History TearJerker / MegaMan

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG2jS3dTWpE normal Game Over scene]] of ''VideoGame/SuperAdventureRockman'' has Roll ''dying'', followed by Mega Man and Dr. Light crying and hugging each other as Dr. Wily takes over the world.

* Comparing Dr. Wily between the standard universe and his alternative in VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork. In the latter, he eventually manages to put his rivalry and envy behind him and goes on to help the world. In the former, he goes completely off his rocker and tries to spell doom for the world for centuries after his death. It'd be sad and pathetic if it didn't cost billions of people their lives. In the Japanese version Wily was unrepentant and died with his hatred at the end of ''6'', which is also sad.

%%* The ending cutscene of ''2'', with Mega Man's helmet in the ending image. It's enhanced by the music.

%%* The ending cutscene of ''2''. It's enhanced by the music.
* ''VideoGame/MegaMan2ThePowerFighters'' has Mega Man's ending, where Wily drives him into questioning his motives and existence by calling him a hypocrite who destroys robots to bring peace. He's in such a state of navel-gazing that this is what lets Wily escape.

-->'''Mega Man''': No! Can I really be the same as Wily? [[VillainHasAPoint It's true, I destroy his robots with no hesitation!]] I could have negotiated with the robots instead of slaying them. Maybe I could have made peace... [[HeroicBSOD am I as violent and evil as the man I oppose? Am I spreading war, instead of stopping it...?]]

* TearJerker/MegaManX
* TearJerker/MegaManLegends
* TearJerker/MegaManZero
* TearJerker/MegaManZX
* TearJerker/MegaManRubySpears
* TearJerker/MegaManArchieComics

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/130509_ttbe_megaman2_featured.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"[[Music/TheMegas How many must fall, before there is peace for all?]]"]]
* The ending cutscene of ''2''. It's enhanced by the music.

!!Ruby-Spears' Mega Man
* The [[WesternAnimation/MegaMan Ruby-Spears cartoon]] had this too. Near the end of "Bro Bots", Mega Man saves Proto Man's life during their fight, despite the latter betraying him and his family after [[HeelFaceMole pretending to be good]]. After a corny line, Proto Man grows serious and asks if he's getting sentimental. Mega responds that he owed Proto for telling him about the scrambler chip he'd placed on him, and now they were even. Then sad music starts playing as Proto Man leaves to rejoin Wily.
** Not only that, but Proto Man punched through a glass window as he made his escape. The shards became embedded in the now-cooling lava, and you saw Mega Man in their reflection. Not moving to stop Proto Man. Just standing there, staring at where his brother left...
--->'''Proto Man:''' Until next time, bro.
--->'''Mega Man:''' ''(bitterly)'' Yeah. Until next time... bro.
* Another was in the episode "Mega-Pinocchio". After believing he was turned into a human, Mega Man failed to stop Gutsman and Cutman, taking the blame for letting them get away. It was really Wily toying with his mind that made him hesitate, but Mega was unaware of this. He ended up talking to Dr. Light about it, which resulted in the following lines.
--->'''Light:''' Don't be upset, Mega. Failure is a human quality. But we humans learn from our mistakes.
--->'''Mega Man:''' ...am I one of your mistakes?
* After playing ''Mega Man 10'', the scene in "Robosaur Park" with Mega and Roll arguing over who should take the antidote becomes a lot sadder. In both scenarios, Roll gives the same reason that Mega Man should take it. She couldn't stop Wily. He could.

!! The Fan Film
* [[spoiler:Wily's apology. He sounds ''sincere''.]]
** [[spoiler:Of course, his following ''fifteen'' attempts to take over the world cast doubt onto his honesty]].
* How about [[spoiler:Fire Man's death?]]
--->''Don't you want... a peaceful world?''
* [[spoiler:Wily's tormenting of Roll]].

