Mega Man 2 (NES)

Difficulty - ***1/2
Controls - *****
Graphics - *** 1/2
Sound - *****
Overall - 17 out of a possible 20

Well, Doctor Wily is at it again! Thinking that you put him away in your last encounter, Wily has escaped jail and is seeking revenge! Creating 8 new robot masters he unleashes them to run amok! Only our brave hero Mega Man can put an end to Wily's madness!

For a gamer coming into this game brand new, you're in for some early frustration. While online guides and walkthroughs will aid you to determine the order of robot master's to vanquish, it'll be an uphill battle!

The Airman stage will test your jumping skills right off the bat. Quickman stage will give you fits no doubt as you figure out the best way to maneuver around those energy blasts. But the game never feels too unfair. Practice will pay dividends for you! I love the fact that the game gives you a selection of two difficulty modes (both Normal and Hard).

The controls for the game is standard Capcom fare. Tight and responsive controls. Nothing too complain about here!

The graphics for the game are top notch. While the regular enemy sprites are somewhat cartoon looking, the robot master's are something else to behold (who doesn't love woodman? lol). Wily looks like a sniveling wimp and most of the wily stage bosses are huge (props to the dragon and the Gutsman bulldozer). I would like to point out that I love the gears in the background of Metal Man's stage. But there is a lot of flicker and screen tear as you move around the stages, especially when you encounter those mechanical birds!

And last but not least is the sound. And boy what a treat for the ears! MM 2 sports some of the best in game music on the Nintendo. The opening theme is simply classic as are the tunes for the Airman, Crashman, Wily and Metal Man stages!

For those that don't have this game, go out and search for a copy. It won't be hard as this was one of Capcom's biggest hits for the NES. The responsive controls and stellar music will keep you coming again and again. Although there is screen flicker when the action gets heavy, its nothing too terrible. Enjoy wreaking havoc on Doctor Wily's plans!