The popular video game series Mega Man nearly failed at the start. Though the first Mega Man game for the Nintendo Entertainment System received generally good reviews when it came out in 1987, it didn’t sell very well. Now, Mega Man is a huge franchise with over 130 different games and even appearances in other forms of entertainment. However, it wasn’t the original game that launched its success – it was the sequel that turned Mega Man into a gaming powerhouse.
Released in 1988, Mega Man 2 was Capcom’s attempt to build Mega Man into a lasting franchise after the initial game on the NES. It refined the gameplay established in the first Mega Man, creating a more enjoyable platforming experience. Mega Man 2 was a huge success, becoming the best-selling game in the series with over 1.51 million copies sold.
Mega Man 2 Saved the Franchise
It’s unusual for a game that doesn’t sell well to get a sequel, as making games takes a lot of time and money. However, Capcom hesitantly allowed the team behind the original Mega Man to create a follow-up. They had to work on it outside of their regular assignments, even incorporating leftover ideas from the first game. Remarkably, they finished it in less than a year, and the result is considered one of the greatest games on the NES. Released just under a year after the original Mega Man, it completely revitalized the series.
Following the events of the original game, Mega Man 2 finds Dr. Wily building eight new Robot Masters – Metal Man, Bubble Man, Air Man, Flash Man, Quick Man, Heat Man, Crash Man, and Wood Man – to oppose Mega Man. Dr. Light sends Mega Man to defeat them all, and then confront Wily himself. Like the first 11 Mega Man games, players can tackle the Robot Masters in any order they choose, and each defeated Robot Master’s unique weapon becomes available for Mega Man to use throughout the game.
Mega Man 2 was a critical and commercial hit, selling even better than the first game. This established Mega Man as a major franchise on the NES, leading to several sequels. Though many of those games performed well, none matched the success of Mega Man 2 until Mega Man 11 was released in 2018 – a remarkable 30-year gap! The game’s popularity is largely due to its fantastic music, refined controls, engaging gameplay, and appealing style.
Without Mega Man 2, There Wouldn’t Be a Mega Man Franchise Today
The Mega Man series is still beloved today, with a story that has developed over many games, each building on the last. Mega Man 2, released in 1988, really cemented this approach and helped make the franchise a gaming legend. It’s surprising to think that the whole thing almost ended in 1987 when the first game didn’t sell well. Thankfully, Akira Kitamura and his skilled team of developers and musicians worked incredibly hard, saving Mega Man from being another forgotten early NES game. Because of their dedication, millions of players still enjoy it decades later.
Do you love Mega Man 2? If not, tell us your favorite Mega Man game! Share your thoughts and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mega-man-facts-trivia/embed/#
Read More
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- ARC Raiders – All NEW Quest Locations & How to Complete Them in Cold Snap
- Meet the cast of Mighty Nein: Every Critical Role character explained
- Netflix’s One Piece Season 2 Will Likely Follow the First Season’s Most Controversial Plot
- Fishing Guide in Where Winds Meet
- Eldegarde, formerly Legacy: Steel & Sorcery, launches January 21, 2026
- Bitcoin’s Wild Ride: Yen’s Surprise Twist 🌪️💰
- 18 Years Later, One Piece Finally Hints At The Mysterious Pirate With an Eye Patch
- 10 Best Rick and Morty Jokes About Marvel and the MCU
2025-12-24 19:21