History Franchise / MegaMan

[[caption-width-right:350:The ''[[LegacyCharacter many]]'' Mega Men...[[MyFriendsAndZoidberg And]] [[BreakoutCharacter Zero]].]]

[[caption-width-right:350:The ''[[LegacyCharacter many]]'' Mega Men...[[MyFriendsAndZoidberg And]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad Zero]].]]

* CashCowFranchise: This is one of Capcom's {{mascot}} series, alongside StreetFighter and ResidentEvil.

* NotMeThisTime: Meta-example. After ''Mega Man Universe'' and ''Legends 3'' were cancelled, the iOS port of ''[[PortingDisaster Mega Man X]]'', and ''Rockman [=XOver=]'', when ''Rockman Online'' was cancelled fans jumped to the conclusion that Capcom was continuing their anti-Blue Bomber antics. It turns out that the troubles likely were on the part of [[https://twitter.com/themmnetwork/status/245040488854466560 NeoWiz]], behind ''Rockman Online''. (The game ''had'' been in DevelopmentHell really since it was announced.)

* BossDissonance: Can go in both ways, but generally of the Kirby Type. Sometimes they're about the same difficulty as the stages itself though.

* AlternateCompanyEquivalent: ''The Krion Conquest'' for the NES, made by Vic Tokai, goes '''so''' far in copying ''Mega Man'' as to use the same run cycle, similar power meter and ''highly'' similar death animation for [[CaptainErsatz heroine Francesca]]; copy several of the enemy and level appearances; and give her equivalent powers such as a ChargedAttack and a Rush/Item-2 replacement in her broomstick. However, unlike Mega Man, she can duck and fire upwards. Still, it flirted dangerously close with {{Plagiarism}}.

* ''Mega Man Xover'' (pronounced "Crossover"), a CrisisCrossover RPG game for mobile devices, designed to celebrate Mega Man's 25th anniversary; (2012)

* LeftHanging: only 3 series have ever been given proper conclusion (with the third only because of bad reception). The rest? Not counting the {{Gaiden Game}}s, two currently have very blatant {{Sequel Hook}}s that have yet to be followed up, while the third sits on a depressing CliffHanger, and it's already been a long-OrphanedSeries! With the subsequent releases of the most recent ''Classic'' games, fans are hoping that it won't be long 'til Capcom remembers the rest of the series mythology.

* ''[[http://blog.naver.com/rmonline Rockman Online]]'' (Korea only, for now at least), set at an unspecified point in the future. After an era of peace, enemy robots based on Classic series Robot Masters and X series Mavericks suddenly attack. The government of this time period, the United Continent Association, responds by reproducing the heroes of these series (X, Zero, and Duo for starters) to combat the threat, which originated from a separatist organization called the Ultimate Reploid Association. (Future Release)

* ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' (in Japanese, ''Ryuusei no Rockman'' or ''Shooting Star Rockman''), a series that takes place 200 years after the ''Battle Network'' games, where {{Cyberspace}} and the human world are even more intertwined via Wi-Fi radio. (2007)
* ''Megaman X (Cross) Over'', A crossover RPG game for mobile devices, designed to celebrate Megaman's 25th anniversary. (2012)

* ''Megaman X Over'', A crossover RP Ggame for mobile devices, designed to celebrate Megaman's 25th anniversary.. (2012)

* ''Megaman X Over'', A crossover RPG Anniversary game for mobile devices. (2012)

* ArmCannon: Maybe not the TropeNamer, but probably its most famous ''users''.

* ExtyYearsFromNow: If this isn't the TropeNamer it's still a strong example.

* PowerCopying: Former TropeNamer when it was called ''Mega Manning''. Mega Man has the ability to copy an major enemy's power, usually when it gets destroyed.

There have been several TV shows based on the games - [[WesternAnimation/MegaMan a cartoon based on the originals]], an anime based on Battle Network and dubbed as ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior'', and a limited-release OAV from the early 90s, also based on [[BadassAdorable the]] [[{{Edutainment}} original]] series. There was also another anime based on Star Force which has a dubbed version as well.

-->''平和のロックマン様のために戦う!''[[hottip:*:I fight for Rock Man of the peace!]]

* MegaManning: [[CaptainObvious Trope]] [[TropeNamer Namer]].

* MegaManning: [[CaptainObvious DUH.]]

-->''平和のロックマン様のために戦う！''[[hottip:*:I fight for Rock Man of the peace!]]

* {{Leitmotif}}: The "Boss Select" music from the original games, plus Proto Man's whistle as a briefer example. In fact, just about every recurring character has one, usually the BGM from the level they first appeared in. Mega Man himself often has the title theme from ''2''. X & Zero and Axl are a bit of a weird case as they seem to get a new one every game, although Zero's music from ''X1'' is reused in ''Zero 1''.

* CardCarryingVillain: [[ObviouslyEvil nothing screams]] "I'm a villain!" like Wily's skull motif or Weil's "''the'' Devil" quote. And then there's Regal...

* ContemptibleCover: The box art for the [[http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/1959/megaman3wr6.jpg first]] and [[http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/9437/megaman2box711847in9.jpg second]] games. Lampshaded by Capcom's advertising department with [[http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3669/megamanboxza7.jpg preview "box art"]] for the download-only ''9'', as well as that for ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Megaman10.jpg 10]]''.
* DarkerAndEdgier: The ''X'' series to the Classic series, The ''Zero'' series to the ''X'' series and the ''Star Force'' series to the ''Battle Network'' series.
** The last one is arguable. Without taking the third ''[[VideoGame/MegaManStarForce Star Force]]'' into consideration, it appears that the series cannot consistently decide whether it wants to be DarkerAndEdgier or LighterAndSofter than ''BattleNetwork''. See the entries on both pages to see both sides of the argument.
** Mega Man Online seems to be this judging by the trailer.
** ''VideoGame/MegaManLegends 2'' is this to ''Legends''.
* ADayInTheSlimelight: The fan-made freeware series "HardHat". You control the MascotMook [[InvincibleMinorMinion Metool]] as the main character.

* MascotMook: Mets and Sniper Joes. Both appeared in the first game, Mets got reincarnations in the X series (with cute little headsets), Zero series (with an elf specifically making every on-screen enemy change into a Met) and Battle Network series (armed with pickaxes). Sniper Joes have mainly stuck to the original series, but their design was sent up in the Legends series where the third dimension allows you to get behind them more easily, then laugh as they collapse to the ground from a bullet to the back.

* {{Mooks}}: Many examples exist, but the most blatant examples are probably the servbots in the ''Legends'' series, who tend to swarm en-masse and put themselves in harm's way.
** Although ''The Misadventures of Tron Bonne'' gave several individual bots unique stats and personalities.

* OneGameForThePriceOfTwo: Started in the Battle Network series and continued in Star Force.

