UGO: Certainly the old Mega Man games were very fun and still hold up, but they were also very difficult. Would you say Mega Man 9 is on par with the first few games, in terms of difficulty, or was some consolation made for the gamers today that tend to prefer an easier, less punishing game?

Takeshita: Yea, this game is hard. It will give you a run for your money. The point was to take it back to the basics, and that meant looking at Mega Man 1 & 2, which were very well received--especially 2. So we knew if we were going to imitate that, we had to keep the difficulty intact. That was a challenge for us, but we think that having the difficulty and overcoming that challenge in the game makes it a fun game. You can’t really have a Mega Man game without the challenge.

Some players might find it a little hard, especially the younger generation. But we’ve included some things in this new Mega Man to help them over the tough spots. You’ll see what they are when you get the game.

We don’t want you to see it as just a difficult game. Some people look at it like a kind of puzzle game. You don’t have to kill every enemy on screen to make it through each level; some people will find a way around the enemies and they’ll find it easier. With that in mind, it’s as if you need to find the best strategy to get through the game. And finding a strategy to get through each level is what makes Mega Man fun. Sure, once you do it a few times--and die--but when you figure out the pattern or the easiest path, you’ll think, “Why didn’t I do that earlier? That’s the way to do it.” The game itself isn’t hard, it’s just about finding the strategy to clear it.

What's our take? You know how early reports have indicated that Mega Man 9 is super hard? Those are not exaggerations. This game is unrelentingly difficult, much more so than the classic NES titles from which it takes its inspiration -- I've been playing them lately and breezing through them, but MM9 is downright vicious. In a good way!

These asset discs are intended for members of the press, but, obviously realizing that it had created something destined to be the object of unbridled fanboy lust, Capcom is considering releasing 200 or so to the public via its online store, along with a voucher for the game download.

Closing Comments
Mega Man 9 is exactly what hardcore gamers were hoping it would be, as Capcom has come out of the gate with a game that's full of nostalgia and fan service, but also one that truly does rival the best in the franchise's 8-bit roots. If you look at this game as a time warp into the NES era, it's one of the top titles out there, as it's hard as hell, somehow fresh in design (even though there have been well over 100 Mega Man games in 15 years), and simply a blast to rip through. If you weigh this one against other download titles out there though, the game will of course fall short in the graphical department (maybe the only game out there where a low graphics score is a compliment? ), the lack of innovation overall, or a lot of the modes or options you'd expect to get for your money. With that being said, Capcom did go the extra mile with online rankings, downloadable content, and a few extra areas to check out (time trials could last players a long, long time), and it makes Mega Man 9 a no-brainer download if you've got $10 to spare across any console.

Another Take
from Colin Moriarty
When Mega Man 9 was announced to be a true 8-bit game, I was floored. It was like a dream come true. Unlike many Mega Man fans, Mega Man 3 is my favorite title (and favorite game of all-time), not the second iteration. And yet, even though Mega Man 9 is based off of the play mechanics of Mega Man 2 and not 3, it’s still a wonderful game. It’s a nostalgia trip that keeps on giving, from the amusingly old-school intro to the humorously-overdrawn ending.

I’ve spent a couple of weeks with Mega Man 9, and I’ve beaten it a dozen times or more. Each time I’ve played it, I’ve come to appreciate more and more the quirky nature of the game and the fact that it offers the oft-overlooked old- school gamer crowd an experience they simply haven’t had in a long time. You’re going to get goosebumps when you turn the game on and see the stage select screen for the first time -- trust me. This is the game true Mega Man fans have been waiting for.

Mega Man 9 isn’t without its faults, of course. It’s admittedly short, especially compared to the latter NES titles in the series, and while it’s easily the most challenging Mega Man title since the very first game, it’s unbalanced at times (why do Tornado Man and Jewel Man have such challenging stages when Galaxy Man’s and Splash Woman’s are so laughably easy?). Regardless, this game is easily worth twice as much as you’re going to pay for it, so what’s there to really complain about? Old-school gamers rejoice -- the game you’ve been waiting for is finally here. But gamers of the new generation beware. Mega Man 9 harkens back to a time when games were actually hard. Be prepared to throw a controller or two.