View source for Mega Man 2

{{Short description|1988 video game}}
{{Other uses}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = megaman2 box.jpg
| caption = North American box art by Marc Ericksen
| developer = [[Capcom]]
| publisher = Capcom
| series = ''[[Mega Man]]''
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Nintendo Entertainment System]]|[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|[[Mobile phone]]|[[iOS]]|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]}}
| released = {{collapsible list|title=December 24, 1988|
'''Famicom / NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 24, 1988<ref name="MM25">{{cite book |title=MM25: Mega Man & Mega Man X Official Complete Works |publisher=[[Udon Entertainment]] |date=August 2013 |pages=34–39 |url=https://archive.org/details/MegaManMegaManXOfficialCompleteWorksByKBG/page/n33/mode/2up}}</ref>|NA|June 1989<ref name="NintendoList">{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |access-date=August 9, 2015 |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>|PAL|January 1991<ref name="MeanMachines-4">{{cite magazine|magazine= [[Mean Machines]]| publisher = [[EMAP]]| issue = 4|date=January 1991| title = ''Mega Man II'' Review| first = Julian| last = Rignall|author2=Matt Regan| pages =16–19 | issn=0960-4952}}</ref>}}'''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 2, 1999<ref name="completeworks">{{cite book |title=MM25: Mega Man & Mega Man X Official Complete Works |publisher=[[Udon Entertainment]] |date=August 2013 |pages=132–133 |url=https://archive.org/details/MegaManMegaManXOfficialCompleteWorksByKBG/page/n131/mode/2up}}</ref>}}'''Mobile phone'''{{vgrelease|NA|June 2007<ref>{{cite web|last=Vasconcellos |first=Eduardo |date=June 26, 2007 |title=''Mega Man II'' Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/26/mega-man-ii-review |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=June 8, 2017 }}</ref>}}'''iOS'''{{vgrelease|NA|March 26, 2009<ref name="IGN-iPhone">{{cite web|last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=March 26, 2009 |title=''Mega Man II'' on App Store |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/27/mega-man-ii-on-app-store |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=June 8, 2017 }}</ref>}}'''Android'''{{vgrelease|WW|January 5, 2017}}}}
| genre = [[Platformer|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| director = [[Akira Kitamura]]
| producer = [[Tokuro Fujiwara]]
| programmer = Nobuyuki Matsushima
| artist = {{unbulleted list|Yasuaki Kishimoto |Naoya Tomita |[[Keiji Inafune]] |Akira Kitamura}}
| composer = Takashi Tateishi
| alt = Artwork of a navy blue, vertical rectangular box. The top portion reads "Mega Man 2", while the artwork depicts a humanoid figure in a blue outfit firing a gun at a second humanoid figure in a purple and red outfit.
| title = Mega Man 2
}}
'''''Mega Man 2''''',{{efn|Styilized as '''''Mega Man II''''' on the game's [[title screen]]}} known in Japan as {{Nihongo foot|'''''Rockman 2: The Mystery of Dr. Wily''''',|ロックマン2 Dr.ワイリーの謎|Rokkuman Tsū: Dr. Wairī no Nazo|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1988 video game developed and published by [[Capcom]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES). It was released in Japan in 1988 and in North America and PAL regions the following years. ''Mega Man 2'' continues [[Mega Man (character)|Mega Man]]'s battle against the evil [[List of Mega Man characters#Dr. Wily|Dr. Wily]] and his rogue [[List of Mega Man characters#Robot Masters|Robot Masters]]. It introduced graphical and gameplay changes, many of which became series staples.

Although sales for the original ''[[Mega Man (1987 video game)|Mega Man]] ''were unimpressive, Capcom allowed the team to create a sequel. They worked concurrently on other Capcom projects, using their free time to develop the game, using unused content from the first game. Takashi Tateishi composed the soundtrack, with Yoshihiro Sakaguchi serving as a sound programmer.

''Mega Man 2'' is the second best-selling ''[[Mega Man]]'' game, with more than 1.51 million copies sold (it was previously the best selling ''Mega Man'' game until ''[[Mega Man 11]]'' outsold it). Critics praised its audio, visuals, and gameplay as an improvement over the first game. Many publications rank ''Mega Man 2'' as the best game in the series and one of the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest video games of all time]]. The game's soundtrack has also been considered [[List of video game soundtracks considered the best|one of the greatest of all time]]. It has been included in several game compilations such as ''[[Mega Man Legacy Collection]]'', rereleased for [[Mobile phone|mobile devices]], and become a part of console [[Emulator|emulation]] services. A sequel, ''[[Mega Man 3]]'', was released in 1990.

==Plot==
A year after his initial defeat{{efn|As depicted at the end of ''[[Mega Man (1987 video game)|Mega Man]]'' (1987)}}, series antagonist [[List of Mega Man characters#Dr. Wily|Dr. Wily]] creates his own set of [[List of Mega Man characters#Robot Masters|Robot Masters]] in an attempt to counter Mega Man: Metal Man, Air Man, Bubble Man, Quick Man, Crash Man, Flash Man, Heat Man, and Wood Man. He also constructs a new fortress and army of robotic henchmen. Mega Man is then sent by his creator, [[List of Mega Man characters#Dr. Light|Dr. Light]], to defeat Dr. Wily and his Robot Masters.<ref name="NP-7">{{cite magazine | author=''Nintendo Power'' staff| title=''Mega Man II''| date=July–August 1989 | issue=7 | pages=8–23|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | publisher=Nintendo of America | location=Redmond, Washington | issn=1041-9551 | url=https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20007%20%28July-August%201989%29/page/n7/mode/2up}}</ref> Mega Man defeats the eight new Robot Masters and then challenges Wily himself.<ref name="RG-49">{{cite magazine|magazine = [[Retro Gamer]]|publisher = [[Imagine Publishing]]|title = The Classic Game: ''Mega Man II''|pages = 36–7|author = ''Retro Gamer'' Staff|date = May 2008|issue = 49|issn = 1742-3155}}</ref> During the final fight, Dr. Wily flees into the caves beneath his fortress. When Mega Man follows, Dr. Wily attempts to trick Mega Man into believing he was impersonated by an [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]]. Mega Man defeats the alien, revealing it to be a [[Holography|holographic]] projection device with Dr. Wily at the controls of the now malfunctioning device. After the scientist begs for mercy, Mega Man spares Wily and returns home.

