The Decade in Review: 200X – 200X

About a week ago, Heat Man came to me and said “you know, it’s going to be the year 20XX soon. You should write something reflecting that.” And then he went and wrote his own article, so now you get two of these things.

With that said, let us take a look back on the decade that was, and all of the many wonderful and bizarre turns of events which took place.

The Robot Revolution

The new millennium got off to an amazing start, as in the year of 200X, roboticist Dr. Thomas Light kick-started the robot revolution, advancing the practice a thousandfold and creating robots to help assist mankind throughout their everyday lives. In addition to robots designed to fulfill nearly every purpose you could think of, he also created a series of six special “Robot Masters” which would lead other robots in fields such as demolitions, antarctic exploration, and more.

Reports state that there were originally eight of these mechanical marvels, but that the last two had been recalled due to issues of ethics, including some allegations of racism. Dr. Light denied any malevolent intent on his part in the designing of any of his robots, shortly before the ill-timed appearance of Roll, his housekeeping robot, who was designed to resemble a pre-pubescent schoolgirl.

Such controversy would have to be put aside, however, as in the year 200X, one Dr. Albert Wily took control of the Robot Masters and the many legions of robots that had made themselves a part of our everyday lives, and threatened to use their combined might to take over the world. The American press made attempts to paint Wily and Light as partners, though this would later be refuted as it was revealed the two doctors in fact shared in a longstanding rivalry, one in which Light was said to always come out on top in.

As such, the rivalry would continue as Dr. Light would repurpose his robotic lab assistant. Giving DLN-001 “Rock” a suit of body armor, a helmet, and an arm-cannon capable of launching compact balls of plasma at high speeds over great distances, Dr. Light christened his champion as “Mega Man,” and sent him straight into the heart of the invaded territories to bring down Wily’s armies.

Amazingly, the plan worked, as Mega Man was able to infiltrate and defeat the six robotic overlords and their master, who hid away in his multi-leveled fortress of terror. Some say he would not have found success without the ability Dr. Light gave him to obtain the abilities of his fallen foes. The fighting was over, but the peace was not to last.

Some would blame the revolving-door nature of our prison system, while others would point the finger squarely at the administration in charge of the government at the time. Regardless of the cause, Dr. Wily found himself a free man in the year 200X, and began his effort to rule the world once again in earnest. This time, he created eight war machines of his own design and sent them out into the world. And once more, Dr. Light deployed his “super fighting robot,” Mega Man, to combat the threat.

The battles were long and difficult, but Mega Man triumphed once again in what many would say was his greatest conflict as he brought Wily’s empire to its knees once again.

In an astounding turn of events, the year 200X would see Dr. Light and Dr. Wily make peace at long last as the two decided to collaborate on an enormous peace-keeping robot known as “Gamma,” which would be energized by crystals obtained from eight mining colonies. How such a creation would actually manage to keep the peace was never fully-disclosed, as a new robot revolt would occur on the mining colonies.

Once more, Mega Man was sent to quell the revolutionaries and retrieve the energy crystals necessary to power Gamma. Upon putting an end to the final Robot Master and sending back the last of the crystals, eight new overlords appeared to wreck the mining colonies, leading to Mega Man taking further action to put an end to the conflict. It was during this time that Dr. Wily would reveal his true colors as the mastermind behind the revolt, turning on Dr. Light and stealing Gamma away to a newly-constructed fortress.

Once finished with his business in the mining colonies, Mega Man would give chase and hunt Wily to the depths of the villainous Skull Castle, where Wily would turn the full force of Gamma on Mega Man himself. Mega Man would persevere and triumph in the end, though wreckage containing robot parts and what some believe to be recycle-friendly video game cases rained down, crushing the mad scientist once and for all.

A tragic end, but at least the world may finally know peace from robotic terror.

The Dot-EXE Boom

While the internet has existed since 19XX, it is in 200X that it began to take the world by storm, as networks connecting people, places, and information would come to criss-cross the globe, making communication easier than ever. Unfortunately, the World Three (aka “WWW”), a fiendish terrorist organization determined to rule the world, began to use the networks as a way of committing their various NetCrimes as they worked toward a greater plot known as the “EndGame.”

The Official NetBattlers, a body established to help quell such crimes as those committed by the World Three, refused to disclose publicly how the full scenario played out. One Official NetBattle, Eugene Chaud, did make a remark to the effect of “@#$ing kids,” however.

Three months later, the absence of the World Three would give rise to a new organization that would strike fear into the hearts of web-denizens, the NetMafia Gospel. This organization would prove itself to be short-lived, but unfortunately, the following month would also see the return of the World Three. It was not long after staging a fake NetBattle tournament that the organization would once more be put to rest.

