trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd. Auto Modellista, Mega Man and Breath of Fire are trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. “PlayStation” and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo GameCube and Nintendo 64 are trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. Xbox and Microsoft are trademarks of Microsoft Corp. All other marks are the property of their respective holders.
Cool! The only question is... it says it has 10 games, MM1-8 and the two arcade games. But it mentions Game Boy... and if it just had MM1 to 8 it wouldn't include any of the GB titles...
Oh, and it doesn't seem to have MM and Bass. Maybe because they just released it for GBA and don't want to cut into those sales?
Cool, I just might get it if the price is right and if they're not just straight ports. Too bad the X games aren't included, though. Guess they're saving those for a second MM collection.
Yes, it is quite cool... not as good as if it'd included the 5 GB games (they mention GB in the platforms list but then say it includes 10 games and doesn't list the GB ones, so I guess I have to assume that it actually doesn't include the GB games...) and MM&Bass, but those 10 is still a great collection... I probably will get it. :)
Oh, and I wouldn't expect them to include the X and classic games together.
Think they'll be remakes or straight ports?
It mentions improving the music, but nothing else in that press release... so I don't know. Maybe not... I doubt we know all the details yet, but as it stands now it doesn't sound like they are remade.
When you're getting ten games that were spread across four platforms, you can't expect them to remake them all...
They're not very long games...
But still, even if you're just talking about improving the NES ones that IS six games, which is a lot especially if they're trying to do this relatively quickly... and they did say they will improve the music, so we'll see.
Back up everyone! I think I might just explode with glee! I can hardly wait for this! My favorite series of games ever all on one disc! W00T!
*explodes*
I sure hope the Gameboy games are included, but it seems like they won't be... Still, I AM getting this game. I missed out on a total of 3 NES MM games.
Holy crap, they're improving the music!! THE MUSIC!! The focal point of every great Mega Man game!! For the love of god I don't think I can contain myself!!!!!~%*#@~~~~ :D:D:D:D:DD:D:D:D:DD: lol
:p ;)
:evil:
:S :woo: :hammer: :bang:
:holyshit: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:
Alas, thats only if the same songs are used. If the levels for Spark Man, Dust Man, and Quick Man have new songs I'm gonna be really disappointed. If they're new versions of the same songs though, I'll be the happiest Mega Man fan in the world.
Yes! That is awesome! Go Capcom! Another short sentence of joy!
Given they say "updated", I expect that it means newer versions of the same classic tracks... :)
Are you being sarcastic SJ?
In any case, while the music isn't all that important, it's sure a nice touch. I'm almost certain it's just updated versions of the old tracks EM. I mean, considering that EVERY SINGLE REMAKE WITH REMASTERED MUSIC EVER has been pretty much just updates of old tracks (with the occasional brand new track placed in some area where reusing the old music was just annoying, like the bonus level music added to hidden areas in Super Mario Bros. 1 All Stars remake).
And indeed, this is goodie gumdrop suger plum candy stuff!
I think it's extremely likely that they will be graphically redone as well, as it's already happened before. There was a little-known Mega Man compilation for the Sega Genesis that featured the first three games, and they were re-made graphically. Therefore I don't see why they wouldn't do so now.
Of course, you know it'd be really neat if they had both remade AND untouched versions. I mean, you already HAVE the untouched versions, why not blow a meg or two of disc space and toss them in as well? Why don't more game companies share the genius I possess? WHY?
Because 2 megabit games are just an insane waste of disc space on DVD media, of course!
And there's already a Genesis emulator for Gamecube, if Capcom could get a copy from Sega anyway.
Really, it would be nice to also include all the GB Megaman games, the Genesis 1-3 remakes (also included was some battle tower I believe), and Megaman Soccer, just because all collections these days have a weird game no one plays in them. That would be all we need for Megaman original series.
I've heard these might be based on some PSX versions that existed at some point, so they probably have enhanced graphics as well as sound... better than the Genesis one.
The point about it needing MM&Bass and the 5 GBA games doesn't change, though... especially since Mega Man 5 is quite possibly the best game in the classic series... :)
Oh I do believe it is, though since I've never played the previous GB ones, I can't say for sure.