==Gameplay==
[[File:MegaMan2 Platforms Screenshot.png|thumb|256px|left|alt=A square video game screenshot that depicts a character sprite standing on a red floating platform between two yellow structures near the top and bottom of the image.|[[Mega Man (character)|Mega Man]] (left center) uses the floating platform items to jump to a difficult-to-reach ladder in the Crash Man stage. Below him is the new introduced Energy Tank item (bottom center).]]
In ''Mega Man 2'', the player controls Mega Man as he traverses eight stages to defeat the [[boss (video game)|bosses]], Dr. Wily's Robot Masters: Metal Man, Air Man, Bubble Man, Quick Man, Crash Man, Flash Man, Heat Man, and Wood Man. Each Robot Master features a unique weapon and a stage related to their weapon's power. For example, Air Man shoots small tornadoes and is fought in a sky-themed level, while Wood Man can use a shield of leaves and is found in a forest-themed stage.<ref name="NP-7"/> After defeating a boss, their signature weapon becomes available to the player. Each Robot Master is weak to the weapons of certain other Robot Masters; therefore, choosing the order in which the levels are played is a vital component of the gameplay.<ref name="RG-49"/><ref name="manual">{{cite book|title=''Mega Man 2'' Instruction Booklet |date=June 1989 |publisher=[[Capcom|Capcom U.S.A., Inc.]] | pages=6–9 | id=NES-XR-USA}}</ref> After completing certain stages, Mega Man receives a special item.<ref name="manual"/> These items create platforms that allow Mega Man to access areas that he otherwise could not.<ref name="NP-7"/>

After defeating the eight Robot Masters, the player proceeds to Dr. Wily's fortress, which consists of five levels that are played linearly.<ref name="NP-7"/> As in the first game, the player is required to fight each Robot Master a second time in Dr. Wily's fortress. However, these battles take place in a single room rather than a series of linearly connected rooms. The room contains teleportation devices that lead to each Robot Master. The devices can be entered in any order, but are not labeled. Once the bosses are defeated again, the player must fight Dr. Wily.

''Mega Man 2'' features a few gameplay changes from the original ''Mega Man''.<ref name="RG-49"/> A new item, the Energy Tank, allows a player to refill Mega Man's health at any time.<ref name="manual"/> Also introduced is a password system.<ref name="NP-7"/> A password is displayed after defeating each Robot Master, allowing the player to return to that particular point in the game after restarting the system.<ref name="manual"/> The password stores the particular list of completed Robot Masters, as well as the number of accumulated Energy Tanks. Unlike the first game, ''Mega Man 2'' does not feature a score counter, and the player is unable to return to Robot Master levels once completed.
{{clear}}

== Development ==
{{see also|Mega Man (1987 video game)#Development|l1=Development of ''Mega Man''}}

{{quote box| quoted=true | width = 35%| salign=center | quote=So we, of our own accord, got together, spent our own time, we worked really, really hard, you know, just 20-hour days to complete this, because we were making something we wanted to make. Probably in all my years of actually being in a video game company, that was the best time of my working at Capcom, because we were actually working toward a goal, we were laying it all on the line, we were doing what we wanted to do. And it really showed in the game, because it’s a game, once again, that we put all our time and effort and love, so to speak, into it, designing it.|source=[[Keiji Inafune]], April 2004<ref name="playmag"/>}}

The first ''Mega Man'' game—released in 1987—was not successful enough to justify the immediate development of a sequel.<ref name = "NP V219">{{cite magazine| last = Hoffman| first = Chris|date=September 2007| title = Playback: ''Mega Man 2''|magazine= [[Nintendo Power]]| publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] | issue = 219| page =82 | issn=1041-9551}}</ref> According to [[Roy Ozaki]], director [[Akira Kitamura]] had wanted to make a sequel to ''Mega Man'', but producer [[Tokuro Fujiwara]] was against it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers: Gold|last=Szczepaniak|first=S.M.G|publisher=SMG Szczepaniak|year=2014|isbn=978-0992926021|location=America|pages=238}}</ref> Kitamura then sought permission from Capcom's vice president at the time to make the game.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers: Gold|last=Szczepaniak|first=S.M.G|publisher=SMG Szczepaniak|year=2014|isbn=978-0992926021|location=America|pages=240}}</ref> The development team were given permission to develop a sequel on the condition that they work concurrently on other projects as well.<ref name="playmag">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Play (UK magazine)|Play]] | date=April 2004 | author=Hoffman, Chris | title=The Best Damn ''Mega Man'' Feature Period | volume=3 | issue=4 | publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]] | issn=1747-7859}}</ref><ref name="IGN-100creators">{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/top-100-game-creators/50.html |title=Top 100 Game Creators of All Time: Keiji Inafune |publisher=[[IGN]] |author=IGN Staff |access-date=July 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306125050/http://games.ign.com/top-100-game-creators/50.html |archive-date=March 6, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="1upanniversary">{{cite web|author=Oxford, Nadia |date=May 10, 2007 |title=''Mega Man'' Retrospective: Get Equipped with 20 Years |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3159319 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013220038/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3159319 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |access-date=May 4, 2010 }}</ref> The staff spent their own time on the project to improve upon the original by adding more levels and weapons, as well as improving graphics.<ref name = "NP V219"/> The project supervisor of the first ''Mega Man'' invited [[Keiji Inafune]] to the sequel's development crew; Inafune was working on a separate game at the time.<ref name="MM25"/> On the previous game, Inafune worked as an artist and character designer but became more involved in the production process of the sequel.<ref name="gamesradar">{{cite web | author=Elston, Brett | date=July 3, 2008 | title=''Mega Man 9'' - exclusive interview with the mind behind the machines - Part 1| url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/mega-man-9-exclusive-interview-with-the-mind-behind-the-machines/a-2008070217152878013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616050143/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/mega-man-9-exclusive-interview-with-the-mind-behind-the-machines/a-2008070217152878013 | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 16, 2011 | work=[[GamesRadar]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | access-date=May 8, 2010 }}</ref> "Working on [''Mega Man 2''] marked my second year at this, and I even got to mentor a 'new kid', which opened up a whole new world of stress for me," Inafune recounted. The development time for the game was only three to four months.<ref name="MM25"/><ref>{{cite journal | journal=CFC Style Fan-Book | volume=3 | author=Inafune, Keiji | year=1997 | title=''Rockman'' 10th Anniversary Celebration Plans | publisher=[[Capcom]] | language=ja | page=24 }}</ref>

