Megaman 1-10...In order of awesomeness

This is another very opinionated list, but I think most people can generally agree where certain Megaman games should fall in order of popularity and playability. This list will close out Original Megaman Series week. Next week will be entirely devoted to..(drumroll)Halo!!! So here's the list and have a great weekend.

Megaman 1-10...in order of awesomeness

10. Megaman 8
I really don't care for this game, but I know a few hardcore Megaman players that really love it. I don't think its a horrible game by any means, it just isn't like any of the other. Sure, MM7 is an oddball also because it is the only title on the SNES in the original series, but 7 is a really great game that retained all of the elements that make the 8-bit titles amazing. While the color is vivid and voice acting is added, the game is largely fogettable to me. Sword Man and Tengu Man are pretty awesome, but all in all it fails in my book.

9. Megaman 9
This one is hard to explain. There was alot of hype surrounding this game and I counted down the weeks waiting on the release. Even though it was very reminicent of Megaman 1, it just lacked a certain aire that surrounds a good Megaman game. MM1 was VERY challenging game just being what it was. It seems like they were trying too much to make MM9 difficult. It seems really forced in certain areas, as if it was set up as a game just for trophies acheivements. I completely lost that excitement and played through this game like I was at a dentist appointment.

8. Megaman 10
Yes, I know, the two newest games are back-to-back. The same applies (sort of) to this game as MM9. It just didn't do it for me really, it only did it slightly better than 9. The challenges are a fun addition, but I play for the game itself. That being the criteria, I can't put this game any higher on the list. The characters were better and the gameplay suited the old school MM player, but the weapons were crappy and I really had no enjoyment playing through more than once.

7. Megaman 6
This pains me. I really like playing 6, but let's be honest, it is not anywhere near the best in the series. All of the classic elements we have come to accept as "Megaman" are here. Megabuster, the slide, and rush...wait, well that's different! Ok the adapters: you either love them of hate them. The characters are kinda cheesy by this point, but hey, Megaman bosses have always been cooky and sometimes laughable. Maybe because this game came out as the NES was yielding to the SNES, but it just never really stayed in the hearts of many MM players. I, for one, find myself playing this and MM3 the most. It holds a special place in my childhood memories, but only the number 7 place on this list.

6. Megaman 5
This might come as a shock, because MM5 is a huge fan favorite. All of the elements that were tested in MMs 1-4 culminated in the extremely fluid gameplay of MM5. It also took chances and experimented vivid backgrounds, sharp colors, and a storyline revolving around the mysterious Proto Man(which excited many long-time fans of the series). MM5, to me, is a changing point in the series as a whole. This game changed the whole mood, and created the elements I believe led to the "X" series. The characters are cool, but nothing incredible. The weapons are good, but nothing incredible either. It is very hard to explain, but this game just doesn't quite have the same dark atmosphere that the previous games brought. The situation never felt dire, I was never really caught off guard by anything, and overall, the game just slides by without gripping you.

5. Megaman
The fact alone that the original is just TOO important to gaming is reason enough that it should be in the top 5, but many people don't consider it a great game because it was "testing" period. It really wasn't perfect and seeing what Megaman is now, it is even more frustrating to play, but it is still a classic game that started a great franchise.

4. Megaman 4
About that changing period I was talking about? Well, this is the game that feel was the evolution period. Just look at MM3 and MM5 and they are worlds apart. MM4 really tried to hold on to the dark atmosphere and serious tone of MM3, but it took chances by adding new elements. We got the Mega Buster and two items that were reminicent of Megaman 2's items: The Balloon and, the more famous, Wire Claw. Also the storyline was risky due to the fact that a new villain was presented. Had we really seen the last of Wily? This game is just superior to MM5. The enemies were very, cool (well most of them, Dust Man is kind of lame and Toad man is just...well there really aren't words to describe it) and the game play is solid, though not as tight as MM3 or 5. Basically, this game transitioned what Megaman had been, and where it was headed.

3. Megaman 7
The Darkhorse Candidate! I really love this game. With the move to the SNES, this game could have epically failed...but it DIDN'T! This game felt like a Megaman from the first time we layed eyes on 16-bit Megaman, Wily, Roll, and Rush. While the gameplay felt sluggish compared to the older counterparts, I loved the generous amount of secrets that made for great replay value and one of the best casts(if I do say so myself). The Robot Masters were generally all cool and well designed. There really was no one I hated. Also, as far as challenge, this game was very difficult to beat(mainly due to the final boss fight). The music didn't dissapoint, either. This all adds up to a quality Megaman game, even if it wasn't as nostalgic.

2. Megaman 2
I know this is THE game that everyone thinks about when you talk about classic Megaman, but, come on, it does have flaws people. Yes the music is outstanding and the cast is awesome, but it just didn't have the elements that we associate with Megaman as a series. Energy tanks were scarce, Rush was missing, and the slide is really something we can't do without now. This is game is great, really REALLY great, but it really isn't the best of the series to me.

1. Megaman 3
This is the king of classic Megaman, hands down. Argue all you want, but if you are a real Megaman fan, you have to admit several facts. 1)The gameplay never got smoother than it was right here. 2)The music in MM3 is every bit as good as MM2. Hell, the intro theme in MM3 is enough to make you cry, and Wily stage 2 and 3 music pumps you up just as much as Wily stage 1 in MM2(which is largely considered the best song in the series. I really can't disagree. To each their own though.) This game had the best cast of Robot Masters and the castle bosses are unique and really trippy at times. Plus, we get to fight over the bosses from MM2! The game is pretty long and gives your bang for buck. It isn't overly challenging but is genuinely fun.

So that wraps up Megaman week. See you on monday, where I will kick off Halo week with "The Top 10 hardest levels(on legendary) in Halo series."