There's a sign to tell you when you're having fun with a video game. That's the point when you ask, "When is the next one coming?" That's the case with Mega Man Powered Up, easily one of the greatest remakes this industry has ever seen, and a classic even if the remade portions hadn't worked out as planned in the final product. The mesmerizing amount of things to do changes this game from one where a 20-minute speed run into a 20-hour marathon title.
Essentially three games in one, Powered Up includes everything you could possibly imagine being related to the first NES Mega Man aside from the inclusion of, well, the original Mega Man. It seems odd to release a remake and not include the game that inspired it, but it is included in updated form. That's one of two ways to play this one, and fans will love seeing the gorgeous color and 3-D backdrops in place of the classic sprites (in addition to the original music). This mode changes nothing aside from the graphics, not even the music.
The completely redone "Powered Up" new style mode changes everything. Level design is switched around and played with and two new bosses make an appearance (Oil Man and Time Man). Secret areas can only be accessed by having a specific enemy’s weapon available, jumps have been changed around, and bosses speak with some of the most grating childish dialogue ever recorded. These newly crafted levels are definitely on the easier side with fewer disappearing platforms, more sporadic enemies, and entire sections cut out or replaced.
It's different enough in level design alone to make you feel like you have two separate games available. However, the extras keep coming. Once beaten on normal, you can play through using Mega Man's powers from the third and fourth NES title, the slide and charge shot respectively. By beating a boss only with your standard weapon, you earn the right to play through the entire game as that character. Obviously, this completely changes the dynamic of the game and how you play thanks to the specific weapons they use.
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