Rockman Solitaire Now Available In Japan

The first "new" Rockman game of the year released in Japan today: Rockman Solitaire. And well, uh, there's not much else to say than that, really. It's solitaire with a Blue Bomber twist! Rockman is the King, Roll the Queen, and Blues the Jack.

Like Rockman Sprite Logic before it, the game is flash based with no additional fees. Simply throw down a cool 315 Yen and it's yours. For a bite sized puzzle game, I have to admit that's a pretty kickin' pose of Rockman there. Sprite rippers, you've got a job to do!

Source: Capcom Mobile (via CapKobun)

D-Arts Zero Type 2 Due This Summer

Bandai has unveiled a small helping of delicious promo images for Zero Type 2. Along with the additional gold trim and boxed shoulder guards, Zero will come with his trusty Z-Saber and Z-Buster. Additional accessories have yet to be detailed, but we do know that the Z-Saber will have multiple interchangeable beam parts. By and large, this is the D-Arts Zero you've been waiting for!

Type 2 is due for release in May in Japan for 3500 Yen (roughly $45), followed by a U.S release in June courtesy of Bluefin Tamashii.

Credit: The Mega Man Network

Capcom Comments On Possible "Traditional" Attire For BBA Mega Man

Following the reveal of Bad Box Art Mega Man in Street Fighter X Tekken, fans quickly took to the Ask Capcom forums to voice their opinions concerning the Blue Bomber's appearance.

One user by the name of Daemon Gildas asked if the prospect of a more "traditional" costume was within the realm of possibility, perhaps as DLC. Vice-president of Strategic Planning & Business Development, Christian Svensson, stepped in to field the inquiry, leaving a hopeful (albeit short) response.

Daemon Gildas: "Is there any chance at a more traditional "costume" for Mega Man in Street Fighter X Tekken? What about using the "Mega Man" seen on the movie-posters in Dead Rising? Or maybe a look based on the Ruby-Spears cartoon? That way, we have the option of a less-creepy incarnation of the Blue Bomber, while still playing along with the slightly-cheesy nature."

Svensson: "Interesting suggestion. Maybe. Let me chat about it with Ono."

For those not in the know, Yoshinori Ono is the producer of Street Fighter X Tekken. One year prior to Keiji Inafune's leave, Ono received the former's blessing when opting to include BBA Mega Man in the game. However, fans are still largely irked by the decision, with criticism largely directed at the character's exaggerated proportions and biography (which takes an inexplicable poke at the Mega Man Legends mythology).

There's no guarantee Ono will yield to the idea, but Svensson's on the case regardless. In the meantime, you can try your hand at pitching the suggest yourself directly at the producer via Twitter.

What if Mega Man Star Force 3 Was an NES Game?

The above video comes from Tarbo-san, who's been toiling away at re-creating bits and pieces of Mega Man Star Force 3's most memorable scenes in 8-bit style. This month, he's showing off a more solidified version of his 8-bit SF3 mini games, updated for 2012. Even if it's nothing more than a conceptual video (and not a reflection of an actual fan-game), the prospect of playing Star Force in 8-bit had my heart racing.

You can check out more of Tarbo-san's goodies at his blog (entirely in Japanese) and his official YouTube channel.

Check Out the Old Man's Super/Cross Arts

Here's some additional Bad Box Art Mega Man (and Pac-Man) footage that flew under my radar yesterday. For a pudgy little guy, he's surprisingly agile.

Anyway, in case you missed it, be sure to check out the post below for Yoshinori Ono's explanation why BBAMM was chosen for Street Fighter X Tekken. It may help alleviate some of the frustration that's been making the rounds.

Also, I'd like to direct you to this post at The Mega Man Network. The staff would like for you to "send in a recording of your personal thoughts this appearance of Mega Man, and your stance on things in general." A select few will be chosen to be featured on February's Megacast podcast. Click on the link above for full details!

Bad Box Art Mega Man Confirmed For Street Fighter X Tekken (Updated)

The rumors are true: Bad Box Art Mega Man is a playable character in Street Fighter X Tekken. Confirmation comes directly from the official SFxT website.