Due to the limited amount of cartridge space available for the first game, elements such as planned enemy characters were omitted from the final product. The unused content was later transferred to ''Mega Man 2''.<ref name="TV">{{cite episode| title=''Mega Man''| url=http://g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/1152/Mega_Man.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917124528/http://www.g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/1152/Mega_Man.html| archive-date=September 17, 2011| url-status=dead| series=Game Makers| series-link=Game Makers| credits=Interviewee: Keiji Inafune| network=[[G4 (American TV network)|G4]]| airdate=November 20, 2003| season=2| number=19| access-date=July 13, 2009}}</ref> The team was limited by the graphical capabilities of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], and designed characters as [[pixel art]] to maintain consistency between the designs and final product; some design elements, however, were lost in the transition.<ref name="gamesradar"/> The gameplay system from the original game was kept for ''Mega Man 2'', but the team included more traps for the player to navigate. The game's three support items were added to aid the player because of complaints from consumers and Capcom's marketing department regarding the original game's high difficulty.<ref name="MM25"/> Inafune's supervisor was "especially unsure" about the usefulness of the Energy Tanks.<ref name="MM25"/>

The first game did not have any influence from fans, but for the second game, Kitamura wanted to get ideas from players and put them in.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers: Gold|last=Szczepaniak|first=S.M.G|publisher=SMG Szczepaniak|year=2014|isbn=978-0992926021|location=America|pages=759}}</ref> The developers allowed input from the public by including boss designs created by fans.<ref>{{cite web | author=Niizumi, Hirohiko | date=September 23, 2007 | title=TGS '07: ''Mega Man'' celebrates 20th anniversary | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6179759.html | work=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]| access-date=May 25, 2010}}</ref> Capcom received 8,370 boss submissions for the game, although even the designs for the final eight Robot Masters were "tweaked".<ref name="MM25" /><ref>{{cite book |title=MM25: Mega Man & Mega Man X Official Complete Works |publisher=[[Udon Entertainment]] |date=August 2013 |pages=240–241 |url=https://archive.org/details/MegaManMegaManXOfficialCompleteWorksByKBG/page/n239/mode/2up}}</ref>

Inafune intended his artwork for ''Mega Man 2'' to be more "[[anime]]-ish" than in the first game.<ref name="MM25" /> A second difficulty setting was added for the North American and European releases. The original version was labeled "difficult", and a "normal" setting was created that made the "arm cannon" and boss weapons more powerful.<ref name="IGN-Top100">{{cite web| url = http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_67.html| title = IGN Top 100 Games 2007: 67 ''Mega Man 2''| publisher = [[IGN]]| author = IGN Staff| year = 2007| access-date = July 3, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170410090749/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_67.html| archive-date = April 10, 2017| url-status = dead| df = mdy-all}}</ref> Veteran video game cover illustrator Marc Ericksen painted the North American box art, which included Mega Man firing a [[pistol]] instead of his trademark Mega Buster. Ericksen explained that he was unfamiliar with the game and was directed by Capcom America to give Mega Man a pistol.<ref>{{cite web | author=Ericksen, Marc | title=MegaMan 2, What's with the pistol??!! | url=http://www.retrogameart.com/2012/11/megaman-2-whats-with-pistol.html | access-date=June 16, 2013}}</ref>

===Soundtrack===

The soundtrack for ''Mega Man 2'' was composed by Takashi Tateishi (credited as Ogeretsu Kun), with ''Mega Man'' composer [[Manami Matsumae]] (credited as Manami Ietel) included for having her work on the credits theme from the first game repurposed for the title screen, and for co-composing a minor part of the melody for Air Man's stage.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Taher|first1=Mohammed|title=A Conversation with Manami Matsumae|url=http://koopa.tv/a-conversation-with-manami-matsumae/|publisher=Koopa Soundworks|access-date=August 19, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211131435/http://koopa.tv/a-conversation-with-manami-matsumae/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Matsumae had been moved to the arcade division, considered more prestigious at the time, which necessitated a new composer. Matsumae and Tateishi worked closely during their time at Capcom, with Tateishi assisting Matsumae with ''[[U.N. Squadron]]'' in a similar manner during the period, albeit uncredited. Tateishi's musical background was unusual compared to his contemporaries at Capcom, in that he had not been [[classically trained]] but was instead drawing on his experience performing in a band. He sought to consciously move away from the more classical sounding themes that were common at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/takashitateishiinterview/|title=Takashi Tateishi Interview: A Career After Mega Man 2|date=November 25, 2010|website=VGMO -Video Game Music Online-}}</ref> He was also relatively new to the games industry, having only been hired by Capcom earlier that year for ''Mad Gear'' (1988). Tateishi would not remain with the franchise after ''Mega Man 2'', as he and Kitamura both resigned from Capcom soon afterwards to work on ''[[Cocoron]]''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Takashi Tateishi |url=https://bravewave.net/interviews/takashi-tateishi |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Brave Wave Productions |language=en-US}}</ref>