** Interesting fact: While most of the games take place in 20XX or 21XX, [[{{Zeerust}} the first game took place in 200X]]. You ''lied'' to us, Capcom. Most fans opt to ignore that and just have the entire Classic series take place in "20XX", allowing ample time for robots to run amuck and kill us all.
* {{Fanfic}}: Notable productions include {{The Megas}}' adaptation of ''2'', as well as Music/TheProtomen's {{deconstruction}}ist look at HoldingOutForAHero using Mega Man characters.
** There're also hundreds on fangames with fanfic plots, for example, the (discontinued) Mega Man 21XX, which included a [=AI=] copy of Dr Light in a combat robot body, and various fan-characters.
** And that's not even getting into all the {{Sprite Comic}}s out there, most of which were inspired by ''BobAndGeorge''.
** Mega Man also appears in the sequel to [[http://alaxr274.deviantart.com/gallery/33810717 Super Milestone Wars]].
* FanSequel: A few of them, including - ''MegaManRocks'' by Eric Ruth, ''VideoGame/MegaManUnlimited'' by MegaphilX, ''MegaManTimeTangent'' by Mexican Sunflower, ''MegaManMaximum'' by ~hfnb2, and the Doujin game ''RockmenR'', which utilizes semi-16-bit graphics, ''MegaManTripleThreat'' by Stealth and Liz-Sama, and a some what [[DevelopmentHell out of date]] now ''MegaManTheCRORQChronicles'' by Jesse Brown, ''MegaGirl'' by Barago-kun, and ''MegaMan72'' by 72dpiarmy. Also two well known clone games exist - ''MegaMari'' featuring {{Touhou}} characters by Twilight Project and, ''RosenkreuzStilette'' by [erka:es].
* {{Fanvid}}: ''TheAdventuresOfDuaneAndBrandO's'' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUEO9Mfmn4M Mega Man 2 music video]] is particularly noteworthy: With over 1.2 million views, it was created as a medley of what is arguably the greatest music of the Classic series.

-->--'''''Mega Man 1''[='s=] ending'''.

-->--'''{{Capcom}}'s official line on their Japanese website.'''

There have been several TV shows based on the games - [[WesternAnimation/MegaMan a cartoon based on the originals]], an anime based on Battle Network and dubbed as ''MegaManNTWarrior'', and a limited-release OAV from the early 90s, also based on [[BadassAdorable the]] [[{{Edutainment}} original]] series. There was also another anime based on Star Force which has a dubbed version as well.

The MegaManMegamix manga, also based on the original series, is finally available in the US. There's no news on whether or not the [[NoExportForYou new material for the ninth and tenth games]] will be translated, though.

* AdaptationExpansion: The ''MegaManMegamix'' manga is known for its excellent storytelling, which also captures the feel of the Classic series while also telling it with a bit more depth and maturity. The theme of robot and human interaction is a big part of the story, and it can be heartwarming as well as action-packed.
* AfterTheEnd: Taken to a ridiculous degree in the original timeline. Every successive series takes place after an apocalypse wiped out most traces of the previous one. During the course of the ''X'' games we get yet another world-altering disaster during ''X5'' whose aftereffects can still be seen well into the ''Zero'' series.
** And the last one [[WorldSundering wasn't the worst to happen between the two series...]]
* AllThereInTheManual: Capcom does publish manga prequels to each game, which include more details about the game's plot (like the imposition of expiration dates on robots in ''9'') as well as the personalities of the Robot Masters.
** ''1'' makes no mention that the six robot masters were built with good intentions.
** ''3'' fails to note a lot of things.
*** Dr. Wily feigned amnesia and is now working with Dr. Light again. The [[HijackedByGanon true villain]] is supposed to be a mystery until the last minute (notice that his logo doesn't hang over the boss doors), but without this info, it's just assumed to be Wily anyways...and nowadays, would you really expect otherwise?
*** Dr. Wily and Light's latest project is Gamma, a giant "peace keeping" robot. The only time this robot is even mentioned in-game is when Dr. Light tells you that Wily stole it. The final battle of the game is against Wily inside a robot with a "G" on its chest.
*** Mega Man is not seen collecting the eight energy crystals that power Gamma, either, which were the point behind the eight mining robots in the first place. They only vaguely get referred to, and are called "elements".
** A particularly humorous example would be the character discs from ''Mega Man and Bass''. Where else would we learn Dr. Light was a "douchie?"
*** Which was a [[GagDub translation joke]]. His real bad point is being tricked easily (which would explain A LOT, [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter concerning his acceptance]] of Wily's "will to help" in ''3'', ''Mega Man & Bass'' and ''10'').

* AlternateUniverse[=/=][[AlternateContinuity Continuity]]: The ''BattleNetwork'' series takes place in an alternate universe to the classic, ''X'', ''Zero'', ''ZX'' and ''Legends'' series. The difference is that [[ForWantOfANail the government chose to fund Dr Wily's robotics in the classic series, and instead chose Dr. Light/Hikari's internet technology in the BN timeline.]] ''Star Force'' is a sequel to the ''Battle Network'' timeline, stretching its EverythingIsOnline tendencies ''even further''.
* AmbiguouslyGay: Elec Man in ''MegaManPoweredUp''. This becomes more and more obvious the farther you get in the game.
** Don't forget [[hottip:Handsome Guy: Aqua Man]]!
** Rospark in ''ZX'' seems more interested in the player's arrival whilst playing as the male character, Vent in ''ZX'', and significantly more agitated when playing as Aile. Most notably exclaiming angrily:
--> A girl? I'm busy!
* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: This series is [[ButtMonkey a target of constant mockery]] for its original attempts at this and their tendency to backfire in hilariously embarrassing ways. Among the sources of this mockery is now Capcom themselves, who designed promotional art for ''9'' and ''10'', spoofing the notorious misinterpretations Mega Man usually got in Western art.
** Aside from boxart, the most notable example is the Ruby Spears cartoon, which felt it needed to give Mega Man and Roll more adult, American-superhero-like physiques to be successful in the West. Although to be fair, it would take a pretty bad design of any sort in the cartoon to look worse than the old boxarts or the Captain N adaptations.
** This trope also may have to do with why ''7'' and ''8'' weren't as well-received by American audiences. Throughout the NES era the graphics weren't detailed enough to seem either mature or immature, and the boxarts tended to go for a realistic approach, though usually to a fault. When graphics got more advanced in the post-8-bit-era, the next two games went with a very bright and colorful motif, which might have made the games look too goofy. Worth noting is that the DarkerAndEdgier X series was also starting up and beginning to get more attention.
* AnimatedAdaptation: [[WesternAnimation/MegaMan The Ruby-Spears cartoon]], and ''Captain N'' to an extent.
** There was also a 3-part OVA that was used to showcase Japanese culture.
* AnimeHair: Mega Man has this a little bit without his helmet on, but [[http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/a/aa/Helmetless_Protoman.png Proto Man would seem to be a different story.]]
* AntiHero: Bass/Forte in the original series. Zero (type 3) in his series. Chaud/Enzan in the Battle Network series. Tron Bonne in the Legends series.
* AntiVillain: The Guardians in Zero, at their worst.
** And again, Tron Bonne in the Legends series. Though she's against the Volnutts throughout most of the game, and a criminal, she has a very close, loving relationship with her own family.

* ArbitraryHeadcountLimit: From ''2'' onward, there are always 8 Robot Masters to beat.
** Rock and Roll are [[{{Retcon}} considered]] the first two of the original eight robot masters in ''1''. Originally there ''were'' to be eight Robot Masters in ''1'', but they simply didn't have enough time - this was rectified in ''Powered Up!'' with the addition of Time Man and Oil Man.
* ArtifactOfDoom: the Dark Chips for ''Battle Network'' and the [=OOparts=] from ''Star Force''. But the ''real'' example would be ''ZX's'' Model W, [[spoiler:the game's ''real'' BigBad]].