 

Strange, right? Well it gets a bit stranger. Get a load of BBAMM's bio:

"Known as a Digger, a person who digs up relics from the past for research. He is a hot-tempered man, but has a strong sense of justice and is also very polite. His weak point is that he is easily rattled when backed into a corner. He is always running around in a hurry due to the demands of his partner Roll, and this time he's been asked to travel to Antarctica to retrieve a mysterious box."

... so, he's a middle-aged Mega Man Volnutt? Okaaay.

BBA Mega Man is currently planned to appear alongside Pac-Man, Toro, Kuro and Cole as PSVita/PlayStation 3 exclusive fighters. It remains to be seen if he will appear in either or both versions.

UPDATE -- Here's an interesting tweet of note from SFxT's producer Yoshinori Ono:

"I consulted with Mr.Megaman(his name is Mr.I...) about it 1 years ago.Its result! ;D"

It would seem Ono actually consulted with Keiji Inafune when considering Bad Box Art Mega Man for the game. This means BBAMM's inclusion was planned way back when Mega Man Universe was still in production. So, yeah; chew on that for a while.

We'll keep you updated when more information drops.

Merti Figure Gets Some Much Needed Color

Hellooo nurse! Figure site FG has revealed more photos and details of the upcoming Merti garage kit from Yama Tai Koku. Below is what you'd end up with without additional painting and detailing:

As you can no doubt see, the completed figure is quite revealing; more so than the source material. Then again, I don't hear anyone complaining.

Accessory-wise, the kit will come with three face plates with different expressions, expressions, three hand types, and Merti's trusty lance. If you want articulation, you'll have to purchase the joints separately. There's no word on additional decals such as eyes, so you might end up having to paint or scribe those on yourself. Needless to say, you'll have your work cut out for you!

Merti is planned to debut at the Winter 2012 Wonder Festival, on February 12th. But if you’re diligent enough, you might be able to find it elsewhere. Good luck!

Source: The Mega Man Network

Capcom's "Top Men" Devising 10-Year Plan For Mega Man

Recently, there's been some Mega Man chit-chat between fans and Capcom on the latest Ask Capcom Live installment. With Street Fighter's 25th anniversary celebration in the pipeline, it's only natural to wonder what might become of the Blue Bomber's festivities. Christian Svensson stepped in to provide some insight.

“We are continuing to noodle what our plans and what our celebration should be,” says Svensson. “There’s a whole bunch of things that we know we kind of have to get in a row before we actually really divulge or start to celebrate Mega Man.”

Several minutes later, Svensson fielded an inquiry regarding Mega Man's foreseeable future and whether or not fans have something to look forward to. Svensson, once again, drew the "top men" card.

“I hesitate to say exactly what, because I don’t want people reading more into it than is there,” Svensson shares. “Let’s just say there are top men thinking about and actively discussing where we’re going to take the brand for the next ten years and how we’re going to do it.”

I understand that this is not an actual announcement, but it gives further affirmation that the company is prioritizing the franchise's longterm roadmap. It's simply a matter of time when we will see these plans materialize.

For many, it's going to be difficult to put one's faith in these ominous "top men."

The franchise's future, the next decade, rests in their hands. It's a pretty scary thought; more so when you reflect upon some of Capcom's recent, less popular decisions. Aside from voicing our opinions to the powers that be, there isn't too much we can do at this time to get the ball rolling in the right, and desired, direction.

For the full Q&A, be sure to head on over to Capcom Unity, where you'll find an archived version of the show in its entirety.

Source: Siliconera

Pharaoh Man Menaces MM #13's Variant Cover

A few days ago, we caught a glimpse of Archie's Mega Man #13, which features a rather unique tabloid-inspired cover. And today, the traditional Villain Sketch Variant cover is upon us, courtesy of Destructoid.

The charismatic and diabolical Pharaoh Man takes center stage here, striking an intimidating "come at me bro" pose. Artist Jonathan Hill really knows how to instill fear in the hearts of those who dare to pick up this variant. As usual, color will not be added -- this is the finished piece set to grace a limited number of issues.

Mega Man #13, both the standard and villain variant, will hit newsstands later this May. Be sure to keep a close eye on Archie's online store for special deals and reprints of previous villain variants!

Thanks for the tip, Tony!

Another Bit of Anniversary Collection Concept Art

Over the next few weeks or so, I'm going to begin dumping some old promotional/pre-release Mega Man assets right here on the blog. In general, most haven't been seen in years... or at all.