Tateishi's initial compositions for the game were of varying moods, with some of them being considered "too cute" by Kitamura, requesting them to be changed to fit in with the rest of the soundtrack. A single fragment of this declined concept remains in the game as Crash Man's stage theme. Tateishi has indicated that "no one has" the earlier, softer score. Stylistically the score was influenced by [[Mezzoforte (band)|Mezzoforte]] and [[Yellow Magic Orchestra]].<ref name=":2" />

The widely praised piece used for the first two Wily stages was heavily compromised due to data limitations, with Tateishi being forced to use the first eight measures of the song multiple times throughout it. Tateishi intended to compose a song exclusive to the second stage, but also abandoned this idea for the same reasons.<ref name="WilyMusic">{{cite web | author=Alistair | date=January 7, 2019 | title=Mega Man 2’s Composer Reveals How Wily Stage 1 And Other Themes Came To Be | url=https://www.siliconera.com/mega-man-2s-composer-reveals-how-wily-stage-1-and-other-themes-came-to-be/ | publisher=Siliconera | access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref>

As with the previous game, the sound programming was handled by Yoshihiro Sakaguchi, credited as Yuukichan's Papa.<ref>{{cite web | author=Greening, Chris | title=Interview with the ''Mega Man 1'' & ''2'' Sound Team: Reunited 20 Years On | url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/manamimatsumae.shtml | publisher=Square Enix Music Online | access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
|EGM = 8/10, 8/10, 8/10, 8/10<ref name="EGM-2" />
|Fam=6/10, 7/10, 8/10, 7/10<ref name="famrev">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Biweekly Famicom Tsūshin]]|title=新作ゲーム クロスレビュー|trans-title=New Games Cross Review|date=January 6, 1989|publisher=ASCII Corporation|language=Japanese|issue=65|p=19|last1=Famibo|first1=Hotofuya
|first2=Bucho
|last2=Mizuno
|last3=Morishita
|first3=Mariko
|author4=Taco X
}}</ref> <br> 4/5<ref>{{cite book |chapter=ロックマン 2 |trans-chapter=Rockman 2 |title=ファミコン通信 〜 '89全ソフトカタログ |trans-title=Famicom Tsūshin: '89 All Software Catalog |series=[[Famicom Tsūshin]] |date=15 September 1989 |page=53 |chapter-url=https://cdn-ak.f.st-hatena.com/images/fotolife/M/MULTi88/20200420/20200420023154.jpg}}</ref>
|IGN=9.5/10<ref name="IGN-VC">{{cite web| url = http://wii.ign.com/articles/910/910412p1.html| title = ''Mega Man 2'' Review| first = Lucas M.| last = Thomas| date = September 16, 2008| publisher = [[IGN]]| access-date = July 4, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120515073042/http://wii.ign.com/articles/910/910412p1.html| archive-date = May 15, 2012| url-status = dead| df = mdy-all}}</ref>
|rev1=''[[Mean Machines]]''
|rev1Score=95%<ref name="MeanMachines-4"/>
|rev2=''[[Total!]]''
|rev2Score=83%<ref>{{Cite journal| journal=[[Total!]] | publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |author=Andy | date =June 1992| title=Life, the Universe and Nintendo Games | issn=0964-9352}}</ref>
}}

Though the first ''Mega Man'' game had relatively low sales, ''Mega Man 2'' was a huge success. Since its 1988 release, ''Mega Man 2'' has sold over 1.51 million copies worldwide. The game is the second highest selling in the ''Mega Man'' series.<ref name="sales">{{cite web|url=https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/million.html#tab5|title=Capcom, Platinum Titles|website=Capcom|date=June 30, 2024|access-date=August 12, 2024}}</ref>

''Mega Man 2'' was critically praised. ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''{{'}}s four reviewers—Steve Harris, Ed Semrad, Donn Nauert, and Jim Allee—rated the game favorably, each scoring it 8 out of 10. They stated that it was better than the first ''Mega Man'', citing the improved audio-visuals, new power-ups, and password system. Nauert and Allee, however, expressed disappointment that the game was less difficult than the first game.<ref name="EGM-2">{{cite magazine|magazine= [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]| title = Electronic Gaming Review Crew| publisher=Sendai Publishing | page =11 | issue=2 | first1 = Steve| last1 = Harris|first2=Ed|last2= Semrad |first3=Donn|last3=Nauert |first4=Jim|last4=Allee |date=July 1989 |issn=1058-918X |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/4c15d6f0-29e5-4dcc-8550-9d7d4c32080f|via=[[Video Game History Foundation]]}}</ref> Nadia Oxford of [[1UP.com]] complimented its aesthetics and gameplay. She further stated that ''Mega Man 2'' improved the gameplay of its predecessor by removing excessively difficult elements.<ref name="1upanniversary"/> ''[[Mean Machines]]''{{'}} two reviewers, [[Julian Rignall]] and [[Matt Regan]], praised several aspects of the game. Rignall lauded the gameplay, citing its addictiveness and the puzzles. Regan praised the difficulty and called the gameplay balanced. Both reviewers complimented the graphics, calling them detailed and stunning, and described it as a great platform game.<ref name="MeanMachines-4"/> ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' editor Richard Burton described it as a "must-have" game for the system, comments echoed by two of ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''{{'}}s reviewers.<ref name="EGM-2"/><ref name="Retro">{{cite magazine| title = Back to the Nineties: The Latest News from January 1991|magazine= [[Retro Gamer]]| publisher = [[Imagine Publishing]]| first = Richard| last = Burton| issue = 54| page =22|date=September 2008 | issn=1742-3155}}</ref> Zach Miller writing for ''[[Game Informer]]'' attributed the success of the game to the players' option to defeat the stages in the order of their choosing. He praised the simple control scheme and the variety of weapons and items.<ref name="GI-165">{{cite magazine|date=January 2007| title = Greatest Game of All Time|magazine= [[Game Informer]]| publisher=[[GameStop]] |issue = 165| page =121| first = Zach| last = Miller | issn=1067-6392}}</ref> [[GamesRadar]] ranked it the third-best NES game ever made, calling it "the pinnacle" of the 8-bit ''Mega Man'' games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best NES Games of all time |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |work=[[GamesRadar]] |date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref>

