Following the great success of our article on the timeline of Castlevania, it is only fair to create the chronology of another much-loved series that rekindled its flame with the acclaimed Mega Man 11.
The blue robot's saga appears simple, but do not be fooled! Surprisingly, each title contains many details that make a difference to the chronology as a whole.
Moreover, unlike the aforementioned Castlevania, virtually every saga and every game is connected in some way—even Mega Man Soccer—making the plot far more complex and, precisely because of that, more interesting.
The exceptions are the "Battle Network" and "Star Forceseries, which are officially spin-offs.
Art by "ultimatemaverickx."
Classic Games Timeline — 20XX
Mega Man's story begins in the middle of the 20th century with the births of Thomas Light and Albert Wily, who years later studied at the same university, the Robot Institute of Technology. After earning PhDs in the field, the two followed different paths. Dr. Light achieved great success and established a laboratory to benefit humanity through technology. Dr. Wily, tired of always coming in "second place," built a secret robot factory in the Pacific and began his first plan to dominate the world.
Official Mega Man 1 artwork. During this same period, Light conducted his first experiments, seeking to create androids that resembled humans and possessed artificial intelligence. His first project was Proto Man, who had a genuine sense of independence. When the robot discovered his power generator was defective, he understood that Dr. Light wanted to modify his circuits and remove his individuality. Resentful toward his own creator, he fled the laboratory. With no other choice, Light made two robots this time, since they could work together and be like siblings. This was how Rock and Rollwere created, with the former serving as the scientist's assistant while Roll was the housekeeper. Following that success, the good doctor developed six creations for industrial purposes: Cut Man, Guts Man, Ice Man, Bomb Man, Fire Man and Elec Man. What they did not know was that Dr. Wily would soon emerge from the shadows...
Mega Man / Mega Man Powered Up (NES 1987 / PSP 2006)
When Dr. Light attended a ceremony to receive the Nobel Prize for his inventions, Dr. Albert Wily appeared and stole the six robots mentioned earlier, except Rock and Roll. After Wily modified their programming, all six began serving the evil scientist. Upon learning this, Light became desperate, knowing the police and military were unprepared to defeat them. Rock, his newest assistant, told his creator that he wanted to become a battle robot. Because of Rock's strong sense of justice and refusal to watch his "father's" work be used for evil purposes, Dr. Light saw no alternative and transformed him into Mega Manon May 25, 20XX. Equipped with his Mega Buster, Rock must defeat the other robots, absorb their powers, invade Dr. Wily's fortress, and save the world.
Mega Man 2 (NES 1988)
One year after the evil scientist's defeat—which occurred on June 9, 20XX—Dr. Wily decided to develop his own robots, this time creating eight. Mega Man must defeat them and save the world once again.
Mega Man: Dr. Wily Revenge - Rockman World (Game Boy 1991)
Thanks to Mega Man's efforts in the earlier adventures, the world is at peace. Dr. Wily has not abandoned his plan to dominate the world, however, and emerges from hiding to alter several industrial robots created by Dr. Light. With no alternative, Mega Man must face them again. After four robots are defeated, the hero invades Wily's castle, only to discover four more waiting for him.
Official Mega Man 10 artwork. Enker: Mega Man Killer. Wily was better prepared this time and built Enker, whom he himself calls the "Mega Man Killer", since it can absorb Mega's shots. Even so, the blue hero manages to defeat him. Dr. Wily tries to escape into space, but Mega Man uses Enker's own weapon to defeat him. After the battle, Mega Man returns to Earth, but Dr. Wily remains alive.
Mega Man 3 (NES 1990)
After his previous defeats, Dr. Wily tells everyone he regrets his actions and decides to join Dr. Light so the pair can develop a "peace" robot called Gamma. This was an old dream of Dr. Light's, and when the two were close to completing the project, they realized that eight energy elements scattered across the farthest reaches of the planet had to be combined. Giving them to Gamma could make it powerful enough to benefit humanity.
Official Mega Man 3 artwork. The two scientists therefore create eight robots to search for the elements. For some reason, as soon as they approach them, the robots begin acting strangely and "go mad." Learning this, Mega Man and his newest friend, the robot dog Rush, set out on an adventure to the farthest reaches of the planet to stop the robots and collect the energy elements.
During the adventure, he meets Proto Man, his "older brother," who appears to challenge him several times. On returning to Dr. Light's laboratory, he also discovers that everything was a Wily deception and that the scientist stole Gamma on August 28, after Mega Man delivered the final energy element. With no alternative, Mega Man travels to Dr. Wily's newest castle to stop the scientist's plans again. The blue robot receives unexpected help at the last minute, however... As seen above.
