Absolute Zero Joins Rockman X DiVE Next Week

The Rockman X: Command Mission content in Rockman X DiVE grows a little larger next week when Absolute Zero joins the game on Wednesday, February 3rd. You can find the few details we know after the break!

"Mega Man X: Maverick Hunter's Field Guide" Available to Pre-Order on Amazon

Hot on the heels of last week's Previews World listing, Amazon has begun accepting pre-orders for the much-anticipated Mega Man X: Maverick Hunter's Field Guide.

The hardcover, 176-handbook includes detailed information on every major Mega Man X series character, Reploid and Maverick. There's a few surprises tucked inside, too. It's anticipated to ship on August 17th for $26.99. Hit the link above and pre-order yours!

I had a small part in the creation of this book... and I can safely say, it's a worthy successor to the Robot Master Field Guide. There's a certain, unannounced art-related aspect that took a considerable amount of time to get juuuust right. I think everyone will be pleased with the outcome.

You'll have to wait until UDON announces Mega Man X: Maverick Hunter's Field Guide on their time for all the details!

Rockman X DiVE Helps Drive Capcom Mobile Sales Up 80.7%

Although Rockman X DiVE remains unavailable in several regions (you can still download and play the English version here, though), the title has proven to be a formidable success for Capcom's five-year-old mobile division.

In their latest financial report for the quarter ending December 31st 2020, Capcom notes that mobile content sales were up 80.7% year-over-year. The boost is owed in large part to Rockman X DiVE, which recently launched in Japan in October 2020 (seven months after its debut in South Korea). The mainland China release of Street Fighter Duel also contributed to record profitability. Together, both titles drove mobile revenue up 4.7 billion yen. That's roughly $45 million.

All in all, Rockman X DiVE's profitability bodes well for the game's longevity. The title will no doubt play a large role in Capcom's on-going mobile strategy... just as long as it remains profitable. Let's not beat around the bush, folks; when (not if) the well dries up, Rockman X DiVE will meet a fate all too familiar to mobile games. 

For now, though, enjoy it while it lasts. It could be a while!

Source: Capcom Investor Relations | GameBiz

REVIEW: Mega Man: Fully Charged #6: The End?

Finally, after waiting more than a month, the last issue of the Mega Man: Fully Charged comic is here. The final battle between Namagem and Mega Man, Wily's master plan and the never ending family feud await you after the break in our recap and review!

Lost Rockman Anime Materials Surface: "Early Ruby-Spears" & "Beware Fire & Earthquakes"

Just when you thought you knew everything about Mega Man, history throws a curve ball. Evidence of two long-lost animated adaptations have surfaced... and they're pretty wild.

The first is a very early incarnation of the Ruby-Spears cartoon that we all know and love. The twist? It has a completely different, abandoned anime art direction. Authentic production materials from this oddity were recently obtained by Rockman Corner and friends. I've written a lengthy (and on-going) Twitter thread on the topic here. You can see these materials after the break below as well.  We will be scanning and posting high resolution versions in the weeks ahead. (UPDATE: Since this post was published, we've since learned the identity of an animator worked on this project. Be sure to read up on that info after the jump!)

The second is a long-rumored educational OVA titled "Do Your Best, Rockman! Beware Fire and Earthquakes!" Fans in Japan have debated the legitimacy of this single episode animation for years... but no one could actually prove it existed. However, a recent auction for a Do Your Best, Rockman! activity book has vanquished any fears of a potential Mandela Effect, proving once and for all the show was a thing.

Read on and see these lost treasures for yourself!

Rockman X DiVE: Return of the Snowy Plain Lord

Out of nowhere, the Summer Vacation Lord of Snowy Plain event is returning to Rockman X DiVE this week. What's more, Festive Zero -- who was a limited character during the Fireworks and Lantern Festival -- is returning, too. Find all the details after the break!

Mega Man Zero 4 Composer Uploads Original "Falling Down" Demo

Mega Man Zero fans, heads up. Mega Man Zero 4 composer Shinichi Itakura recently uploaded the very first, original demo for "Falling Down." It was composed on December 8th, 2004. That's around four months before Zero 4 launched in Japan!

As a reminder, this is the theme that plays during Zero's final battle with Dr. Weil as they plummet to earth. It's one of many fan-favorite tunes from Zero 4's OST. The number of fan arrangements, remixes and tributes is staggering.