Things took a turn for the worst five months later, as it was discovered that a meteor was on a trajectory with the Earth. A new NetCriminal organization known as the Nebula Crime Syndicate would attempt to interfere as officials sought out a capable NetBattler to infiltrate the bizarrely-composed meteor and stop it before it could strike the planet, causing untold devastation. Fortunately, they failed in their efforts, but the syndicate’s ringleader, Dr. Regal, may have escaped after a faked suicide attempt in which no body was found.

More Games and Merchandise Than You Can Shake a Stick At

In addition to all of the excitement of the past decade, many video games were made to celebrate the adventures of the Blue Bomber. They are listed as follows:

• The Misadventures of Tron Bonne (200X)
• MegaMan Legends 2 (200X)

• Mega Man Xtreme (200X)
• Mega Man X5 (200X)
• Mega Man X6 (200X)
• Mega Man Xtreme 2 (200X)
• Mega Man X7 (200X)
• Mega Man X: Command Mission (200X)
• Mega Man X8 (200X)
• Mega Man X Collection (200X)
• Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X (200X)

• MegaMan Battle Network (200X)
• MegaMan Battle Network 2 (200X)
• MegaMan Network Transmission (200X)
• MegaMan Battle Network 3: Blue/White (200X)
• MegaMan Battle Chip Challenge (200X)
• MegaMan Battle Network 4: Red Sun/Blue Moon (200X)
• MegaMan Battle Network 5: Team Protoman/Team Colonel (200X)
• MegaMan Battle Network 5: Double Team DS (200X)
• MegaMan Battle Network 6: Cybeast Gregar/Cybeast Falzar (200X)

• Mega Man Zero (200X)
• Mega Man Zero 2 (200X)
• Mega Man Zero 3 (200X)
• Mega Man Zero 4 (200X)

• MegaMan Star Force: Leo/Pegasus/Dragon (200X)
• MegaMan Star Force 2: Zerker x Saurian/Zerker x Ninja (200X)
• MegaMan Star Force 3: Black Ace/Red Joker (200X)

• Mega Man ZX (200X)
• Mega Man ZX Advent (200X)

• Mega Man & Bass (200X)
• Mega Man Anniversary Collection (200X)
• Mega Man Powered Up (200X)
• Mega Man 9 (200X)

And these are just the American releases!

200X was also a special year for some super heroes to get back to their roots; for Spider-man of Marvel Comics fame, this meant pawning off his marriage to the devil in order to return to a 40-year old status quo. But for Mega Man, it simply meant dialing back things to 8-bit and getting back to basics in graphics, sound, and gameplay. Both were bold moves, but time will tell as to which one pays the greater dividends.

In addition to a plethora of games throughout the past decade, there has also been a ton of merchandise made, including (but not limited to):

• Action figures from Jazwares based on the Classic, X, and Zero series.
• Action figures, PETs, Battle Chips, and other toys from Mattel based on NT Warrior, the Viz licensed version of Battle Network.
• NT Warrior anime, DVDs, and manga by Viz.
• Trading cards based on the Classic, X, Zero, and Legends series by Artbox.
• A four-issue comic book series based on the Classic and X series by Dreamwave.
• DVDs of the Classic-based Ruby-Spears animated series from ADV.
• The Mega Man: Upon a Star DVD from ADV.
• “Official Complete Works” art books based on the Zero, Classic, and X series by UDON Entertainment (with the last two arriving in just the nick of time).

Plus, as the decade closes out, we know that 20XX will kick off with a bang, as Mega Man 10 has been announced for March, plus not one but two manga series are in the pipeline for an early 20XX release from UDON: Hitoshi Ariga’s Mega Man Megamix and Shin Ogino’s Mega Man ZX. And if that wasn’t enough, there is also a triple-threat cameo of Zero, Roll, and MegaMan Volnutt in January’s Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars.

All in all, the years of 200X to 200X have been pretty good to fans of Mega Man, and with any luck, 20XX will be just as good– maybe even better. After all, there’s a lot more 20XX to work with.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Axed Jazwares Mega Man Figures, MiniMates on Display at Video Game Memorabilia Museum

Have you heard of the Video Game Memorabilia Museum? If not, then know this: it is like the ultimate embodiment of video game merchandise, a nirvana of geekish delights for fans of numerous video game franchises.

Don’t believe me? Don’t think such a place exists? Check out their front page, then answer those questions again.

