Mega Man 8

{{Infobox video game

| image = Mega Man 8 Coverart.jpg

| caption = North American Saturn cover art

| alt = Illustration of a blue colored robot shooting energy from its arm.

| developer = Capcom

| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP / NA|Capcom}}{{vgrelease|PAL|Infogrames{{cite journal| author=Lomas, Ed | date=October 1997 | issue=191 | title=Mega Man 8 | journal=Computer and Video Games | publisher=EMAP | page=81 | issn=0261-3697}}}}

| director = Hayato Kaji

| designer =

| producer = Keiji Inafune

| artist = Hideki Ishikawa
Shinsuke Komaki

| composer = Shusaku Uchiyama

| series = Mega Man

| platforms = PlayStation, Sega Saturn

| released = PlayStation {{vgrelease|JP|December 17, 1996{{cite book|isbn=978-1-897376-79-9 |date=January 6, 2010 |title=Mega Man: Official Complete Works|publisher=Udon Entertainment | pages=52–9}}|NA|March 22, 1997{{cite press release| title=Mega Man Celebrates Tenth Birthday With 32-Bit Bang | url=http://capcom.com/buzzbin/pr/html/pr1997012000.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970616094306/http://capcom.com/buzzbin/pr/html/pr1997012000.html | publisher=Capcom | archive-date=June 16, 1997 | date=January 1997 | access-date=April 10, 2010}}|PAL|1997}} Saturn
{{vgrelease|JP|January 17, 1997|NA|March 25, 1997}}

| genre = Action, platform

| modes = Single-player

}}

Mega Man 8{{efn|Also known as {{nihongo|Rockman 8: Metal Heroes|ロックマン8: メタルヒーローズ|Rokkuman 8: Metaru Hīrōzu||lead=yes}} in Japan}} is a 1996 action-platform game developed and published by Capcom. It was directed by Hayato Kaji and produced by Keiji Inafune, both of whom had previously worked on the series as artists. It is the eighth installment in the original Mega Man series, and was initially released in Japan on the PlayStation in 1996. The following year, Mega Man 8 saw a release on the Sega Saturn and was localized for both consoles in North America and the PlayStation alone in PAL regions. Mega Man 8 is the first game in the series made available on 32-bit consoles. The plot follows series protagonist Mega Man as he is called to investigate an energy reading coming from a recent meteor crash on an island. Mega Man discovers that his nemesis Dr. Wily has run off with the energy source, and sets off to stop Wily's evil plans to use the energy, and to discover the purpose of a mysterious alien robot found at the crash site.

Mega Man 8 has improved graphics and sound over previous iterations in the series, as well as new full-motion video and voice acting. Aside from a few minor conventions, the game has the same 2D side-scrolling and platform game formula established by its predecessors on the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES platforms. It received a moderately positive reception. Many reviewers appreciated the game's aesthetics and gameplay qualities when compared to its earlier counterparts, but several other critics were displeased by its lack of innovation and felt that it did not utilize the full potential of the 32-bit platforms. Additionally, the English-language version of the game received considerable criticism for its voice acting, which was perceived by many as being comically poor-quality. The game was a moderate commercial success and was re-released on best-seller lines in Japan and North America.

Mega Man 8 was followed by Mega Man & Bass, a 1998 spin-off game for the Super Famicom which reused several of the game's assets and characters. A true sequel to the game, Mega Man 9, would not be released until 2008, and would revert to the graphical and gameplay style of the early NES games.

