In recent weeks, 2D platforming fans have been enjoying a handful of exciting game announcements. During Geoff Keighley's 2023 Summer Game Fest, Sega revealed Sonic Superstars to widespread praise for its four-player co-op and eye-catching art style. Then at Nintendo's recent Direct presentation, the company announced the long-awaited next entry in the Super Mario Bros. series, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Featuring a similar evolution in gameplay and art direction as Sonic Superstars, these titles appear to be signaling a surge in creativity and innovation for some of the most iconic names in gaming, and one Capcom icon deserves to be included in the trend.
This would hardly be the first time either of these franchises attempted to reinvent themselves, but the execution and timing of these releases makes them especially compelling. In the case of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, it's set to be the first new entry in the series in over ten years, introducing a bold new art direction in the process. For Sonic Superstars, it's coming at a time when Sonic Team is on a bit of a hot streak, riding the success of Sonic Frontiers. It's enough to make some gamers consider what other 2D platforming icons deserve a bold new entry, and there's one robot-busting character who is long overdue: Mega Man.
Mega Man Is Overdue For A Creative New Entry
Emerging in the same era as Super Mario Bros., Mega Man has entranced gamers for over 30 years. Mega Man's high level of difficulty hasn't always made it the most accessible, but it is an undeniably iconic series that has inspired countless other games over the last three decades. The series has historically had a steady stream of new entries, but now that about five years have passed since Mega Man 11, many have seen the new Mario and Sonic games and want the same for the blue bomber.
Just as Nintendo and Sega are taking their mascots in a bold new direction, there's plenty of room for Capcom to do the same with Mega Man. What makes Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Sonic Superstars standout is just how different they are from previous entries. Sonic Superstars introduces exciting new power-ups to the franchise's 2D formula, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder evolves the series art style past the New Super Mario Bros. style that many fans have grown tired of. After how safe Mega Man 11 played it with the usual franchise formula, the series could use a similar shot of creativity.
There are several ways that Capcom could rejuvenate the Mega Man series, but using Sonic Superstars and Super Mario Bros. Wonder as a template would be a strong place to start. Mega Man 11 featured a charming 2.5D art style, but it did little in the way of making environments feel like a living, breathing part of each level. Even if Capcom doesn't want to alter Mega Man's appearance, it could ensure each level feels distinct with more interactive elements. A new entry could also introduce power-ups that temporarily affect Mega Man's movement abilities, allowing players to approach challenges in unique ways.
The Mega Man franchise has grown alongside the industry and its genre for years, but it's clear that its contemporaries are pushing the envelope even farther. Between Sonic Superstars' blend of old-school and new-school, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder's unique new power-ups, it's clear that the greatest names in 2D platforming are taking a major step forward. Mega Man has succeeded on its formula for years, with the occasional deviation here and there, but going in a similar direction to Mario and Sonic could help the franchise do something exciting instead of something safe.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder releases October 20 on the Nintendo Switch.
