Mega Man fans far and wide rejoice, because Capcom has heard your calls and has brought the Blue Bomber to Nintendo Switch Online! No, I'm not talking about the Nintendo Entertainment System classics, nor the X series on the Super NES, but rather Mega Man on the Game Boy. That's right, all five of the classic monochromatic adventures are available right now to all subscribers of Nintendo's online service. That's exciting news, but are any of these games actually worth playing? To answer that question, I decided to flip through the pages of Electronic Gaming Monthly, GamePro, Nintendo Power and more classic magazines to see what the critics said back when these games first came out. I sure hope you're a fan of formulas, because that's what we're getting in this Mega Man-centric episode of Nintendo Switch Online Review Crew.


Of all the action heroes to make their name on the Nintendo Entertainment System, none were more prolific than Mega Man. Over the course of just seven years, Capcom managed to release a total of six side-scrolling action games on Nintendo's 8-bit console, establishing the Blue Bomber as one of the biggest video game characters in the world. With all this hype surrounding the little guy, it was a forgone conclusion that Mega Man would eventually find his way to the Game Boy. Thankfully, gamers didn't have to wait very long. Released in 1991, a mere two years after the handheld system first hit store shelves, Dr. Wily's Revenge gave Capcom a chance to recycle some of the franchise's best levels and bosses, creating a brand-new Game Boy game that also worked as a greatest hits package. Although it's laid out a bit differently, Mega Man will still need to go head-to-head against some of the best bosses from his first two NES outings, including Cut Man, Ice Man, Fire man, Elec Man, Bubble Man, Quick Man, Flash Man and Heat Man. Best of all, the levels, weapons and enemies have been optimized to play on the smaller (blurrier) handheld screen, making this a big hit with both Game Boy and Mega Man fans. But was it a big hit with the critics? Let's find out.

Despite being extremely critical of the Game Boy in its first two years of life, Electronic Gaming Monthly absolutely loved Dr. Wily's Revenge. If that surprises you, then you weren't alone. Martin sounded almost embarrassed to give a Game Boy game a 9 out of 10: “OK, you've actually caught me playing the Game Boy for prolonged periods of time. Honest, it's all because of this cart. Great graphics and sound, and the classic gameplay that has lost nothing in the translation. Mega Man is mega awesome!” Believe it or not, even EGM's biggest Game Boy hater, Sushi-X, fell in love with this package: “Awesome! Truly awesome! I never thought Capcom could really pull it off, but they far exceeded my expectations!! The music is righteous, and the graphics are excellent. The big surprise was the down-right stupendous control of Mega Man, as few Game Boy games have this.” When the smoke cleared, EGM ended up giving Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge an average score of 8.5 out of 10.

As it turns out, that score is basically right in the middle of the rest of the pack. For example, when GamePro reviewed the game, they gave it a solid 4 out of 5. That is, more or less, the exact same score you saw over at Video Games & Computer Entertainment, who described the game this way: “There's not much here that's really new or innovative – Mega Man is basically a science fiction Mario with lots of neat weapons. He runs, jumps and shoots just like most other video game heroes, but the universe he inhabits is slick, dynamic and full of personality. Whether you're a longtime fan of the NES Mega Man series or just a Game Boy rookie, you'll probably enjoy Mega Man in Dr. Wily's Revenge. But don't be deceived by the charming graphics and comical enemies – this is a pretty tough game, and I've got the sore fingers to prove it.”

Looking at the higher scores, we see Nintendo Power give the game a score of 4.3 out of 5 in their 27th issue. It's worth mentioning that they also gave the game a 4.5 out of 5 when they re-reviewed it in 1996, but we're going to only count the original review. The highest score comes to us from ACE magazine, and not just because they employed a ridiculous one-thousand-point system. Giving it score a of 898, David Upchurch argued that “the best thing about Mega Man is that it's so blummin' playable. Control over The Man is excellent, and the action is fast, furious and graphically clear. The only downer is the game's difficulty – it's very. Still, provided you don't mind a challenge – and playing one of the best platform-style games to appear on the Game Boy since Batman – this is an excellent buy. So go and get it.”

I agree, this game is great and still incredibly playable. I know there were a lot of Mega Man games released this month, but this is a great place to start.

Released just a few months after Dr. Wily's Revenge, Mega Man II is exactly what you think it is. This sequel uses the exact same set-up we saw in the first game, only now we get bosses and levels taken directly from the Mega Man 2 and 3 on the Nintendo Entertainment System. There's a new story that explains a lot of the recycling and remixing, but the game ends up being more of the same, which is either a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. Let's see which side of that divide the critics landed on.

