Mega Man
The Blue Bomber
Capcom's 1987 NES platformer introduced weapon-stealing mechanics and non-linear stage selection, launching one of gaming's longest franchises.
Overview
Mega Man almost didn’t happen. The original game sold modestly, nearly ending the series before it began. But Capcom gave it another chance, and Mega Man 2 became a phenomenon. The Blue Bomber’s formula—defeat Robot Masters, steal their weapons, exploit weaknesses—created one of gaming’s most enduring franchises.
Fast facts
- Developer: Capcom.
- Creator: Keiji Inafune (character design), Akira Kitamura (game design).
- Release: December 1987 (Japan).
- Platform: NES/Famicom (original series).
- Protagonist: Mega Man (Rock), creation of Dr. Light.
- Villain: Dr. Wily, evil scientist with Robot Master army.
- Sequels: ten main series games, plus X, Zero, Legends, Battle Network, and more.
The formula
Mega Man established conventions the series never abandoned:
Stage selection:
- Choose any of six (later eight) Robot Master stages.
- Complete in any order.
- Strategic ordering based on weapon weaknesses.
Weapon stealing:
- Defeat a boss, gain their weapon.
- Weapons are strong against specific other bosses.
- Creates rock-paper-scissors strategy layer.
Precision platforming:
- Challenging jumps, instant-death spikes.
- Pattern memorisation for enemies and hazards.
- Tight controls enabling fair difficulty.
The characters
Robot Masters became memorable:
- Named for elements (Fire Man, Ice Man).
- Distinct visual designs.
- Unique stage themes matching their powers.
- Weakness chains for strategic completion order.
The difficulty
Mega Man games earned their reputation:
- Demanding platforming precision.
- Boss patterns requiring memorisation.
- Limited lives, limited continues.
- Mastery through repetition.
Mega Man 2’s salvation
The first game’s modest sales nearly ended the series:
- Team worked on sequel during spare time.
- Mega Man 2 (1988) became massive success.
- Refined formula without reinventing.
- Music (by Takashi Tateishi) became iconic.
Legacy
Mega Man created a template still used today: non-linear stage selection, ability acquisition, precision action. The franchise spawned dozens of games across every platform. The Blue Bomber stands alongside Mario and Sonic as gaming’s essential mascots.