Gameplay

File:Mega Man 8 Clown Man's stage.jpg

The gameplay of Mega Man 8 is similar to that of its predecessors. The player, as Mega Man, must complete various stages that contain side-scrolling action and platforming elements. The player can run, jump, slide, shoot, swim, charge the Mega Buster, and change weapons.{{cite book|editor=Capcom |title=Mega Man 8: Anniversary Collector's Edition Instruction Booklet |date=January 1997 |id=SLUS-00453 |publisher=Capcom Entertainment, Inc.| pages=4–11}} Enemies can be destroyed to reveal items used to refill Mega Man's health and weapon power. Like Mega Man 7, the player first completes an introductory stage and is then presented with four Robot Master stages (Tengu Man, Frost Man, Grenade Man, and Clown Man) to tackle in any order. At the end of each stage is a boss battle with a Robot Master; defeating the Robot Master earns the player its Master Weapon. Most Robot Masters are weak to either the Mega Buster or one or more Master Weapon, allowing for some strategy in the order the stages are completed. An additional four Robot Masters (Aqua Man, Sword Man, Search Man, and Astro Man) become available once the first four are defeated and an intermission stage is completed.{{cite web | author1=Nutt, Christian | author2=Speer, Justin | name-list-style=amp | title=The History of Mega Man | url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6076983/p-9.html?tag=stitialclk%3Bfeatures | work=GameSpot | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=April 17, 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106222536/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6076983/p-9.html?tag=stitialclk%3Bfeatures | archive-date=November 6, 2012 }}

An addition to gameplay in Mega Man 8 is the ability to display and use multiple weapons onscreen simultaneously. This change introduces a unique way of using weapons strategically. For example, Mega Man can place a Tornado Hold, jump into it and swing the Flame Sword while rising with the air current. The player also has the ability to use the Mega Buster at all times, even when equipped with a Master Weapon. The player can buy new abilities from Roll in Dr. Light's lab in exchange for special bolts found throughout the levels. However, due to a limited number of bolts{{cite web |author1=Maciejewski, A.J. |title=Mega Man 8: Bolt Locations Guide |url=https://videochums.com/article/mega-man-8-bolt-locations-guide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808234537/https://videochums.com/article/mega-man-8-bolt-locations-guide |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |date=July 31, 2017 }} and powerup slots available, the player must carefully decide which power-ups to buy. Power-ups utilizing Mega Man's dog Rush are won by fighting mid-stage minibosses.{{cite magazine|date=February 1997|title=Mega Man 8: The Original Blue Dude with an Attitude|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b2/EGM_US_091.pdf|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=91|pages=112–5}} Such Rush items include Rush Question, giving the player a random pickup, Rush Charger, which makes pickups rain from the skies, and Rush Bike, used to cross large gaps.

Plot

Taking place in the 21st century (the ambiguous year 20XX) and after the events of Mega Man 7, two alien robots engage in a battle in the depths of space. Ultimately, both of them plummet towards Earth, critically injured. On Earth, humanoid robot Mega Man and his robot canine companion Rush are caught in a skirmish with his rival Bass, who still wants to prove himself to be stronger than Mega Man. Thanks to the timely intervention of his sister Roll, who was bringing a message from his creator Dr. Light, Mega Man manages to subdue Bass long enough to leave. Bass swears that he will get back at Mega Man for his "cowardice". Dr. Light asks Mega Man to investigate strange energy readings on a nearby island.{{cite video game|title=Mega Man 8|developer=Capcom|publisher=Capcom|date=January 1997|platform=Sony PlayStation|quote=Dr. Light: A strange meteor has fallen to Earth just a while ago. This meteor seems to be emitting a powerful energy signature. Something this powerful must not fall into the hands of evil!}} On the island, Mega Man finds Dr. Wily flying away with a strange purple orb. Before chasing him, he sees a damaged robot and asks for Dr. Light to pick it up and try to repair it. Dr. Wily then releases four new advanced and modern Robot Masters to combat Mega Man: Frost Man, Tengu Man, Clown Man, and Grenade Man. Each time he destroys one, he receives a purple orb like the one Dr. Wily captured. Each of the Robot Masters are empowered with a strange energy, and it seems that this power comes from the new energy cores that Wily has infused them with.