* AscendedExtra: "[[ContemptibleCover Bad Box Art]]" Mega Man is one of the playable characters in ''Mega Man Universe''.
** [[SubvertedTrope ...and now he's descended.]] [[WhatCouldHaveBeen Thanks a lot, cancellation.]]
*** [[VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken ...though he's rumored to be showing up again in the most unlikely of places...]]
* AsteroidsMonster: Those ...[[OurMonstersAreWeird floating platypus bear things]] in the Venus stage in ''5''.

* AwesomeButImpractical: A few weapons fall under this. For instance, [[DishingOutDirt Stone Man]]'s weapon is three boulders that shoot out in a spiral, covering the entire screen. ''Would be practical'', except, due to the speed at which they shoot out, the chances of missing something are high. Really frustrating when the other boss it's supposed to be good for is Charge Man, who moves fast, and frequently becomes temporarily invincible. Most people just say screw it and whip out the mega-buster.
* BackFromTheDead: Sigma is the king of this, although he has an excuse, seeing as how he's TheVirus.
** Doctor Wily, who has no such excuse, in the ''Battle Network'' games. That guy survived at least two explosions, getting his mind eaten by a sentient prototype Internet, and being inside an imploding ''volcano base''. Also, [[spoiler:Doctor Regal.]]
** Hell, the original Wily does this, although he's a lot more subtle.
*** WordOfGod has actually confirmed that Wily died somewhere along the line between the ''Classic'' and ''X'' series, and the maverick virus somehow ''brought him back to life''.
* BagOfHolding: Every game, Mega Man somehow manages to store 8 different weapons and their ammunitions in his mega buster, which is only slightly larger than his regular fist.
* BagOfSpilling: One of the earliest video game examples, extensive enough that some even call it "Mega Man Amnesia". There are a few exceptions, though. The 5th & 6th games of the ''X'' series are a bit better about this, as one of X's armors from the previous game carries over into the next & the [[spoiler:X vs. Zero]] fight in ''X5'' sees your opponent using the weapons from ''X4''. ''Wily Wars'' allows you to select a limited number of weapons from the first 3 games to use in the Wily Tower segment. In ''Battle Network'' you can regain all the Battle Chips you collected in the previous games via link-cable. In ''Legends 2'' you at least get an explanation for this, as Roll says she was forced to sell all your weapons & other goodies to pay for the ship's maintenance. It's only ever justified once in the entire ''Zero'' series though with the second game. It was there that Zero had been fighting Neo Arcadian Reploids for roughly a year without repair or maintenance, signaled by the tired stance, a damaged Shield Boomerang and menu, and a destroyed Triple Rod.
* BigBad: Dr. Wily in the ''Classic'' series, Sigma in the ''X'' series, Dr. Weil in the ''Zero'' series, Lord Wily again in ''Battle Network'', and Master Albert for the ''ZX'' series, although the last one [[spoiler:might ''not'' be accurate.]]
* {{Bishonen}}: It's said that Bubble Man, of all robots, [[http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr355/58795880/R_2014.jpg applies.]] In the Japanese fandom, at least. In the American fandom, he tends to be more of a [[TheChewToy chew toy]].
** Arguably, Star Man in the MegaManMegamix manga, who has Guylashes, a rose fetish, and tends to emote on beauty.
** Zero, ''both'' versions, could also qualify. {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d by [[spoiler:Bass during the former's ContinuityCameo]], making a comment that Zero is "too girly" to be the strongest robot.
* BishonenLine: Omega [[spoiler:Zero]] in ''Zero 3'' & Albert in ''ZX Advent''.
* BlackoutBasement: Bright Man's stage from ''4'', Spark Mandrill's and Dark Mantis' stages from ''X'' and ''X8'', respectively, and Cubit Foxtar's level from ''Zero 3''. Shadow Man's stage in ''3'' has enemies that turn off the lights temporarily when shot.
* BlingOfWar: In a punny fashion. Jewel Man gives you the Jewel Satellite in ''9'', which uses ''weaponized'' bling.
* BlowYouAway: Air Man in ''2'', Wind Man in ''6'', and Tornado Man in ''9''.
** Storm Eagle in X, to the point where half of his attacks only exist to push you off the edge of the plane. The Skiver in X5 also qualifies, to an extent; most of his attacks do actual damage to your life bar, but all of them (the flying uppercut in particular) do more knockback than the average attack, with the intent of (again) tossing you off of a plane.
** There's also [[RazorWind Tengu Man]], and a few others.

** Toad Man definitely qualifies for Mario Type, though.
* BossGame: The arcade installments ''The Power Fighters'' and ''The Power Battle''.

** Technically speaking, about ''Power Fighters''...

* BuildLikeAnEgyptian: Pharaoh Man's world in ''4'', along with some {{Mayincatec}} elements.
* CallForward: Dr. Wily showing off the blueprints of [[MegaManX Maverick Zero]] in ''The Power Fighters''.
* CanonImmigrant: Many.
** The [[DidNotDoTheResearch notorious portrayal of Mega Man]] in ''CaptainN'' often emphasized his speech by adding "Mega" in front of adjectives. In the English dub of NT Warrior, Mega Man also occasionally does that.
*** While exactly whether you can count an anime as canon is debatable, it probably is closer than CaptainN.
** Although probably unintentional, Quint, who is actually [[spoiler:Mega Man from the near future]], somewhat resembles the CaptainN version of Mega Man. They both suck at fighting and are hated by most of the fandom. Coincidence?
** Roll in her official incarnation also seems to be taking influence from her Ruby-Spears counterpart lately, becoming more of an ActionGirl and ImprobableWeaponUser, particularly partial to cleaning supplies.
* CaptainErsatz: Mega Man started out as an ''AstroBoy'' game, but Capcom couldn't acquire the rights to the characters and created Rockman.
** Worth noting that Mega Man without his armor looks ''exactly'' like Astro Boy in the ending of the first game.

