It is the year 20XX...

Mega Man 9
I am of two minds about this game. On one hand, I love that Capcom fearlessly embraced a retro aesthetic for Mega Man 9 and ported it to all the major gaming systems (as opposed to just marginalizing nostalgia to the DS). On the other hand, these throwback games (e.g. Contra 4) tend to exaggerate the difficultly level of 8-bit gaming (except for Battletoads, you could not possible fathom a more punishing game).

While the franchise had its share of controller throwing moments (those Quick Man beams should send most old schoolers into a cold-sweat), Mega Man 9 packs quite a few of them - in each level. Which is fine. A challenge is a challenge, and it is a nice change of pace from games that confuse length with difficulty. But Nintendo games were designed with re-playability in mind. I don't think I will ever attempt some of these levels again. Woe to the gamer that attempts to unlock the achievement of beating the entire game without being hit.

Grade: B