The game's soundtrack has been well received by critics. Joey Becht of [[IGN]] listed three stage themes from ''Mega Man 2'' along with the main title song among the best in the series.<ref name="IGN-Music">{{cite web|title=Top 10 ''Mega Man'' Musical Moments |website=[[IGN]] |first=Joey |last=Becht |url=http://music.ign.com/articles/925/925865p1.html |date=October 31, 2008 |access-date=July 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910072834/http://music.ign.com/articles/925/925865p1.html |archive-date=September 10, 2009 }}</ref> In 2008, ''Game Informer'' listed ''Mega Man 2''{{'}}s introduction sequence as the fifth-best video game opening, citing the build up of excitement that the music and appearance of the character instills.<ref>{{cite magazine| author = Game Informer Staff|date=November 2008| title = The Top Ten Video Game Openings|magazine= [[Game Informer]]| publisher=[[GameStop]] | issue = 187| page =38 | issn=1067-6392}}</ref> The "Doctor Wily Stage Theme" was ranked second in [[ScrewAttack]]'s "[[ScrewAttack's Top 10|Top 10 Video Game Themes Ever]]" video.<ref name="Gametrailers - Screw Attack">{{cite web| author=ScrewAttack staff|title=Top 10 Video Game Themes Ever| series=''[[ScrewAttack's Top 10]]''| publisher = [[GameTrailers]]| work = [[ScrewAttack]]| year = 2008| url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-screwattack/41663| access-date = November 11, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Nintendo Power]]''{{'}}s editorial staff praised the music in 2008, stating it is among the best on the platform.<ref name="NP-20th">{{cite magazine |author=''Nintendo Power'' staff|date=August 2008 |title=''Nintendo Power'': The 20th Anniversary Issue! |magazine= [[Nintendo Power]] |issue=231 |page=71 |publisher=[[Future US]] | issn=1041-9551}}</ref> In 2009, [[Gamasutra]]'s [[Brandon Sheffield]] describe the music as easily recognizable and lamented that contemporary video game music lacked that trait.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23401| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090503031757/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23401| url-status = dead| archive-date = May 3, 2009| title = Opinion: What's Wrong With Game Music?| first = Brandon| last = Sheffield| date = May 1, 2009| work= [[Gamasutra]]| publisher=[[UBM plc]]|access-date = July 4, 2009}}</ref>  The opening riff from the "Crash Man" stage's theme inspired the theme music for the [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]] program ''[[Video & Arcade Top 10]]''.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

''Mega Man 2'' is a favorite among ''Mega Man'' fans, with many calling it the best in the series.<ref name="IGN-VC"/><ref name="Gama-8bit">{{cite web| url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/he-is-8-bit-capcom-s-hironobu-takeshita-speaks| title = He Is 8-Bit: Capcom's Hironobu Takeshita Speaks| first = Christian| last = Nutt| date = August 4, 2008| work= [[Gamasutra]]| publisher=[[UBM plc]]| access-date = July 4, 2009}}</ref><ref name="1up-Overlooked">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3169774 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225164005/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3169774 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 25, 2009 |title=Top 5 Overlooked Prequels |first=Kat |last=Bailey |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |access-date=July 4, 2009 }}</ref> Critics have also referred to the game as the series' best.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Top 10 Video Games Before 2000|url=https://www.techgyd.com/top-10-video-games-before-2000/44985/|access-date=2020-08-04|website=TechGYD.COM|date=July 2, 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> Oxford considered it one of the most memorable game in the series, and Burton and ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' both called the game the best in the series.<ref name="1upanniversary"/><ref name="Retro"/><ref name=EGM100/> IGN's Levi Buchanan listed three of the game's bosses among the "Top 10 ''Mega Man'' Robot Masters".<ref>{{cite web| url = http://retro.ign.com/articles/885/885610p1.html| title = Top 10 Mega Man Robot Masters| publisher = [[IGN]]| first = Levi| last = Buchanan| date = July 1, 2008| access-date = July 3, 2009}}</ref> Several publications consider the game a critical success and have listed it high on "top game" lists. At the end of 1989, it was the top ranked game on ''Nintendo Power''{{'}}s Top 30 list.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''Nintendo Power'' staff| title=''Nintendo Power'' Top 30| date=November–December 1989 | issue=9 | page=80|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | publisher=Nintendo of America | location=Redmond, Washington | issn=1041-9551 | url=https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20009%20%28November-December%201989%29/page/n81/mode/2up}}</ref> In 1997 ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' named it the 73rd best console video game of all time, saying it was the most appealing and challenging game in the series.<ref name=EGM100>{{cite magazine |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=100 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1997|page=114}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.</ref> In August 2008, ''Nintendo Power'' listed ''Mega Man 2'' as the third best Nintendo Entertainment System video game. The editorial staff praised the polished improvements over the previous game.<ref name="NP-20th"/> [[GameSpot]] named ''Mega Man 2'' as one of "The Greatest Games of All Time".<ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web|author=GameSpot Staff |title=The Greatest Games of All Time |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=October 24, 2003 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-23.html |access-date=June 11, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060917180432/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-23.html |archive-date=September 17, 2006 }}</ref> It ranked number 33 in ''Nintendo Power''{{'}}s "Top 200 Nintendo Games Ever" list and number 60 in ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]''{{'}}s "100 Best Nintendo Games" list.<ref name="NP">{{cite magazine| author=''Nintendo Power'' staff|date=February 2006| title = ''NP'' Top 200|magazine= [[Nintendo Power]]| publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] | issue = 200| page =59 | issn=1041-9551}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=East, Tom | date=February 23, 2009 | title=100 Best Nintendo Games: Part 3 | url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7258 | work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | access-date=November 29, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831020618/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7258 | archive-date=August 31, 2009 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Miller considered it one of the greatest games of all time.<ref name="GI-165"/> In 2007, IGN's three editorial offices—United States, United Kingdom, and Australia—compiled a list of top 100 games. They listed ''Mega Man 2'' as number 67, citing the action and strategic elements along with the impact it had on the series.<ref name="IGN-Top100"/> ''Mega Man 2'' was placed 4th on IGN's list of the Top 100 NES Games.<ref>{{cite web | access-date=February 4, 2013 | url=http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/4.html | title=Top 100 NES Games - #4 Mega Man 2 | website=[[IGN]] | author=IGN Staff | year=2011}}</ref> Game Informer placed the game 32nd on their top 100 video games of all time in 2001.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Cork|first=Jeff|title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games Of All Time (Circa Issue 100)|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119071214/http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=November 19, 2009|access-date=2020-11-30|magazine=Game Informer|language=en}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Kitamura chose to leave Capcom and joined the company Takeru, where he worked on the game ''[[Cocoron]]'' instead of ''[[Mega Man 3]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kotaku.com/how-mega-man-survived-its-creator-leaving-capcom-1787377120|title=How Mega Man Survived Its Creator Leaving Capcom|last=Pane|first=Salvatore|work=Kotaku|access-date=August 15, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