!! Archie Comics' Mega Man
* Issue 28 of the comic. Roll takes a Charged Shot fired by Break Man meant for the more armored Mega Man. The reactions of Rock, Cut Man, Guts Man, and Bomb Man are bad enough... [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone but you actually see through Blues' helmet and see him looking on in horror.]] [[spoiler:A fan theory is that he remembers the moment in ''Worlds Collide'' when Roll repaired and healed him.]]
* In issue #35 of the comic, Break Man goes to talk to Tempo about the meaning of "family" and dealing with the whole DeathOfPersonality that occurs when a Robot Master's personality core has to be repaired/replaced. The whole scene is emotional due to the subject matter and the full disclosure of just how ''different'' Tempo is after her emotions were restored. What takes the cake, however, is when asked if he simply cannot bring himself to forgive Dr. Light over a what-if, Break Man finally snaps and screams "'''HE ''REPLACED'' ME!'''" at her as he [[YoureNotMyFather smashes a nearby picture of his creator]] -- enhanced by how [[NotSoStoic his eyes]] [[http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/0/04/BreakFeelings.png/revision/latest?cb=20140329031705 can very briefly be seen through his visor.]] Oh, Blues...
** Tempo and her creator Dr. [=LaLinde's=] heart to heart after Blues storms off seriously tugs at your heart.
* Another one comes in the confrontation with Needle Man. After Mega Man breaks sequence a bit by copying Needle Cannon before beating the Master and tries to use it on him, Needle Man is not just angry, but ''mortified'' that he'd do that. When Rock insists that he doesn't want to hurt him or his brothers and asks why he doesn't just give up, we get the heartrending response -- he simply ''can't''. Needle Man deduces that Mega Man's vague programming of "help people" allows him to be more than what he was intended, while the 3 Masters have one very specific goal they don't have the leisure of defying without Copy Robot like the first generation of Masters did. Something Needle Man in particular very clearly doesn't like --
-->'''Needle Man:''' '''''NO!''''' You were built to "help people". You get a nice fuzzy definition to work within. ''We'' weren't given that! ''"Fight Mega Man! Destroy Mega Man!"''... '''IT'S ALL WE'RE ''GOOD FOR!'''''
** [[https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/977/372/0dd.jpg After finally incapacitating the Robot Master,]] the fight ends with a black-on-red silhouette of Mega Man solemnly putting a Gemini Laser right between Needle Man's eyes. ''[[Music/TheMegas At his request.]]''
-->'''Needle Man''': I freaked out over the needles... so of course, you use the piercing laser.
-->'''Mega Man''': [[ApologeticAttacker I'm sorry.]] This isn't what I wanted.
-->'''Needle Man:''' It's ''never'' about what we ''want''. We're just tools, kid. So do your job. [[MercyKill Take the shot.]]
* The scene in Issue 44 where [[spoiler:Spark Man -- the last surviving Robot Master of the ''[=MM3=]'' line in this continuity -- [[http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/9/9a/HANDS.png/revision/latest?cb=20141229165504 breaks down in tears]] over his fallen brothers]] is just downright heartwrenching. Even worse is how it leads to the vengeful Spark Man confronting Mega Man over [[spoiler:him defeating them]] -- by this point, he's reduced to [[VillainousBreakdown screaming at him hysterically and attacking in a blind rage,]] even threatening to ''[[OffingTheOffspring murder Roll as well as Rock]]'' out of sheer grief-induced madness, on the basis that if ''he'' must be alone, [[RevengeByProxy then so will Doctor Light.]]
-->'''Spark Man:''' You think that excuses anything?! I'm already losing eight of my brothers to [[VideoGame/MegaMan3 the plan.]] That can't be helped -- we were built to serve! But the others -- ''my'' line of Robot Masters... '''THAT'S ALL ON YOU!'''
** And then when Mega Man does put him down, Spark Man [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone tearfully apologises]] and assures his opponent that he never would have hurt Roll, stating that ''"no one should ever have to lose their siblings"''. And although Mega Man had every reason to still be angry with him, [[Heartwarming/MegaMan he stays with and comforts Spark Man as he dies]].
* [[http://www.bumbleking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=7767&p=421509#p421416 If not for the crossover with Sonic]], Archie would have canceled the Mega Man comic due to low sales.
* When Mega Man mentions that [[spoiler:Wily was killed by falling debris after the fight with Gamma]], Light looks absolutely ''devastated''. Even after Wily attempted to conquer the world at least four times, tried to kill both his remaining children after already taking one of them, and even [[spoiler:destroyed his home and laboratory purely out of spite]], Light was still [[AlasPoorVillain deeply saddened]] by [[spoiler:Wily's apparent death]]. It's obvious that before all of this, they were not only coworkers, but great friends...
** Similarly, Doctor Light's [[BrokenTears breakdown]] upon Mega Man returning home and finding out that Wily had betrayed Light and taken Gamma after threatening to murder Roll;
-->'''Mega Man''': (''embraces Roll'') It'll be okay, as long as you two are fine.
-->'''Dr Light''': ...I am not ''fine''. I am a ''fool''. A naïve, ''gullible... '''[[SuddenlyShouting FOOL!]]'''''
-->'''Mega Man''': D-Dad?
