Awesome Music / Mega Man (Classic)

Mega Man

• Cut Man (Complete Works version). Great vibe to kick off what would be most players' first level of this game, and for some, the series. It's very catchy and will certainly get your blood pumping.
• Elec Man (Complete Works version). It's often compared to R.E.M.'s "All The Right Friends" and/or Journey's "Faithfully", but it's still its own unique melody, and quite relaxing.
• Bomb Man is one of the most underrated tracks in the series. For those who start with this level, it also sets an appropriate tone that's laid back and upbeat, but also serious and adventurous, as if to usher you in to a great adventure and make you feel courageous despite the uncertain and unknown fears laying past the horizon.
• Ice Man, and Megalomania's remix of Ice Man. Very funky with an atmospheric vibe to take the sting out of a grueling level.
• Fire Man - Arranged, but the original is also simple, fast-paced, and to the point in a great way.
• Wily Stage 1, A dark, somber (and, quite frankly, underrated) song perfectly fitting such Nintendo Hard levels and their cruel master. Made even more awesome with the version from Mega Man Powered Up.
• Most of the Mega Man Powered Up remixes. The Fire Man remix is full of synth and sounds more upbeat than the original, while the Elec Man remix is more calm and subdued.
• Powered Up's rendition of Wily Stage 2, a delightfully ominous prelude to the final battle...
• You want a great remastering? Check out Mega Man 1's 8BitStereo.
• The Wily Boss theme, a frantic and chaotic fight theme. And the remastered version for Shadow Devil in Mega Man X5.

Mega Man 2

• The intro starts it off quite nicely, and will probably be the one most people recognize as the 'Mega Man Theme' (aside from MM3's intro or Wily Stage 1 below).
• Megalomania's remixes of Quick Man, Flash Man, and Wood Man are pretty amazing. Also Breis' remix of Metal Man.
• One of the best Mega Man songs, and the one most likely to be recognized, is Wily's Castle Stage 1/2, from Mega Man 2. It's so good and so fondly remembered that people have turned it into an actual song called "Omoide wa Okkusenman" with different versions, like in violin form and a cappella.
  • Or perhaps the "Minibosses" awesome rock version, a medley of many of the game's best tracks. (Wily theme 1/2 is about seven minutes in.)
  • And while the song is quite awesome by itself, there are certain people who could raise its awesomeness Serial Escalation And guess what - it happened!
    • They even performed it live, too!
    • One crazy guy mixed this with Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann video, and it results in this.
    • The maker was inspired by this video, which may cause you to cry tears of MANLINESS!
  • Indie metal band Armory'also included an awesome metal remix as a bonus track on their Dawn of Enlightenment CD.
  • And if you enjoyed all of those, why not the rock arrangement from the 20th anniversary album?
  • The techno arrangement from the same album is also kickass.
  • Gotta run gotta run now...
  • I want to be the one who fights for justice / I want to be the one / I've got to be the one! I want to be the one who fights against you / Doctor Wily!
  • Although I like your moustache.
  • And it got an awesome remix for Power Battles and the Anniversary Edition.
• Crash Man's theme is strangely catchy and bouncy for an explosives expert. Here's the Complete Works version and Hyadain's version.
• Boss Battle (Complete Works version) was another memorable theme.
• Stage Select, especially the tropical-themed Complete Works variant.
• Don't try to deny imagining the laser sounds when you listen to Quick Man's stage.
• Metal Man's stage music is so good it actually causes his weapon to be the most powerful one in the game.
• Flash Man's stage may wrap around quickly, but it's still intensely groovy stuff that takes the sting out of the game's obligatory Slippy-Slidey Ice World.
• Bubble Man's stage, and the Complete Works version. Strangely relaxing, and well suited to the underwater sections of the level.
• Air Man's stage. Jazzy and chill, but with a sense of danger that goes together with the level's need for careful jumps and caution over may Bottomless Pits like salt and pepper. Even better if you can beat him.
• The somber Ending theme truly makes you feel like you have just saved the world and that your arduous journey is finally over.

