Mega Man Anniversary Collection

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Mega Man Anniversary Collection

Developer(s)	Atomic Planet Entertainment (APE)
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Release date(s)	June 22, 2004 (GC and PS2) March 15, 2005 (Xbox)
Genre(s)	Action, 2D Platformer
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone
Platform(s)	GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Media	1 DVD-ROM / 1 Optical Disc

For the cancelled Gameboy compilation of the same name, please refer to Mega Man Anniversary Collection (Gameboy).

Mega Man Anniversary Collection is a compilation of ten video games featuring Capcom's hero Mega Man. It features the first eight Mega Man games, as well as two unlockable arcade games that saw only limited release outside of Japan. Other unlockables include original artwork and remixed music. The anthology is fairly complete, although various side story games such as Mega Man & Bass and Mega Man Soccer are not included, the former due to its recent release on the Game Boy Advance.

Each game has a nearly identical structure: traverse eight themed stages (six in the first game) to face off against boss robots, gain new weapons and abilities, then defeat the robots' master, Dr. Wily. An extra feature is the "Navi Mode" for the first six titles, which provides hints and pathways for completing each stage. The arcade games are similar in gameplay but a bit more streamlined; the battles cut straight to the bosses, who get progressively more difficult with each defeated boss.

[edit] Games included in Mega Man Anniversary Collection

[edit] Controversy and differences

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The games in this set are not emulated, but instead ported. However, the ports are not perfect. For example, some controversy exists in the fact that Mega Man 7 had its ending (sans closing credits) removed due to Atomic Planet having a hard time getting the Mode 7 effect to work properly. An infamous moment in the game was also censored; instead of saying "damn" Bass now says "darn." The GameCube version also added an anti-aliasing effect to Mega Man 7, creating an odd fuzzy texture to the sprites. In addition, the original functions of the B and A buttons have been reversed in the GameCube release: B jumps while A fires, whereas it was the other way around in the original NES versions. This in particular caused much criticism. So much so that some reviewers suggested the PS2 version over the GameCube for that reason alone. Some reviewers claim that it is simple to get used to the GameCube's new controls.

The PlayStation version of Mega Man 8 was ported instead of the Sega Saturn version. Therefore, additional features, such as the boss fights of Cut Man and Wood Man, are not included. The main change is that load times were virtually eliminated. However, the quality has decreased dramatically; there are noticeable slowdowns in some areas, and the final four Robot Masters have their voice clips sped up outside of their introduction. This problem is extended in the GameCube version, where more voice clips are accidentally faster, and the music not only doesn't loop properly, but also doesn't start correctly.

The PlayStation 2 version includes some arranged music for MM1, MM2, and MM3 (mostly taken from the two arcade games). These were present in the original Japanese releases of the Complete Works versions, but were entirely optional, and can be heard if the select button is being held while the Navi Mode is being selected. MMAC also includes the Complete Works arranged soundtracks for MM4, MM5, and MM6. In addition, the "Navi Mode" gameplay from the Complete Works is also included. The GameCube version didn't have any of the arranged tunes, but it did have the Navi Mode (Game hints, updated weapon sub-screens, updated energy meters, and the appearance of Beat or Eddie in certain areas to point out the best routes). The PlayStation 2 version also displays the first six games at a different resolution, causing black bars on the left and right sides of the screen. However, both versions did not have the enhanced Navi Mode weapon menus for MM4, MM5, or MM6, in addition to the option of playing as Mega Man without his helmet in those games (which can be done in the original Japanese releases by holding the R2 button whilst selecting Navi Mode). Both versions also did not include the Hard difficulty setting, which could be unlocked in the Complete Works set after finishing a game once with the Navi mode turned off and the difficulty set to Normal. None of the other features in the Complete Works were included besides controller changes (with the exception of the vibration being excluded), Select, the Easy setting, and Navi Mode.

In addition, Capcom of Europe has not released the compilation in Europe and Australia. The company has not given a reason. Shortly thereafter, there was a petition by fans for a European release.

There are also differences for the extras between each version. The PlayStation 2 version features the original Ruby-Spears Mega Man cartoon episode, while the GameCube version has an interview with Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune. The Xbox version, which was released later, includes the same interview, the first episode of the Mega Man NT Warrior anime, and the ability to change the control scheme. The Xbox version also includes Navi Mode's arranged music tracks from the PS2 version as well.

Due to the popularity of MMAC among fans of the series, Capcom followed up with Mega Man X Collection. There is no word from Capcom of Europe whether or not it will see a European release.