-->'''Dr Light''': [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone I just handed the most powerful piece of machinery in the world to a madman completely devoid of any scruples]]. (''bursts into tears'') But what else could I do? [[PapaWolf I couldn't let him hurt my children!]] I already lost ''[[FlawedPrototype one]]'' to him, I can't lose any more! No! I'll just lose my Robot Masters! And Gamma! And my designs! And my hopes and dreams! '''AND THE WORLD CAN PAY THE PRICE!''' (''{{beat}}'') ...[[EvilFormerFriend he was my friend]]. I trusted him. Because there is good in everyone. Isn't there? ''[[DespairEventHorizon Am I that deluded..?]]''
* Surprisingly, the [[ThatOneBoss Doc Robot]]. Like in the games, it can use all eight weapons from the ''Mega Man 2'' Robot Masters. However, instead of fighting eight Doc Robots with a weapon each, Mega Man fights just one. With ''all eight personalities of the 2 Masters.'' They're clearly angry with Mega Man about being left in this state and want to kill him, but the more they're forced to co-operate and fail as a result of clashing morals and fighting over who gets the honor of doing what, the worse their mental states get. It gets to the point where they nearly fry themselves out of frustration and sheer agony, and the fight ends with Mega Man yet again solemnly performing a MercyKill as they accept their defeat.
-->'''Doc Robot:''' (''glitching through its multiple personalities'') Please. Mercy. Please. Rebuild. Stop. IDIOT! Wily.
* After Mega Man saves them, [[spoiler:half of the Wily Robot Masters-- Quick Man, Crash Man, Metal Man, Heat Man, Needle Man, Magnet Man, Gemini Man, and Top Man-- would not be content with a new life, and resent the idea of losing their free will via reprogramming. So, by law, [[DyingAsYourself they are decommissioned]]. Rock and Roll are both in tears at this, and Dr. Light tells them of the harshest lesson: ''"we can't always save everybody, and not everybody wants to be saved."'']]
* Rock's reaction to Concrete Man and Guts Man casually talking about their inevitable decommissioning is absolutely heartbreaking. Guts Man's attempts to reassure him by telling Rock that he's Doctor Light's son (and is thus liable to remain active for as long as the good doctor lives), only worsens the situation.
--> '''Guts Man:''' (''putting a hand on Rock's shoulder'') You don't have to worry about it, tho'. You're Doctor Light's ''son''. That function lasts as long as he does, and then you become his legacy.
--> '''Rock:''' (''knocking Guts's hand away'') I'm not worried about '''''me!''''' I'm worried for '''''you''''' and '''''all''''' the Robot Masters! '''''Every''''' life is precious!
--> '''Guts Man:''' We ain't alive, tho'. We're just "life-like".
--> '''Rock:''' (''on the verge of tears'') That doesn't matter to me! I '''''HATED''''' fighting and damaging you!
* Issue 54 proves Blues just cannot catch a break. First, Wily [[spoiler:blackmails Blues into kidnapping poor little Kalinka. Then, a visit to Lalinde reveals that Wily was lying all along. Blues' core is fine.]]
** Kalinka's situation as well. [[spoiler:The little girl is kidnapped by a complete stranger at a playground, and is last seen all on her own, huddled up in a dark room so that Wily can ruin her father's reputation.]]
* Issue #55:
** Dr. Light sees [[spoiler: the entire timeline of the main Franchise/MegaMan continuity and laments that his contributions will lead to nothing but constant war, with future generation paying for his mistakes. He brushes this aside, believing that such things are inevitable and that there's nothing to fear as long as there people like Rock are around. The irony is that it ''is'' his fault, but not only because of what he built. As the backstories for ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' were fleshed out, it's revealed that many of the problems of those series are the result of ''Dr. Wily's'' inventions being misused. If Dr. Light hadn't stood up for Wily after the Ra-Moon incident, that would've been it. Wily would've been imprisoned, with no secret Robot Masters to bail him out. No Bass, no Roboenza, no Zero. Even Xander Payne, who would eventually imprison and bankroll Wily as Mr. X following the events of VideoGame/MegaMan3 might've let him rot. Dr. Light doomed the world, not because of his genius, but because of his compassion.]]
** Though, to be fair, [[spoiler: he isn't entirely wrong. Even if Wily going to jail would have been the end of it, there's no guarantee that the events that followed wouldn't have happened anyway, as Wily could have possibly made more contingency plans in the events of his capture. Or not to mention, that it's possible that some people might be inspired by Wily to their own hand at world domination. And it's entirely possible that problems that occur in the X and Zero series would have occurred anyway but just from a different source. So in the end, even if Light didn't stick up for Wily, the world was doomed the moment Wily showed how even the most peaceful of technology can be misused.]]
** The Short Circuit of in which Mega Man characters from virtually all media (including the Ruby-Spears cartoon, Mega Man from ''WesternAnimation/CaptainNTheGameMaster'' and the bad box designs from ''Street Fighter x Tekken'', European version, 9 and 10) and games (save ''Battle Network'') join in on giving the comic a send off via singing Vera Lynn's ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHcunREYzNY We'll Meet Again]]''. It's very sweet as it is silly.