After Mega Man defeats the four Robot Masters, he returns to the lab and brings Dr. Light the energy cores he retrieved; Dr. Light examines them and realizes that they are a powerful form of energy, which Dr. Wily must not have in his possession. After they leave the lab, the robot awakens and sees the energy cores, becoming enraged and flies off into the distance. Mega Man follows him to a mine shaft on the other side of the globe. After battling the robot, Proto Man shows up and tells Mega Man that Dr. Wily's new fortress, "Wily Tower," is just ahead. Mega Man goes there but is captured by one of Wily's giant robotic creations. The robot saves him and introduces himself as Duo. Duo explains to Mega Man that the purple orbs are "Evil Energy" and he has been traveling the universe, tracking down this energy and trying to destroy it before it engulfs the entire world.{{cite video game|title=Mega Man 8|developer=Capcom|publisher=Capcom|date=January 1997|platform=Sony PlayStation|quote=Duo: Yes, this is what you people call "Evil Energy". Based on my studies so far, the one who obtained the original energy must be a being of complete evil. This type of energy absorbs the evil in a person's mind and then multiplies. Judging by the quick rate of its growth, it'll take over the planet with evil energy in a matter of days! We must stop it!}} However, Wily Tower has a barrier around it that prevents him from taking out the source. Duo tells Mega Man to destroy the four other Robot Masters that hold the key to the barrier (Astro Man, Sword Man, Search Man, and Aqua Man), while he collects and extinguishes the rest of the world's Evil Energy.

Once the remaining Robot Masters are defeated, Wily Tower's barrier is lifted and Mega Man makes his way through it, defeating the hordes of robotic henchmen inside, including Bass, who uses a piece of the Evil Energy to amplify his powers,{{cite video game|title=Mega Man 8|developer=Capcom|publisher=Capcom|date=January 1997|platform=Sony PlayStation|quote=Bass: Mega Man! You can't escape this time! Mega Man: Uh-oh...I don't feel good... Bass: Hah, you're, like, too weak to defeat me. Get lost, loser.}} and ultimately, the evil doctor himself. The "Evil Energy" is destroyed before it is allowed to spread throughout the world, but it manages to infect Mega Man before being destroyed, and Wily's newest compound is demolished with Mega Man inside, who is dying from the Evil Energy. Duo arrives, and seeing the goodness and justice in his heart, cures him of the evil energy, eradicating the last remnants of the Evil Energy on Earth. Proto Man catches up to him; Duo then says that his mission is done, and leaves, but not before asking Proto Man for a favor. Mega Man then wakes up in Dr. Light's Lab and is reunited with Light, Roll and the others who tell him that Duo saved him. He then walks outside and finds Proto Man, who gives him a message from Duo: "Thank You."{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}

Development and release

File:Keiji Inafune - Japan Expo 13- 2012-0706- P1410048.JPG was the producer for Mega Man 8.|alt=A black haired man smiling. He wears a white shirt.]]

Mega Man 8 was developed by Capcom. Tokuro Fujiwara, who had been the producer for previous Mega Man titles, had left Capcom, so Keiji Inafune, who had previously played the role of artist for many titles in the series, became a producer for Mega Man 8. He handed off many of the main responsibilities to Hayato Kaji, an artist he often considered to be his student. Inafune recounted, "This allowed me to take a very different approach to creating a Mega Man game. 'Seeing Mega Man from a distance,' I guess you could say." Illustrators including Hideki Ishikawa and Shinsuke Komaki worked under the two veterans. Inafune recounted that the development team was often overwhelmed during the game's development because it involved some unfamiliar elements such as coordinating releases on two new systems and the use of anime cutscenes.{{cite journal | journal=CFC Style Fan-Book | volume=3 | author=Inafune, Keiji | year=1997 | title=Rockman 10th Anniversary Celebration Plans | publisher=Capcom | language=ja | page=24| author-link=Keiji Inafune }} The team enlisted the help of animation studio Xebec to produce the animated cutscenes for the game. Inafune had wanted to include animated cutscenes since the very first game in the series, and stated that he was pleased with the outcome.