Kicking things off, here's a single piece of Mega Man Anniversary Collection concept artwork. I obtained this piece a few weeks after this story ran from a source that once worked closely with the game's developer, Atomic Planet Entertainment. For the usual reasons, he's chosen to remain anonymous.

It's a simple, ambient little piece that offers a look back at MMAC's planning phase.

Back when ideas for the collection's contents were being hammered out, the art team had their hands tied conceptualizing a hypothetical "Mega Man museum" -- a central hub where players could explore content spanning across the franchise's 15-year history.  Inspiration for the hub's infrastructure came directly from Mega Man 7's Robot Museum stage, where the bodies of lifeless Robot Masters lined the halls.

The image of an idle Turbo Man -- awaiting admiration from new and old players alike -- embodies the spirit of the hub's original aesthetic concept. The area would have been laced with robots off all shapes and sizes serving as decorations and figurative curators. However, a tight and often grueling development process forced the concept to be significantly scaled down.

Traversing a theoretical Mega Man museum did, in fact, make its way into the final game. Boot up a copy of Anniversary Collection and you'll be whisked away to the fruit of Atomic Planet's efforts. It's not as grand as the team's initial vision, but it's an admirable tribute nonetheless.

Updates From the Legendary TOM-PON

Staying on top of those fun-filled interviews between Rockman Unity's Ucchy and Capcom’s famed Naoya Tomita (aka TOM-PON)? If so, you'll be happy to know the latest installment in the ongoing video series is up for your viewing pleasure at Capcom Unity, divided into three parts. UPDATE: And a few more videos here, too!

Topics discussed throughout the individual videos this time are:

- Distribution of labor
- Why the Yellow Devil fight was a precursor to Dance Dance Revolution (and how to clear it with your eyes closed)
- How to make interesting platforms using a single color
- The lost robot masters of the first Mega Man
- and more!

This is definitely some of the more interesting batch of interviews to come out in a long time, so be sure to give 'em a watch. Complete coverage available at Capcom Unity. And don't forget: hit the CC button for subtitles!

Cover and Solicitation For Mega Man #13

New solicitation and cover artwork for Archie’s Mega Man #13 is live. The tabloid-inspired cover shows off just how much content is packed inside this issue. Details below:

'Spiritus ex Machina,' Part 1. Mega Man joins Dr. Light at the Advanced Robotics Trade Show to address the future of thinking machines. 

New faces abound - who are Drs. Cossack and Lalinde? What sinister forces lurk behind the scenes? Meanwhile, Dr. Wily searches for something to give him the edge deep in the forbidden Lanfront Ruins. All this plus the debut of Rush!"  Writer: Ian Flynn, Artist: Gary Martin & Various, Cover Artist: Patrick Spaz Spaziante

A possible love interest for Dr. Light? Uh, I guess that could be interesting. But more importantly, it sounds like we're headed into Super Adventure Rockman territory, what with Wily's mischief in the Lanfront Ruins. Sounds like a pretty exciting issue. Definitely one to lookout for!

Source: BumbleKing Comics

Destructoid Talks Archie’s Mega Man With Ian Flynn

Destructoid's local Mega Man fan Tony Ponce had a little sit time to chat with the writer of Archie's Mega Man, Ian Flynn. There, Ian strongly hints at incorporations of the classic Game Boy games, giving Roll a more proactive role in the future, and the prospect of seeing brand-new Robot Masters, among other topics.

Here's a small taste of the interview:

Before we begin, I think some congratulations are in order. Mega Man #9 is out this month, which means you've just lapped the Dreamwave comic [short-run series that was cancelled once the studio closed]! Good for you guys!

Ha ha ha! Well, it's easy when you've got such a kickass team to back you up. Have you seen Ben Bate's pages? Good lord, man. He's phenomenal!

I'm glad things are going swimmingly. For a while, I was worried about the comic's future. I had heard something about low newsstand numbers.

If I recall correctly, I think that was MM #3, and that was a shipping issue. Actually, MM has been doing very well -- #2 broke the usual trend in comics by outselling #1. MM is doing very well, so no worries there!

And that's all while Capcom keeps CANCELLING EVERYTHING.
Actually, it was Capcom who brought the idea of a comic to us. They've been crazy supportive of the project. I know the rash of game cancellations looks suspect, but they've been nothing but cool with us.

