Mega Man (franchise)

Mega Man (known as Rockman in Japan) is a video game franchise created by Capcom, starring a series of robot characters each known by the moniker "Mega Man". The original Mega Man game, released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, was the first in a series that expanded to over 50 games on multiple systems. The original series focus on the robot boy Rock, created as a lab assistant by the scientist Dr. Light with Dr. Wily as his partner. Following treachery by Dr. Wily in which he reprogrammed most of Dr. Light's robots, Rock volunteered to be converted into a fighting robot to defend the world from Wily's violent robotic threats, thus becoming Mega Man.

Although the original series has yet to reach an conclusive ending, the storyline shifts to the Mega Man X series, followed by the Mega Man Zero series, Mega Man ZX and Mega Man Legends. All the series follow one continuous timeline with the exception of Mega Man Battle Network and Mega Man Star Force, both of which take place on a separate alternate timeline where the internet flourished rather than robotics. While each individual series may change in unique stories, settings, characters and tone, they retain similar elements of the entire Mega Man universe.

Mega Man is one of Capcom's flagship franchies, alongside Street Fighter and Resident Evil. As of October 2023, the series has sold 41 million units worldwide.^[1]

Games[]

Mm40018329 p0 — 25th anniversary tribute artwork (*For Everlasting Peace: 25 Years of Mega Man*).

Rockman Xover - (2012)

Mega Man X DiVE - (2020)

Pachislot Rockman Ability - (2018)

Canceled[]

Maverick Hunter

Rockman Online

Mega Man Universe

TV and film[]

Mega Man (TV series) - (cartoon, 1994 - 1995)

Mega Man NT Warrior - (anime, 2002 - 2006)

Mega Man Star Force - (anime, 2006 - 2008)

Live-action film - TBA

Overview[]

In the fictional universe of Mega Man, the Mega Man Classic series is considered to be the origin of the story, with Mega Man being the first installment, and continuing with the direct sequels Mega Man 2-10 and the Mega Man and Bass games. There are also spin-off titles that do not always relate to the series' storyline. Although the Classic series has yet to reach an ending, the storyline shifts to the Mega Man X series, followed by Mega Man Zero and finally Mega Man ZX. Although there are clues that the Mega Man Legends series takes place sometime after the ZX series, as yet there has been no official confirmation as to when that is.

The Mega Man Battle Network games exist in an alternate universe and have their own separate timeline. Mega Man Star Force follows the Battle Network series.