Of course, if Mega Man weren’t among the contents, we probably would not be writing this here (he’s on the second shelf from the left, at the top). And tucked away amongst enough video games and toy merchandise to make even Geoffrey the Giraffe cry are some very rare treasures indeed.

Turning back the clock, further than our current news archive will go, unfortunately, some of you may remember that American toy developer Jazwares, who then and now holds the Mega Man action figure license, had a lineup of new characters to be released: MegaMan Volnutt of MegaMan Legends, Knight Man of Mega Man 6, and the troop-builder Pantheon Hunters from Mega Man Zero, who would have come with an interchangeable head to provide an easy Copy X fix as well.

Somehow, VGMM curator Nightram managed to get his hands on these prototypes, and decided to show them off on video in his blog back in September:

It is a shame the line didn’t catch on more; while the earlier sculpts weren’t very good at all (yet some people loved them, proving there’s no accounting for taste), they did get progressively better, and these prototypes look as though they could have been some of the best yet. Ah, what might have been.

What strikes me as strange is the Pantheon Hunter with the Zero head. Thinking back, I’m not sure we ever saw the Copy X head, so this may have simply been a placeholder, as I believe all three characters shared the same body mold.

You can also see a pouting Servbot sitting in there, behind the MiniMates that I never even knew existed (I brought up the prospect a few times, but word from Jazwares was that Capcom was hellbent against anything MiniMate or LEGO-ish at all). And amazingly, there are even female characters are included in the mix, and Dynamo (misidentified as Gate), too!

As you can see, this is part of a series, so if you’re into video game collectibles on the whole, you may want to check out the full series. Then, you can head on over to the website linked above and gaze to your heart’s content at all sorts of merchandise from around the world. To give you a head start, here’s the link to the Mega Man section.

Source: Protodude’s Rockman Corner

Capcom’s Killian Elaborates on “Competition” for Legends 3

A few days ago, we reported a tease left by Capcom Community Manager Seth Killian in the Capcom*Unity’s Ask Capcom forum, explaining that there would soon be a way for fans to show their support for a MegaMan Legends 3, though they would “have to compete with the Powerstone 3 and RE: Outbreak psychos for attention!”

With everyone preparing to go to war in support of their favorite franchise, we caught up with Captain-Commander Seth Killian and asked him to explain a little further about the nature of the conflict with the Powerstone pushers and the Outbreak outlaws.

“I was hoping to clarify by actually just showing everyone what I meant,” he explained, “but I’m not sure exactly which day it will be ready. At any rate, it’s definitely not meant to be a competition between those three groups –they are just some of the most vocal around here.”

“The competition,” he continued as we ducked a preemptive mortar shell, “will actually be between any and all ideas, no matter how nutty, ridiculously expensive, or flat out dumb they might be ”

So there you have it: anything goes. It sounds like anything from a MegaMan Legends 3 to a Mega Man X9 to MegaMan Battle Network 7: Penny Slug/Wooden Nickel to Mega Man Dating: Kinky Navigators Edition will be fair game for suggestion.

Mega Fans: Get your suggestions ready!

Get Ready to Make Your Voices Heard for Legends 3

It’s on.

Well, not just yet, but it will be soon.

For years now, fans of the Blue Bomber of the far-flung future have wanted to know just how they can make it perfectly clear to the suits at Capcom that yes, we do want a MegaMan Legends 3. And just a few hours ago, Capcom Community Manager Seth Killian responded to such an inquiry on the Capcom*Unity forums, stating that “Actually, we’re working on a way for you to be able to do just such a thing, and hope to have the new Unity feature available soon-ish.”

“The bad news,” he adds, “is that you’ll have to compete with the Powerstone 3 and RE: Outbreak psychos for attention! ”

“Seriously though,” he continues, “I know that having such a clear outlet is important, and we’re working on even more direct ways for you to let your voice be heard internally here at Capcom.”

So there you have it; you can stop trying to register domain names and put down your petitions; hopefully Capcom won’t keep us in too much suspense at the new Unity addition.

Naturally, we will keep you informed of anything we hear on the situation, and let you know when it is time for fans of Diggers, air pirates, and the like to rally together as one and make our voices heard.

Inafune Remains Adamant About Legends 3

What’s new in the realm of MegaMan Legends 3 news? Consistency, one might suppose.

Capcom Community Manager Seth Killian appeared recently on the 4 Guys, 1UP Podcast, and naturally, the subject came up. Prompted about the mere possibility, Killian said:

“It’s definitely not dead and Inafune says, I saw him yesterday and he always says that. He knows that’s a question from fans all the time and he talks about it all the time: ‘you know when I finally get some time, I’m going to work on a Legends 3 or something.’ He definitely would like to see it happen.”