Hear that? The comic is doing juuust fine. I know that has been a bit of a stresser for some of you, but rest easy; it's not going anywhere.

You can read the full interview here. Thanks for the heads up, Tony!

Mega Man and Mega Man Zero Official Complete Works Restocked

Exorbitant Amazon prices begone! UDON Entertainment's splendid art books, Mega Man: Official Complete Works and Mega Man Zero: Official Complete Works, are now back in stock, fresh from the printer.

The good word comes directly from the UDON crew:

"Mega Man fans Rejoice! The news that you’ve been waiting for is here, as Mega Man Official Complete Works is now back in print. We realize this book is going for some pretty crazy prices right now, and we’re just as happy as you are that there are now copies available for purchase at cover price. We’ve also just reprinted Mega Man Zero Official Complete Works and Okami Official Complete Works.

The books will be making their way to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, an other online outlets within the next two to three weeks. If for some reason you'd rather pick up them up in-store, you can go ahead and request a special order via the Comic Shop Locater. Grab the order codes at the UDON blog here.

Thanks for the tip, Tim!

New Mega Man Plush To Cuddle

GE Animation have been making good use of their Mega Man license with all sorts of little trinkets, posters and apparel. Now their looking to produce what is hopefully the first in a line huggable paraphernalia.

It's soft. It's cuddly. It's downright adorable. It's the official Mega Man Powered Up plush.

This little guy is due for distribution in late April. At present, we've no idea just how large or how small the plush is, so your guess is as good as mine. I imagine size will play a large factor in pricing, which has yet to-be-determined.

GE Animation's Mega Man products tend to surface at specialty pop culture retailers, both in-store and online. Keep your eyes pealed and your radar primed come late April/early May!

Source: Video Game Memorabilia Museum (via GoNintendo)

Mega Man Playable In Street Fighter X Tekken? Seems Like It

Well, we saw this one coming. Jump to 3:09 below for a little tease...

Let's see that again.

No doubt, that's Pac-Man and... an anatomically correct Mega Man? Could be Frank West in his Mega Man duds, but I'm beginning to wonder if Lupinko's "Bad Box Art" Mega Man comment holds some credence...

What say you, keen-eyed fans?

Source: Capcom Europe

Mega Man Saves the Mushroom Kingdom Again In Super Mario Bros. Crossover 2

The sensational video game mash-up that swept the internet in 2010 is back. Mega Man and the likes of other gaming icons return to yield the perils of the Mushroom Kingdom in the upcoming sequel, Super Mario Bros. Crossover 2.

If it wasn't apparent enough, Crossover 2 boast spiffy new 16-bit era graphics, which is just awesome-sauce. The game will be available in a couple of months, playable directly at Exploding Rabbit. If you loved the first, you'll no doubt dig this outing.

Thanks for the tip, Jimb0!

Iwamoto Fan? You Could Win a D-Arts X Comic Version!

Our friends at The Mega Man Network have kicked off a pretty tantalizingly contest for fans of Yoshihiro Iwamoto’s Rockman X manga. Simply prove your Mega Man mastery, and you could win an honorary, free Rockman X “Comic Version” figure!

The rules are quite simple:

"You make whatever you want to show tribute to Yoshihiro Iwamoto’s Rockman X manga. It can be artwork, or a comic, or a video; anything you like! It simply must reference the manga. Show your fandom to win! You have until February 5th at midnight, PST to send us your entry, so get to it!"

By and large, this is a tribute contest, so you're free to whip up anything that best represents your passion for the Blue Bomber. Paintings, sculptures, cosplay; leave no stone unturned! This is your time to shine!

Hit the above link for full contest rules and regulations. Best of luck, everyone! Should time allow, I might go ahead and join in myself!

Vote For The Next D-Arts Figures From Bandai!

Bandai/Bluefin wants to know what direction to take the Mega Man D-Arts line next, and they need your help! The toy manufacturer is now accepting ideas for which Mega Man characters you’d like to see a D-Arts action figure of. Your mission is officially a go!

The event, which will ultimately determine the next D-Arts product(s), is split between two polls:

Poll 1: "We are letting fans add their own choices to vote on possible future figure releases along with some of our choices. Fans will vote on our Facebook page and we will take the top 7 highest polling numbers. We expect to see all sorts of character names thrown on here and will be quite interesting to see since it will be open to ALL megaman games/universes. This poll will be open for 1 week starting Jan 16, 2012 until Jan 23, 2012."