Mega Man 3

• The ever so loved TITLE THEME is the most magnificent intro music in the entire series. (Complete Works version)
  • Megalomanias' remix of The title theme is one of the best remixes from the classic Mega Man series.
  • Also noteworthy is Year 200X's take on the theme.
  • One worthy mention to this piano rendition. It sounded so great on piano while still capturing the original in-game tune.
  • And this one is a good version too.
• Magnet Man. Futuristic, and one of the most wonderfully upbeat songs in the series.
• Snake Man gets a reverb-heavy and slightly exotic-sounding theme that beautifully complements the reptile scale décor of his stage.
• Spark Man's theme will definitely heighten your senses. It's even remixed for the fourth Super Smash Bros. game!
• Gemini Man gets a funky, almost laid back theme that lulls you into a false sense of security with a spacey, hypnotic, and sinister vibe that all flows very smoothly to the rhythm of destroying alien eggs in caves.
• Shadow Man's theme starts with a catchy bassline and just gets better from there.
  • Here's The Wily Wars version.
  • Battle Network remix.
  • Power Fighters counterpart.
• Needle Man gets a dark, atmospheric tune that is absolutely perfect for the nighttime Rush Jet flight in the Doc Robot version of the level.
• Sure the weapon is worthless, and sure the boss is pathetic, but Top Man's theme is still fist-pumping with a completely unique vibe of its own that still feels like signature Mega Man. Then there's the Wily Wars version of Top Man's theme, which is one of the few themes in Wily Wars that many consider to be actually better than the NES original theme.
• Wily Stages 1 and 2 may not be as iconic as its counterpart from the previous game, but it still has a sense of urgency appropriate for the beginning of the game's last - and most difficult - section. The song's emotional feel is also very fitting since these stages occur soon after we learn of Wily's betrayal.
• Dr. Wily Stages 3 and 4 (Complete Works Version) dials up the urgency as Mega Man heads deeper into Wily's fortress toward the rematches against the eight Robot Masters.
• And, rounding out the trio, Wily Stages 5 and 6, a perfect mix of creepiness and impending doom.
• The entire song may not play in-game, but the Wily Stage intro theme for this game is delightfully spooky.
• The music for when you get a new weapon is made of awesome. MM3 just says, "I have a new power, and I'm coming to kick ass!"
  • The original weapon get theme is more awesome than not just any of its remixes, but any other weapon get theme in the entire series. In fact, said theme was so awesome, it was brought back as the US opening theme for X5 (it kicks in at 0:15).
  • Can you make an already awesome track sound more awesome? This remix speaks for itself.
• Stage Select (Complete Works version). For not being included in the techno remix of the 20th Anniversary Rockman - Techno Arrange version, we have this. Don't mind the description.
• Boss Battle (Complete Works version) made the pain of fighting Doc Robot all the worthwhile. Even more so for the Yellow Devil Mk. II and the Wily Castle stage boss theme.
• Proto Man's theme, Whistle Concert.
  • This. It'll make you cry Manly Tears.
  • And if that didn't, this will.

Mega Man 4

• Megalomanias' Pharaoh Man. Also KHARAMIX's Remixed Pharaoh Man.
• Cossack's 2nd theme is hands down the best fortress theme in the classic series EVER. (Complete Works version here. Remix here.) It really made you feel like you were scaling the highest parts of Cossack's fortress amidst a gathering storm.
• The game's final stage theme is even more epic.
• Mega Man 4's final boss theme is a constantly looped 11-second track of music. And it's still awesome!
• Ring Man (Complete Works version). Might feel mean-spirited for an annoying level, but still a bop.
• Bright Man. The Complete Works version is full of bass-y guitar goodness.
• Pharaoh Man (Complete Works version), an atmospheric, Egyptian-tinged theme backed by a relentless snare line.
• Cossack Stage 1 is a criminally underrated theme that fits the first Cossack stage incredibly well.
• Dive Man feels just right for a level filled with jumping in and out of the water.
• Skull Man, a cheerful track featuring some of the best-sounding 8-bit drums on the NES.
• Drill Man. So awesome, that it was featured in the Rockman Online trailer. (the music starts kicking at 0:53)
• Toad Man himself may have been hilariously weak, but his music isn't... especially that bassline.

