Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype launching 3DS eShop

Mega Man Legends fans have been waiting more than a decade for another 3D adventure starring Capcom's Blue Bomber. While the publisher still hasn't set a proper release date for the 3DS debut of the third full game in the series, fans will soon be able to get a look at the game in mid-development.

Capcom today announced that the downloadable Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version will be available on Nintendo's 3DS eShop as soon as the online storefront opens for business. While the 3DS launched in North America last month, Nintendo has said the system's downloadable game store won't launch before late May.

The Prototype Version of Mega Man Legends 3 will give players their first chance to try out the new character Barrett and will feature a series of missions. Once those are cleared, Capcom said players will get access to a debug menu that lets them use new abilities and see unfinished areas of the game.

For Mega Man Legends 3, Capcom is leaning on the series' fan base, billing it as "the first Capcom game to be co-developed by the fans." The publisher has invited gamers to influence Mega Man Legends 3 development by visiting the game's official site, voting on character designs, suggesting Easter eggs for the game, and more.

Capcom did not specify a price for the Prototype Version of Mega Man Legends 3.