Poll 2: "The top 7 from the previous poll will be put on a new poll in order to measure the level of desirability among those seven. This won't have an official end date."

You're pretty much free to suggest ideas for anything. No matter how obscure the character -- be it Eddie, Nana, iX, or the Green Biker Dude -- Bandai and Bluefin want to hear your voice! Simply drop a comment at this Facebook post and hope for the best.

National Public Radio Interviews Get Me Off the Moon

The 100,000 Strong for Mega Man Legends 3 Facebook group has posted a very special update to their page. In an effort to get the word out about the movement, International Strategies Leader Matt Papa scored an interview with one of the largest radio stations in the country: National Public Radio (NPR).

"While I was not able to secure as many interviews as I would have liked to, we WERE interviewed by easily the biggest name at the entire con: National Public Radio," reports Matt from the MAGFest floor. "That's right dudes, NPR interviewed us about 100,000 Strong AND Mega Man Legends 3 to put in a segment they are doing on MAGFest!"

According to Matt, the MAGFest feature won't air for another few weeks. In the meantime, we're told to keep a close eye on NPR's schedule for when the segment airs. Of course, I'll be sure to give everyone a reminder, too, when the date draws closer.

About 34 million people tune into NPR programming each week. So, yeah; the fight for Legends 3's reinstatement just got a whole lot more interesting. A little mainstream exposure could go a long way. Best of luck, Team Legends!

Source: Get Me Off the Moon

Bandai's Got A Mission For You

I've a bit of an interesting tease for you all this afternoon. Earlier today, I received word directly from Bandai regarding a very special opportunity for Mega Man fans coming down the pike that's, well, pretty awesome.
 
I can't really dig into specifics at the moment, but I will say that you may want to keep close watch on Bluefin Tamashii's official Facebook page. There, an announcement will be made in the near future that will involve the participation of U.S fans. You will be presented with a tantalizing task that will directly influence something Mega Man related coming from the fine folks at Bandai. New D-Arts, perhaps? I can't say.

So, yeah, chew on that for a while. In the meantime, I suggest you scope out Bluefin Tamashii's Twitter. There's a couple clues lurking around there that will help you get a better idea of the forthcoming task. They're not too hard to find, especially if you're well versed in the traditions of Bandai's past cooperative efforts with certain fan bases.

Stay tuned!

Mega Man 25th Anniversary Logo Leaked

Persistent Rockman Corner reader Pedro has made a profound discovery withing the guts of the recently released Mega Man X iOS port. Picking apart the contents of the code, Pedro succeeded in decrypting and opening the graphic files used by the game; he was surprised to discover following images...

Why, it's the official 25th anniversary logo! Spiffy, no? A little plain for my tastes, but for all we know, this could be a work-in-progress/placeholder design. Mind you, we aren't suppose to be seeing this right now.

As per usual, the logo will probably be used to promote products and events related to the Blue Bomber's 25th. Previous anniversary logos have adorned everything from games and books, to commemorative food products. If this is indeed the final design, be prepared to see it grace everything released under the IP throughout the year.

Specific plans for the anniversary have yet to be disclosed by Capcom; however, we do know that things are on the burner. According to Christian Svensson, Capcom are currently in the process of planning "things" to commemorate the occasion:

"25th for MM and 25th for Street Fighter next year. "Both will have "things" to commemorate the occasion. Exactly what is in planning stages but the are solid ideas already being batted around I hope you guys will like. But please bear in mind, they won't happen until some time in our next fiscal year begins mostly (so still a good ways away)."

Next fiscal year officially kicks off around March 31st, 2012.  I advise you continue to keep your expectations in check until we have a better idea of what, exactly, these "things" may be. Nevertheless, the logo is an ensuring sign of things to come.

Mega Man and Sonic Team Up to Fight Cystic Fibrosis

A blue robot and a blue hedgehog working together? It's a crossover Archie Comics have been mulling over, but for now you'll have to make do with this: an original sketch of the dynamic duo drawn and signed by Archie's Ben Bates.

Elveen's Comics and Collectibles has opted to put up the exclusive sketch of Mega Man and Sonic the Hedgehog up for auction in order to raise money for charity. Once the auction is closed and set, all benefits will go to Team Alyssa, a charity committed to fighting Cystic Fibrosis; a debilitating disease with sufferers requiring ongoing support with their health.