The character Duo was created specifically for Mega Man 8, but was first made a playable character in the earlier 1996 arcade fighting game Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters.{{cite journal |title=New Character "DUO" Creation Secrets | journal=Grand Rockman Exposition '96 | publisher=Capcom | language=ja | author=Kaji, Hayato | year=1996 | page=4}} Kaji initially designed Duo as a robot invented by the Mega Man 4 character Dr. Cossack. When it was decided that Duo would instead come from outer space, his appearance changed but still retained remnants of Russian traits, such as his ushanka. Like past games in the series, the Robot Masters were picked from design contests in Japan. Capcom received around 110,000 idea submissions. For the contest, Capcom prepared drawings showing basic shapes for entrants to base their designs on, such as a bipedal top-heavy base with two heads; three of the final designs (Sword Man, Clown Man, and Search Man) were based on these.{{cite book |isbn=978-1-897376-79-9 |date=January 6, 2010 |title=Mega Man: Official Complete Works|publisher=Udon Entertainment | page=190}}{{cite journal | date= September 1996 | title=Mega Man 8 | journal=Game On! USA | publisher=Viz Media | volume=1 | issue=5 | page=13 | issn=1087-8505}} Ishikawa recounted, "The submissions we'd get for the boss characters were absolutely brimming with the youthful imagination of kids. I still remember how everyone had permanent smiles painted on their faces as we looked at each and every one of the submissions that came through." Tengu Man and Astro Man had already been designed by Capcom prior to the contest.

The musical score for Mega Man 8 was composed by Shusaku Uchiyama. It was the first project at Capcom that Uchiyama led himself.{{cite web | author=Greening, Chris | date=March 2011 | title=Interview with Shusaku Uchiyama & Takeshi Miura: A History of Resident Evil Music | url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/shusakuuchiyama.shtml | publisher=Square Enix Music Online | access-date=October 25, 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921124823/http://squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/shusakuuchiyama.shtml | archive-date=September 21, 2010 }} The Japanese version of the game features the J-pop vocal opening theme "Electrical Communication" and the ending theme "Brand New Way" by the group Ganasia.{{cite journal | date=May 1997 | title=最新版ロックマンスーパー大百科コミックボンボンスペシャル #110 |trans-title=Latest Edition Rockman Super Big Encyclopedia Comic BonBon Special #110 | publisher=Kodansha | pages=78–88}}{{cite web | script-title=ja:ロックマンテーマソング集<ロックマン15周年記念> |trans-title=Rockman Theme Song Collection <Rockman 15th Anniversary> | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030810220352/http://suleputer.capcom.co.jp/suleputer/lineup/cpca1056.htm | url=http://suleputer.capcom.co.jp/suleputer/lineup/cpca1056.htm | archive-date=August 10, 2003 | publisher=Suleputer | language=ja | access-date=December 18, 2011}}

The two versions of the game are not identical. The Saturn version has two added bosses from previous Mega Man games and a bonus mode with official and fan artwork, voice and music tests, and a secret animation test for the cutscenes.{{cite magazine | magazine=GamePro | title=S.W.A.T. Pro | issue=96 | date=July 1997 | page=115 | publisher=IDG Communications | issn=1042-8658}} Music tracks slightly differ in arrangement between the versions, with two remixes being added for the extra bosses and the music for Tengu Man's stage being completely different.

Mega Man 8 was released in Japan on the PlayStation on December 17, 1996, and the Sega Saturn on January 17, 1997. It was published in North America by Capcom on both the PlayStation and Saturn, the PlayStation version releasing in January 1997 and the Saturn release following two months later. The PlayStation version was initially not going to be released in North America, as it was a 2D game at a time when Sony was pushing for games with 3D graphics. Upon learning the game would be released on a PlayStation competitor, Sony changed its mind, approving the game's release in North American on the condition it have content the Saturn version lacked. This resulted in the first editions, branded as the Anniversary Collector's Edition, being enclosed with a 12-page full-color anthology booklet commemorating Mega Man's tenth anniversary.{{cite episode| title=Mega Man| url=http://g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/1152/Mega_Man.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917124528/http://www.g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/1152/Mega_Man.html| archive-date=September 17, 2011| url-status=dead| series=Game Makers| series-link=Game Makers| credits=Interviewee: Chris Bieniek| network=G4| airdate=November 20, 2003| season=2| number=19| access-date=April 8, 2010}} In Europe, the game was to be published by Laguna Video Games, a German game publisher who released a majority of Capcom's SNES games in Europe, before Laguna's owner, Philips Multimedia BV, was acquired by Infogrames in July 1997.{{Cite web |url=https://ogdb.eu/index.php?section=company&companyid=1181 |title=OGDB - Firmenübersicht: Laguna Video Games |access-date=October 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018161753/https://ogdb.eu/index.php?section=company&companyid=1181 |archive-date=October 18, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} The game was released in October 1997 exclusively for the PlayStation.

