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[SolVanderlyn]

While I played all games from Zero and ZX I think Zero makes for too dull a protagonist if the focus is on him too much (and it generally is in the Zero series)

I agree with this. I feel like Zero functions much better as a supporting character. He lacks the charisma of the other Mega Men - he's distant, aloof, and to the point. Don't get me wrong - the Zero series is great, and Zero is a good character. He shines brightest when he's not the main character, though.

 

[DukeTogo1300]

Classic for me. I prefer the feel vs the later games, the way you interact with the level structure changes a lot starting with X. I also like the softer story elements and art style.

 

[Dreamgazer]

Zero > Classic > X > ZX.

The Zero series has just the right amount of difficulty for me and I like how you can basically adjust difficulties on your own terms. The platforming was also just right where you can maintain a sense of speed.

Classic gets second only because the game can come to a grinding halt with some of the more platforming sections (disappearing blocks/platforms.)

X is too inconsistent in regards to difficulties and designs across the games. The later titles (ex: x6) also had too much of a "we're going to crush you with stuff" game design.

ZX felt way too easy for me.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

I like a huge number of the games, but Battle Network and Legends stand out.

 

[Videoneon]

I agree with this. I feel like Zero functions much better as a supporting character. He lacks the charisma of the other Mega Men - he's distant, aloof, and to the point. Don't get me wrong - the Zero series is great, and Zero is a good character. He shines brightest when he's not the main character, though.

Yeah I didn't want to come down too hard on the guy but I agree with you too. Things might've been different if X4 didn't happen or if he spiced it up a bit more (when he talks trash to Vile in X8) but as it stands his personality, while it works in certain places (his stoicness IMO works especially in such a depressing world as the Zero series) works better when there's another good personality to work off

 

[Badlucktroll]

Zero was Dr. Wily's greatest creation, correct?

 

[Schweinehund]

play X, Zero, ZX, and some MM games.

X is tops for me, followed by Zero.

 

[iShouldGoPro]

I enjoy all of them but it just has to be X and Battle Network.

Battle Network a little bit more because of the co-op experience it brought to the table.

Loved linking up with my friends and kicking ass. That game made handheld multiplayer so damn fun!
I still can't believe how fun it was. Even back then.
It still holds up to this day and it would be just as addicting if they made another.

Pokemon was much slower paced, so when we would switch games to BN, it would be intense fast paced action in contrast

 

[Lelcar]

Mega Man X is my favourite singular Mega Man in the franchise, but it is the only X game that I like. However I do like the entirety of the OG MM series from 1 to 10, just not as much as MMX individually. However, if this is a question of which series is my favourite then it's vanilla Mega Man.

 

[TreIII]

The Classic series, easily.

Before/During/After the various other games in the series started to shift focus towards various gimmicks, attempts at" serious" storytelling, half-cocked attempts at a Metroidvania and other things, the Classics just did more to focus on what this series embodied at its zeniths: solid platforming, pattern memorization and utilizing a multitude of weapons/skills in creative ways.

The Zero series easily comes second, though, if only because it was probably the best instance in the series where all of the gimmicks and storytelling were actually done so well, it only added to the classic formula instead of taking away from it.

 

[alf717]

For the BN series you left out 4.5 Real Operation and Network Transmission. Not sure where Operate Shooting Star will fit. Spin off maybe?

I like all the series but I do need to put more time into ZX and Starforce though. I never gave them much time.

 

[TreIII]

For the BN series you left out 4.5 Real Operation and Network Transmission. Not sure where Operate Shooting Star will fit. Spin off maybe?

It's (barely) a remake of the first EXE/BN game, just with a bit of Ryuusei/StarForce added in. That's all it really is!

 

[revolverjgw]

OG Mega Man. The X series has some masterpieces but also a few serious missteps.

 

[Gonzon06]

Definitely Legends, though I love 'em all

 

[AzureTranquility95]

Mega Man X > Classic = Legends > Everything Else

Classic became more of an acquired taste over the years, since as a kid I only played MM8. I started with MMX4, moved on to MMX6, then MMX7 and MMX8. With a bit of Legends in-between those. I never played Legends 2 or Tron Bonne when they came out. MML2 because it was pricy on the second-hand market for ages and Tron Bonne I didn't know existed til a few years ago.