The bidding begins at $9.99, with six days and four hours left to go. If you’re interested in taking part, you’ll find the auction on eBay here. It's a splendid sketch that will look great on any collector's mantle! I wish Elveen's the best of luck in reaching their goal for a worthy cause.

Thanks for the tip, Mac!

Rokko Chan Art Book, Soundtrack Now Available (Updated)

Last week, we were introduced to Rokko Chan, a charming Mega Man clone that features a female Blue Bomber. Prompted by the game's success and cult following, developer King has graciously released a pair of goodies you may want to check out.

The official Rokko Chan art book (sampled above) is available for your consumption on this page. Inside, you'll find an abundance of images from Rokko Chan's development. There's some conceptual designs, 3D renderings, sprites, and even a few kooky surprises thrown in. Unfortunately, the 22-page book is entirely flash-based. A high resolution PDF version is not readily available at this time. Even so, it's a delight to behold. UPDATE: Here's a rip, courtesy of GeminiSaint!

If you fancied Rokko Chan's excellent chiptune soundtrack, you'll be pleased to know the soundtrack has gone live. Grab it here and typed the word "rokko" into the blank field at the top, and press the button directly underneath. The page should open a link to download the soundtrack. If that fails after five seconds, click the link that reads "こちら".

Enjoy, folks! And if you haven't played Rokko Chan yet... well, what are you waiting for? Give it a spin here!

Thanks for the tip, Jeff!

Should WayForward Make A Mega Man Game?

Responsible for some of the finest 2D games in recent years, WayForward Technologies seem like a perfect fit for Mega Man. But is this dream collaboration within the realm of possibility? Vice-president of Strategic Planning & Business Development, Christian Svensson, stepped in to field the inquiry:

"I'm also a WF fan and I'm familiar with their work. I'll never say never but there'd be a million approvals before a MM title could ever be produced in the West."

It would certainly be an interesting change of pace to see a Mega Man project outsourced to the West. And, really, there's no better candidate than WayForward.  The developer has an immense respect for the conventions of traditional 2D platformers, going so far as to incorporate a smidgen of Mega Man elements in a number of their titles. Bloodrayne: Betrayal, specifically, pools inspiration from Mega Man X.

For now, though, don't get your hopes up. Still, it's fun to image what WayForward could do with the property.

A penny for your thoughts?

Source: GoNintendo

Rockman X4 Mobile: Zero Version Released, Rockman Solitaire Announced

We've got a double dose of mobile phone news tonight, courtesy of Rockman Corner contributor Amunshen (via CapKobun). First up, customers of Docomo and AU cellphone services in Japan can complete their mobile Rockman X4 experience today with the release of Zero Version. Have some screenies:

Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, X Version, the game boasts high quality graphics and sound and the addition of a brand-new online ranking mode. If you happen to be in Japan, you can download the game for a mere 450 Yen (520 Yen for AU subscribers).

Secondly, we've also caught word that Capcom plans to release a Rockman-themed Solitaire game in the near future. The game will use classic 8-bit sprites in lieu of those lovely revamped Rockman Rockman Puzzle Battle graphics. UPDATE: First screenshot, logo available at the Mega Man Network.

Can't say I'm surprised to see another puzzle-based Rockman game coming down the pike. These things seem awfully easy to produce, so one can only wonder what will come next. Rockman Backgammon? Rockman Go Fish? Crossword Puzzle Battle? Yeah; I like the sound of that last one.

Thanks for the tip, Amunshen!

Hitoshi Ariga Reflects On Mega Man Gigamix, Future Projects

The UDON Entertainment crew has a nice little interview with Hitoshi Ariga up right now, talking about the conclusion of the Mega Man Gigamix manga, which ended its English run back in November with the advent of volume 3. For those interested, here's a tiny snippet from the interview:

How did you feel about completing the story? Because it’s an epic story… were you glad it was finished or were you sad it was over?

"I first started the story about ten years ago, so I kind of felt relieved that I finally got all the way to this point, to be finished. I actually came up with the finale of the book back in ’98, so more than 10 years ago.