Mega Man 5

• The Complete Works set is pretty good, but U-GEN's remixes of Charge Man and the Wily Stages take the cake.
• Napalm Man's theme is oddly very uplifting for a level set in 'Nam. Here's the (NES cut, Game Boy cut, and Complete Works version). And did you ever imagine Napalm Man, a living arsenal on foot (well, treads), getting a jazz treatment? With Lyrics?
• Gravity Man's theme (NES mix, Complete Works remix). It's got such a mysterious vibe, and it gets even better with the strange key changes to represent the Gravity Screw.
• Gyro Man's theme (NES version, Complete Works remix) suits the Level in the Clouds theme of the stage blissfully.
• Crystal Man's theme (NES version, Game Boy version, Complete Works version) complements the shimmering rock formations of the level beautifully with its minimalist scoring and its harmonic modulations.
• Star Man's theme (NES version, Complete Works remix). The tune's heavy echo and offbeat, dissonant harmonies are very well suited for an outer space level.
• Stone Man's theme (Complete Works version) stands out for some rather clever chord progressions.
• Proto Man's stage theme (NES version, Complete Works remix).
  • As the description puts it, "The people that made this really, really like Darkman's theme."
  • Rockman Holic delivers.
• Wily's stage theme (NES version, Complete Works remix), composed by Yoko Shimomura.
• The main boss theme (NES cut, Game Boy cut). The opening riff of the Complete Works mix is essentially INCOMING AWESOME!
• Of all the arranged music made or recycled for the Complete Works series, this one is the only original composition. And it is GOOD.
• The "Get A Weapon" music, very awesome even though it's a rather simple bass jingle.
• The Final Boss theme features some kick-ass echoes. Plus it has a certain attitude, very much giving it the flavor of a Villain Song.

Mega Man 6

• The Stage Select Theme. (Complete Works version). If that doesn't get someone pumped for fighting Robot Masters, what will?
• U-GEN's remix of Blizzard Man. Also, there's a number of interesting remixes which have themed instruments based on where the Robot Masters actually came from—here's the link for Tomahawk Man, you can follow the links to the others.
• Plant Man. (Complete Works version) Amazing bassline and catchy vibe great for exploring the jungle.
• Yamato Man (Complete Works version) has a mysterious Asian-influenced theme, perfect for exploring his castle.
• Tomahawk Man. Mega Man does Western, and it perfectly captures the spirit of the stage. Complete Works version and Remix from the 20th Anniversary Rock Arrange CD here.
• Knight Man's stage. Heroic and regal, perfectly complementing Knight Man's hi-tech Medieval castle. It's been said it'd be right at home in Shovel Knight as well. Complete Works version here.
• Wind Man (Complete Works version). Uplifting and borderline euphoric with not a care in the world.
• Flame Man (Complete Works version). A little more somber, but contrasts with the flaming pits of instant death everywhere nicely.
• The theme for the Mr. X Stage (cough) Wily! (cough) (Complete Works version) was oddly soothing.
• Mega Man 6: Final Battle, because it does sound like it is the final battle, glad it wasn't though. Here's the Complete Works version for good measure.

Mega Man 7

• The theme of Opening Stage (and its Mad Grinder remix from The Power Fighters) is fitting for a city in ruins being sieged by a big robot, and a robot saving the city.
• Bass's theme. Here ya go. And here's the technofied remix from 8 for good measure.
• Burst Man's stage theme really sets the atmosphere of an aquatic chemical lab, with a dance rhythm that matches the medical science lab theme and the water rising up and down on the final stretch.
• An example that most players will probably miss, The Robot Museum. The stage is practically nonexistent, but it's a great medley of Snake Man, Guts Man, and Heat Man's themes.
• Shade Man. As well the alternate song for that stage, coming out of Ghosts 'n Goblins.
• Behold—Breis' remix of Shade Man, PAY HOMAGE!
• Wily Stage 1, one of the best Wily stages in the series, with its melancholy harmonies. Not only does it work for Castle themes, but also shows the rage of being betrayed by Bass and having enough of Wily's attempts.
• Wily Capsule and the rest of the fortress boss theme. It's an amazing them that's guaranteed to make you frantic and get your adrenaline pumped.