* A very common fan theory for what happened to the Classic cast before the X series, popularized by the webcomic ''Webcomic/BobAndGeorge'', was that Wily activated Zero, who killed him and everyone else before finally being stopped, usually by Mega Man. Many fanfics have taken this idea and ran with it, as has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWDNn8-0AZ4 this fan animation]].

* Try reading this [[http://www.dorkly.com/comic/50322/ol-rush Dorkly comic]]. Really sad for Mega Man and worse if you've played ''6''.

** Similarly, Doctor Light's [[BrokenTears breakdown]] upon Mega Man returning home and finding out that Wily had betrayed Light and taken Gamma after threatening to murder Roll--
-->[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone I just handed the most powerful piece of machinery in the world to a madman completely devoid of any scruples]]. But what else could I do? [[PapaWolf I couldn't let him hurt my children!]] I already lost ''[[FlawedPrototype one]]'' to him, I can't lose any more! No! I'll just lose my Robot Masters! And Gamma! And my designs! And my hopes and dreams! '''AND THE WORLD CAN PAY THE PRICE!''' (''beat'') ...[[EvilFormerFriend he was my friend]]. I trusted him. Because there is good in everyone. Isn't there? ''[[DespairEventHorizon Am I that deluded..?]]''

* The scene in Issue 44 where [[spoiler:Spark Man -- the last surviving Robot Master of the ''[=MM3=]'' line in this continuity -- [[http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/9/9a/HANDS.png/revision/latest?cb=20141229165504 breaks down in tears]] over his fallen brothers]] is just downright heartwrenching. Even worse is how it leads to the vengeful Spark Man confronting Mega Man over [[spoiler:him defeating them]] -- by this point, he's reduced to [[VillainousBreakdown screaming at him hysterically and attacking in a blind rage,]] even threatening to ''[[SiblingMurder murder Roll as well as Rock]]'' out of sheer grief-induced madness, on the basis that if ''he'' must be alone, [[RevengeByProxy then so will Doctor Light.]]