"When I was working on the book there were times when production on the videogame would pause, and then it would start up again. For instance, there was a long period of time between Rockman 8 and Rockman 9. So the publisher said, ‘because the game is not coming out, we don’t really need to make a new manga.’ Also, the magazine that was originally publishing my manga stopped carrying Megaman all together, so that was another delay."

Ariga also spends a bit of time discussing future projects, although he can't go into too much detail at the this time.

Of note, Ariga teases he's involved with some video game work... but, again, he can't comment. Could Capcom have possibly brought Ariga in to assist with a new Mega Man game? We already know he's working on something related to the Blue Bomber, but what? As always, speculation is welcome.

Fans of Hitoshi Ariga's work should definitely give the full interview a read at the UDON blog!

Instant Rockman X Noodles!

Here's a rather oddball blast from the Blue Bomber’s past, dating back to sometime before the original Rockman X hit the scene on the Super Famicom. The year 1993 ushered in a food tie-in so incredibly obscure that collectors are adamant on finding unopened packages today...

In the buildup to the release of Rockman X, a hefty cross-promotional advertising campaign permeated Japan. There was all sorts of X-themed trinkets and doodads, but none more tasty than packages of Rockman X-branded noodle soup and packets of ramen; byproducts of Capcom's partnership with Acecook. For children, these treats were impossible to resist due to the embossed X packaging and the promise of free collectible trading cards. For the starved college students in a hurry, it was a enduring favorite.

The enclosed trading cards were entirely random, so you can imagine some bright young thing grabbing a whole shelf's worth of packages in an attempt to collect 'em all. Fortunately, the endeavor wasn't costly, what with packs selling for as little as 75 to 100 Yen a pop (a dollar-ish). Today, sealed packets have been sighted on the auction block for a couple thousand Yen. In all my years of scoping out Yahoo! Auctions, I've only come across one set, albeit devoid of trading cards. And yet, I'd rather starve myself than eat 19-year-old food.

By and large, these artifacts are just another example of the franchise's ability to branch-off to virtually every piece of merchandise imaginable. And yes; my Mega Man pajama/underwear post is in the works. That should be loads of fun!

Source: RockmanX121

Fan Demand Paves Way To Rockman X Manga Reissue

After having been out of print for many years, Yoshihiro Iwamoto's acclaimed Rockman X manga is being reissued in Japan. Fan-demand has led publisher Fukkan to reissue the manga in its entirety, available while supplies last.

The manga's most recent reissue was in 2005, coinciding with the debut of Irregular Hunter X. For collectors, the big draw there was the new covers made for the books by Iwamoto himself. The 2012 reissues are based on those editions, which condensed the original 12 tankobons into five thick volumes (pictured).

Orders are now being taken directly on Fukkan.com for these 1,995 Yen (roughly $26) books. Fukkan estimates the reprints will sell out by mid January, so once they're gone, they're gone. The publisher made no mention if they intend to offer the 2012 editions again at a later date.

Considering all their success with Mega Man, I’d say there's no time like the present for UDON Entertainment to bring these puppies stateside. Keep voicing demand, and we'll see what happens!

Thanks for the tip, Amunshen!

Cap Off the Holidays With 'Mega Man's Christmas Carol II'

For many of us the Holiday Season is drawing to a close. In just a little while, it will become a thing called January 2nd. Once prized Christmas trees will be sent to the garbage. All the dazzling lights and cherished ornaments are put away. The kids are back at school.  But before we face the reality of January 2nd, what better way to cap off the season of joy with a wonderful homebrewed Mega Man game? A special holiday-themed one, at that!

Sprites Inc., your one-stop shop for Mega Man sprites, has released "Mega Man's Christmas Carol II", the official sequel to last year's hit fan-game. Set one year after the events of the Charles Dickens crisis, the Light family nestles in for a cozy Christmas. Ah, but what's this? The tree and presents are gone?! It's the Grinch! Oh, wait; it's just Dr. Wily... dressed as santa. Yep, the man is really picking at straws this time. Nevertheless, Mega Man's got a job to do -- Christmas depends on it!

It's a very short and humorous bite-sized game. Give it a whirl and relish in the holiday spirit one last time. You can download Mega Man's Christmas Carol II here.

Of note, the game is still in the "beta phase", so updates and minor tweaks are to be expected. If you come across any bugs or glitches, alert the Sprites Inc. crew and they'll see what they can do.