* ContinuityCreep: The ''Classic'' series almost never has a storyline to speak of. The ''X'' series games, especially later on, tend to have self-contained plots with a ContinuityNod here and there and some CharacterDevelopment. The ''Zero'' series games quite clearly continue one from the other, with major references to the previous games, the series' own [[AllThereInTheManual convoluted backstory]], a couple to the ''X'' series and a nod or two to points from ''Classic''. Between the two ''ZX'' games there's a pretty significant TimeSkip, but both games are also heavy on nods to the past series. The Battle Network and Star Force games, being {{RPG}}s, naturally are more story-heavy to begin with.
* ContinuitySnarl: Aside from the whole mess with the X series, the question of whether or not Mega Man killed himself (er, Quint...it's odd) remains open.
* CrapsackWorld: ''Super Adventure Rockman'' features darker content than usual in the Classic series, such as U.N. helicopters getting destroyed and Roll dying. It's no wonder there's a lack of artwork or information in the ''R20: Rockman & Rockman X'' book.
** Things seem to be getting pretty bad in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnunSRIyqWs Mega Man Online]].
** ItGotWorse in "NovasAventurasDeMegaman". Long before Mega Man and Roll awake from their capsules, Wily has taken over the world (arguably represented by Brazil) and turned it into a barren wasteland. In issue #4, we find out that young Brazilian homeless girls were being captured and cyborgized as early as 1996. It just goes downhill from there.
** And of course, the main series has degraded into one itself. [[AfterTheEnd A lot]] [[ColonyDrop of things]] [[WorldSundering happened]], after all. Fortunately, it ''does'' get better (almost).
%%Sugar Wiki Moment examples belong on their respective page.
* CrossOver: Beyond a number of instances of both CallBack and CallForward (Zero's blueprints in the original series, and the "Zet-sabre" in [[MegaManLegends Legends]], for example), later series, starting with the second half of MegaManBattleNetwork, tend to mix. However, instead of trading characters, the situation is more along the lines of a mutual indirect interaction.
** An example of this is the original BattleNetwork 4, MegaManZero 3 crossover, in which [[SocializationBonus exchanging data]] would result in the BattleNetwork {=MegaMan=} receiving the Z-Saver (a forgivable mistranslation of Z-Saber), though this particular [[FightLikeACardPlayer Battle Chip]] is maintained as distinct from the ''other'' Z-Saber earned in [[SpinOff Network Transmission]] - an easy way to distinguish them is that the Battle Network 4 chip bares the (remarkably well-defined, though obscured by resolution and shadow) image of Main timeline Zero. Zero 3, in turn, received replacement enemies for that games' [[CyberSpace Cyber]] [[AnotherDimension World]] in the form of Battle Network viruses. So, you could spend half of a level wrecking Pantheon {{Mooks}} and the other wrecking Cyber Mets.
** By keeping a copy of a [[OldSaveBonus Battle Network game in the W-Gate]], [[VideoGame/MegaManStarForce MegaMan Geo-Omega]] can receive the [[AncestralWeapon BN Blaster]] from the original [[BattleNetwork MegaMan.EXE]], which, while not a particularly high class weapon, has a maxed out speed stat, which can lead to the defeat of some weaker viruses by simply standing in front of them and [[OlderIsBetter holding B for a few seconds]]. The fact that this is retrievable the instant you have access to the doghouse CyberSpace reinforces its early-use-only disclaimer.
** Operate Shooting Star - [[TheCakeIsALie Not much more than an expensive port of BN 1 to DS]] counts as this, though the only addition is some 40 minutes of LetsYouAndHimFight between the cyber-verse [=MegaMen=], a chip of [[TheCameo Burai]], and the ability to switch between heroes. Besides the desire to get a solid translation of that extra forty minutes, nobody's complaining in particular about the [[NoExportForYou lack of localization]].
** You can forge a [[SocializationBonus Brother]] [[ThePowerOfFriendship Band]] with the ''original'' [[VideoGame/MegaMan]] in ''StarForce 2''; he can actually send you messages.
** Especially notable (and also as old as BattleNetwork 4) is the Cyber-Verse's InterContinuityCrossover between the MegaManBattleNetwork and VideoGame/{{Boktai}} series produced by {{Konami}} (which includes both ''[[VideoGame/{{Boktai}} Lunar Knights]]'' (Boktai [=DS=]) and the first StarForce game), which are the most direct crossovers in the whole series, with the characters actually visiting and interacting with each other (usually with [[OurVampiresAreDifferent ShadeMan.EXE]], though [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Count of Groundsoaking Blood]] shows up in Battle Network 6... [[NoExportForYou not that western audiences would know]]. Margrave Rymer also makes an appearance in StarForce, while Ox Fire goes and agitates the undead to action in ''[[VideoGame/{{Boktai}} Lunar Knights]]''. (Bonus points for them both being first bosses of the PlayingWithFire inclination). Unfortunately, this last example has a good deal of FridgeLogic, considering the facts that nobody has the slightest clue how Taurus Fire ([[DubNameChange Ox Fire]], [[NoExportForYou technically]]) could command the forces of darkness, and that Margrave Rymer should be totally annihilated by that point, considering he goes down before the Lucian and Aaron actually meet. ([[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampire]] death in the Boktaiverse is [[LightEmUp a]] [[ThePowerOfTheSun kind]] [[WeakenedByTheLight of]] [[KillItWithFire wholesale]] [[HurlItIntoTheSun affair]]).
* CyberCyclops: The Joe-bots and Devils in the original series, the Pantheon X-drones & Valiants in ''Zero'', the Galleons in ''ZX'' & many of the Reaverbots in ''Legends''.
* CyberSpace: The internet of the ''BattleNetwork'' series and its copy in the ''Star Force'' series. Also a green parallel world ''called'' Cyberspace in ''Zero 3'' which could be updated with enemy data from either ''Battle Network 4'' game, and whose use in a late stage could yield some [[InfinityPlusOneSword Infinity Plus One Shoes.]]

** ''[[MegaManLegends Mega Man Legends 2]]'' is this to ''Legends''.

** Then there is the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin aptly-titled]] fan game ''Mega Man: A Day in the Limelight'', which allows you to control the Robot Masters from ''Mega Man 1''.
** There is a fan game called ''Star Man'', which you play as Star Man and fight the ''Stardroids''.
* DeadlyEuphemism: Maverick Hunters and Reploids in ''X'' and ''Zero'' don't "die"; they get "retired". This may be a reference to Blade Runner, where the replicants, who are outwardly indistinguishable from human beings, are "retired" by hunters.
* DestructibleProjectiles: Not the standard in the MegaMan series, but some projectiles are destructible.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: Dr. Cossack, Dark Man, and Mr. X in the original series. ''6'' had four levels with a real boss and a literal fake boss. You had to beat the real ones to get the [[InfinityPlusOneSword Infinity Plus One Bird]]. Continued in the ''X'' series with the X-Hunters, Dr. Doppler, the Repliforce, Gate, Dynamo, Red [[spoiler:and even [[BigBad Sigma]] himself.]] Done ''again'' in the ''Zero'' series with Copy X, and an arguable case with Serpent [[spoiler:and/or Masters Albert ''and'' Thomas]] of ''ZX''.
* DownTheDrain: Shadow Man, Toad Man and Pump Man's stages, and later, Toxic Seahorse's stage are the sewer types. In Shadow Man's case, it's really hard to tell if the level is a sewer or some kind of chemical plant or a boiler room full of fluids.
* TheDragon: Bass to Wily in the [[VideoGame/MegaMan original games]], Vile to Sigma in ''[[MegaManX X]]'', Omega and later Craft to Weil in ''[[MegaManZero Zero]]'', and lastly, Pandora & Prometheus to Master Albert in ''[[MegaManZX ZX]]''.
** And in ''all'' cases, they [[spoiler:turned out to be [[TheStarscream Starscreams.]]]] Except Omega, [[AxCrazy ironically enough.]]
*** [[spoiler:Bass, not so much - Wily just made the mistake of programming him only with the purpose of defeating Mega Man. Because of this, Bass will do whatever he feels he needs to to defeat Mega Man, and while in 7 and 8 that meant sticking with Wily (for the Treble Boost upgrade and the Evil Energy upgrade), by the point of Power Battle and Power Fighters, Bass has decided that Wily is wasting time and resources on other robots, and decides to trash them all to prove he's the strongest and that Wily should ONLY focus on making him stronger. Finally, in ''Mega Man & Bass'', Wily creates King to "replace" Bass. Bass responds poorly when he finds out, defeating King, trashing Wily's fortress, and quitting.]]
* DroppedABridgeOnHim: a bridge is arguably dropped on a beloved character in the second ''[[MegaManZero Zero]]'' game. The argument generally revolves around the relatively low profile of the villain in question.
* ElementalRockPaperScissors: all games except ''Legends'', although most games use weaknesses to specific weapons like tops, needles and circular saw blades instead of classical elements. Rock-Paper-Scissors-Thunderbolt-Laser-Tactical Nuke...
* EmergencyEnergyTank: The TropeNamer.
* EverythingIsOnline: The whole point of the ''BattleNetwork'' saga.
* EvilTwin: Mega Man Juno (in name only) to Mega Man Volnutt/Trigger, in the mangas there is also iX/Return X for X. In ''Powered Up'' you meet "Mega Man?" in place of the normal robot master when you play as one in his own level.
** There's also the pitifully-weak copy of Zero from the ending of ''X2''...and the sequence's later IronicEcho.
** Everyone f-f-f-f-forgets C-c-c-c-c-copy-X. He th-th-thinks he's a h-h-h-h-hero...
* ExcusePlot: In ''3'', Dr. Wily is helping Dr. Light on a "peace-keeping robot" when everything goes wrong. In ''4'', it's the new Dr. Cossack who makes threats. In ''5'', it appears Proto Man has kidnapped Dr. Light. In ''6'', a man called [[PaperThinDisguise Mr. X]] tries to take over the world. In ''Mega Man & Bass'', a robot named King steals from both Dr. Light and Dr. Wily. In ''9'', the blame for the rampage is pinned on Dr. Light. In ''10'', a virus infects robots. In ''V'', nine robots from space arrive to conquer the Earth. [[TheManBehindTheMan Guess who is responsible]] ''[[TheManBehindTheMan every single time.]]''
** {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d in the titles of the BraggingRightsReward listings in both ''9'' and ''10'', where they don't even pretend to hide the name of the final boss.
* ExpositionFairy: Alia from ''X5'' on. They gave her a voice in ''X7''. ''[[TheScrappy And you will hear it many, many times.]]'' She's not quite as bad in ''X8'', however, as her voice is done better, and she [[TookALevelInBadass becomes a hidden playable character.]] ''X8'' also adds Layer, who's not all that annoying (and pretty hot), and Palette, who's actually ''more'' annoying. Both are playable, as well.

