A throwback to the good old days of 8-bit gaming. But be warned--it'll chew you up and spit you out.
You've got eight new Mega Man bosses to choose from to fight in any order you wish. However, as was the case with the earlier Mega Man games, it all boils down to strategy. You obtain different weapons from the bosses to use, and each weapon exploits various weaknesses of the bosses. The weapons Mega Man can use are pretty cool, and the boss battles are as challenging as they've ever been.
Don't expect any remixed music or enhanced graphics--the developers were clearly intent on bringing the series back to its 8-bit roots--during a time when video games were simple, fun and not complex and complicated. Initially, I was surprised this route was taken for a new Mega Man game for 2008, but I soon saw the appeal and how it would cater to hardcore fans and purists.
But don't think this game is an easy-peasy cakewalk. Far from it. Like its brethren, this installment is every bit as challenging and difficult as all other games before it. It takes time to master the levels, and even then, the game will make every effort in throwing as much as it can at you. You'll probably be throwing your controller in anger and frustration a lot. Just a fair warning!
There are also some interesting challenges to partake in as well as a Time Attack mode. One of the challenges might be a bit too much to ask--beating the game without getting hit once. The person who achieves this should be highly commended and congratulated. That said, Mega Man 9 will definately keep you busy for a while, especially with upcoming DLC.
For the Mega Man purist, this is a must-have for your library. To everyone else, it's a very challenging platformer that will test your patience, will and gaming skills.