In any case, I don't expect Megaman and Bass on this collection at all, since it's actually being sold right now.
If these are based on the PS1 remakes (only in Japan, released ONE AT A TIME, moronically enough), then the graphics will be exactly the same I'm afraid. They didn't up the graphics of them...
Quote:Originally posted by Weltall
I think it's extremely likely that they will be graphically redone as well, as it's already happened before. There was a little-known Mega Man compilation for the Sega Genesis that featured the first three games, and they were re-made graphically. Therefore I don't see why they wouldn't do so now.
I remember that game. If I remember correctly, you sent me the ROM of it! I still play it occasionally!
Quote:Why don't more game companies share the genius I possess? WHY?
That's signature material :D
Ah... no improved graphics. So that
s why they mention better music and not graphics... but why they'd release NES games one at a time with the same graphics... at least with the Mario games on GBA Nintendo had the decency to use improved graphics. Even if it was from a previous remake... :D
You know what, I'd be happy if they added new stuff, but if they just plopped the games as-is onto the disc and sold it, I'd buy it in half a heartbeat all the same. The Mega Man NES games are my favorites on the system, bar none. Note how I've written reviews for all of them. Mega Man 7 is also a great game. I've never had the pleasure of playing Mega Man 8, so this disc will have (for me) a whole new adventure.
I'm elated! I can't wait for February!
Mega Man 5 on the GB is the best in the series, though... sure, some of the major-console ones are great, but MM4 and 5 on the GB managed, unlike most all GB games related to main-console titles (or the first three GB MM games), to outshine their big brothers... they're better than the 6 NES games, I'd say. I haven't really played much of MM7 or 9 (MM & Bass) on SNES or 8 on PSX so I can't compare them to those games though...
Oh yeah, and I like X more than standard. But standard's great too...
So you managed to find a copy of MM5 to judge for yourself? I will say that personally I find 5 for GB to be one of the funnest, and great story, at the end, too (though most MM story IS at the end anyway :D). In any case, lemme say this. I've read reviews of the Megaman Wily Wars Genesis game. Now, I can't be sure having never played it, but from what I've read the translation isn't seamless like All-Stars. Apparently the controls are kinda messed up or something, like running not being fluid. The review pretty much said the gameplay itself was worse. The review also didn't seem to like Megaman's sprite in the remakes.
Still, I'd like to see it for myself so adding it ON TOP OF the original 3 is something I'd like.
Uh... yeah, right, I found a copy...
I do have a copy of MM4, but not 5. Its called emulation... otherwise I'd never play that game. Its extremely rare... I haven't seen a single copy of it in many years... I don't think I've ever seen one used, or I'd have gotten it. Even if it was $40-something. I did see a copy of MM3 used once, but it was $35... not worth it. :)
MM4 is a great game... sure, a lot of the 8 main levels are very similar (to near-identical) to the levels of those bosses in MM4 and 5 for NES, but they're great versions of those levels... and the game introduced the P-Chip system to MM. Collect P-Chips, buy items with them... which is very cool. It also of course added Beat... :)
MM5 just managed to beat it, becasue it has new bosses and levels and some other new stuff...
Didn't play Wily Wars much, so can't really comment. But it seems to be a 16-bit graphics version of the original three games...
I just realized something. I wonder which version of MM8 is going to be included. The PS1, or the Saturn? The Saturn version is the superior one, because it includes two cameo bosses not found on the PS1 version (the only thing the PS1 version has is a small paper booklet with all the old game's bosses in it). I have the PS1 version, so getting this collection will net me a couple new boss battles.
Not if they include the PS1 version... which I bet they might. If they're just going to emulate the games on the cart, I think Saturn emulation would be harder to do (read: more expensive)...
Hmm... I think doing emulation on the GCN for either PS1 OR Saturn would be hard, but though I believe they ARE emulating the NES and SNES games, I kinda think they might actually bother porting MM8, in which case the difficulty MIGHT be the same either way (read: I have no idea). Why do I think they'd port MM8? Well, I'm not sure I actually think that actually... I know the more powerful the system, the more power is needed to emulate it. I also think the GCN is plenty powerful enough to emulate the games on DECENT emulators. The question in my mind is which would be easier, to write fast and good emulation for a PS1/Saturn game, or to port the game to the system?