Mega Man Zero is like Mega Man X but not as fun for some reason. :/

 

[Why would you do that?]

Classic, followed by Zero and ZX.

Mega Man Zero's (and ZX's, actually) best moments are better than Mega Man Classic's best moments, but Classic is very, very consistent and tight. They are also among the very few NES games which I say hold up almost 100% completely over the years, with great graphics, music, gameplay, and presentation that doesn't feel antiquated.

Mega Man Zero isn't quite as fun for a regular playthrough for me, but it has top-notch action, controls, and attacks. It just feels good to move around and attack. Oh, and let's not forget the bosses...

ZX has the greatness of Mega Man Zero with a kind of annoying open world. But it has better music than Zero.

I haven't had extended time with the other series to rank them, though I can safely say I'm not a big fan of the X series (which has games which are definitely good, but not great to me).

 

[entremet]

Classic for me. X is fine, but it only has one amazing game--MMX.

The rest were so so.

 

[J_Ark]

Legends by far. So fun and great characters. Next would be classic Mega Mans. Loved them on my childhood.

 

[SkyOdin]

For me, the best is Mega Man Zero. It has a progressing narrative arc that evolves over four games before getting an actual conclusion. It also has some of the best gameplay in the franchise.

In a close second place is the other GBA franchise: Mega Man Battle Network, for many of the same reasons. Great gameplay, good story, and an actual conclusion. The main reason that I place Battle Network second is because it suffered an awful drop in quality in the form of Battle Network 4 that might have ultimately led to the Mega Man franchises drawn out decline.

I think I would have ranked Mega Man ZX and Mega Man Star Force even higher than their predecessors if they had only been given the chance they deserved. Star Force 1 was amazing, but it was immediately followed up by series-killing sequel that led to the series getting cut short. And the Mega Man ZX series just plain never got finished. So both series end up falling short of their massive potential.

I would rank Mega Man X after all of those. It is a great series, but very inconsistent in quality. Tied with it is Legends, which is a great series that desperately needs a sequel (R.I.P. Mega Man Legends 3).

At the very bottom of my list is the Classic series, which while fun, lacks the gameplay polish and writing that latter evolved in the series. It is too minimalistic in both gameplay and story for my tastes.

 

[wmlk]

Battle Network has the greatest battle system ever.

Battle Network and it's not even close.

I also liked Mega Man Zero, particularly Zero 2, but BN edges it easily.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

To people saying X1 is the "only good game" - do you really think X2, X4, and X5 are bad games? If so, why?

"X1 is the only good game in the X series" seems to be thrown around a lot these days, and I think it's simply not true, even from a subjective viewpoint. Yes, it may be the best title, but the others are not so drastically different that they're leagues below it. X4 especially.

 

[Biker19]

They're all fantastic games, but the spot would really have to go towards the X series.

Zero was Dr. Wily's greatest creation, correct?

Yes.

To people saying X1 is the "only good game" - do you really think X2, X4, and X5 are bad games? If so, why?

"X1 is the only good game in the X series" seems to be thrown around a lot these days, and I think it's simply not true, even from a subjective viewpoint. Yes, it may be the best title, but the others are not so drastically different that they're leagues below it. X4 especially.

IMO, X1 to X4 & X8 are the more superior Rockman X/Mega Man X games.

 

[oneida]

To people saying X1 is the "only good game" - do you really think X2, X4, and X5 are bad games? If so, why?

"X1 is the only good game in the X series" seems to be thrown around a lot these days, and I think it's simply not true, even from a subjective viewpoint. Yes, it may be the best title, but the others are not so drastically different that they're leagues below it. X4 especially.

I like X4 more than X1 but still feel that the X series is far less consistent than Classic and Zero (although if Zero had 8 entries, who knows?)

 

[Krelian]

To people saying X1 is the "only good game" - do you really think X2, X4, and X5 are bad games? If so, why?

"X1 is the only good game in the X series" seems to be thrown around a lot these days, and I think it's simply not true, even from a subjective viewpoint. Yes, it may be the best title, but the others are not so drastically different that they're leagues below it. X4 especially.

