Mega Man Should Follow in Resident Evil’s Footsteps in One Big Way

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Mega Man Should Follow in Resident Evil's Footsteps in One Big Way

Highlights

  • Mega Man should follow Resident Evil’s lead to reviving the franchise through modern remakes.
  • Resident Evil’s successful remakes show the importance of leveraging nostalgic titles for future success in the gaming industry.
  • Mega Man could remake beloved titles like Mega Man X, with their inevitable success paving the way for new games and bringing the IP back to the forefront of the gaming conversation.

As someone who grew up with the pixelated pixels of Mega Man and the chilling chills of Resident Evil, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I see these two gaming giants teetering on opposite ends of the spectrum. While Capcom’s zombie-slaying juggernaut has been resurrected in all its gory glory, Mega Man seems to be stuck in a blue robot’s body-sized rut.

Without a doubt, Mega Man puts forward a strong argument as Capcom’s flagship character, but it’s important to note that there are formidable contenders in the mix, such as Street Fighter, Devil May Cry, and Resident Evil – all of which have made significant strides in video game history. Lately, Mega Man seems to be losing ground, but it can regain its footing by learning from Resident Evil’s successful strategies.

In recent times, the popularity of Resident Evil has experienced a significant revival. Conversely, Mega Man, for quite some time now, hasn’t received much attention. Only one major release has been seen in the last decade, with even Mega Man 11 hitting stores almost six years ago. The franchise has also been relatively quiet when it comes to re-releases. Considering this, it might be beneficial for Mega Man to study the strategies employed by Resident Evil to maintain its popularity.

Mega Man Needs to Go the Route of Resident Evil Remakes

Mega Man is a Household Name of Action Platformers

Finding another title akin to Mega Man is quite rare, and it seems unlikely that any future game will replicate its legendary status. Although Mario has been instrumental in shaping the platforming genre for decades, Mega Man has made equally significant contributions to action platformers. Despite its storied past and enduring brand recognition, it’s debatable whether Mega Man can be considered “current” in today’s gaming landscape.

Despite the challenges in achieving the same level of acclaim as Mega Man, it’s equally tough to relinquish its legendary status. Over time, Mega Man has faced periods where it was deemed a dormant series, with some going so far as to claim it is extinct today. Yet, the deep-rooted memories fans have for this series prove resilient, and these nostalgic feelings could be instrumental in shaping Mega Man’s future victories.

Resident Evil 4 Remake Perfected a Classic

For quite some time, Resident Evil has been leading the way in survival horror games, and it’s been a cornerstone of Capcom’s collection almost as long. However, the journey to Resident Evil‘s current status of widespread popularity was not an easy or straightforward one. Notably, Resident Evil at one point found itself in a similar predicament as Mega Man does now, but it offers an excellent roadmap for overcoming such challenges.

Previously, other attempts had been made, with more on the horizon, but Resident Evil 4‘s remake was the game that catapulted the series to unprecedented popularity. Even though Resident Evil 4 is widely recognized as one of the best games ever made, it’s remarkable that the remake managed to meet such high expectations, and some critics even claimed it surpassed the original version.

The sequel to Resident Evil 4, namely, was followed by remakes of Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 2. It is also speculated that a remake of the original Resident Evil game is imminent. Interestingly, the series has resumed its release schedule with new games. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard was published just a few years ago, and Resident Evil Village took advantage of the revived interest in the series.

Mega Man Remakes Could Match Resident Evil’s Revival

The recent remakes of the Resident Evil series have brought it into the limelight like never before, and it seems this horror franchise has no plans to slow down. On the other hand, Mega Man is currently in a drier period than Resident Evil ever experienced, yet Capcom still has an opportunity to learn from its counterpart on how to successfully revive a series. Success doesn’t just happen by chance; instead, Resident Evil has shown a more dependable approach than attempting to replicate lightning in a bottle. While legacy collections are enjoyable, Mega Man needs to take the next step forward.

There are plenty of timeless games associated with Mega Man that could benefit from remakes. Given the extensive nature of the franchise, spin-offs like Mega Man Battle Network and Mega Man X carry equal significance as primary series titles. In truth, characters from Mega Man X have gained such prominence that they now stand shoulder to shoulder with the original blue hero, even sharing the spotlight with Vergil from Devil May Cry in the video game rivalry pantheon.

If news broke tomorrow about a remake of “Mega Man X,” it’s highly probable that it would spark widespread excitement, as many recall the game fondly. Significantly, the entire “Mega Man” series could once again become a hot topic, potentially leading to the development of new “Mega Man” games. Remakes serve multiple purposes, such as allowing players to revisit cherished memories or experience games they couldn’t play before. However, their primary function is always to clear the path for what lies ahead. Indeed, the “Mega Man” series deserves nothing less than a promising future.

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2024-07-31 20:33