Mega Man 8

• Duo's theme, sounding like a mixture of a victory fanfare and a Mecha battle. And Duo Appears, a cutscene variant.
• Intro Stage. It's tranquil and melodic, befitting of the backdrop.
• Tengu Man, which goes from relaxed on the PSX to a fast-packed, driving track with a mindblowingly catchy trumpet hook on the Sega Saturn.
• Frost Man. The high notes and the trumpet bring up the image of walking in a cold city.
• Grenade Man. Who knew that gospel went hand-in-hand with a psychotic, trigger-happy Blood Knight?
• Astro Man. Considering that the entire stage is one big acid trip, it works.
• The title theme was riveting, to say the least.
• The track that plays during the fight between Mega Man and Bass in the intro. Should have been used for a boss battle or something...
• Wily Stage 1. It just kicks ass. Too bad the stage and boss are jerks.
• Wily Stage 2 is very refreshing after the infamous Wily Stage 1. Very suitable for the Rush Jet sequence on the last half of the stage.
• Wily Stage 3 has a nice contrast to the Stage 2 theme, with a Haunted Castle feel to it. It's a fitting for Dr. Wily's Mad Scientist profile.
• The Wily Machine 8 Theme: The Sony PSX and Sega Saturn renditions have subtle differences but both nicely emphasize Dr. Wily's madness, summing up the character in these chilling soundtracks. Good candidates for Wily's Leitmotif.
• From the ending, we have Reminiscene, Proto Man's theme, and the credits reel, all in rapid succession.
• The American intro theme surprisingly fits the intro like a glove.
  • Electrical Communication, the J-Pop song used in the Japanese version! J-Pop + Mega Man = Heck yes, another way to get you pumped up for the action to come.
  • The Japanese ending, Brand New Way. Don'tcha feel satisfied after beating the game listening to this? No, seriously, this wouldn't feel out of place as an ending theme for an anime!
  • In fact, these two epic pieces were reused for Super Adventure Rockman.
• Handsome Guy, er, Aqua Man's stage.

Mega Man 9

• Mega Man 9 brings brand new 8-bit beats to a not-so-8-bit world:
  • Splash Blue, from Splash Woman's stage. Suitably aquatic-sounding and easy-going for the game's underwater level.
  • Galaxy Fantasy, from Galaxy Man's stage. One of the most frantic-sounding stage themes, and the ascending figure just before it loops around is a delight.
  • Concrete Jungle, from Concrete Man's stage. The percussion solo at the beginning really helps to hook you on the song before transitioning into a somber, yet fast-paced tune that manages to mix both an industrial and natural feel for a stage set in a dam in the forest.
  • Thunder Tornado, from Tornado Man's stage. It's the song they used for the trailer for good reason.
  • Jewel Temptation, from Jewel Man's stage. It just oozes a sense of fabulousness, especially at the beginning of the song, making it very fitting for a Robot Master like Jewel Man.
  • Hornet Dance, from Hornet Man's stage. A melodic, incredibly moving piece for the trek through the gardens in Hornet Man's Stage.
  • Plug Electric, from Plug Man's stage. True to the name, it's got a very mechanical, Techno-style feel to it, making it a perfect fit for the game's electric style stage.
  • Magma Burning, from Magma Man's stage. It's definitely a fire robot theme, with a somewhat dramatic air to it.
• The Dr. Wily levels collectively have some of the best Wily music in the series:
  • Flash in the Dark, from the first stage. Some have even referred to it as the modern-day successor to "Wily's Castle 1/2"!
  • We're the Robots, from the second stage, has a real drive to it that keeps you powering through one of the longest levels in the game.
  • Strange World, from the third stage, features a fragmented-sounding melody that complements the ever increasing stakes of this level - complete with two vertical autoscrollers - very well indeed.
  • Castle of Evil, from the fourth and final stage. The music keeps looping itself perfectly and it sounds appropriately "chaotic", just like you expect when you're near the end.