In Japan, numerous pieces of tie-in merchandise were released alongside the game, including action figures, gashapon toys, stationery, vinyl records, and furniture. A 43-track disc containing the instrumental music was released by Team Entertainment later in 2007.{{cite web | title=ロックマン8 メタルヒーローズオリジナル・サウンドトラック | trans-title=Rockman 8: Metal Heroes Original Soundtrack | url=http://www.team-e.co.jp/products/kdsd-00172.html | publisher=Team Entertainment | access-date=April 17, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705045839/http://www.team-e.co.jp/products/kdsd-00172.html | archive-date=July 5, 2011 }}

Reception

Initial sales of Mega Man 8 were good.{{cite web | year=1998 | title=Annual Report 1997 | url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/data/pdf/Annual1998.pdf | publisher=Capcom | access-date=April 11, 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310051127/http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/data/pdf/Annual1998.pdf | archive-date=March 10, 2013 }} Major gaming retailers in North America including Electronics Boutique and Babbage's reported selling 55% of their stock within three days of the game's release. Electronics Boutique additionally noted having sold 75% of its stock within ten days, and many locations of Babbage's being sold out in similar period of time. Capcom's president Bill Gardner later announced that the response they got from retailers was so overwhelming they had to allocate product based on orders being greater than anticipated.{{cite press release | publisher=Business Wire | title=Capcom's Mega Man 8 generating Mega Sales. | date=April 16, 1997 | url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Capcom's+Mega+Man+8+generating+Mega+Sales.-a019319856 | access-date=February 14, 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524081538/http://www.rarityguide.com/saturn_view.php | archive-date=May 24, 2013 }}

{{Video game reviews

| CVG = PS: {{Rating|3|5}}

| EGM = SAT: 8.5/10{{cite magazine | magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly | title=Saturn Reviews: Mega Man 8| page=83 | issue=1998 Buyer's Guide | publisher=Ziff Davis | issn=1058-918X}}

| Fam = 28/40{{cite magazine | magazine=Weekly Famitsu| publisher=Enterbrain, Tokuma Shoten | date=January 24, 1997 | script-title=ja:クロスレビュー |trans-title=Cross Review | issue=423 | pages=31–4 | language=ja}}

| GameFan = PS: 86/100{{cite journal | journal=GameFan |author1=Des Barres |author2=Nicholas Dean | title=Reviews: Megaman 8 The Metal Heroes | date=February 1997 | volume=5 | issue=2 | publisher=Metropolis Media | issn=1092-7212 | pages=28, 48–9}}

| GI = PS: 7/10{{cite magazine |date=February 1997 |title=Review – Mega Man 8 |magazine=Game Informer | publisher=Sunrise Publications | issue=47|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=feb97&doc=megaman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990913005542/http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=feb97&doc=megaman |archive-date=September 13, 1999 |url-status=dead | issn=1067-6392}}

| GSpot = PS: 6.3/10{{cite web | author=Gerstmann, Jeff |author-link=Jeff Gerstmann | date=April 1, 1997 | title=Mega Man 8 Anniversary Edition Review for PlayStation | url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/megaman8anniversaryce/review.html | work=GameSpot | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=February 14, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305034955/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/megaman8anniversaryce/review.html | archive-date=March 5, 2010 }}
SAT: 6.0/10{{cite web | author=Rubenstein, Matt | date=April 15, 1997 | title=Mega Man 8 Anniversary Collector's Edition Review for Saturn | url=http://www.gamespot.com/saturn/action/megaman8anniversaryce/review.html | work=GameSpot | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=February 14, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117104625/http://www.gamespot.com/saturn/action/megaman8anniversaryce/review.html | archive-date=November 17, 2009 }}