So, same old, same old. I get the feeling that Bionic Commando might have something to do with this; journalists begged and pleaded for that one, too, and when it came out, sales weren’t up to snuff. So it may be little wonder that all the begging and pleading for a Legends 3 isn’t helping make it a higher priority for the brass at Capcom.

News Credit: The Examiner, via the SEGA Forums, via Protodude’s Rockman Corner

A Look at a Life-Size Servbot

In my office at my “normal job”, people like to decorate their cubicles with various things to personalize their workspace. A Persona 3 action figure here, a Lego Star Destroyer there; these things are common place. However, the newest thing to come into my building was a little more special.

A good friend and coworker of mine decided to build a life-size servbot to go along with someone else’s Tron Bonne cosplay. To make it, he used a combination of cardboard, acrylic paint, posterboard, a ping pong ball, and foam shapes (the kind often found in arts and crafts stores) with a little duct tape, rubber cement, and silicon adhesive to hold it all together.

It turned out not too shabby! You can see a close up photo here.

U.S. Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars Website Updates

Capcom of Japan had updated their Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars website a week ago, but Capcom USA has finally caught up and applied some updates of their own.

Now, you can head on over and check out the new character profiles for Roll, Zero, and MegaMan Volnutt, as well as all the rest of the fighters from both sides.

For added convenience, here is the text from each Mega Man character’s bio:

A sweet female robot, Roll is often known as Mega Man’s sister. She was created by Dr. Light, a prominent roboticist, to assist him in the lab. She is a peace-loving robot, but is not afraid to confront villains with her broom during times of emergency.

Zero is a member of the Maverick Hunters, a group that hunts down renegade Reploids known as Mavericks. He is one of the top hunters and has earned an A rank. He is easily distinguished by his crimson highlights and long, blonde hair. His weapon of choice is the Z-Saber, a sword with a blade of concentrated energy. This powerful weapon can be changed to match the vagaries of battle.

Odd, I thought he was ranked SA, or S.

An excavator who makes his living digging for ancient ruins, MegaMan Volnutt never backs down from a fight, regardless of his opponent’s size or strength. His unwavering courage supplements his wisdom in battle. His weapons are the Mega Buster cannon equipped on his left arm and a detachable right arm that can be swapped for a variety of battle-proven attachments.

Huh. I never knew the right arm was actually detachable. I guess that makes sense, but I always thought it sort of transformed. So where does he keep his arm when a weapon is attached?

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Rocks & Rolls with New Character Art

Certainly, the characters of MegaMan Volnutt and Classic Roll already have art for Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, but nothing says they can’t get a little more.

And that’s precisely what can now be found on the official Japanese Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars website. Shinkiro has granted the duo new pics that can now be toggled with their old images under the “Characters” tab on the site. But for your viewing convenience, we also have them here:

Too bad the new guys, i.e. Zero, don’t get a second piece of art in order to balance things out. Oh well, maybe if there is a third iteration, we can get more Mega Man characters and more art.

News Credit: Protodude’s Rockman Corner

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars Packshot

Behold! Gaze in shock and amazement as Zero, Roll, and MegaMan Volnutt fight for recognition among the sea of faces that is the packshot for Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars!

Just look at Zero’s expression; you know he’s planning on killing everyone there, right where they stand.

A Teensy Bit of Tiesel

The other night, we were hanging around on IRC when Heat Man posted the following video from Rockman DASH 2, noting of Tiesel Bonne that “his Japanese voice doesn’t have nearly as much appeal.”

Tabby agreed, saying “no one can do Tiesel better then his English VA.” This inspired me to dig up a little something, and I thought I would share it here.

As with other members of the MegaMan Legends cast, Tiesel was played by a Canadian voice actor. In his case, it was the unforgettable (and in my opinion, irreplaceable) talent of Rob Smith which gave the leader of the Bonne family of air pirates his distinctive commanding, albeit frantic, tone.

Naturally, one cannot live by Legends alone– else we would all be dead by now. As such, Rob Smith can be found in a number other productions, but perhaps one of the more widespread is that of Angela Anaconda, where he plays the recurring minor character of Coach Reinhardt, an ex-Army officer and coach of the show’s local high school sports teams.

Since it seems unlikely that we’re going to be hearing Smith delivering new material as Tiesel any time soon, here’s an episode from the TV show in question. Listen, and you can hear a bit of the elder Bonne’s voice seeping through:

Enjoy it for now, this may be as close to a Legends 3 as we’re going to get for a while (except for maybe Tatsunoko vs. Capcom).

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