** There's Rock (the original), X (the successor), Vent and Aile (who inherit X's powers and thus his responsibilities), Volnutt (who feels like doing the right thing), Lan and Hub (Volnutt split across two characters), and Geo and Omega (not ''[[NamesTheSame THAT]]'' [[MegaManZero Omega]], mind you).
** Similarly, you have Roll, Alia, Ciel (an {{Expy}} to Alia), Prairie (as much as the Roll role can be fulfilled beyond X), Roll Caskett (Alia's prototype going by game release dates), Mayl and Roll.EXE (more TheChick than anything else), and your choice of either Luna Platz or Sonia Strumm.
** There are several guys that fulfill the Dr. Wily template, like [[MegaManZero Dr. Weil]] and [[MegaManZX Master Albert.]] Special mention goes to the ''Battle Network'' series, where he actually ''is'' Dr. Wily, albeit that universe's version of him.
** A rather interesting case comes with Proto Man and Zero. Zero is obviously based on Proto Man, but Proto Man in the EXE series has hair, uses a sword and is a member of a law-enforcement league like Zero. This basically means Proto Man in the EXE series is an Expy of an Expy of his original series counterpart. Go figure.
** On a wider scale, Mega Man himself shares ''quite'' a few tropes in common with [[AstroBoy a certain granddaddy of anime tropes]]. Given the origins of the franchise, this isn't surprising.

* TheFarmerAndTheViper: In ''Mega Man 7'', Bass gets critically damaged and is warped to Dr. Light's lab for repair. After Bass is repaired, he ransacks the lab.

* FoeYay: Thanks mostly because of {{Hyadain}}, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdzjVnH9YoY Crash Man and his stage music]] have become [[MemeticMutation associated with Yaranaika]] on the internet. Doesn't make his stage music any less addicting though.
* ForMassiveDamage: Every Robot Master in the series is weak to a weapon [[MegaManning obtained from another one]].
* FunnySchizophrenia: Search Man in ''8'', Ice Man in ''Powered Up''.
** Lurerre the Abysroid from ''ZX'' as well - the original version has it switching between a cutesy childish voice and an evil punky childish voice. Presumably cut from the US version, along with all the voice acting.
* GaidenGame: Almost every series has at least one:
** [[VideoGame/MegaMan Classic]] has ''Mega Man and Bass'', as well as the GameBoy mini series.
** ''[[MegaManX X]]'' has the ''Xtreme'' games and the [[GameplayRoulette RPG]] ''Command Mission''.
** ''[[MegaManLegends Legends]]'' has the {{Prequel}} ''Misadventures of Tron Bonne'', and the mobile phone games ''Great Adventure on 5 Islands!'' and ''Rockman DASH Golf''.
** ''BattleNetwork'' has ''Battle Chip Challenge'' and ''Network Transmission''.
* GameMod: [=CutmanMike=]'s ''VideoGame/MegaMan8BitDeathmatch'' standalone mod for Skulltag got it's inspiration from the classic 6 games but also includes a few things from 9 and 10.
* GlassCannon: Poor Ruby-Spears Elec Man. He's still got his powerful Thunder Beam, but try to think of an instance where he doesn't go down in one hit.
** Well to be fair this trope did exist in the games as well, one good example is Metal Man from ''2''. He never did take damage well (even with his own weapon against him) but his weapon the Metal Blade is known as one of the most effective weapons in the series. Elec Man is also a GlassCannon in the games--he can kill you in three hits, but if you know the right weapon to use on him, he won't live very long.
** Splash Woman is this in ''9''. She's the only robot master who takes twice as much damage from the Mega Buster. However, her Laser Trident is the most damaging attack that any robot master can do to you. If she hits you with it, you ''will'' feel it.
* AGodAmI: Sigma [[spoiler:and later Lumine]] in ''X'', Omega and Dr. Weil in ''Zero'' (though inverted for the latter, as he calls himself a "devil"), Master Albert in ''ZX''.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Good guys like Axl and Grey have clean, slightly discolored cuts. Bad guys like Sigma and Red have bizarre, painful-looking ones, like Sigma's purple burn scars.
* HeartContainer: The Heart Tanks in ''X'' and ''ZX'', [=HPMemory=] in ''Battle Network''.
* HeelFaceTurn: Wily pulls this several times, only to reveal it was yet another plot. Several straight examples exist, such as Dr. Cossack. Even [[spoiler:Quick Man]], a robot master built purely by Wily [[spoiler:blocks a shot meant for Mega Man at one point.]]
* HelpfulMook: The walking supply crates from ''5''.
* HijackedByGanon: Pretty much every Classic game where there's a different villain will ultimately wind up having Wily as the real villain.
** If you think on it, he also hijacked the [[spoiler: MegamanX series as well since he was the one who created the maverick virus and its carrier, Zero. As well, MegamanBattleNetwork (Save four and five) are either because of or directly influenced by that continuity's Wily too.]]
** Sigma is also notorious for doing this. The worst offense probably goes to ''X6'', where the BigBad is Gate, and at the last second Sigma shows up, seemingly just to keep with the tradition of having him being the final boss.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Metal Man takes one of his own blades to suffer from a OneHitKO
* HotScientist: Alia. To some, Ciel counts.
** ''X8'' gives us Layer.
* AnIcePerson: Ice Man in ''1'', Blizzard Man in ''6'', Freeze Man in ''7'', Frost Man in ''8'', Cold Man in ''Mega Man and Bass'', Chill Man in ''10'', Chill Penguin in ''X1'', Blizzard Buffalo in ''X3'', Frost Walrus in ''X4'', Blizzard Wolfang in ''X6'', and Avalanche Yeti in ''X8''.
** Also Leviathan from ''Zero'' and her biometal Model L, coupled with the Megamen using/copying it/her in ''ZX''
* ImprovisedPlatform:
** The original series had the Magnet Beam, Item 1/2/3, Rush Coil/Marine/Jet, and the Balloon item.
** X series had weapons that functioned this way- the charged Shotgun Ice, Crystal Hunter ([[CrystalPrison needed an enemy to be trapped]]), the charged Frost Spear (only in the water), and Lightning Web (more of an improvised ''wall'')
* KillItWithFire: All the bosses mentioned under LethalLavaLand.
* LaserGuidedTykebomb: Bass to the [[VideoGame/MegaMan original]], [[spoiler:Maverick Zero to ''MegaManX''.]]
* LawfulStupid: X and Zero start a war with the entire Repliforce because of this.