| GameRev = SAT: B{{cite web | author=Dr_Moo | date=July 29, 2004 | title=Megaman 8 review for the SATURN | url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/saturn/megaman-8 | work=Game Revolution | publisher=Net Revolution Inc. | access-date=February 14, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524081538/http://www.rarityguide.com/saturn_view.php | archive-date=May 24, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}

| IGN = PS: 6/10{{cite web | date=March 31, 1997 | title=Mega Man 8 | url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/150/150561p1.html | website=IGN | access-date=February 14, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221040934/http://psx.ign.com/articles/150/150561p1.html | archive-date=February 21, 2009 }}

| PSM = PS: {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine | magazine=PSM | publisher=Imagine Publishing | issue=1 | date=September 1997 | title=Reviews: Backlog | page=27 | issn=1940-0721}}

| NGen = PS: {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine |title=Finals: MegaMan 8 |magazine=Next Generation |issue=29 |publisher=Imagine Media |date=May 1997 |page=148 |url=https://archive.org/stream/NEXT_Generation_29#page/n148 |access-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216175304/https://archive.org/stream/NEXT_Generation_29#page/n148 |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

| rev2 = Ultra Game Players

| rev2Score = PS: 8.1/10{{cite journal | journal=Ultra Game Players| publisher=Imagine Publishing | date=May 1997 | title=Reviews: Mega Man 8 | issn=1091-1685}}

| GR = SAT: 76.25%{{cite web|url= http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/197894-mega-man-8-anniversary-collectors-edition/index.html|title=Mega Man 8 Sega Saturn review score|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505172739/http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/197894-mega-man-8-anniversary-collectors-edition/index.html|archive-date=May 5, 2016}}
PS: 70.75%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/250604-mega-man-8-anniversary-edition/index.html|title=Mega Man 8 PlayStation review score|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503061245/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/250604-mega-man-8-anniversary-edition/index.html|archive-date=May 3, 2016}}

| Allgame = SAT: {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1889&tab=review |title=Mega Man 8 (Sega Saturn) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115151829/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1889&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}

}}

Mega Man 8 received moderately positive reviews from critics. One complaint involved the game having virtually nothing in terms of gameplay or features that had not already appeared in previous installments of the series, and very little change in the gameplay formula that had been used since the first Mega Man game appeared a decade ago. Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot commented that the robots seem to be clones of enemies from earlier, while Matt Rubenstein summarized his reviews, "this whole premise has been done seven times before and [...] it's starting to get old." In contrast, Crispin Boyer of Electronic Gaming Monthly, while agreeing it did not add anything new, still gave praise for its controls and bosses.{{cite magazine|date=June 1997|title=Review Crew: Mega Man 8|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=95|page=43}} Some claimed that the game's graphics did not utilize the abilities of fifth generation consoles outside of the FMV cutscenes.{{cite magazine|author=The Rookie|date=April 1997|title=PlayStation ProReview: Mega Man 8|magazine=GamePro|publisher=IDG Communications|issue=103|page=81|issn=1042-8658}} The English-dubbing voice acting in Mega Man 8 was considered some of the worst in video games by publications including EGM, IGN, and the Australian television show Good Game.{{cite magazine|title=The Good, the Bad, and the Silly: Worst Voice Acting|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=1998 Buyer's Guide|page=18|issn=1058-918X}}{{cite web | author1=IGN News | author2=Features Team | name-list-style=amp | date=October 15, 2007 | title=Most Frightening Game Speak Ever | url=http://games.ign.com/articles/827/827451p1.html | website=IGN | access-date=April 10, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214213311/http://games.ign.com/articles/827/827451p1.html | archive-date=December 14, 2010 }}{{cite web | author=Bendixsen, Stephanie | date=May 3, 2010 | title=5-Up: Worst Voice Acting | url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s2889038.htm | work=Good Game | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | access-date=February 25, 2012 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519172525/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s2889038.htm | archive-date=May 19, 2010 | author-link=Stephanie Bendixsen }}

