PixlBit

Mega Man 10 is a title nose-deep in nostalgia, stemming from a series that saw its first game launch in 1987. In this respect, Mega Man 10 is the culmination of classic platform-driven gameplay mixed with modern game modes and options, creating a game most will find some value and enjoyment in playing.

To begin with, fans of the original Mega Man series should be very pleased with Capcom's latest iteration. Mega Man 10 seemingly sticks to all the formulas: Eight Robot Masters, each with a uniquely themed lair filled to the brim with traps, spikes, pits, and robots, along with four additional stages after the Robot Masters have been defeated, sprinkled with a few low-resolution cutscenes, complementing the difficult gameplay with a light-hearted story.

Fans of the series will likely be happy to hear the game is tough, though I'd have to say it's a bit easier than Mega Man 9. This is likely due to the fact that there are fewer traps that players need to memorize in order to complete specific sections of the stage. I found that the title in normal mode was challenging, yet rewarding. Fans looking for an even greater challenge can opt to play as Proto Man from the start. He takes greater damage from enemy hits in exchange for extra control and maneuverability, which perhaps balances the games difficulty a little more for the most hardcore fans. For those who want even more, a hard mode is unlocked after completion of the normal difficulty, most noticeably ramping up the difficulty of the Robot Masters and bosses.

Believe it or not, Mega Man 10 features something entirely new to the classic Mega Man series that nearly all types of fans should be excited about: an easy option! Selecting the easy difficulty greatly alters the game's difficulty, adding in better health replenishment items and platforms over many pits and spikes, simultaneously reducing the number of enemies in the stages, while simplifying most attack patterns, including that of the bosses. Essentially, the easy difficulty turns the game into one any fan of platforming games, regardless of skill, can enjoy, and is an excellent addition making the game far more accessible than it ever could have been otherwise.

Mega Man 10 also includes a challenge mode, consisting of a mix of over 80 short stages, including both new stages and a variety of stages found in the game, where players pilot Mega Man, testing their abilities. These challenges range from how well the player can leap from one ladder to another over a bed of spikes, to challenging a Robot Master to a perfect fight, avoiding any damage as you defeat him. While often challenging, some stages feel as though they'd serve well as a tutorial for those looking to learn more advanced techniques and abilities. Challenge Mode is certainly a welcome inclusion in this latest release, and even better that it wasn’t plucked out as a candidate for downloadable content.

All-in-all, I'd suggest that Mega Man 10 is definitely the most complete Mega Man experience available through WiiWare and the Virtual console, and thanks to the inclusion of Easy Mode, it's almost certainly the title anyone curious about the series would want to hop in and give a try. Those looking for skill-based platforming, as well as difficult boss battles should consider Mega Man 10 - they likely won't be disappointed.