Over at Electronic Gaming Monthly, the critics were still impressed with this sequel, but not nearly as enthusiastically. This was one of those times when everybody agreed, with all four of the editors giving Mega Man II a score of 8 out of 10. Martin explains that “Mega Man is back for his second adventure for the Game Boy and he's looking better than ever. Even though this is the Game Boy we're talking about, the graphics are very well done and the music is also impressive. The gameplay is near perfect and they've even thrown in the slide move from Mega Man 3. Mega cool stuff, man.” Fake ninja Sushi-X echoed those thoughts: “Ahh! Mega Man 2! This is a good game for the Game Boy. Capcom continues to amaze us by creating nearly impossible games for difficult systems. The control is just as unbelievable as the Nintendo version, and the only thing it lacks is the vibrant colors.”

While Nintendo Power agreed with EGM and scored the game slightly lower, giving it a 3.8 out of 5, GamePro disagreed. They ended up giving the sequel a perfect 5 out of 5, a full point higher than the first game. “Mega Man II is a replay of some NES classics, but that's what makes it a winner. As always, the graphics are pixel-perfect, the music's easy listening, and the gameplay's greater than great. A black-and-white must-buy? That depends solely on you. If you're a Mega Man game monger, you may want to pass this one up simply because you'll probably whip through the familiar territory in no time. But if you're a Blue Bomber inductee, consider this Game Boy sequel a good to-go titanium hazing.”

While GamePro isn't wrong, this Game Boy version stands out solely because the NES Mega Man games aren't currently available on the Nintendo Switch Online. If it has been a while since you've played Mega Man 2 and 3, then this greatest hits package is definitely worth a play.

Capcom took what I would like to call a “strike while the iron is hot” approach to Mega Man on the Game Boy, as this is the second Mega Man game they decided to release in 1992. By now, you know what to expect. We get a smattering of bosses from the third and fourth NES installments, including Snake Man, Shadow Man, Spark Man, Dive Man, Drill Man and Dust Man. While largely just recycling what we saw on the Nintendo Entertainment System, we're at a point where everybody knows exactly what to expect from each new Game Boy installment. Let's see if that affects the reviews.

Once again, Electronic Gaming Monthly gave Mega Man III an average of 8 out of 10, the exact same score they gave the previous installment. While that may sound boring, how we got to that number reveals some things about the editors. After giving Mega Man II an 8 out of 10 earlier in the year, Martin closed out the year by giving Mega Man III a 9. “I like Mega Man 3 as much as Bionic Commando. This cart is almost a carbon copy of the NES version. All eight bosses are here as well as Mega Man's slide move and companion Rush. Power-ups and techniques are plentiful and the control is just right. The screen blurs quite a bit, but if you overlook the hardware, it's a great game.” Sushi-X, on the other hand, went with a 7 out of 10 for the first time: “As the best Game Boy game for the past few months, Mega Man 3 has plenty to be proud of. The game itself has tons of levels for a Game Boy title, and several power-ups. The color, it would be awesome! Come on, Nintendo, give us color! The games are great, but they need vibrant color to make an impact!”

Having released three of these Mega Man titles on Game Boy in just over a year's time, the good will was starting to show signs of cracking. Computer & Video Games, for example, couldn't muster anything higher than a 79%. Nintendo Magazine System went even lower, giving it a score of 7.2 out of 10. They wondered, “Where can Mega Man go from here? It's no wonder that he was a big hero in his time, because this game looks really neat and plays like a rocket, but unfortunately contains no new ideas at all. Nowadays, when platform games either take weird scenarios like Alfred Chicken or cover a vast area like Mario Land 2, Mega Man is beginning to look pretty bog-standard-flick-screen. I still think this game has a certain groove to it, but on balance, it's one mega too many.”

Once again, GamePro ended up giving this third installment the highest score, though it's down slightly from Mega Man II. Giving the game a 4.5 out of 5, GamePro concluded that “you won't find anything especially new in Mega Man III, but it's still a great game. Capcom found a good formular when they created the original Mega Man. Now, they're just making it better with new weapons, obstacles and bosses that keep the playing fresh, even on the small screen. Mega veterans and newcomers alike, will have a mega-blast with Mega Man III.”

It shouldn't surprise anybody that Mega Man on the Game Boy is following the exact same trajectory as Mega Man on the Nintendo Entertainment System. If you've played the first two Mega Man game on Game Boy, then you already know if you want to play the third.