Keiji Inafune claims the success of ''Mega Man 2'' is what made the ''Mega Man'' series a hit that continues to spawn sequels.<ref name="NP V219" /> [[1UP.com]] commented that the game helped establish the series as a prominent and commercially successful video game franchise.<ref name="1up-Overlooked" /> IGN cited ''Mega Man 2'' as helping define the platforming genre.<ref name="IGN-Top100" /> ''Retro Gamer'' credited it with helping the series obtain the global presence that allowed spin-offs and more sequels to be created.<ref name="RG-49" /> Many of the conventions of the original ''Mega Man'' series were defined by the first game, but ''Mega Man 2'' added crucial conventions that were retained for the rest of the series.<ref name="RG-49" /><ref name="IGN-VC" /> The traditional number of Robot Masters for the series is eight as used in ''Mega Man 2'', rather than the six used in the original.<ref name="gamesradar 2">{{cite web | author=Elston, Brett | date=July 3, 2008 | title=''Mega Man 9'' - exclusive interview with the mind behind the machines - Part 2| url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/mega-man-9-exclusive-interview-with-the-mind-behind-the-machines/a-2008070217152878013/p-2 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615194316/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/mega-man-9-exclusive-interview-with-the-mind-behind-the-machines/a-2008070217152878013/p-2 | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 15, 2011 | work=[[GamesRadar]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | access-date=May 8, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="IGN-Top100" /><ref name="IGN-VC" /> It was the first in the series to include an opening cinematic.<ref name="IGN-Music" /> ''Mega Man 2'' also introduced the Energy Tank item, special movement items, teleporter room, and password system, which became staples in future games.<ref name="IGN-Top100" /><ref name="IGN-VC" /> The Energy Tank became the series' iconic health refill item and later served as inspiration for a promotional "Rockman E-Can" drink.<ref name="etank">{{cite web | author=Spencer | date=August 15, 2008 | title=''Mega Man'' energy tanks ready for real life consumption | url=https://www.siliconera.com/mega-man-energy-tanks-ready-for-real-life-consumption/ | publisher=Siliconera | access-date=August 15, 2008}}</ref> In developing ''[[Mega Man 9]]'', producer Inafune and Hironobu Takeshita looked to the first two games in the series for inspiration, with ''Mega Man 2'' serving as a standard to surpass in order to meet fans' expectations.<ref name="gamesradar 2" /><ref name="Gama-8bit" /> ''[[Mega Man Universe]]'' was to feature a remake of ''Mega Man 2''{{'}}s story campaign, as well as feature customizable characters and levels.<ref>{{cite web | author=Dutton, Fred | date=September 18, 2010 | title=Mega Man Universe based on Mega Man 2 News  | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-09-18-mega-man-universe-based-on-mega-man-2 | publisher=[[Eurogamer]] | access-date=January 21, 2011}}</ref> However, Capcom has officially announced the game's cancellation due to "various circumstances."<ref>{{cite web | author=Ashcraft, Brian | date=March 31, 2011 | title=''Mega Man Universe'' Is Totally Canceled | url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/03/mega-man-universe-is-totally-cancelled/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404235341/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/03/mega-man-universe-is-totally-cancelled/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 4, 2011 | publisher=[[Gawker Media]] | work=[[Kotaku]] | access-date=March 10, 2012}}</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'', Wily Castle, as depicted in Mega Man 2, appears as a selectable stage in both versions of the game. The stage returned in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.

=== Rereleases and adaptations ===
[[File:Mega-Man-2-Tiger-small.jpg|thumb|Tiger Electronics released an LCD version of the game.]]