Mega Man II - Rockman World 2 (GameBoy 1992)
Dr. Wily refuses to abandon his plans and has a new "ace up his sleeve." He steals a time machine developed at the Chronos Institute. When he attempts time travel, however, he overlooks one detail: the machine is defective. Dr. Light suspects Dr. Wily had a hand in the theft and calls Mega Man and Rush to investigate the evil scientist's whereabouts. Wily eventually repairs the device, but it has one condition: it can travel only to the future and present, not the past. He adjusts his plans and journeys into the future, discovering that the future Mega Man has become a household robot and the world is at peace.
Taking advantage of this, Wily captures the future Mega Man and reprograms him as his own battle robot, Quint, and the two return to the present. This time, Mega Man must invade the scientist's newly built fortress and face Quint and Dr. Wily.
Mega Man 4 (NES 1991)
At this point, everyone believed Dr. Wily had died after the last battle. Dr. Light, however, receives a message from a mysterious Russian scientist, Dr. Cossack. He proclaims himself the world's greatest scientist and sends eight powerful robots to destroy Mega Man and prove he is better than Dr. Light.
Dr. Cossack—official Mega Man 4 artwork. "Good afternoon, Dr. Light. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Dr. Cossack. You may not have heard of me, but you will know who I am. Over the years, you have been honored as the world's greatest robot designer, while my robotic creations have been completely ignored. I cannot allow this to continue. The world needs to know of my genius! From my citadel in Siberia, I am sending the most powerful robots to destroy that troublesome 'piece of titanium' of yours. Once he is defeated, I will display his broken body for the entire world to see. Then I will be recognized as the greatest robot designer of all time!" — Dr. Cossack. Mega Man now sets out to battle Dr. Cossack and his robots. After defeating them all, Proto Man appears and reveals the truth: the still-living Dr. Wily blackmailed Dr. Cossack by kidnapping his daughter, Kalinka. Mega Man sets out to defeat Dr. Wily while Proto Man offers to rescue Dr. Cossack's daughter.
Wily And Right RockBoard: That´s Paradise (NES 1993)
This is a board game in the best Monopoly style, released exclusively in Japan. Curiously, it has no defined story, but chronologically it takes place after Mega Man 4.
Mega Man Soccer (Super NES 1994)
Several months have passed since the battle with Dr. Cossack in Mega Man 4. One day, Mega Man, Roll, and Dr. Light are watching soccer on television when robots suddenly take over the field—does it feel like an afternoon movie? Soccer fields around the world have been invaded! Dr. Wily restored the old robots to ruin soccer games, since it is one of the world's most popular sports. To deal with the situation, Light modifies Mega Man's programming and turns him into a skilled player who can fight Wily's robots.
Mega Man III - Rockman World 3 (Game Boy 1992)
Dr. Light's laboratory has been receiving reports of strange events around the world, including abnormal weather, transportation failures, and industrial anomalies. The supercomputer responsible for people's daily lives appears to have malfunctioned, and this defect is causing panic across the city.
Punk—official Mega Man 10 artwork. As expected, Dr. Wily must be involved, and Dr. Light summons Mega Man to pursue the robots. They then locate Dr. Wily's new fortress, where Mega Man discovers more robots waiting for him, including a new "Mega Man Killer", Punk. It is time to stop Wily's plans once again!
Mega Man 5 (NES 1992)
The world is at peace after the preceding events, and under these circumstances Mega Man asks Dr. Light about Proto Man: "Doctor, what kind of person is he?" he asks. "Hmmm..." Dr. Light thinks of an appropriate answer. Both are interrupted by a message from Dr. Cossack saying Mega Man's newest robot friend, Beat, is complete. The blue hero travels to the Russian scientist's laboratory.
Official Rockman 5 artwork. Upon arriving, Mega Man receives a message from Dr. Light over the TV-Phone: "I cannot confirm it, but an unknown group of robots is attacking the city, and Proto Man appears to be their leader!" "It can't be!" Mega Man exclaims. As he says those words, he sees Light himself being abducted by Proto Man on the TV-Phone— "Why are you doing this?!" Mega Man sets out on another adventure and eventually discovers that this Proto Man is merely a copy named Dark Man, created by none other than old Wily. The blue robot must invade Wily's fortress and save his "father." They did not account for the real Proto Man's intentions, seen below.
Super Adventure Rockman (PlayStation and Sega Saturn 1998)
Reproduction In the 21st century, ancient ruins were discovered in the Amazon rainforest. United Nations scientists decide to travel there and study the phenomenon, discovering a strong electromagnetic field that destroys every kind of machine approaching it. After a year, the United Nations concludes that the ruins were connected to the extinct Maya civilization and names them the Lanfront Ruins, while the pyramid at their center becomes the Temple of the Moon. Three years later, Wily, who is again working with Dr. Light, decides to investigate the ruins because the electromagnetic field begins expanding, providing Wily an opportunity to prove he is now a good person.
