Megaman: Wily Wars for the Sega Genesis

[Flake]

As Konami brought their Castlevania series over to the Genesis, Capcom followed suit with Megaman: The Wily Wars, a graphical overall of the first three Megaman games.

Though the transition wasn't perfect, Wily Wars still turned out quite well. To this day, it remains unclear why Capcom chose not to release this game in the US in cartridge form, instead leaving it a collectible in the UK.

I am writing this review with the assumption that you've played Megaman 1-3. If you haven't then you really should click here.

The Hook:

Eight robots are up to no-good and it's up to Megaman to...seriously, if you need me to continue then please turn in your gamer-card and delete your account on this site. The real deal here is that this is essentially Capcoms 'Super Mega-Man All-Stars'. The same great games you knew on the NES, updated aesthetically for a new generation. If you want to play Megaman and not have the hero look like a mime with a gun on laundry day, this is what you want to play.

And of course, it should be mentioned that although the game is almost entirely the same as the NES originals, a special challenge does await any players who finish all three games on the same save file...

The Touch:

Very solid. The Genesis D-Pad, for all of its 3 button glory, wasn't quite as responsive or accurate as the Nintendo game pad so there will be moments when even the most seasoned Megaman player will look and feel sloppy. The only real negative is that one of the three buttons (A,B,C) has to be mapped as a secondary menu button. In the middle of jumping between projectiles and lining up a Hard Knuckle to cave in some robots face, nothing is more annoying than bringing up the menu in mid air and accidentally downing an energy tank.

The Feel:

Everything is there...it's just not...right. Oh, you'll see all the bosses you remembered and they'll act mostly the same. But they'll be harder than they should be. Or they'll re-spawn differently than you remembered. Or they'll give you too many extra lives. Or they'll be faster. It just isn't quite right. The same definitely goes for the boss battles which suffer from terrible slow down. You'll spend more time wondering at the things that are inferior to the NES original than you will praising any improvements Capcom made.

The Sound:

I re-iterate the above. It's all here but it doesn't sound right. The songs are slightly more elaborate but the composers chose to emphasize parts of the original music that will likely seem quite wrong to your ears. But, if you can get past that, the tunes are quite good for a Genesis game, especially the fan favorites like Protoman's theme. The sound effects are essentially the same that they were on the NES, but that isn't bad.

The Look:

Here is where the game shines. For all the slowdown, unfortunate button mapping, and songs that don't quite satisfy, any one can get behind the games appearance. The game is incredibly colorful in that special Genesis way and pleasing to the eye. Eschewing the over-the-top anime appearance of Megaman X or Megaman 7, Wily Wars only updates the original graphics, making them bigger and bolder. All the Robot bosses have been completely redrawn, with some of them looking exceptionally nice (Hard Man comes to mind).

If there was only one thing about the graphics to gripe about, it's that this update stays a little too true to the original. Despite the superior hardware at their disposal, Capcom wasted their opportunity to add extra sprites or more frames of animation.

The Result:

Tracking down a copy could be difficult and expensive, especially for NTSC Megaman fans. However the game is widely available from reproduction sites for less than $50 and word is it can also be found on the information super-highway through various means.

I myself went the reproduction cart route and am entirely happy with my decision. But then I am a total nut for all things Megaman. If you're looking to spend money on NES era Megaman games, go with the originals first. Then, if you're hungry for more, this might be for you.

[lisalover1]

Very well-done review, but in my opinion, the audio in The Wily Wars was superb; the techno soundtrack of Megaman fit the Genesis' sound chip's capabilities like a glove. The title screen themes are masterfully re-made, and bet you pumped up!

[JohnBaxterly]

Once again, great review, Flake!

I never played this, though I always thought it looked very pretty. From reading your review, however, I'm not as sure anymore. I'll have to try it for myself some day.

[sevin0seven]

awesome review.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

While I think the remixes of mm 1 and 2's music sucked. I found the remixes in 3 to be absolutely fitting and awesome.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

The Genesis remixes are so good I wish there were level editors so experienced hackers could hack up the other three NES games and remix them in the same style. I'd love to play through Megaman V on Genesis!