In 2010, IGN{{'}}s Lucas M. Thomas took a similar look back on the franchise, calling Mega Man 8 the worst in the core Mega Man series because it took Capcom's iconic hero off of Nintendo consoles, utilized animated cutscenes with bad voice acting, and further changed the visual style.{{cite web | author=Thomas, Lucas M. | date=February 16, 2010 | title=The 10 Steps to Mega Man 10 | url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/106/1069184p5.html | website=IGN | access-date=April 11, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325043305/http://wii.ign.com/articles/106/1069184p5.html | archive-date=March 25, 2010 }} GamesRadar named Mega Man 8 the 23rd best Sega Saturn game of all time out of a list of 25.{{cite web | date=April 18, 2012 | title=Best Saturn games of all time | url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-saturn-games-all-time/ | work=GamesRadar | access-date=January 16, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408045155/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-saturn-games-all-time/ | archive-date=April 8, 2016 }}

Legacy

In 1998, Capcom released Mega Man & Bass on the Super Famicom with many of the same sprites, animations, and backgrounds as taken from Mega Man 8.{{cite web | author=Vreeland, Michael | date=April 11, 2003 | title=Mega Man and Bass | url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/mega-man-and-bass/5764p1.html | work=GameSpy | publisher=IGN | access-date=April 10, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202062357/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/mega-man-and-bass/5764p1.html | archive-date=December 2, 2010 }} Ten years later, Capcom announced another follow-up, Mega Man 9, which changed the graphical style of the series back to its 8-bit appearance similar to the first six installments.{{cite web | author=Moriarty, Colin | date=January 22, 2008 | title=Mega Man 9 Walkthrough & Strategy Guide | url=http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/mega-man-9/guide/ | work=GameSpy | publisher=IGN | access-date=April 11, 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711072307/http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/mega-man-9/guide/ | archive-date=July 11, 2011 }} Capcom did not replicate any of the gameplay gimmicks included in the eighth installment for this sequel, save for the shop and bolt currency system.

In 2002, the PlayStation version of Mega Man 8 was re-released as part of Sony's Greatest Hits label of bestsellers, confirming that it had sold at least 350,000 units.{{cite web | date=May 22, 2002 | title=Capcom® Releases Blockbuster Franchise Titles as Greatest Hits | url=http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=400027 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020809021652/http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=400027 | publisher=Capcom | archive-date=August 9, 2002 | access-date=March 6, 2012}} In Japan, the game received budget re-releases as part of both the PlayStation the Best for Family and the Sega Saturn Collection.{{cite web | title=ロックマン8 メタルヒーローズ PlayStation the Best for Family |trans-title=Rockman 8: Metal Heroes PlayStation the Best for Family | url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slps91045.html | language=ja | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | access-date=March 6, 2012 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212165550/http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slps91045.html | archive-date=December 12, 2013 }}{{cite web | title=名作たちの逆襲サタコレ（SEGASATURN COLLECTION）| url=http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/saturn/collection/ | publisher=Sega | language=ja | access-date=April 11, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010815201832/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/saturn/collection/ |archive-date = August 15, 2001}} The PlayStation version was ported to the North American Mega Man Anniversary Collection for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube in 2004 and the Xbox in 2005.{{cite web | author=Adams, David | date=June 23, 2004 | title=Mega Man Anniversary Collection Ships | url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/525/525848p1.html | website=IGN | access-date=April 10, 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525231013/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/525/525848p1.html | archive-date=May 25, 2010 }}{{cite web | author=Adams, David | date=March 15, 2005 | title=Mega Man Collection Ships | url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/596/596170p1.html | website=IGN | access-date=April 10, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611220753/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/596/596170p1.html | archive-date=June 11, 2011 }} The PlayStation version was later ported again and released as part of Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows,{{Cite web |url=http://www.capcom-unity.com/mega_man/blog/2017/08/08/mega-man-legacy-collection-2-is-available-now |website=Capcom-Unity |publisher=Capcom |title=Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 is available now! |access-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028042730/http://www.capcom-unity.com/mega_man/blog/2017/08/08/mega-man-legacy-collection-2-is-available-now |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} with a later digital version released on the Nintendo Switch in May 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/mega_man_legacy_collection_2|title=Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 Review|author=Vogel, Mitch|website=Nintendo Life|date=May 22, 2018|access-date=August 11, 2020}}