-->'''Needle Man:''' You were built to "help people". You get a nice fuzzy definition to work within. ''We'' weren't given that! ''"Fight Mega Man! Destroy Mega Man!"''... '''IT'S ALL WE'RE ''GOOD FOR!'''''

-->'''Mega Man''': [[ApologeticAttacker I'm sorry]] -- this isn't what I wanted.

* The scene in Issue 44 where [[spoiler:Spark Man -- the last surviving Robot Master of the ''[=MM3=]'' line in this continuity -- [[http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/9/9a/HANDS.png/revision/latest?cb=20141229165504 breaks down in tears]] over his fallen brothers]] is just downright heartwrenching. Even worse is how it leads to the vengeful Spark Man confronting Mega Man over [[spoiler:him destroying them]] -- by this point, he's reduced to [[VillainousBreakdown screaming at him hysterically and attacking in a blind rage,]] even threatening to ''murder Rock's family'' out of sheer grief-induced madness.

** And then when Mega Man does put him down, Spark Man [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone tearfully apologises]] and assures his opponent that he never would have hurt Roll or Dr. Light, stating that ''"no one should ever have to lose their siblings"''. And although Mega Man had every reason to still be angry with him, [[Heartwarming/MegaMan he stays with and comforts Spark Man as he dies]].

** After finally incapacitating the Robot Master, the fight ends with a black-on-red silhouette of Mega Man solemnly putting a Gemini Laser right between Needle Man's eyes. ''[[Music/TheMegas At his request.]]''

* The scene in Issue 44 where [[spoiler:Spark Man -- the last surviving Robot Master of the ''[=MM3=]'' line in this continuity -- [[http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/9/9a/HANDS.png/revision/latest?cb=20141229165504 breaks down in tears]] over his fallen brothers]] is just downright heartwrenching. Even worse is how it leads to a vengeful Spark Man confronting Mega Man over [[spoiler:him destroying them]] -- by this point, he's reduced to [[VillainousBreakdown screaming at him hysterically and attacking in a blind rage,]] even threatening to ''murder Rock's family'' out of sheer grief-induced madness.

** After finally incapacitating the Robot Master, the fight ends with Mega Man solemnly putting a Gemini Laser right between Needle Man's eyes. ''[[Music/TheMegas At his request.]]''

* The scene in Issue 44 where [[spoiler:Spark Man -- the last surviving Robot Master of the ''[=MM3=]'' line in this continuity -- [[http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/9/9a/HANDS.png/revision/latest?cb=20141229165504 breaks down in tears]] over his fallen brothers]] is just downright heartwrenching. Even worse is how it leads into Spark Man confronting Mega Man over [[spoiler:him destroying them]] -- by this point, he's reduced to screaming at him hysterically and attacking in a blind rage, even threatening to ''murder his family'' out of sheer grief-induced madness.

* Given what happens in the series that follow, Dr. Light's wish for everlasting peace, building Megaman and X, etc., turns out very tragic.

* Almost since day one, the franchise has been exploring things like violence and war in rather dark, adult ways. Classic Megaman has been led to question his motives at least twice, and even once attempted to outright murder Dr. Wily in cold blood as a result. Then there's the X series, where the ending of the first game gives a grim outlook for peace in the future and later titles see X and Zero forced to turn on each other. Of course, the reploids fought in the X series are mostly innocent, but once infected by the Maverick virus, there's simply no way to stop their destructive rampage than to kill them.

* ''VideoGame/MegaMan2ThePowerFighters'' hasMega Man's ending, where Wily drives him into questioning his motives and existence by calling him a hypocrite who destroys robots to bring peace. He's in such a state of navel-gazing that this is what lets Wily escape.

-->'''Mega Man''': No! Can I really be the same as Wily? [[JerkassHasAPoint It's true, I destroy his robots with no hesitation!]] I could have negotiated with the robots instead of slaying them. Maybe I could have made peace... [[HeroicBSOD am I as violent and evil as the man I oppose? Am I spreading war, instead of stopping it...?]]