To me X1 is the best MMX game but I do like the others too, especially X2 and X3. X4 is no bad game either but I just don't like it as much as the others.

My favorite series is the Classic series. When I think of Mega Man, this is what I think of. There's only one entry I don't like that much (MM8).

 

[Hollycat]

Battle Network by a huge margin for me. Then ZX. I don't really care for the rest, other than zero on occasion.

 

[Qurupeke]

For some reason I really can't like anything other than the original Mega Man series. I really need to give them a chance though.

 

[Jonneh3003]

Classic for me, I own and enjoy X, X3 and the PS2 X collection but I just can't bring myself to understand why they're so well regarded. They're good, yes, but I don't think they come close to the NES originals.

 

[DukeTogo1300]

I will say the Classic series wouldn't feel overall stronger than X if they didn't come out of no where and make 9-10. X has its hiccups, but is mostly good core X game design.

I can't say Classic has an entry as bad as MMX7 though.

 

[FF Seraphim]

X

Seriously, X4/X1 are two of the best games ever made.

 

[Orochinagis]

MMX and Zero for me, wish capcom put the elf wars or ZX continuation

 

[Jzero]

X > Zero > Classic > Legends > ZX > Battle Network

 

[rockman zx]

Classic > Zero > Battle Network > X > Legends > ZX > Starforce

Zero is by far the best when it comes to gameplay and story, probably music too but the nostalgia is too strong for me not to pick classic as my favourite series.

 

[Zolbrod]

Oh man, I can't choose!
They're all great series, but they all have a couple of complete stinkers too.

I think my ranking would be:

1. Classic series (because even the lesser entries are still good games. That's 10 good to great games)
2. X series (same as above but less so, that's 8 good to great games. X7 kind of sucked though)
3. Battle Network series (only 4 was really bad, 5 was so-so, the rest was great. That's 4 good to great games)
4. Zero series (only 1 really sucked. That's 3 great games)
5. Starforce series (2 pretty decent, 1 pretty great)
5. ZX series (only really liked the second game)
6. Legends series (hate all of them, sue me)

 

[RecursiveFault]

To people saying X1 is the "only good game" - do you really think X2, X4, and X5 are bad games? If so, why?

"X1 is the only good game in the X series" seems to be thrown around a lot these days, and I think it's simply not true, even from a subjective viewpoint. Yes, it may be the best title, but the others are not so drastically different that they're leagues below it. X4 especially.

I personally just hate how control changed starting with X4. I like X more than X2 and X3, but the core mechanics of the later entries are what kill my interest in completing any of them, and some of the other games like X6 and X7 are outright terrible. (I do need to try X8.)

 

[JediLink]

My favourite is definitely Zero. It was the pinnacle of Mega Man in both gameplay and story, and maintained a consistent level of quality all throughout. X would have been a contender if it didn't turn to shit halfway through.

 

[Sparrowhawk]

Legends, bruh.

 

[Small Mailman]

Megaman X

Fast and smooth gameplay that's a joy to control(except for when it got 3d, i never played those). The art is always good. I love Megaman 2, 3 and 5 from the classic series, but I loved every 2d game in the X series!

 

[Karakato_001]

Classic > Zero > Battle Network > X > ZX > Star Force. This is all based on what I played fro each series but I haven't played a few. Also I only played the 1st Legends as a kid so I don't have a strong opinion of that one.

I don't think I have any disliked game from the Classic series and MM9 and MM3 being one of my faves. Mega Man Zero comes close. Has the best action and story line of the franchise period. The Battle Network series is great. Different but great, I just love how it's basically an alternate reality of the Classic series. The X franchise is a mixed bag for me, The 1st game was phenomenal but the following games couldn't match its fun factor aside from MMX4. I'm also disappointed in its storyline, I know it's supposed to be a darker series but I can't take the games seriously if sigma keeps on being the main baddie for each game.

 

[leroidys]

Awesome OP.

For me, it's classic and Zero basically tied, with Legends as the runner up.

Classic doesn't have a single bad game in it, and also has the most entries if you don't count the slightly different versions of EXE/BN games. 7 and 8 were only 'good', but 9 is the best in the series and 10 is very fun as well.

Zero only has 4 titles, but all of them are fantastic.

