Mega Man Zero

by Capcom

Product Features

• 1 Player
• Classic adventure starring Mega Man's pal Zero
• 70 helpful cybver elves to collect
• Special data recording ability entitles top ranked players to bragging rights

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000066TS4
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 10, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,065 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Fans of Mega Man side scrollers, rejoice--Mega Man Zero has finally come to the GBA. It may be the best Mega Man game designed on any platform, even though it doesn't exactly star Mega Man himself.

Mega Man Zero has basic Mega Man gameplay, though there are some notable differences. Zero can run, jump, dash, shoot, and swing a sword like Mega Man, but now he can also slide down the sides of walls and jump from wall to wall like Jackie Chan. Despite the fancy new moves, be warned: This is probably the most difficult Mega Man game ever made. Zero can't duck, nor can he shoot above or below himself. This makes fighting the many, many enemies difficult--especially when they approach from various angles.

While a side-scrolling action game, Mega Man Zero has definite role-playing game elements. For starters, Zero's skills improve over time. As Zero uses the sword, he will eventually be able to make double--and subsequently triple--attacks. Between missions, Zero can explore the resistance base, talk to people, and "download" various skills via the new Cyber Elf system. There are 70 Cyber Elves scattered throughout the game, and they're broadly lumped into three groups: Nurse Elves that heal, Hacker Elves that alter surroundings, and Animal Elves that boost Zero's abilities. Zero can even feed his Cyber Elves, and increase their power.

In some ways, the graphics of this game surpass the Mega Man games for the PlayStation. There are some outstanding anime cutscenes, the levels are well designed, and the sprites are tight and amazingly detailed. For looks alone, you should buy this game. The sound isn’t as stellar, but adds good ambience. --Bryan Karsh

Pros:

• New moves
• Gorgeous graphics
• Engaging story (including surprising twist with Mega Man)
• Cyber Elf system

Cons:

• The game is very difficult--you can’t duck, nor can you shoot up or down
• You no longer absorb skills from defeated bosses

Amazon.com Product Description

Mega Man's pal Zero, the reploid from the Mega Man X series who was turned good by the infectious Sigma Virus after 100 years of sleep, is on a quest with exiled scientist Ciel to discover a new reploid energy source. Players control Zero through the missions and must confront several adversaries along the way. Collect more than 70 Cyber-Elf power-ups to help you get through tough spots.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 22XX has come....and is well worth the wait!, August 4, 2002

By 

Lord Hyraken (Burlington, Wi USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mega Man Zero (Video Game)

Coming at last, the latest installment of the Megaman series is a simply awesome game. The graphics are excellent, especially in the later missions, and animations are wondrous.

You play as Zero, the ace Maverick hunter from the Megaman X series. Sealing himself away in a capsule to eliminate his berserk tendensies, he awakens 103 years later, to find that the Reploids - a race of sentient robots that Zero is a forebear of - are being hunted down by Neo Arcaria, and thier leader.

New weapons like a extendable, 8-directional spear, and a shield that deflects energy attacks complement Zero's traditional sword and buster pistol.

The game, however, is hard. Very, very hard. Using a continue system, you can find yourself giving away lives like candy at boss fights and certain missions.

New additions to the Megaman gameplay formula include the ability to enhance your weapons with a Elemental Arttribute, the 'Cyber Elves' - English Name pending - a series of strange almost spirit-like beings that you accumulate and can use to heal, extend your maximum health, half all damage, or become immune to spikes - which, by the way are still like before with their instant-death fun. Also, the normal health bar that bosses traditionally have now can have extra 'layers'...esentially giving them twice to three times as much health as you would expect!

Most chilling of all is the unexpected leader of Neo Arcardia and the mastermind behind the Reploid massacres...and why he does it...

And the great conundrum remains...what happended to 'X', Zero's rival, partner, and friend? Is he still alive, or did the sands of time finnally catch up to him?

This game is not for casual players, as hard as it is, but the game as a whole make up for it spectacularly. I reccomend this game to any veterans of the Megaman X series, one looking for a challenge, and anyone else who wishes to unravel the secrets of Neo Arcardia.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Megaman Game in Years, January 11, 2003

By 

Kyouryuu (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mega Man Zero (Video Game)

Mega Man Zero is, simply put, one of the best Mega Man games to come out in years. With a fresh, new look, fun gameplay, and extremely crisp animation, I'm anxiously hoping they will make a sequel!