Itakura writes, "when I was cleaning up my old hard disk drive, I found some old song data. There was a sound source at that time that I was involved in composing. I didn't think there was a demo audio mix left." He adds, I am glad that many people have covered the performance of "Falling Down". I would like you to listen to the original phrase."

Thank you, Itakura! Rock on, good sir!

Mega Man "Cable Guy Holder" Announced

EXG Pro recently announced a new wave of their popular "Cable Guy Holders". The new lineup includes characters like Super Sonic, Wolverine, Amy Rose, Mortal Kombat’s Sub-Zero and... Mega Man! You can see what the figure looks in full after the break!

Rockman X DiVE's Sprint Festival Begins Today

There's a lot of activity happening in Rockman X DiVE this week! We have a fan favorite Maverick becoming playable, the second installment of XDiVE Maximum Race and the beginning of the Spring Festival event, among other things. Check out all the details after the break!

Mega Man X: Maverick Hunter Field Guide Due This Year

So this is a project I've had a small hand in for a little while now. I think pretty much everyone knew it would happen at some point, too. At long, long last, the Mega Man X: Maverick Hunter Field Guide is going to be a thing.

As the successor to the highly popular Robot Master Field Guide, the Maverick Hunter Field Guide will be a comprehensive (hardcover) handbook to the Mega Man X series. It will feature in-depth character profiles of EVERY major X series character. From X and Zero to Chill Penguin and Optic Sunflower, no stone will be left unturned! There may even a couple surprises, too!

Speaking of, the book will also feature some very cool, all-new art-- ah! Maybe I've said too much? You'll have to wait until the official announcement to find out...

More details, images and pre-order info coming soon!

Source: Previews World

Capcom vs. Osamu Tezuka Characters Artbook Announced

One of the coolest things announced last year was the "Capcom vs. Osamu Tezuka Characters" art exhibit, which opened its doors on October 23rd, 2020. It will end on February 23rd this year. 

With the prohibition of taking photos from inside the exhibition and the ongoing pandemic, there was concern that we wouldn't be able to take a peek at all the goodies inside. But that fear is now dispelled with the announcement of an artbook to immortalize the exhibit -- forever!

Find all the details after the break!

Rockman X DiVE - Magma Dragoon Becomes Playable This Week

Magma Dragoon was added as a boss in Rockman X DiVE's 10th Story Mode chapter back in August, 2020. And now, he's going to be playable in this week's Rockman X DiVE update! Find all the details after the break!

Official Mega Man 11 Youtooz Figure Announced

Do you collect vinyl figures? Then you're probably no stranger to Youtooz. The Canadian-based company catapulted to popularity in 2019 figurines based on YouTubers and internet personalities. They're known for their short stature, attention to detail and... tightly  closed eyes.

Recently, though, Yout stoozarted branching out -- creating and distributing figures based on popular IPs. And today, they've turned their squinty gaze towards 'ol Mega Man.

Cancelled "Capcom Generations" Screenshots and Info Surfaces

LSuperSonicQ shared roughly four images from "Capcom Generations", a previously unknown, cancelled action-oriented game. The title was in development between late 2003 to early 2004, led by former Capcom employee Chris Tang. 

According to Chris, the game used his proprietary "action game" engine that initially went into a couple other failed pitches. Several Capcom characters were playable, such as Mega Man, Dante (Devil May Cry), Yun (Street Fighter) and and Super Joe (Bionic Commando). The title was a passion project for Cris... unfortunately, though, a lack of funding prevented it from really getting off the ground.

A playable prototype does exist and is currently in Cris' possession. He hopes to shoot some gameplay footage in the near future. Until then, we can only marvel at what almost was.

There's a lot more history behind this and several other projects from Cris Tang in the video above. Check it out!

Rockman X DiVE's 8th DiVE Festival Begins

The first DiVE Festival of the new year is here! The 8th DiVE Festival brings the second playable Sigma, a new skin for Ultimate Armor X, the return of the Space-Time Jumper event and much more. Find all the details after the break!

The Mega Man Star Force Manga is Now Available in English

Mega Man Star Force (or Ryuusei no Rockman as it's called in Japan) is one of many Rockman manga that never received an official English translation. Illustrated by Masaya Itagaki, it was a trilogy that was originally serialized in Gekkan CoroCoro Comic from November 2006 to January 2008.