In 1990, [[Tiger Electronics]] produced a [[handheld electronic game|handheld electronic version]] with abridged gameplay.<ref>{{cite book |editor=Tiger Electronics |title=Electronic Mega Man 2 LCD Game |year=1990 |publisher=[[Tiger Electronics]] | id=Model 7-811}}</ref> ''Mega Man 2'' was [[video game remake|remade]] in 1994 for the [[Sega Genesis]] game ''[[Mega Man: The Wily Wars]]'', featuring updated graphics and sound.<ref>{{cite web | author=Elston, Brett | date=June 30, 2008 | title=The ultimate ''Mega Man'' retrospective | url= http://www.gamesradar.com/the-ultimate-mega-man-retrospective/?page=2 | work=[[GamesRadar]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | access-date=January 3, 2011}}</ref> In 1999, ''Mega Man 2'' was rereleased for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] as the second of six ''[[Rockman Complete Works]]'' discs, though only in Japan and under the original title ''Rockman 2''.<ref name="completeworks"/> It is largely identical to the original NES release, but had a number of bonuses, such as a "navi mode" for beginners that presents the player with a slightly remade version of the game, detailed encyclopedic content, image galleries, and remixed music.<ref name="GameSpot history">{{cite web | author1=Nutt, Christian | author2=Speer, Justin | name-list-style=amp | date=November 6, 2003 | title=The History of ''Mega Man'' | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-history-of-mega-man/1100-6076983/ | work=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=April 17, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026090646/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-history-of-mega-man/1100-6076983/ | archive-date=October 26, 2013 | url-status=live}}</ref> ''Mega Man 2'' was included with nine other games in the series in ''[[Mega Man Anniversary Collection]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[GameCube]], and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], released between 2004 and 2005. The game's emulation is identical to the re-release contained in ''Rockman Complete Works''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parish |first=Jeremy |date=June 22, 2004 |title=''Mega Man Anniversary Collection'' (PS2) |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3128526&did=1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530165201/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3128526&did=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2012 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |access-date=August 20, 2007 }}</ref> Also in 2005, ''Mega Man 2'' was released alongside other Capcom games as part of a "Plug It In & Play TV Games" peripheral by [[Jakks Pacific]].<ref>{{cite web | date=March 9, 2005 | title=JAKKS Pacific Offers TV Games GameKey For Classic Capcom Games | url=http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=115&itemid=6360 | publisher=Toy News International | access-date=January 7, 2011}}</ref> ''Mega Man 2'' made its way to mobile phones in 2007.<ref name="mobile">{{cite web| last = Stern| first = Zack| date = April 13, 2007| title = ''Street Fighter'', ''Mega Man'' on mobile phones| url = http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/13/street-fighter-mega-man-on-mobile-phones/| work= [[Joystiq]] | publisher=[[AOL]]| access-date = August 15, 2007}}</ref> The game was added as a part of the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service in [[PAL region]]s on December 14, 2007.<ref name="vceurope">{{cite web | title=''Mega Man''™ ''2''| author=Nintendo staff | url=https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/NES/Mega-Man-2-720216.html | publisher=[[Nintendo]] | access-date=December 18, 2011}}</ref> In celebration of the ninth game's release in September 2008, Capcom released the game on August 26, 2008 in Japan and a North American release on September 15, 2008.<ref name="vcjp">{{cite web| author=Capcom staff|url = http://www.capcom.co.jp/news/200807/04_002880.html| title = Capcom News| publisher = [[Capcom]]| access-date = October 12, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080822024250/http://www.capcom.co.jp/news/200807/04_002880.html| archive-date = August 22, 2008}}</ref><ref name="GS-Wii">{{cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/megaman2/similar.html?mode=versions| work = [[GameSpot]]| publisher = [[CBS Interactive]]| title = ''Mega Man 2'' for Wii| access-date = July 1, 2009| archive-date = December 14, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191214131642/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/megaman2/similar.html?mode=versions| url-status = dead}}</ref> In March 2009, Capcom released the game for [[iPhone OS]], while in September of the same year the Complete Works version of ''Mega Man 2'' was released on the Japanese [[PlayStation Store]], making it available for download on the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[PlayStation Portable]].<ref name="IGN-iPhone"/><ref name="psstore">{{cite web | author=Spencer | date=September 9, 2009 | title=''Mega Man 2'' Brings Robot Fish To PS3, PSP | url=http://www.siliconera.com/2009/09/09/mega-man-2-brings-robot-fish-to-ps3-psp/ | publisher=Siliconera| access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> Inafune expressed a desire to remake ''Mega Man 2'', similar to [[Mega Man Powered Up]], but stated that such a project was dependent on the commercial success of the latter.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/mega-man-powered-up/651835p4.html| title = ''Mega Man'' on PSP -- Keiji Inafune and Tatsuya Kitabayashi Interview| first = Phil| last = Theobald| work= [[GameSpy]]| publisher=[[IGN]]| date = September 17, 2005| access-date = July 27, 2009}}</ref> A tech demo for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] called ''Classic Games'' was shown at [[E3 2010]], displaying more than a dozen classic games, including ''Mega Man 2'', using 3D effects. Nintendo of America president [[Reggie Fils-Aimé]] announced that the games were slated for release on the 3DS and would possibly use the 3DS' features, such as 3D effects, analog control, or camera support.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=252601?cid=otc-rss&attr=cvg-general-rss&skip=yes| title = SNES, NES classics set for 3DS return| work= [[Computer and Video Games]] | publisher=[[Future plc]]| first = Mike| last = Jackson| date = June 20, 2010| access-date = June 21, 2010}}</ref> The game was released on the 3DS via the Virtual Console in Japan on August 8, 2012<ref name="3dsvc">{{cite web | author=Ishaan | date=August 3, 2012 | title=''Mega Man 2'' Blasts To 3DS Virtual Console In Japan Next Week | url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/08/03/mega-man-2-blasts-to-3ds-virtual-console-in-japan-next-week/ | publisher=Siliconera | access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref> and was released in Europe and North America on February 7, 2013.