Mega Man Zero takes place in the year 22XX, presumably within a century after the X series ended. It stars Zero, an android, who was Mega Man X's comrade in arms back then. Zero was reactivated by a human scientist, named Ciel, who needed his legendary powers to defeat a new threat. That threat comes in the form of Neo Arcadia, an oppressive government regime that has ordered the destruction of all Reploids, worker androids based X and Zero. The identity of the mysterious leader of Neo Arcadia provides a very surprising and fascinating plot twist for those who have followed the X series.

The gameplay is fast and furious. If you ever played as Zero in the X games, you'll have a general idea of what to except. Zero is equipped with a gun and a sword to begin with, although you will find the latter far more useful. Eventually two other weapons can be earned and each of them can be joined with the Elemental powers won by defeating the bosses. The game controls perfectly and Zero's animations are incredibly smooth, even when compared to the PSX games. They really nailed the graphics in this game. The music and sound is less memorable.

The game is hampered by a couple negative points worthy of mention.

First, the game presents you with the Cyber Elf system. Through this system, you can upgrade Zero, give him energy tanks, and in general make the game a lot easier. The problem with this system is that to use Cyber Elves, you not only have to find them in the levels, but also gather up enough energy for them to reach their full potential. With some taking upwards of 1200 points, you'll find yourself standing in the Underground Lab stage hitting those spider robots for hours. This is just bad design. If a player wants the item granted by the Cyber Elf, it is already at their option to use it or not. If they want to use it, don't put this artifical hurdle in their way. If they want an item bad enough, they are going to sit there and gather the energy to do it, so why not just let them have it?

The second point is the difficulty. The game has a slightly wacky difficulty level in that it is harder in the beginning than it is towards the end. That's because when you use the aforementioned Cyber Elf system, you will gain items that make things a lot easier. Until then, the first two or three bosses are going to be very difficult. Indeed, the whole concept of giving Zero one life to get through a level and limited continues is just harsh and will easily frustrate the casual gamer. In the future, Capcom should bring back the original lives and unlimited continues premise. At least, after you beat it, you can start over again with all of your weapons and upgrades. The bosses, once you have the means of defeating them, are a joy to fight again, mostly because they are so original in both design and attack strategy.

Even with these problems, Mega Man Zero is still an awesome game. Capcom really outdid themselves with this one, creating a game that easily rivals the past two Playstation Mega Man titles. If you are looking for a fine Game Boy Advance game you won't defeat in a couple hours, try this one. I would recommend this to side-scroller fans and especially those who are looking for another game like it after having beaten Metroid Fusion for the fourth time.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good bye x hello ZERO, September 7, 2002

By 

Zero (mililani, hi United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mega Man Zero (Video Game)

THE GOOD:
Use zero in a new and inovative levels. Zero has been given a great new look that makes him look younger and more like an anime character, infact everyone you meet gives you that anime feel. Respect...Get a high rank and your fellow resitance members will give you respect and praise you, even enemies will back down, do bad and well.....Lets just say you won't get the respect zero deserves.Intorduction of cyber elves (there kind of like net navis from megaman battle net work)they kind of work like hearts (those things that increased your life) but they have many uses and some can even be leveled up. Great battle effects when you beat an enemy with the saber you will more then likely see that enemy be sliced in two. A great story line will help explain the megaman saga. And lastly think the bosses from the past megaman games were to easy well even the most basic bosses will have more than one life bar (it's not to hard for us veteren megaman players but it will give rookies a run for their money).
THE BAD:
The game is pretty short ( beat the game in under 5 hours but I've been playing megaman games for a long time and I didn't get every cyber fairy so I guess that could extend game time alot). Only 2 different weapons (sword and gun) but you have 3 different elemental properties to amp up the sword (fire, ice, electric).

SUMMARY:
Another great addition to the megaman series and in my opinion better than the megaman battle network series. I hope capcom continues to put this anime flare in their megaman and hopefully zero games.