* LighterAndSofter: The ''ZX'' series to the ''Zero'' seies, bringing it down to the ''X'' series' level. The ''Legends'' series is even moreso, bringing it back to the level of the original series, [[TheMasquerade at least at first glance]].
** Only the first ZX game is LighterAndSofter, it's mainly in the cosmetics and visuals, and then it's only if you [[FridgeLogic don't think too hard]] about [[NightmareFuel what happens at the end.]]
*** Keep in mind [[CrapsackWorld what kind of world]] [[AfterTheEnd Zero lives in.]] ''ZX'' is ''definitely'' LighterAndSofter ''by comparison.'' Things have gotten better. Humanity (now half-Reploid, but still) has begun the long, slow climb back to rebuilding civilization, and as ''MegaManZX'', you deal with the...[[CorruptCorporateExecutive lingering]] {{pr|esidentEvil}}oblems [[ArtifactOfDoom within.]]
** The manga for both the ''Zero'' series and ''Star Force'' are a lot more comedic. In fact, the ''Zero'' manga loses all seriousness with its second set of chapters. It somehow turned ''[[AxCrazy Omega]]'' into a HarmlessVillain. And it's hilarious.
* LightIsNotGood: From the looks, anyway, but curiously, there's so many light-themed villains in the series. Maybe a StealthPun for Dr. Light?
** Classic series has King (from ''Mega Man and Bass'') who's covered in gold color.
** X series has (arguably) Double, Gate (in his special gold armor) and, more fittingly, the angelic Lumine.
** Zero series has Copy-X. Also Omega after he absorbed the Dark Elf's powers, and Dr. Weil after he fused with Ragnarok satellite.
** By extension, Model W users in ZX series also qualify.
* LethalLavaLand: Fire Man, Heat Man, Flame Man, Magma Man...you get the picture.
** And ''maybe'' Shadow Man.
* LovableCoward: Mega Man's best friend Alan from the Dreamwave comics.
* LuckBasedMission: ''X5'' is one case where ''most of the game'' is one big luck based mission. Several sidequests and minigames in Legends also seem to depend excessively on luck.
* MadBomber: Bomb Man from ''1'', Napalm Man from ''5'', Burst Man from ''7'', and Grenade Man from ''8''.
* MadScientist: Drs. Wily, [[MegaManZero Weil]], and [[MegaManBattleNetwork Regal]], plus [[MegaManX Serges, Isoc, and Gate]]. Oh, and the [[MegaManZX Masters.]]
** And it only complicates matters with the wild speculation that Classic Dr. Wily is also Serges, Isoc, and/or Weil.
*** At least WordOfGod has confirmed that Wily isn't Weil, but has noted the irony involved.
*** That one's mostly the fault of bad localizers - the Zero villain's original name is Dr. Vile, and the fact that the evil Live Metal from ''Rockman ZX'' was called Model V (and was changed to Model W for ''MegaManZX'') pretty much confirms that this was the intended Romanization. Presumably, Vile became Weil to avoid confusing American fans, since the US version already HAD a character named Vile - VAVA from the X series. Of course, it was already too late for that anyway, since a huge fan rumour had already made Western fans thing VAVA would be returning in Zero 3 due to mention of "Vile" in either Zero 2 or some Zero-related material...
*** Worth noting that if you say Weil with German phonetics, it sounds like Vile, which is probably how he got the English name.
* MagmaMan: The TropeNamer from ''9''.
* MakingASplash: Bubble Man in ''2'', Wave Man in ''5'', Aqua Man in ''8'', Splash Woman in ''9'', and Pump Man in ''10''.
** And Neptune in ''V'' of the Game Boy series. Arguably also Venus.
* TheManBehindTheMan: Dr. Wily, Sigma, Dr. Weil, Master Albert.

* [[SeanConneryIsAboutToShootYou Mega Man Is About to Shoot You]]: ''8's'' opening. X gets in on the act in the opening to ''X4''; fittingly, [[OutOfFocus it's all he does.]]
** Mega Man and Bass are about to shoot you on their game's title screen.
* MegaManning: The TropeNamer.
* {{Metroidvania}}: The first ''MegaManZero'' and both ''MegaManZX'' games.

* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Dr. ''VILE'' is the best example.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: While the [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation idea that Light did it on purpose]] and [[KarmaHoudini got away with it]] is [[EpilepticTrees an amusing yet nonsensical joke]], the actual facts are pretty undeniable: Light?s invention of sentient robots, and their subsequent flawed reproduction by Cain?s essentially plunged the world into a couple centuries of constant warfare and at least two [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt world-ending catastrophes.]]
** The existence of the ''BattleNetwork'' series just further hammers the point: In the universe where Light ditched robotics in favor of network research, the future turned out reasonably peaceful and definitely much less armageddon-prone, Wily himself remaining a bitter and partially powerless shadow of his alternate self, unable to cause as much damage with the net as he did with robots.
*** It's hardly fair to criticise Dr. Light on those grounds, considering that historically speaking, nearly every initially-benevolent technology imaginable has been [[HumansAreBastards harnessed for ill by others.]] Furthermore, the use of the ''BattleNetwork'' series to prove Dr. Light "broke it" [[AnalogyBackfire is actually wrong]], because that series revealed that [[spoiler: developing robotics was actually Wily's idea, and Dr. Light indeed foresaw the misuse of them by such men as Wily turned out to be; Light's plan was always to improve networking technology instead.]]
* NintendoHard: The entire ''Zero'' line, as well as the original series.
** Virtually any instance that involves the death spikes or disappearing platforms. Though the lifts in Guts Man's stage are another infamous example.
** ''Mega Man and Bass''. Where to begin?
*** Since it's obvious that some of the areas had Bass' double jump in mind, areas like Tengu Man's stage, or the jumps between conveyor belts in Dynamo Man's stage that allow no room for failure can be a nightmare when using Mega Man.
*** Burner Man. One of the most infamous bosses in the series due to his difficulty. What makes him even more of a nightmare is the fact that the weapon that should make him die faster actually '''makes the fight harder!''' That's right, his weakness actually makes him harder to take down.
*** Then there's Dynamo Man, who aside from having several annoying attacks, can '''regenerate to full health''' when his health is low...or when it isn't low.
* NonstandardGameOver: What you get if you refuse to fight Woodman or lose to the final bosses in ''Super Adventure Rockman''. The first is depressing, the other [[NightmareFuel terrifying.]]
* OffModel: You could tell which episodes of the Ruby-Spears cartoon had competent animators ("The Beginning", "Brain Bots", "Crime of the Century") and which ones didn't ("Curse of the Lion Men", "Night of the Living Monster Bots").
** And if we want to get nit-picky, no one (on our side of the pond, anyway) could decide exactly what Mega Man and the rest of the cast looked like until at least ''8''.

