History Franchise / MegaMan

* ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'', set 100 years after the "[[WorldSundering Elf Wars]]" which appears to be 100 years after the end of the X series. This stars fan-favorite Zero, now a freedom fighter trying to protect the last remaining Reploids against a tyrannic government; (2002)

* ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'', set 100 years after the "[[WorldSundering Elf Wars]]" which appears to be 100 years after the end of the X series. This stars fan-favorite Zero, now a freedom fighter trying to free the last remaining Reploids against a tyrannic government; (2002)
* ''VideoGame/MegaManZX'', set 200 years after the Zero series, where mankind has been fully merged with Reploids. The problem of Mavericks is still a threat, although the cause for the outbreaks is entirely different. Otherwise normal Humanoids use Biometals to take the form and powers of heroes of old; (2006)

** Guts Tank, aka Guts-Dozer, is a boss in [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic MegaMan 2]]'s Wily Castle. He is essentially a giant version of Guts Man from the first Mega Man with his legs replaced with tank treads. A comparatively smaller version appears in later games.

A [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_JTqVTolBw live-action, no-budget, full-length]] [[Film/MegaMan fan movie]] [[http://www.vimeo.com/11554824 has been released]]. [[http://megaman.ningin.com/2008/11/22/megaman-movie-contest-1/ Reactions]] to the trailer have been promising.

* TheSingularity: The main timeline chronicles the advancement of robotics from [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic advanced but still mentally limited robots]], to [[VideoGame/MegaManX even more advanced Reploids with unfettered free will and moral quandaries]], to [[VideoGame/MegaManZX synthetic life-forms and cybernetically enhanced humans blurring the line between man and machine]], to [[spoiler: AmbiguousRobots [[VideoGame/MegaManLegends replacing humans entirely.]]]]

* BroadStrokes: While a number of the sub-series take place in the same universe, there are numerous differences between tone and aesthetic, along with certain plot details not really gelling with events later in the chronology, leaving this trope in effect.

* OutOfFocus: With Keiji Inafune having left Capcom, the entire Mega Man franchise has become borderline non-existent. Street Fighter and Resident Evil have been pushed as the new "crown jewels" of the company, with Ryu supplanting Mega Man as the new Capcom Mascot.

* VideoGameLongRunners: As of 2009, the series ran for over 22 years, and there are ''7'' series, each of which have numerous installments on their own. The description section at the top of the page tells it all.

* PowerCopying: Mega Man has the ability to copy a major enemy's power, usually when it gets destroyed.

An [[CashCowFranchise insanely popular]] and [[VideoGameLongRunners long-running video game franchise]] created by Creator/{{Capcom}} in the 1980s. [[MarketBasedTitle Known as "Rockman" in Japan.]]

-->--'''''VideoGame/MegaMan1's'' ending'''.

* ''VideoGame/{{Onimusha}} Blade Warriors'': Zero (in his ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' incarnation) and [=MegaMan.EXE=] are {{Guest Fighter}}s.

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

All of these series have the same basic style of gameplay (Mega Man moves through a level, defeating a boss at the end and gaining a new weapon), but the first three series are more {{Platformer}}s, Legends is a cross between a ThirdPersonShooter and an AdventureGame, Battle Network and Star Force are {{RPG}}s with a very unique combat system, and Online is a TwoAndAHalfD [[SideView side-scrolling]] action RPG. Each game has its own unique merits and flaws. Additionally, Mega Man characters have a tendency to show up in the VideoGame/CapcomVsWhatever titles which tend to be fighting games with some rare exceptions.

There are also a number of [[http://megaman.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Mobile_phone_games mobile device spinoffs]], varying in complexity and quality. None of them have been released outside of Japan and South Korea, not counting the ports of main series games. Many are puzzle games, but the most recently release, ''Rockman GO GO!'', is an EndlessRunningGame featuring the cast of ''Powered Up''.

There have been several TV shows based on the games -- [[WesternAnimation/MegaMan a cartoon]] based on the Classic series, [[WesternAnimation/MegaManFullyCharged another cartoon]] based on the Classic series produced by Creator/ManOfActionStudios, an anime based on Battle Network and dubbed as ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior'', and [[Anime/MegaManUponAStar 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.

Mega Man was also featured as part of the heroic ensemble in ''WesternAnimation/CaptainNTheGameMaster'', although he was presented as having a VerbalTic, saying random words with the prefix "mega-".

The Manga/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.

A [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_JTqVTolBw live-action, no-budget, full-length]] [[Film/MegaMan fan movie]] [[http://www.vimeo.com/11554824 has been released]]. [[http://megaman.ningin.com/2008/11/22/megaman-movie-contest-1/ Reactions]] to the trailer have been promising.

A [[ComicBook/MegaMan comic book series]] by Franchise/ArchieComics was released in spring 2011, which eventually lead to a crossover with the [[ComicBook/ArchieComicsSonictheHedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog comics]] in ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogMegaManWorldsCollide.

* ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'': Tron returns from [=MvC2=], while Zero makes the jump from [=TvC=].

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros for [=Wii U/3DS=]'': Mega Man appears as a GuestFighter, with X, Volnutt, [=MegaMan=], and Star Force Mega Man making cameos.

* ''[[http://blog.naver.com/rmonline Rockman Online]]'' (Korea only when it was online), 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. The team behind it disbanded, and it [[http://www.rockman-corner.com/2013/03/neowiz-confirms-it-rockman-online-is.html was confirmed to be cancelled.]]

* ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'', set 100 years after the "[[WorldSundering Elf Wars]]" which appears to be 100 years after the end of the X series. This stars the EnsembleDarkhorse Zero, now a freedom fighter trying to free the last remaining Reploids against a tyrannic government; (2002)

* PowerCopying: Mega Man has the ability to copy a 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 Classic series, [[WesternAnimation/MegaManFullyCharged a cartoon]] based on the classic series produced by Creator/ManOfActionStudios, an anime based on Battle Network and dubbed as ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior'', and [[Anime/MegaManUponAStar 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.

There have been several TV shows based on the games -- [[WesternAnimation/MegaMan a cartoon based on the originals]], [[WesternAnimation/MegaMan2017 a 2017 cartoon]] produced by Creator/ManOfActionStudios, an anime based on Battle Network and dubbed as ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior'', and [[Anime/MegaManUponAStar 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.

* AstralFinale: Most of the UsefulNotes/GameBoy series have their final levels take place in space (the fifth game does not count due to half the boss roster residing in space levels, and the only game to completely avert the space setting is the third one). As for the main games, ''VideoGame/MegaMan10'' saves its very last stage for this trope, right after the usual four stages of a traditional endgame castle. ''VideoGame/MegaManX8'' uses this for a fight on the moon, ''VideoGame/MegaManZero''4's final level is on a space station, and ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' uses this in its first and third games.

* AlternateCompanyEquivalent: ''[[VideoGame/MagicalDoropie 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}}.

** Classic was supposed to end with ''6'', hence the ending having Mega Man arresting Wily, but ''7'' was released anyway and opened with Wily breaking out of prison. After that ''8'' was the last mainstream Classic game released for years until ''9'' and ''10'' appears to serve as the current finale to Classic.

* ArmCannon: Maybe its most famous ''users''.

* BossRush: Almost every single game, even in the {{RPG}}s. With the exceptions of ''Legends'', ''The Misadventures of Tron Bonne'', and some of the weird side games (for instance, ''Soccer'' and ''The Power Fighters'').
%%* BottomlessPits: Evil disappearing blocks!

** Downplayed. No matter what the outlook at the end of an individual series or game is, almost every installment of the robotics timeline is DarkerAndEdgier than the last. The classic series takes place in a generally peaceful time interrupted by Wily's periodic attacks, but the ''X'' series is constantly on the brink of warfare against either willing or Brainwashed terrorists, and the ''Zero'' series takes place during a Dystopian age. ''ZX'' shows some more hope than these last two, but ''Legends'' takes place AfterTheEnd -- way, ''way'' After the End.

* ExactlyExtyYearsAgo: The games really seem to like the one-century timespan.

* IconicOutfit: A distinctive [[NiceHat blue helmet]] paired with a blue-on-light-blue outfit makes Rock, X, Hub, Volnutt, Vent, Aile, and Geo very recognizable. The red armor, long hair, and sword combination modeled by Zero is almost as famous.

* MissionPackSequel: Closely related to its CapcomSequelStagnation.

* {{Precursors}}: Usually of the [[AbusivePrecursors Abusive]] sort. Amusingly, the fact that the series' timeline branches [[ForWantOfANail split in 200X]] means that both the Classic timeline and the Battle Network timeline should have all the ''same Precursors'' in the background.

* RobotHair: Most reploids from the series (although the eponymous character hides his under his helmet most of the time). ''VideoGame/MegaManZX'' justifies the trope by explicitly saying it was an attempt to "making humans and reploids closer to each other to make better peace":
** Most famously, Zero's long blonde ponytail from ''VideoGame/MegaManX''.
** [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Roll]] sports golden locks neatly tied up with a ribbon, whereas Plum (from ''Rockman Battle & Chase'') has pink hair.
** ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' has Elpizo (blond), Omega (a pinkish/fuchsia ponytail sprouting out from the top of his helmet), and Kraft (dark spiky hair which appears to also form GoNagaiSideburns), among others. Seeing as [[spoiler:Omega's body is a shell[=/=]PowerLimiter for Zero's original body, this means that Omega also shares Zero's infamous RapunzelHair.]]

* SelfImposedChallenge: Several, but a common one is to beat all the bosses (Including in the final levels) using only the Mega Buster. Or without taking any damage.
** This becomes the basis for several in-game acheivements in ''9'' and ''10''.

* TemporaryPlatform: The whole franchise got quite a lot of them.

** The series as a whole uses musical themes in naming the protagonist robots: Rock and Roll, Blues ([[GeniusBonus Rock's predecessor]]), and Bass and Treble (Forte and Gospel in Japan).

* UnstableEquilibrium: In Classic and X series, defeating one Robot Master can make the rest of the game substantially easier if you know the weaknesses of the other Robot Masters.

* VictorGainsLosersPowers: For the most part, classic ''Mega Man'' gameplay involves obtaining a boss' SignatureMove after defeating him in battle. In ''Mega Man Battle Network'' (and ''Star Force'' by extension), the [[PowersAsPrograms Battle Chip and Card]] mechanics allow Mega Man (or his allies) to use a copy of almost any enemy's attack, not just the bosses. In ''Mega Man Zero'', the EX skills mechanic allows the Zero to use the techniques of the bosses if he defeats them [[GameplayGrading with enough style]]; ''Zero 4'' took the concept to its [[HoistByHisOwnPetard logical conclusion]] by introducing the Z-Knuckle weapon, which allowed Zero to use his enemies' weapon by simply ''ripping it out while the Mook is still standing there''.
* VideoGameLives: In every series platformer, including the ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'' {{Gaiden Game}}s, which ignores the main games' rule that [=MegaMan.EXE=] [[GameOver can't die, ever]].

* WhenItRainsItPours: Present throughout the franchise.