Mega Man 9 is a welcome blast to the past, and it doesn't let its nostalgia factor overshadow its gameplay.
Story: Since Capcom wanted to stick with the feel of the 80's Mega Man games, they were sure to make the story as simplistic as they could: some of the good scientist Dr. Light's robots start going haywire, and Dr. Wily, the one who usually schemes
nefarious plots, claims innocence. It's up to you to stop the eight robot masters, restore Dr. Light's name, and bring back peace once again. That's about it, and that's all we could really ask for; if we want a Mega Man with a deep, rich story, then we'll just have to hope that Mega Man X9 comes out sometime soon.
Gameplay: In case you've never played a Mega Man before, I'll give you the skivvy. To put it in a nutshell, you're given a selection of eight stages to go to, each with a unique theme and a different Robot Master boss. Upon beating said boss, you are given a new power that you can use against other enemies and, more importantly, against other bosses to make beating them much easier. Mega Man 9 does not disappoint, delivering fun, old school gameplay. But man is it hard, hard, hard. All right, so it's not impossible; I was able to breeze through some puzzles that others may have been troubled with on my first go. Then again, I've already played other Mega Man games, and some old tricks are repeated in here. If you're a novice, though, then prepare for bloody hell. Like any good retro game, Mega Man 9 is little more than a series of trial and error tests; once you figure out each puzzle, another one will pop up right around the corner that will most likely finish you off. But that's not to say that you'll be able to speed through once you've beaten the game; it's still an incredibly challenging yet fun experience that will take all of your wit and cunning.
Graphics: Graphics don't make the game; that's apparent by Mega Man 9's 8-bit layout. It looks like it came out in the 80's, and I absolutely love it. Is it top notch? Of course not. But then again, the people who are buying the game wouldn't have it any other way.
Audio: Like any Mega Man game, the music is great. Will it keep you humming the tunes for hours? Not necessarily. Will it be chalked up amongst the greatest soundtracks of all time? Nah. But what matters is that it's upbeat, fun, and fits with the mood of the game. And if 8-bit music is your thing, then you'll love it.
Length/Replay Value: I found myself just about reaching the 10 hour mark when completing this game, which is an impressive feat for a game that cost me only $10. However, there are achievements that are awarded for beating the game within an hour, and I find that to be downright ridiculous. Possible, yes. But mostly ridiculous.
Bosses: Each of the 8 Robot Masters, not to mention the giant mechanisms that inhabit Dr. Wily's fortress, are all incredibly challenging to beat. However, they each have a certain weakness, and once you exploit it, defeating them shouldn't be too difficult. There are many instances, though, that take more than a proper strategy, especially near the end of the game. Either way, they'll each take all of your talent, and are more than worth the weapon you gain.
Extras: The game offers some different costumes, such as a helmet-less Mega Man, for in-game points. However, for real-world money, you can also buy different costumes, such as a Proto-Man skin. I wouldn't say it's worth the money, but there might be some nuts out there who'll easily dish out the money to play through the game as their favorite red bastard.
Final Statement: To be honest, I'm finding that I don't have much to say about this game. I thought it was fun mostly because I've played old Mega Man games, and this appealed to my childhood. If you're a fan of the blue bomber, or you just love 8-bit games in general, then you'll most likely have fun with this one. If you feel that this kind of game is outdated, and that it's a sin to not have the most up-to-date graphics and music, then go ahead and leave it aside. Though for the price, I'll say that it is definitely a $10 well spent.