Legends is amazing, but unfortunately Legends 2 is one of ~5 Mega Man games I haven't played, so I can't really judge it as a series. Still need to pick it up some day, but I know as soon as I shell out the cash for it it's going to go up on PSN. Still regret passing it up back in the day because it was pretty expensive at ~$40 whenever it showed up at EBGames. I can't believe we live in a world where Capcom cancels Legends 3 and releases Breath of Fire VI. It hurts.

Mega Man X is by far the most overrated series. X is very good, X2 and X4 are OK, X3 is kinda bad, and everything else is basically terrible. Everything this series does, Zero does better.

Battle Network is also fantastic, but, though the games systems do change between titles, I get pretty burnt out with all the stupid dialogue and bad 'dungeon' design. The battle system is one of the best in the history of RPGs to me though.

ZX is overlooked I feel, and ZX Advent only passable. That series had so much promise... I really wish ZX3 hadn't been cancelled.

 

[Adam Prime]

You forgot the Gameboy series.

These are actually REALLY good core Classic Mega Man games.

 

[leroidys]

You forgot the Gameboy series.

These are actually REALLY good core Classic Mega Man games.

I could never deal with the slowdown. Too bad the GB collection/remakes got canned.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

My first Mega Man was Mega Man 6, but my real love for the series started with Mega Man X. I can see why people would prefer the original series, but X just hits all the right notes and feels like a step up in almost every way for me.

 

[jacobeid]

X series 100%. This opinion is driven by pure experience/nostalgia and nothing more. Man. I played so much MMX.

I played a lot of Battle Network too.

 

[Druz]

There will always be great series I never play because they're portable games only. How can I play Zero? Advance only?

 

[Sir Ilpalazzo]

I'd probably say the Zero series. Zero is a fantastic character to play as, there are a ton of great bosses, and there only being four games probably helped them stay consistently strong (never even dipping to the "lows" of the latter three NES Mega Man games).

I do wish that the level designs were more consistently solid, though. I wonder if they were held back by the GBA.

 

[TI82]

I think I already answered this but I Dont care. Its battle network and everyone knows it.

 

[Verder]

Battle Network.

my childhood was filled with them

 

[Jacksinthe]

Classic. No frills gameplay with excellent level design, memorable bosses and superb music.

 

[MrBadger]

Zero is my favourite for several reasons. The first is I just find the saber way more fun than any projectile and it's just satisfying to slice enemies in two.

The second is I never really liked the whole "kill enemy, take power that's super effective on another enemy, go for him next" play style. I don't like how easy bosses become once you figure out who they're weak against, and how long they go on for if you're just shooting at them with the buster. Zero doesn't really have that with its bosses. They're just fast paced and fun.

I also think Zero has the best storyline and antagonists. Plotlines and villains are set up in advance, and every game has a different final boss. Fighting Wily at the end of every classic game I had no problem with but Sigma was such a bore after he died and came back the first time.

My actual favourite Mega Man game is Powered Up, but that's not really part of a series so I can't really list it. Unless I was counting it as "PSP remakes", but then I'd have to include Maverick Hunter X and I didn't really like that.

 

[MGrant]

Classic is my favorite. Always was my favorite video game series as a kid back in the late 80s/early 90s. Mega Mans 2, 3, 9, and 10 (yes, 10) are some of the best sidescrollers ever made. Hell, I'd put 2 in my top 3 games of all time. I replay it (and 3 and 9) at least once a year. The only one I didn't enjoy was 7; the sprite proportions and physics were all wrong.

X1 was a joy. Then the X series declined slowly in quality before swan diving into a volcano at X6 and never climbing back out. If Zero is Capcom's Lightning, Axl is Capcom's Hope.

Zero series felt tedious and slow. I resist the weird on-foot parts between missions and the escort missions and the grading system. Give me a boss, let me blow him up.

ZX had kind of a cool thing going on with the Metroidvania elements, but again I felt it diluted what I like about Mega Man (instant, challenging action) with collectible hunting and weird mission pacing.

Legends has my favorite story and aesthetic of the 32-bit era, but I just wasn't drawn in enough by the gameplay. Loved the Bonnes, though.

Didn't do any of the Battle Network/Star Force stuff, no opinion on it.