* In ''VideoGame/MegaMan11'' Dr. Light tells Mega how his disapproval about Dr. Wily's Double Gear system back in their university days led to his former friend's StartOfDarkness. The death and destruction of the X, Zero, and ZX games, finally culminating in [[spoiler:humanity's extinction by the time of the Legends series]], started from a simple disagreement. Light laments that if he had tried to work with Wily instead of just telling him he was wrong, it might not have happened. Making it sadder is that [[spoiler: Wily originally developed the Double Gear so that "any robot could become a hero," even though he still saw robots as tools]]. Worse than that is the ending, where [[spoiler:Dr. Light attempts to make Wily reconsider and offers to collaborate with him, but Wily refuses and vows to have the world kneeling at his feet. What makes it worse is that at no point in his offer does Dr. Light apologize for his past actions or admit that he kept Wily's original prototype out of respect. Wily seems to consider Light's offer, but with those omissions it's not hard to see Wily interpreting the offer as working ''for'' Light, not ''with'' him. Then again, if Light admitted to keeping the prototype, Wily could interpreted it as Light trying to steal and bury his work. There's really no hope of these two reconciling.]]

* In ''VideoGame/MegaMan11'' Dr. Light tells Mega how his disapproval about Dr. Wily's Double Gear system back in their university days led to his former friend's StartOfDarkness. The death and destruction of the X, Zero, and ZX games, finally culminating in [[spoiler:humanity's extinction by the time of the Legends series]], started from a simple disagreement. Light laments that if he had tried to work with Wily instead of just telling him he was wrong, it might not have happened. Making it sadder is that [[spoiler: Wily originally developed the Double Gear so that "any robot could become a hero," even though he still saw robots as tools]]. Worse than that is the ending, where [[spoiler:Dr. Light attempts to make Wily reconsider and offers to collaborate with him, but Wily refuses and vows to have the world kneeling at his feet]].

* ''9'' can get to you if you think about it. Just imagine living your life knowing that you're forcibly going to be killed on a certain date ''and'' replaced by a newer model. What makes it worse is that the Robot Masters are ''still active'' when Wily finds them in the scrap heap. Which makes one wonder if one day the government will get rid of Mega Man...
** Robot expiration times are likely set by their private owners, if the robot has one. Seeing as Megaman and co. are Dr. Light's creations/children, they probably won't be scrapped.

* In ''VideoGame/MegaMan11'' Dr. Light tells Mega how his disapproval about Dr. Wily's [[spoiler:Double Gear system back in their university days]] led to his former friend's StartOfDarkness. The death and destruction of the X, Zero, and ZX games, finally culminating in [[spoiler:humanity's extinction by the time of the Legends series, started from a simple disagreement. Even worse is that Dr. Wily originally developed the Double Gear so that "any robot could become a hero," even though he still saw robots as tools.]] Worse than that is the ending, where [[spoiler:Dr. Light attempts to make Wily reconsider and offers to collaborate with him, but Wily refuses and vows to have the world kneeling at his feet]].

* In ''VideoGame/MegaMan11'' Dr. Light tells Mega how his disapproval about Dr. Wily's [[spoiler:Double Gear system back in their university days]] is his former friend's StartOfDarkness. The death and destruction of the X, Zero, and ZX games, finally culminating in [[spoiler:humanity's extinction by the time of the Legends series, started from a simple disagreement. Even worse is that Dr. Wily developed the Double Gear so that "any robot could become a hero."]]

* A very common fan theory for what happened to the Classic cast before the X series, popularized by the webcomic ''WebcomicBobAndGeorge'', was that Wily activated Zero, who killed him and everyone else before finally being stopped, usually by Mega Man. Many fanfics have taken this idea and ran with it, as has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWDNn8-0AZ4 this fan animation]].

!VideoGame/MegaManClassic

* ''VideoGame/MegaMan2ThePowerFighters'' has Mega Man's ending, where Wily drives him into questioning his motives and existence by calling him a hypocrite who destroys robots to bring peace. He's in such a state of navel-gazing that this is what lets Wily escape.

!VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork

!VideoGame/MegaManStarForce

! Miscellaneous