Why haven't other developers thought of doing this? It's brilliant! EDIT: EXTRAS REVIEW ADDED
GAMEPLAY: Gameplay is difficult. Very difficult. So difficult it took me three days to beat the first robotmaster, which was Splash Woman for me; turns out I was supposed to go for Galaxy Man, but he looked burly. Anyways, the levels are very hard, requiring PERFECT timing. Not good, PERFECT. A quarter-second off with some of these jumps, and you're swallowing a one-hit kill. Not to mention enemies knock you backwards, so it isn't uncommon for a recoil to send you falling to a spiky death or into general oblivion. Bosses are just as difficult, with their health bars being WAY longer than in say, Megaman 2. The paper, Rockman, scissors effect is in play too, certain attacks hurt certain bosses more. Some of these weaknesses aren't as obvious as you'd think either. Fortunately for me, I enjoy a hard game; and this is the best challenge I've had in a LONG time. Also, if you have a few extra bucks to dish out, you can make this game even harder with Hero mode to ensure you'll have expelled at least three expletives each time you play. Or you can even play as Protoman, which gives you the charge shot and slide as seen in Megaman 5 and 6. These moves aren't available for Megaman since MM9 takes heavy inspiration from 2, even in music. Overall, very addictive. Don't forget to check out time trial and the challenge menu too. 10/10
Graphics: ABOUT TIME WE SEE AN 8-BIT REVIVAL. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Flawless 8-bit glory perfectly emulated into a game that fits so much more than the NES was capable of. This combination makes for an experience that combines retro gaming with the new age extras. The 8-bit graphics make for an immersive experience, and the levels look great. I loved Galaxy Man's and Hornet Man's levels most personally. They even added the optional graphical flicker to ensure a perfect emulation of a NES game, how cool is that? 10/10
Sound/Music: Sounds are a take back to the NES games, with cool sound effects. I particularily loved how they did Splash Woman's singing and Hornet Man's buzzing wasps. Music was very catchy, almost as much as Megaman 2. Probably the second best soundtrack of the old Megaman games. I liked Galaxy Man's and Concrete Man's themes most. 9/10
Storyline: It's an eight-bit game, so this is supposed to not be too storyline driven. It would be unfair to judge an 8-bit game under storyline, so this category won't be counted.
Replayability: Very much so. The main game takes a few days/weeks to beat due to its difficulty. Then you can buy harder modes to take that amount of time again. Then there is Protoman mode, which I have yet to play, but I assume it is similar and therefore a few days added in. Then time attack which never ends. And if that isn't enough to keep you hooked, there is endless mode, which offers challenge after challenge. 10/10
Extras: Unlike previous Megaman titles (NES) Mega Man 9 has a lot of extra content. Options like graphical flicker and control changes. A shop where you can exchange screws for cool upgrades and costume changes. Two new difficulty modes. You can play as Protoman. There are different gameplay settings to unlock, and a bonus stage availabe. Overall, there isn't much left you could possibly want. 10/10
If you like Mega Man, or old-school games in general, get this game.
Also, I am going to review the extra content in the game now, and say which is best and worst:
Protoman Mode: Easily the best option for the DLC. Protoman mode is a take-back to Mega Man 3 and on. You play as Protoman, and go through the levels with slight changes here and there. But this is a totally different experience in terms of character. Protoman has half of Mega's health, a max of two shots at once, the charge shot, the slide, AND his proto shield for you to use. This makes the game a totally different experience, and a fun one at that. Plus you even get his awesome whistle theme every time he spawns. Of course; if the gameplay of Mega Man 9 is already too rough for you; you'll have an even worse time with Proto. But if you can stomach the challenge; playing as Protoman is just as fun as being Mega. And for two dollars; it's a great deal. 9/10
Extra level: First off, at the price; this is a great deal; only one dollar. The level does stand-alone too; but there are some mild gripes that sorta bugged me. First off; all the minibosses are just tossed in from the regular game; and most of the enemies are the same too. Some parts of the level are unoriginal as well. The only part of this level that really defines it are the city parts, and the boss; Fake-Man. Fakeman is a sub-par boss; all he can do is fire what looks like buster shots and tase you or your bro, depending on who you are playing as. Anyways; he's not that original of a boss; but for less than a cheeseburger at McDonalds; this may be a good deal for you. 7/10
Extra difficulties: If the game isn't tough enough for you (if this is the case, you are bloody insane), you can buy extra difficulties. Pretty simple; but in a game this hard; they 'hard'ly seem necessary; and should have been included when you spent the ten dollars on the 8-bit game in the first place. Still, they are there for you when you do master it. 6/10
Endless stage: First off; the key advantage of this is the nostalgia factor. You have to go through repeating 'screens' to advance through here, fighting a boss from the game every thirty screens. These screens are ALL levels from past Mega Man games rearranged to have the same platform style and enemeies as Mega Man 9. So initially; this seems good for some quick fan service. HOWEVER; there are only a few level portions included, and they repeat. In less than three minutes; you'd have seen all the endless stage has in it; ironic, ain't it? The online scoreboard is there, but seriously; how many sane gamers are going to spend hours getting a high score that they probably won't be able to get anyways? While a good idea; it really isn't worth three dollars and could have been better executed. However; the music is awesome! If you REALLY are willing to spend too much money on this mode; and are fine with it just to complete the DLC set or something, buy it. But if you are like me, and not tossing Wii points out the wazoo; I would suggest avoiding Endless stage. 3/10