* OneToMillionToOne: A variation is the central ability of the Yellow Devil and its many, many successors.
* OneWayVisor: Multiple characters from the series (as a whole) have them.
** This includes Mega Man.EXE using [[http://images.wikia.com/megaman/images/6/68/Megamansoul_proto2.jpg Proto Soul]] in MegaManBattleNetwork, Girouette using [[http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080816023642/megaman/images/9/91/Model_Z.jpg Model Z]] in MegaManZX and [[http://images.wikia.com/megaman/images/e/ea/MegaManStarForce.jpg Mega Man Geo-Omega]] from VideoGame/MegaManStarForce.
* OneWingedAngel: Wily and Sigma love to use this a little ''too'' much. And {{Capcom}} overdoes it in ''Zero'', with the transformation not even limited to just a FinalBoss.

* TheParagonAlwaysRebels: Albert Wily, Sigma.
* PeaceThroughSuperiorFirepower: The purpose of Gamma, the GiantRobot and MacGuffin of ''3''. [[FridgeBrilliance Wily's idea.]]
* PetalPower: Plant Man. Wood Man might also count.
** Don't forget the flower midboss in ''9'' and its arena of GIANT ROTATING PETALS OF DEATH!
** Rospark from ''ZX'' definitely counts by being a flower. A flamboyant one at that.
* ThePlan: ''ZX''. Done twice in ''Advent'', thanks to both Master Albert [[spoiler:and Master Thomas]], the latter actually was devised to take out the former.
** Prevalent in themes of the earlier series, most notably ''X5'' and ''Zero 3''.
* PlayingWithFire: Fire Man in ''1'', Heat Man in ''2'', Flame Man in ''6'', Magma Man in ''9'', Solar Man in ''10'' and Burner Man in ''Mega Man and Bass''.
** Flame Mammoth in X, Flame Stag in X2, Magma Dragoon in X4 ([[ShoutOut complete with]] [[StreetFighter Hadoken and Shoryuken attacks]]), Mattrex in X5, Blaze Heatnix in X6, Flame Hyenard in X7, and Burn Rooster in X8.
* PostScriptSeason: ''X6'' onwards for the ''X'' series. [[FanNickname Inafking]] had in fact by that time moved on to the ''Zero'' series.
* PowerCrystal: On several robots and later Reploids, got especially common after ''X''
* {{Prequel}}: ''The Misadventures of Tron Bonne'' to the ''Legends'' games..
* PsychoPrototype: Proto Man in the animated series.
* RandomPowerRanking: In several of the games. Present in ''Legends'' as the digger licenses.

* RecurringRiff: In ''10'', the melody of one of the intro songs is heard again in the last Wily stage.
* RememberTheNewGuy: Auto doesn't show up until ''7'', but the other characters act like he's always been there.
* RedHerring: the infamous "''9'' mystery." [[WordOfGod Capcom's Seth Killian]], who revealed the existence of the mystery, has himself stated numerous times that it's not really something big and that it doesn't really change anything, yet people are still searching for it to this day.
* ReverseShrapnel: Some of the Robot Masters weapons are like this, the final boss in ''Legends 2'' uses it with explosive missiles.
* RidiculouslyHumanRobots: Reploids, although to be fair, they are almost never seen in non-combat situations.
* RightMakesMight: Or more accurately, fighting for a cause makes might. This is a recurring theme throughout the series, either with regards to Rock's battles with Bass, X and his clone (and for that matter, Zero and X's clone), Zero in general (cue the memes, the speeches, etcetera), and most literally with Vent and/or Aile essentially fighting off Model W on sheer willpower to gain back their own power.
* RoboFamily: All of Doctor Light's robots are considered to be a family, even with ThemeNaming, and Mega Man and Roll are specifically stated to be siblings.
** X also counts as being a sibling, though a more removed one.
* SecretIdentity: "Rocky" in the Dreamwave comics.

* ShockAndAwe: Elec Man in ''1'', Spark Man in ''3'', Stardroid Jupiter in ''V'' , Cloud Man in ''7'', Clown Man in ''8'', Dynamo Man in ''Mega Man and Bass'', Plug Man in ''9'' and Sheep Man in ''10'' all have some form of electricity-based attacks.
** Spark Mandrill in X, Volt Catfish in X3, Web Spider in X4, Squid Adler in X5, Tornado Tonion's Volt Tornado in X7, and Gigabolt Man-o'-War in X8. It's safe to say that ShockAndAwe powers are the second-most popular in all of MegaMan continuity, only behind [[PlayingWithFire fire-themed attacks.]]
* ShoutOut: Mega Man and Roll's Hyper Specials in the ''MarvelVsCapcom'' games are homages to HumongousMecha granddaddy ''MazingerZ''.
** Another ShoutOut to ''Mazinger Z'' is a fortress boss in ''6'' called [[http://megaman.wikia.com/wiki/Image:Mm6mettongerzsprite.png Mettonger Z]].
** Don't forget Area D-2 of ''MegaManZX'' - it's design and miniboss fights are a direct homage to the first level of ''MegaManX''. Even more appropriate given that at that point in the game, you can only wear Model X.
*** On that note, the first fortress level in X5 (the one with the [[ContinuityNod Shadow Devil]] [[ThatOneBoss boss fight]]) is structured nearly identically to Quick Man's stage from ''2''. In the next level, you fight an upgraded version of Rangda Bangda, the otherwise-forgettable face-like security system from MegaManX.
** The Hadouken and Shoryuken, signature attacks of [[StreetFighter Ryu and Ken]], respectively; Zero even adapted the latter into one of his most recurring techniques. And then, there's also [[AxCrazy Omega's]] finisher, Shungokusatsu...
** ''VideoGame/MegaMan 2'' was released in Japan in 1988. 1986's SuperSentai series was called ''ChouShinseiFlashman''.
** Several elements of Proto Man seem to come from [[SpeedRacer Racer X]] and ''KamenRider''. Specifically, his trademark whistle before appearing may be a reference to ''KamenRiderStronger'', who did likewise.
*** Don't forget [[MobileSuitGundam Char Aznable.]] The CoolShades, CyberCyclops (as Break Man) [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and red motif]] seem to be based on him.
** Rockman 8: MetalHeroes
** The DeadlyEuphemism for Reploid death in the ''X'' series, "retirement", is a subtle nod to BladeRunner, which is arguably one of the influences on the early X series.
* ShutUpHannibal: An art mastered by Zero.
* SittingOnTheRoof: The opening cutscene and title screen of ''Mega Man 2'' has Rock hanging out on the roof of a building until the player starts the game.
* SleeperHit: The original game.

* SlippySlideyIceWorld: Ice Man's stage in ''1''.
* SlouchOfVillainy: Copy X does this in ''Zero 3''.
* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Splash Woman remains the only female Robot Master, the exception being Roll since she isn't a villain.
* SomethingPerson: All the Robot Masters.

