Metacritic Games

Mega Man Anniversary Collection (Playstation 2)

Challenge yourself with some of the most extreme Mega Man titles ever released while unlocking a cache of bonus features in this special collection to celebrate Mega Man's 15th Anniversary. For the first time ever, play the original Mega Man 1 through 8 series and 2 never-before-released in the U.S. arcade games on your PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system! [Capcom]

Capcom Entertainment
Action, Compilation
Players: 2
E (Everyone)
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 2
Released June 22, 2004

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

81 / 100

Critic Reviews

92 Gamezilla!
A fantastic effort.
91 Play Magazine
The fantastic level design, precise control and underlying weapon-swiping game theory are second to none. [Aug 2004, p.53]
90 GMR Magazine
It's one of the most thorough and competent rehash packages in recent memory, offering a slew of great games in top form, along with a few cool bonuses.
90 Game Informer
Packed with tons of nostalgia, unique weapons (including the suspiciously fanciful "Top Spin"), and more hardcore 2D shooting and platforming than you can shake an arm cannon at. [July 2004, p.111]
90 PSX Nation
Capcom poured the love into this collection. They took their time to give fans something worthy.
87 GameZone
This is what Mega Man is all about. Its creative level and enemy design, difficulty, and easy controls are what made Mega Man a classic from day one.
87 Game Over Online
This is classic gaming done right with one of the industries best heroes finally getting his just due and future compilations from other companies would do well to take heed of how Capcom delivered this tribute to fans.
86 Inside Gamer Online
There's a hefty dose of nostalgia in this collection, but you'll also find that these games have aged marvelously well.
85 Console Gameworld
Here's to the simpler things in life, and to Mega Man on his 15th birthday.
85 IGN
What Mega Man Anniversary lacks in technology and convolution, it more than makes up for in mechanical brilliance, loveable characters, a compelling art direction, and an abundance of robotic charm.
85 Gamenikki
A scintillating package of retro Capcom goodness; there’s something for everyone to love here, and the low price makes it a killer buy.
85 BonusStage
A must-own for any fan of the series. It contains great ports of the first 8 games plus the option of playing them with slightly enhanced graphics and hints, as well as easy and hard difficulties and the ability to start with 3 or 5 lives.
85 eToychest
Sadly, the games’ graphics did not get a similar treatment. In fact, some of the games seem surprisingly worse then they did on their original consoles.
84 GameSpot
Simply one of the richest, most well-put-together classic compilations ever made, and it manages to not only refrain from sacrificing key elements of gameplay for the sake of making the hardware transition process easier but also makes improvements that are not only great but practically seem like common sense.
80 Gamer's Pulse
There’s just something about running and jumping that never gets old, and it’s precisely this indescribable “something” that, despite the outdated play mechanics and antiquated visuals, allows me to bestow a wholehearted recommendation upon Anniversary Collection.
80 GamePro
Whether you plan to acquire it as a collector’s item or just want to get acquainted with Mega Man’s past, you can be sure it’s going to be one heck of a trip back into time.
80 G4 TV
For pure dollar value -- 10 total games for $29.99 -- Mega Man Anniversary Collection is a great buy. That is, if you can make your peace with the atrocious button-swapping snafu.
77 Electronic Gaming Monthly
Newcomers should stay away ("I can't duck? or shoot up?!"), but for those of us who grew up with Capcom's blue bomber, 30 bucks for this high-quality collection of old-school favorties is a steal. [Aug 2004, p.101]
75 GameSpy
It faithfully reproduces the classic action series, and the handful of modern conveniences are a nice addition. However, the display method the game uses looks bad and the extras are not quite there.
75 netjak
They manage to still be fun and they age marvelously well. It makes you wish that Capcom would dust off the cobwebs and make another game starring the classic Mega Man, and make it work right.
75 Game Revolution
Though the series is pretty much stale these days, that wasn’t always the case, and the Mega Man Anniversary Collection serves as a reminder that while the games might feel a little dated, the Blue Bomber still has some fight left.
75 Gaming Age
A great collection for nostalgic fans and newcomers alike. None of the spin-off Mega Man X titles are included in the package, but what’s included is more than enough to keep any player blasting for more.
75 1UP
Unsurprisingly, playing through this Anniversary Collection is much like listening to a ten-album Grateful Dead box set: it's very good for what it is, and some of titles included are genuine masterpieces. But taken together, the monotony is almost overwhelming.
70 Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Veterans will have to take a little time to adjust, while newcomers will be able to jump right in without even noticing such problems.
70 PSM Magazine
Mega Man fans and experienced gamers will love this massive collection of old-school goodness, but we'll admit it does little to attract new followers. [Aug 2004, p.28]
70 Yahoo! Games
A no-brainer for all Mega Man fans out there. And even if you weren't an old-school addict, you can still dig in for some harmless fun... just be prepared for the frustrations and insane difficulty that come with many retro classics.

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