Mega Man 10

• The AST for Against the Pressure. The E-Tank set is probably the best set of remixes for the other soundtracks though, here's Nitro Man and Solar Man.
• The music from the trailer, which ended up being Nitro Man's stage theme.
  • The Image version is also pretty good.
  • Shooting Staaaaar!
• King of Blades, Blade Man's stage theme. It might not seem all that great to some people, as it feels like an 8-bit theme based upon a much higher-resolution soundtrack, but arrangements seem to fix this problem nicely. Teckwork's XG-MIDI Composition and Valiant Clash by E-Tank really bring this song to life.
• Desert Commando, a somber tune with a bit of a Middle-Eastern vibe to it. The AST remix ramps up the Middle-Eastern feel, and combines it with some beautiful guitar riffs.
• Solar Inferno, Solar Man's stage theme, is a contender for the heaviest piece in the classic series, almost like a track from the X series in 8-bit form.
• Against The Pressure, from the second Wily stage. It starts with one of the most wicked sounding intros in Mega Man music's history, before transitioning to a very heroic and determined track, giving a sense that you're here to put a stop to a truly villainous plot.
• Deep In Space, the final Wily stage, is an otherworldly sounding tune that remixes the game's opening song, Future World. A great way to build up to the final showdown with Wily.
• Sheep Man has an otherworldly air to it that further emphasises the reference to Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, and Teckwork's Cybersheep's Dream and E-Tank's Counting Cybersheep keep the trend going. A user by the name of "Dj Klzonez" even cooked up a MM7-style arrangement of this song, as did Princess Zelda 2020.
• The theme songs for the Special Stages, Heart Of Enker, Get The Punk Out, and Farewell To Ballade. Twice as awesome if you know where they're from.
• Proto Man's shop is a non-stage example of good Mega Man music.
• The Image Soundtrack also has some gems, such as For You, Roll's Theme with added instruments, which has been boosted so much by just the violin that it sounds like a character theme from Kingdom Hearts.
• Another great song from the Image soundtrack is
• The Stage Select theme for Mega Man 10 is by far one of the best yet for this series.
• Wily Capsule, considered to be the sequel to Mega Man 9's Wily Machine theme.
• Strike Man, playing ball. It was also the theme for Capcom's website at one point.
• Pump Man, strangely relaxing.
• Chill Man gets a stage theme in which the two top voices alternate between playing in near-unison to create an echo effect and providing a driving rhythm sure to keep Mega Man charging through the frigid air to confront the game's ice-based Robot Master.

Mega Man 11

• Fuse Man's Stage theme gets you really pumped, and it's no wonder why it was used for the game's trailer. Its instrumental version manages to evoke the nostalgic feeling of an ending theme, with piano solos that make traversing through Fuse Man's stage an intense and powerful experience.
• Blast Man's Stage theme is a tune that's both fitting with the movie set motif and energy-filled enough that it fits in with the rest of the game. The instrumental is also extremely bombastic with the drum beats, with more of an urban feel to it.
• Acid Man's theme is a dreary song that fits really well with the lab the stage is set on. The instrumental version turns the theme into a film-noir or ragtime version that's just as soothing for the ears.
• Tundra Man is a cold-sounding yet beautiful theme ready to get your blood pumping in the icy museum you're traversing. The instrumental version is a slightly slower and elegant piano-filled remix of the original.
• Fittingly for the Robot Master it's based on, Impact Man's theme is heavy and mechanical. The instrumental version makes it seem more like a day-to-day construction site, which is apt for Impact Man.
• Bounce Man's instrumental version feels like something you'd hear in a child-like amusement park, being joyful sounding with awe-inspiring violin sections.
• Dr. Wily's delightfully diabolical Leitmotif, "Evil Machinations", and its remix for the Gear Fortress Stage Select. Bonus points for the Musical Nod to 4's boss theme.
• The arranged versions of the tracks in the official album are all really great.
  • Block Man is a very chill remix that brings to mind Search Man & Aqua Man's themes.
  • Fuse Man is a slow-paced orchestral piece that makes it feel like it's part of an official movie soundtrack.
  • Blast Man is a jazzy-techno mix that's like an explosion to your ears. It even devolves into a dubstep breakdown at the end!
  • Acid Man, while hardly sounding like the original, provides a neat-sounding electronic song that's distinctly "liquid-like".
  • Tundra Man has a song reminiscent of 80's workout songs with female vocals.
  • Torch Man is a haunting song that makes it feel like you're on a dangerous forest at night.
  • Impact Man is a very-urban sounding song that makes it feel like a jazzy construction site.
  • Bounce Man is a slow and whimsical piece that's very "aerial" sounding.
• On the official album, we have "RM11", sung by Mega Man's seiyuu, Ayaka Fukuhara. That's right, Mega Man himself is singing this.