''Mega Man 2'' was novelized in the ''[[Worlds of Power]]'' series published by [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]] in 1990. The novel mostly follows the game, even offering game hints at the end of some chapters.<ref name="miles">{{cite book |last = Miles|first = Ellen|title = Mega Man 2|publisher = [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic, Inc.]]|year = 1990|location = New York, NY|isbn = 0-590-43772-0|pages = 4–6, 16, 23, 36, 39, 50, 57, 61, 66, 71}}</ref> Besides the added dialogue, the one major variation in the novel is that Dr. Light fears Mega Man's chances against Dr. Wily's more powerful new robots and while attempting to duplicate him, accidentally turns him into a human being, a difficulty Mega Man must endure throughout the story.<ref name="miles"/> The book's cover also lacks the gun depicted on the North American box art of the game, due to a "no weapons" policy that ''Worlds of Power'' writers had to abide by.<ref>{{cite web|last=Struck |first=Shawn |author2=Scott Sharkey |title=8-Bit Lit: Behind the NES' ''Worlds of Power'' Series |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152540 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530165157/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152540 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2012 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=August 3, 2006 |access-date=August 9, 2007 }}</ref>

The game was also adapted into the third story arc for the [[Archie Comics]] [[Mega Man (Archie Comics)|''Mega Man'' comic]], "The Return of Dr. Wily." In the arc, the Robot Masters are intended to either defeat Mega Man or infect him with a virus bit by bit as he absorbs their Special Weapons. All the Robot Masters are defeated but Mega Man ends up under Dr. Wily's control until the Mega Man Powered Up Robot Masters come to his rescue. Dr. Wily escapes and sets his course for the Lanfront Ruins in South America, foreshadowing an adaptation of ''[[Super Adventure Rockman]].''

===Influence on nerd rock scene===
[[File:Bit Brigade.jpg|thumb|[[Bit Brigade]] performing the ''Mega Man 2'' score at MAGFest, 2008]]
The ''Mega Man 2'' soundtrack is one of the most widely remixed soundtracks in gaming, and a great many covers were produced in the 2000s by various artists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-27 |title=The Megadrive megamix – how classic videogame soundtracks went from background noise to cratedigger gold |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/27/video-game-soundtrack-vinyl-reissue |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> ''Mixdown'' magazine described the soundtrack as one that would be "rehashed and reimagined at conventions and festivals until the end of time" and further that covering it had been a rite of passage in the early period of the [[nerd rock]] scene.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Will |date=2022-09-15 |title=The 20 Greatest Video Game Soundtracks of All Time - Part One |url=https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/the-20-greatest-video-game-soundtracks-of-all-time-part-one/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111102733/https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/the-20-greatest-video-game-soundtracks-of-all-time-part-one/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Mixdown Magazine |language=en-AU }}</ref> Numerous artists and bands performed all or part of the soundtrack on studio albums in the 2000s, including The NESkimos on ''Battle Perfect Selection'' (2002),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/NESkimosCompleteCollection2002-2012 | title=NESkimos - Complete Collection (2002-2012) | year=2012 }}</ref> [[Chromelodeon]] on ''Year 20XX'' (2003), [[The Minibosses]] on ''Brass'' (2005), [[Mega Ran]] on his self titled album (2007), and [[The Megas (band)|The Megas]] on ''Get Equipped'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hassiotis |first=Christopher |title=Five Killer Bands Inspired By Video Games |url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/five-killer-bands-inspired-by-video-games-6624992 |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Phoenix New Times |language=en}}</ref> Many bands of the era additionally drew their stage names from the series, such as [[Danimal Cannon|Armcannon]], [[The Protomen]], and [[DJ Cutman]]. 

Capcom endorsed some of these groups, officially licensing Mega Ran's 2007 cover album and bringing him to [[San Diego Comic-Con]] that year.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/2008/06/straight-outta-3/ | title=Straight Outta Capcom! Random Honors Mega Man | magazine=Wired | last1=Thill | first1=Scott }}</ref> In 2010, The Megas were hired by Capcom to produce music for a ''[[Mega Man Universe]]'' trailer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=2019-10-06 |title=Mega Man Universe's soundtrack turns up, along with Robot Master art |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/6/20901260/mega-man-universe-canceled-soundtrack-mega-man-legends |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> All of these groups performed at the gaming music event [[MAGFest]] through the 2000s and 2010s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Magfest Releases the Full Musical Lineup for its January 2013 Event |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2012-10-31/magfest-releases-the-full-musical-lineup-for-its-january-2013-event |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}</ref> Tateishi himself appeared at Super MAGfest 2019 and gave an interview on the development of the game. He also introduced [[Bit Brigade]]'s performance of the score and performed on stage with Mega Ran.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Musical Guests |url=https://super.magfest.org/musical-guests-2019 |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Super Magfest |date=May 10, 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="WilyMusic"/> In a 2023 interview, Tateishi stated that his favourite rendition of the ''Mega Man 2'' score was [[JAM Project]]'s version.<ref>{{cite web |title=35 Years Ago, an Underestimated Platformer Changed the Course of Video Game History |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/mega-man-2-anniversary-music-composer-interview |website=Inverse |language=en |date=20 February 2024}}</ref> Many covers of ''Mega Man 2'' tracks appeared on [[Brave Wave]]'s ''Giants'' album in 2024, which included contributions from Tateishi himself.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Giants – Brave Wave |url=https://bravewave.net/album/giants/ |website=Brave Wave Productions |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Japan|Video games|1980s}}
* [[Air Man ga Taosenai]]
* [[Omoide wa Okkusenman!]]
{{clear}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|35em}}

== External links ==
* {{mobygames|/mega-man-2}}

{{Mega Man series|state=expanded}}
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