I'm pretty sure that the Saturn is more complex... and they're already doing PSX stuff with those PSX NES re-release games so they've got to do it anyway... and companies want to save money... so I bet we don't get the Saturn version.
Hmm, well at the very least they could add in the extra stuff in the Saturn version. Oh, and yes that's right. They ARE porting over the PS1 remakes of the NES games as opposed to just the NES games as is, meaning yes, the PS1 version is the more likely one. They should still add in the stuff from the Saturn version, but considering how incredibly lazy the GCN port of Resident Evil 2 was (ditching the extras in both the PC and N64 versions), I suppose I shouldn't hold out much hope.
Just remember that gaming companies care more for their profits than for the happiness of the consumers...
But the happiness of the consumer is DIRECTLY RELATED to profits. It's for this reason they are redoing the music for the NES games.
Nah. They know everyone interested will buy the thing anyway... and that saves a few games for a follow-up collection, netting more money!
Um, then why are they redoing the music?
They aren't, they're re-releasing a version with a previous redo... which they did then so that they could sort of justify the port. You don't release untouched NES games for the PSX...
Quote:Originally posted by A Black Falcon
Nah. They know everyone interested will buy the thing anyway... and that saves a few games for a follow-up collection, netting more money!
That won't quite work for Mega Man. He's not half as popular as he used to be. It's not like Final Fantasy where the series is more popular NOW than it was when these originals were released...
Yeah, I can't imagine too many people paying $40 or $50 for a bunch of straight NES ports and a couple of SNES and PSX ports. MM really isn't that popular anymore.
MM is still plenty popular. Which is why so many MM games came out this year... I bet this'll sell fairly well. Its a very well known series and those 8 remakes aren't something that they've sold before in the US, so its new...
Quote:Originally posted by A Black Falcon
MM is still plenty popular. Which is why so many MM games came out this year... I bet this'll sell fairly well. Its a very well known series and those 8 remakes aren't something that they've sold before in the US, so its new...
I dunno... Mega Man was once a huge franchise and a flagship console title. Now, console Mega Man releases are basically ignored, and the series only enjoys some success on the GameBoy in a myriad of spinoffs. It's not half the series it used to be. I always kinda wondered why the MMX series has gone as far as 7 (or is it 8 now) when everyone stopped giving a shit all the way back at number 5,
Quote:MM is still plenty popular. Which is why so many MM games came out this year... I bet this'll sell fairly well. Its a very well known series and those 8 remakes aren't something that they've sold before in the US, so its new...
By that logic you could say that Olsen Twins and Army Men are
insanely popular. Maybe popular to six-year-old girls and little boys, respectively, but that's not saying much.
Uh... maybe a lot of people have ignored Mega Man, but there's still enough people buying them to support a LOT of MM games out in the last year or so and a bunch coming (MMX7, MM Collection, MMZero 2 all upcoming... and Zero 1, EXE 3, Network Transmission, and MM&Bass out in the last year or so...). Is it less popular than before? Yes. But if you say 'repetition killed it'... well people who got bored of MM repetition quit the series ten years ago, I'd expect, given how it has ALWAYS been a series heavy on the repetition...
They lose more and more fans with each new installment.
Probably true... but I'd say MMX7 looks like a great installment of the series. It adds a lot of new stuff and really redoes the whole look of the series into 3d... and, this time, effective 3d! Could help a lot.
Oh, and this is a classic collection, draws old fans. :)
It looks pretty cool, but it's probably too little, too late.
I would hardly use you as an example of a current Mega Man fan... you clearly stopped liking it years ago... oh and I'd say that this is easily the biggest change sincee Mega Man Legends... and probably the biggest GOOD change since Mega Man X. :) It looks quite intresting... I know they had to change things to keep the series liked by not just the hardcore fans, and I think this will succeed at that. And it looks like it'll keep a lot of what made people love the series too... which is good, IMO. You? You don't like the series anyway anymore, so who cares about if you think its "enough" change?
The series just got really old a long time ago, and most gamers would probably agree with me.
Just because you dislike it doesn't mean everyone does. :)
It's not that popular of a series anymore.