Mega Man & Bass

• Player Select (GBA version) is a pounding song that will make you want to choose your character and start playing.
• The intro stage music, the Robot Museum (GBA version) is a memorable song that's perfect for setting up the mood of the game.
• Cold Man (GBA version) is an icy sounding track which gets even better when that trumpet-sounding instrument kicks in, topped off with a mini bass solo before it loops.
• Ground Man (GBA version) is a fairly heavy-paced track that's fitting for the temple that you're currently ransacking to get to Ground Man.
• Dynamo Man (GBA version) is an electronic and sciency track that fits the power plant that the stage takes place in.
• Pirate Man GBA version) is a marine and tropical song that goes along with the open seascape the level's home to.
• Tengu Man (GBA version) is a chill-sounding sky song which feels like you're going on a relaxed plane ride.
• Magic Man (GBA version) is a parade-like tune that makes it feel like the circus is coming to town.
• Astro Man (GBA version) is a repetitive futuristic song that makes the impending fight with Astro Man seem more and more dangerous.
• Burner Man (GBA version) is a bouncy forest tune that's catchy and will leave you coming back to the stage, whether you like it or not.
• Boss Battle (GBA version) is a fast-paced action song that brings to mind the hectic bosses that are fought to this tune.
• King Tower Stages (GBA version) is a final-sounding song that'll make you want to clear whatever traps King will throw at you.
• Final Stage (GBA version) is a slow-paced threatening song that leaves you in anticipation of the Wily fight ahead.
• "Binetsu" by Bereeve, the theme song for the commercial. Say what you will, but this might be a contender for manliest song in all of Mega Man.

Mega Man I-V

• Aside from the Wily Base mentioned above (remixed into Enker's theme in 10), the first GB game has Wily Station.
• Regardless of what you think about the game, Air Man's theme from the second game sounds really good, despite the high pitch.
• The Wily Marine Fortress theme of Mega Man III definitely has an epic vibe to it.
• From Mega Man III, this has got to be one of the best Weapon Get themes.
• Wily Battle from Mega Man IV is so awesome, as is the theme for the first four bosses, an intense remix of the regular MM 4 boss theme.
• Mega Man IV proves that it's no slouch when it comes to original music with its Title Theme.
• Sunstar’s boss theme is one of the most rocking tracks on the original Game Boy. It’s an intense and climactic track that perfectly complements the battle against one of the strongest Robot Masters in the franchise.

Mega Man: The Power Fighters/The Power Battle

• The Slash Man remix from Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters is pretty darn catchy.
• Midboss Battle from The Power Battle, which was reused for the Yellow Devil in the sequel and as a replacement track for Wily's stage in the original Mega Man.
• Bass Theme from the credits to Power Fighters is probably the best rendition of his theme yet.
• The second part of the Blue Bomber's ending theme. Of all the remixes on Megaman's theme, this one may be among the most epic.

Mega Man's Soccer

• Proving even the less popular games in the series don't slouch on the music is Wood Man's Theme.

Mega Man: Battle & Chase

• The opening, "Over The Top". Even if it's just a kart game, it's a Mega Man game; it has to open with epic music! An equally epic remix is also available when you win a race with Mega Man.
• Roll's theme, "Wind, Carry My Words" ("Kaze Yo Tsutaete" in Japanese). It's so pretty and catchy! Gotta love her!
• Quick Man's theme, "Through The Air", is seriously upbeat and enjoyable — with a nice jazz bridge between an epic overarching rock guitar/organ riff — and overall gives an epic sense of speed. Certainly befitting of the fastest Robot Master around!