The best Mega Man games for beginners, rated

Key things

• The Mega Man series offers a combination of 8-bit magic and intense difficulty, attracting millions of dedicated players around the world.
• Mega Man 11 offers a modern take on the classic formula, including a Rookie Mode for easier gameplay.
• Mega Man 2 stands out as a timeless classic in the series, striking the perfect balance between difficulty and fun.

In 1987, a video game legend was born. Mega man is an enduring franchise with one of the most iconic characters in the medium, and the many, many titles bearing its name have inspired devotion among millions of gamers around the world. The games combine cute 8-bit-inspired visuals with ear-worm-straining soundtracks and difficulty levels so merciless that Elden Ring feels like Kirby by comparison.

Created by visionary game designer Keiji Inafune, who would go on to produce Dead Risingthe main games in this series combine action with platforming and intense boss fights. There are also a number of spin-offs and remakes across different genres and platforms, so the final number published Mega man the games, combined with their notorious difficulty, can put off newcomers. Luckily, help is at hand with this list, which offers a rated guide to the best games for beginners.

This list focuses on platform action games in the franchise, omitting titles such as
Mega Man Legends
and
Mega Man Battle Network,
which use different types of games.

6 Mega Man 11

A fresh take on the classic offers a little respite

The latest main series Mega man the game is an ideal entry point for anyone wondering what all the fuss is about. With more modern 2.5D visuals and voice acting, it was a departure from the dominant 8-bit style that has been a hallmark of the series for decades. Otherwise, the core experience remains intact – run from left to right, avoid pits and spikes, shoot bad guys and use enemy weapons against them.

Hoping to attract new followers to the series, Capcom tried to present a less punishing experience, so a rookie mode was added to bring players a significantly easier game. Mega Man himself is also getting some new abilities to further sweeten the deal for new players, such as Speed ​​Gear, which allows the player to slow down time to avoid attacks, and Double Gear, which increases the power of ranged attacks. While it's a good time overall, it doesn't move the series forward, so it's at the bottom of this list.

5 Mega Man 10

Take it easy with this 8-bit love letter

Fans were in Mega Heaven when they got not one, but two after an 11-year hiatus Mega man games in classic form. the second of them Mega Man 10did the same job as his predecessor and brought back the fan favorite character Proto Man. It also shook things up by introducing something that none of the previous major games had done before; Easy mode. The decision was controversial, as some die-hard fans felt that Capcom was selling out by making life easier for players.

However, it should be remembered that while Mega man games contain a lot of magic, they can also be deeply frustrating experiences that challenge even the most experienced players. Rather than watching a playthrough on YouTube this time around, people had the opportunity to actually play through a Mega Man game and try a harder difficulty setting if they enjoyed the challenge. While the sense of achievement in Easy isn't as great as other games, it's still an ideal entry point for players.

4 Mega Man 3

Settle the debate through the NES Classic

There is a debate between them Mega man devotees: which is better, Mega Man 2 or its sequel? While the third game on the NES shares much in common with the previous two, and even adds a slight increase in difficulty, it also has some new mechanics and tactics. That said, while the game is always solid, it's also fair in how it criticizes players for any missteps they make while playing.

The player can slide on the ground, which is a handy move for tight spots and dealing with particularly annoying enemies. A new player assistance was also introduced – Mega Man Rush's faithful robot companion, one of the best dogs in video games, who can be summoned at any time to provide support via a spring-loaded coil that allows players to reach higher platforms. Not only that, it can also be transformed into a vehicle for greater mobility. If beginners want a game that keeps them on their toes but doesn't leave them biting the controller in anger, this is the best choice.

3 Mega Man Powered Up

The legendary creator returns for a remake of the highest order

Some big guns were put to work on this redesign of the very first Mega man. Keiji Inafune himself is credited as the designer of the game, which was released for the Sony PlayStation Portable. It made several changes to the source material, with 3D visuals and super-deformed designs for all the characters in the game, giving it a more cartoony look. Above all, it solves some big problems with game design.

original Mega man was arguably the most difficult of the series, so much so that some moments feel more like broken design than actual challenges, as evidenced by the headache-inducing encounter with the Yellow Devil near the top of the game. These have been cleaned up for the remake and there are also unlockable characters for you to enjoy. Players can choose between different difficulty levels if they want a challenge more akin to the NES iteration. All in all, a joyous rebirth that's perfect for Sony's handhelds.

2 Mega Man X

Upgraded Mega Man debuts on SNES

After a solid run on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Mega Man made the leap to the next generation Mega Man Xwidely recognized as one of the best games in the entire franchise and a standout title for the SNES. The console's processing power meant that along with vastly improved gameplay and sound, the player could also enjoy radical new abilities and gameplay mechanics that could not be found in any of the previous games.

Players still had the time-honored task of traversing various levels rather than fighting a fiendish robot boss, and the levels could be tackled in any order. However, this time they had a much more agile on-screen avatar as the player had the ability to climb walls and dash across the ground. He could also gain valuable armor upgrades, making him less vulnerable to attacks. If beginners want a Mega man a game that keeps the vintage feel but feels a little more modern, look no further.

1 Mega Man 2

The goat proves that you cannot improve upon perfection

A vintage that gets better with age, Mega Man 2 is one of the greatest video games of all time, even 35 years after its release. It was a labor of love for his development team, who didn't even have the green light to make it, but put in extra hours and even slept under a table to work on it in secret before revealing the finished product to Capcom. whoever put it after the first game did decent numbers.

Second Mega man the game earned the top spot for its perfect balance of difficulty and delay, easing players into each level and making sure they understand the mechanics before gradually increasing the challenge. With intuitive level design and a perfect learning curve, the game constantly hits the sweet spot needed to keep players on track even after they die a few times. Perfect Mega man an experience everyone can enjoy.