Now, thanks to the efforts of translation group Puff Blast, we can read all three books for the first time in English. You can find all the details after the break!

Sigma's Rockman X4 2nd Form Heads to Rockman X DiVE This Week

On top of the Ultimate Armor X AC Ver. skin, the return of the Boomerang Kuwanger event and the addition of PVP with friends, Sigma (X4 2nd form) is coming to Rockman X DiVE on January 13th. 

He won't be a Raid Boss but a playable character when the 8th DiVE Festival takes place. Find all the info after the break!

Lost Stereoscopic 3D Mega Man 1 Mobile Port Dumped

Today we're dropping a rare and relatively obscure mobile port of Mega Man 1 that -- if you have the right hardware -- can be played in stereoscopic 3D! 

New Characters Join "Tower of Saviors" and Rockman X DiVE Collaboration

 

If you thought 17 X series characters weren't enough, don't worry. Tower of Saviors developer Mad Head Limited agrees with you and are bringing two additional X series characters to the game. Find all the details after the break!

Shigeto Ikehara's Rockman 2 Manga Adaptation Now Available in English

 

The translation project initiated by our friend Joshua continues! After delivering the English translation of Shigeto Ikehara's Irregular Hunter X manga in 2020, Joshua returns with a complete translation of Ikehara's Rockman 2 adaptation. Find all the details after the break!

We Have Secured Rockman EXE: Phantom of Network and Legend of Network

For more than a decade, Rockman EXE: Phantom of Network (2004) and Rockman EXE: Legend of Network (2006) have remained virtually lost to time. Not only were these games exclusive to Japan, but they could only be played on mobile phones. Very old, very *specific* "dumb phones" that -- to make this equation all the more sweeter -- had to be subscribed to the now-defunct i-Mode internet service. 

What's more, Phantom of Network and Legend of Network were discontinued some time ago. Even if you lived in Japan and somehow had one of those old phones, you can't just download these games willy-nilly. They're de-listed. Gone. There is no way to download them in the year 2021.

Despite all that, however, we have long searched for a phone that has either Phantom of Network or Legend of Network installed. The chances of finding a phone with both games installed? Hah. Don't ask. But we persisted! In the name of preservation, we persisted....

... aaaand after years of sifting and searching through old, battered Japanese phones -- years of failed negotiations -- we have, at long last, acquired BOTH Phantom of Network and Legend of Network! And now the real work begins...

Ultimate Armor X AC Ver. Skin and Friend PvP coming to Rockman X DiVE

Announced today via the monthly DiVE Time with Rockman X DiVE producer Yoda Hideto, Ultimate Armor X AC Ver. Skin and Friend PvP are coming to the game next week on January 13th. 

As you probably guessed, AC Ver. stands for "Anniversary Collection", the Japanese equivalent of Legacy Collection in the west. This new armor was introduced for the first time in the X Challenge mode of Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1+2. The price, or if it will require paid EM, has not been disclosed at this time.

Friend PvP has been one of the most requested features since launch and it's finally happening! You can create a private room to fight a friend as long as you have their player ID.

You can watch the video here. Let us know what you think in the comments!

Defeat Drill Man in Rockman X DiVE's Latest Update

With one week remaining to finish the New Year event, we have a packed content update for this week! The level cap has been raised, a new Story Mode chapter was added, Boss Rush returns, two new bosses and much more all happening at once! You can find all the details after the break!

Check Out Some Preview Pages From the Fan-Translated Rockman DASH Artbook

A week ago, we learned about an ambitious project to translate the Rockman DASH: Great Adventure Guide art book in English for the first time ever. Although the project is still a little ways away from completion, we're happy to share a few sample images to tide you ever!

These pages describe various elements behind Rock Volnutt's character design. The whole book is filled with content just like this. Needless to say, it's very exciting to finally be able to enjoy it in English! I mean, c'mon. Some of us (me!) have been waiting two decades for this!

If you'd like to stay up-to-date on the project's status, give its leader, RockmanCosmo, a follow on Twitter! He'll be posting more preview images in the days and weeks to come!

New Characters and Info Revealed for "Tower of Saviors" and Rockman X DiVE Collaboration

A week ago, the collaboration between mobile puzzle RPG Tower of Saviors and Rockman X DiVE was announced. And now, ahead of its debut on January 4th, we have an additional look at new characters coming to the game, team skills, and other details.

Find all the info after the break!