Coming out almost exactly twelve months after the previous installment, Capcom managed to give us a little time to miss the Blue Bomber before releasing Mega Man IV. Unfortunately, they did not take that time to shake up the formula, because this is yet another greatest hits package that recycles some of the best stages and bosses from the NES series. This time around we're fighting Bright Man, Toad Man, Pharaoh Man, Napalm Man, Crystal Man, Stone Man and more. In other words, it mashes up elements from Mega Man 4 and 5. Let's see if that was enough to keep the critics engaged with this Game Boy series.

We started to see cracks in Electronic Gaming Monthly's scores when they reviewed Mega Man III, and those divides are only started to expand with this fourth installment. When Al Manuel reviewed the game in issue 53, he started it off with a single word – incredible. “Not the game – the fact that I like a Game Boy game. Anyway, I can say the same thing about the game as well, because it's pretty darn good. This is everything a great Mega Man game is: Fantastic graphics, good music and inventive bosses. A great title from the boys at Capcom.” Believe it or not, Sushi-X actually gave the game a slightly higher score of 8 out of 10: “Game Boy and I have a bad history, but Mega Man on any format is a great game. The technique and weapons make it a timeless classic. Sure, it screams for a higher platform, but even in green, it has the timing and technique that make it fun. All the features of passwords and acquiring the boss's weapons make it a fun game to take along on trips.” Despite that slightly higher score, EGM gave Mega Man IV an average of 7.75 out of 10.

EGM wasn't the only magazine to give this fourth installment a slightly lower score. Nintendo Power also docked a few points, giving it a score of 3.5 out of 5 in their 55th issue. The truth is, it's barely a review, clocking in at just 37 words. They liked the “play control, graphics and challenge,” but complained that “the theme is the same as always” and that there are “no real surprises.”

While EGM and Nintendo Power may be getting a bit sick of Mega Man's formula, there were other magazines that gave Mega Man IV high marks. Game Players, for example, gave it an impressive 86%. And then there's GamePro, who once again gave the game a perfect 5 out of 5 (the same score they gave the second game). “If you're a fan of the Megster, you won't be disappointed with this latest entry in the Mega Man series. Ditto if you're a casual Game Boy player who's looking for a good way to spend some battery life. Those looking for a great challenge and hours of fun, apply within. The Man is waiting.”

Maybe it's just me, but there's something about GamePro calling the little guy “The Man” that I don't like, but maybe that's not the most important point. This game is fun, but it's really more of the same.

Only three years after first introducing Mega Man to the Game Boy, Capcom is back with their fifth and final entry on the handheld. Released just a few months after Mega Man 6 on the Nintendo Entertainment System, was would have been peak Mega Man fatigue, if not for the well-received spin-off – Mega Man X on the Super NES. Still, while gamers flocked to the 16-bit iteration, there was a feeling in the air that the 8-bit series had run its course, both on the NES and Game Boy.

For their part, Electronic Gaming Monthly gave Mega Man V the lowest score yet, a 7.6 out of 10. They gave the game a shorter capsule review, asking a question on a lot of people's minds: “Will the Mega Man series ever end? The latest entry into the never-ending saga has the typical huge levels and formidable bosses with unique powers. There are plenty of weapons and other items, and one can't help but wonder how they can keep cranking these Mega Man entries out and maintain such a level of creativity. This one adds a few twists to the Mega Man story. Fans of the first four portable entries will appreciate this one.”

It's worth noting that the only magazine to like Mega Man V more than the previous entries was Nintendo Power, but only be a tenth of a point. Giving it a score of 3.6 out of 5, they liked the “excellent action” and that it “makes good use of the Super Game Boy graphics,” which “also look sharp on the regular Game Boy.” However, “the game doesn't seem long enough, especially when you sit down with the Super Game Boy and cruise.”

On the high end, we see VideoGames magazine weigh in with an 8 out of 10, which lines up perfectly with what Video Games & Computer Entertainment thought of Mega Man's first Game Boy adventure. GamePro, on the other hand, bid farewell to the series by giving it a 4 out of 5, tying with Dr. Wily's Revenge for their worst score of the series. They concluded that as “Capcom's first Super Game Boy game, Mega Man V is an average rehash to past Mega Man titles. There's nothing super, or even mega-nificent about this one.”

If you made it to Mega Man V on the Switch, then either you are incredibly dedicated or you just skipped right to the end. Either way, this is another solid entry that looks and plays almost exactly like the last four games. None of these portable Mega Man games are bad, and I think they will make a great addition on Nintendo Switch Online, but even the biggest Mega Man fan will have fatigue if they play all five of these games in a row.