* SpellMyNameWithAnS: A ''[[AWorldwidePunomenon classic]]'' example. Crashman or Clashman? Various promotional materials of the original ''2'' used both interchangably, and either one makes equal sense in context. To this ''day'' there's debate over what it should be, even though Capcom seems to have settled on "Crashman"
** For the franchise as a whole, you'll probably notice that many people, ''even on this very wiki'', tend to misspell the names of the characters on a regular basis, something that was not helped by the title screens of certain games. In the original series, the main character and all of the corresponding Robot Masters are two word names (i.e. Mega Man, Proto Man, Guts Man, Cut Man, Metal Man, Shadow Man, etc.), as opposed to the Japanese versions (i.e. Rockman). This naming convention is retained throughout the ''X'', ''Zero'', and ''ZX'' series, with ''Legends'' being the only exception (i.e. [=MegaMan=] Volnutt/[[spoiler:Trigger]], [=MegaMan=] Juno). The [=NetNavis=] in ''Battle Network'' and the [=MegaMan=] of ''Star Force'' follow ''Legends''[='=] example (i.e. two words but no spaces). There have been multiple {{Flame War}}s over this, despite ''the games themselves'' affirming the above spellings.
* SplashDamage: to defeat Dr. Wily you have to use Drill Bombs. However the bombs themselves bounce off his ship. To win you must detonate the bomb before it hits so that the SplashDamage of the [[PuzzleBoss explosion hits his weak spot]].

* SpreadShot:
** Air Shooter, Magma Bazooka and Triple Blade from the [[VideoGame/MegaMan original series]].
** Shotgun Ice, Chameleon Sting, Ray Splasher, Twin Slasher and Drift Diamond from the [[MegaManX X series]].
* SpringsSpringsEverywhere: In the Venus stage of ''5''.
* SuperDeformed: Everyone in ''Powered Up'', which has the side effect of, as one reviewer put it, making you '[[TastesLikeDiabetes want to give Guts Man a big hug.]]'
* SwissArmyWeapon: Mega Man and his descendant X live by it. Also, Zero's Z-saber from ''[[MegaManZero Zero]]''. Model A in ''ZX Advent'' counts too.

* ThemeNaming: Recurring robots have music-themed names, all ''Classic'' robot masters end in "Man", most ''X'' baddies have {{Species Surname}}s, Enemies in the ''Zero'' series have names based on mythology while allies have names of French birds, and many of the Reaverbots and enemy machines in ''Legends'' are given German names (Fokkerwolf, Gesellschaft, Gemeinschaft, Marlwolf, etc.).
** The Stardroids in ''Rockman World 5'' are named after planets, and their Bio-Devil is called Dark Moon; [[spoiler:the ancient weapon they're based on is called Sunstar in English translations and Sun God in Japan.]]
* TomatoInTheMirror: [[spoiler:The ''Legends'' version of Mega Man is revealed to be an incredibly advanced form of Reaverbot.]]
** More like Tomato In the Dyson Sphere, given that [[spoiler:everybody else who isn't an Ancient is a Carbon, and the world's circled with {{Kill Sat}}s armed to KillEmAll whenever the Ancients decide they've learned (or procreated) too much.]]
** In ''Zero 3'', there's the fact that, the role of TheHero [[spoiler:is the [[EvilKnockoff Heroic Knockoff]] while TheDragon's [[EnemyWithout the original]], only...the memories of the knockoff are real, indicating that he's ''still'' essentially the '''real''' Zero.]]
* TrippyFinaleSyndrome: In ''GB/World 2'', Wily's castle walls are textured with Salvador Dali's melting clocks.

* UnfortunateNames: Several of the Robot Masters, almost entirely due to the pervertedness of the fanbase. Hard Man is undoubtedly the most unfortunate victim.

* VideoGameRemake: ''Wily Wars'' to ''1-3'', as well as ''Powered Up!'' and ''Maverick Hunter X'' to ''Mega Man'' and ''Mega Man X'', respectively.
* TheWallsAreClosingIn: Many crushing traps are found in the ''MegaMan'' franchise. A few memorable ones:
** ''VideoGame/MegaMan 4'' has the series' first example with Dust Man's trash compactor stage.
** In ''MegaManZero'', Aztec Falcon was fought in a trash compactor stage as well. It's different in the fact that you weren't the one being crushed, it was another Reploid. And you only had 75 seconds to beat the guy.
** ''MegaManX 2'' has several sequences where you have to climb up between walls before they crush you. There's actually a robot who triggers this; if you kill it first (try charged-up Sonic Slicer), the walls won't move. Alas, there's no such trick for the similar traps in ''X3'' and ''X7''.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: 2011 saw a few MegaMan games die in embryo, notably Universe and Legends 3. The backlash from the Legends 3 cancellation alone could inspire the anti-trope ''[[AndTheFandomRejoiced And The Fandom Caught Rabies]]''.
* WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway: Some Robot Master weapons are considerably less useful than others, even considering the note in WeaksauceWeakness. The Super Arm from the first game and the Charge Kick in the fifth are two prominent examples. [[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning Top Spin]] counts, but only because its weapon energy usage is incredibly wonky.
** Clearly, the people who cite Charge Kick don't know it makes you [=INVINCIBLE=] while sliding.
* WhatMeasureIsAMook: The Robot Masters/Mavericks. The regular Mechaniloid {{mooks}} are nonapplicable, because they are incapable of advanced thought, and truly are just machines.

* WolverinePublicity: Let's just say that [[EnsembleDarkhorse Zero]] has appeared in some way or another in ''six'' out of seven series.
** While Roll (and Tron Bonne) beat him to the punch in the [[CapcomVsWhatever crossovers]], he's catching up there, too.
** Within the Classic series alone, it seems Dr. Wily has a real soft spot for Gutsman--after skulls, his design may be the most common motif for Wily's machines.
* WorldSundering: the Elf Wars.
* WorthyOpponent: Bass to Mega Man, at least in the manga adaptation of the ''BattleNetwork'' series. Fefnir and Harpuia from the ''Zero'' series also view the titular character as their worthy opponent.
* XtremeKoolLetterz: ''X'', ''Zero'', the "Xtreme" sidegames, the ''ZX'' series... Capcom seems to love this.
** [[JustifiedTrope To be fair, X and Zero are the characters names, and ''ZX'' stands for Zero and X]], not to mention "zechs", which is German for "sixth" (what with ''ZX'' being the sixth Mega Man spin-off and all).
*** And "Xtreme" was all localization - the original games were "Cyber Missions" and "Soul Erasers".
* [[YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle Your Mad Scientist's in Another Castle]]: In ''4''-''6'', you have to go through two castles. The first one houses the fake villain (Wily in a disguise for ''6''), while you always go up against Wily in the latter.
** ''3'': Oh hey, you beat the masters! Now you get to fight through four MORE levels and beat the ''2'' Masters located in each! And when you're done with that, you can go fight Break Man! And THEN you can go fight Wily after you make it through the fortress!
* [[IAmNotShazam Zero Is Not a Rockman/Mega Man]]:
** You'd be surprised at how many people make this mistake, though it might be expected, given that the games he stars in have "Mega Man" in their titles. Even the manuals of the Zero games screw this up. But interestingly, the sequel series ZX introduces "Mega Man" as a descriptive term for any "chosen one" with the power to change the world -- retroactively giving some logic to the term "Mega Man Zero". Furthermore, series director Keiji Inafune originally considered what is now Zero to be the new main/title character in the ''X'' series.
** A while back, there was a statuette of "Rockman Accel" being sold through an official channel. Unless something really bizarre about Axl comes out in future games, this has even less justification.

[[/findex]]