You must enable English subtitles on YouTube
Several days later, Wily discovers a supercomputer inside the temple, Ra Moon. When he activates it, several previously defeated robots fromMega Man 2 and 3"return to life" when it analyzes the data on Wily's laptop. Ambition once again takes hold of the evil scientist, who believes he will now finally dominate the world. Three weeks after Wily finds Ra Moon, the electromagnetic field begins affecting every machine and electronic device around the world. Roll, for example, falls into a coma, and Wily makes a statement on television worldwide telling everyone to surrender within two weeks or he will destroy all machines. Dr. Light quickly immunizes Mega Man and his "siblings"—the robots from Mega Man 1—and sends them all to defeat Wily. It is time for another battle.
Mega Man IV - Rockman World 4 (Game Boy 1993)
Scientists around the world decide to create the World Robot Exposition, where they display their latest creations: robots developed for world peace. Dr. Light takes his creations Rock and Rush, along with Dr. Cossack's Beat, to the event. During the ceremony, a mysterious UFO appears in the sky. Dr. Wily is inside and says he will use the exposition's robots to dominate the world. Using radio waves, he begins controlling the androids, but Rock and Rush are unaffected because of their technical sophistication and strong sense of justice.
Ballade—official Mega Man 10 artwork. Unfortunately, Beat loses control and joins Wily's side. The evil scientist now takes the robots to wreak havoc in the city, and Mega Man must defeat them in another adventure. After four robots are defeated, Dr. Wily enters his space station and tries to escape into space, unaware that Mega Man also manages to board. The blue hero eventually encounters the final member of the " Mega Man Killer" series, Ballade, and the pair wage two extremely fierce battles that the good robot manages to win. On reaching Dr. Wily's room, Mega Man and the evil scientist clash again. After the fight, the villain escapes and activates the self-destruct mechanism, trapping Mega Man. When all seems lost, Ballade appears, recognizes his rival's merits, and saves him at the last minute at the cost of his own life.
Mega Man V - Rockman World 5 (Game Boy 1994)
After a brief period of peace, Rock and Roll are walking through an open field when a mysterious robot appears before them. His name is Terra. "So you're the famous Mega Man! I am Terra... and soon you will be my slave!" Roll flees as Rock transforms into Mega Man. The two battle, but even with a charged shot, Mega Man realizes it has no effect on Terra, and he is defeated for the first time.
Official Rockman World 5 artwork. "My Mega Buster has no effect on him!" the blue robot says before immediately passing out. Several hours later, an army of robots from space begins attacking the world. Mega Man awakens in a strange place and is eventually found by Dr. Light, who equips him with the "Mega Arm," the most powerful weapon ever created. "Mega Man, our world is in chaos again," Dr. Light says. "The alien robots are called Stardoids and have conquered the world's major cities. They are built from an alien material that makes our Earth weapons ineffective. But I conducted some analyses and built a new weapon for you. I will replace your Super Mega Buster with the Mega Arm, which will let you fire your own fist toward enemies. I also created a new friend, 'Tanto,' and I will improve the item replicator. Collect as many P-Chips as possible during your journey and return to my laboratory. Good luck, Mega Man!" In the end, Mega Man faces Sun-Star, defeats him, and tries to help him, but Sun-Star asks to be left there. Mega Man returns to Earth.
Mega Man 6 (NES 1993)
To stop Dr. Wily's world-domination plans, an organization called the "World Robot Alliance" is formed. One year later, working together with scientists around the world, the "X" Foundation is established and robots worldwide make dramatic progress in their functions. A robot championship is therefore organized. As the first annual robot tournament is about to begin, the leader of the mysterious "X Foundation," Mr. X, appears, takes control of the robots assigned to the contest, and decides to use them to dominate the world.
Mega Man asks why this is happening, and Mr. X says he has manipulated Wily from the beginning, but now that he possesses the most powerful robots of all time, he no longer needs to manipulate the old scientist. It is time for another adventure, but things may not be exactly as Mr. X claims... In the end, he was Wily after all. And that is that.
Mega Man 7 (Super NES 1995)
Six months after the events of
Mega Man 6, even with Dr. Wily in prison, four robots hidden in his laboratory begin wreaking havoc across the city and free him from jail. During the investigation, Mega Man encounters a rival, the mysterious Bass, who has a Rush-like dog named Treble. Both say they are also looking for Wily. Bass is eventually severely damaged by one of the robots, Shade Man, and Mega Man sends him to Dr. Light for repairs. After defeating the remaining robots and returning to the laboratory, however, Mega sees that it has been severely damaged, and Light says Wily appeared and revealed that both Bass and Treble are his creations.
Mega Man races to Wily's fortress. After the final confrontation, Mega Man nearly kills him but relents at the last minute because doing so would violate the laws of robotics. Bass and Treble then appear and save their creator, while Mega Man returns to Dr. Light's laboratory. It seems the war is still far from over.
Mega Man: The Power Battle (Arcade 1995)
Dr. Wily decides to "play rough" this time, returning with 18 previously created robots in another attempt to dominate the world. Mega Man and Proto Man join forces to stop him, while Bass also joins to show that everyone else is inferior and he is the only robot the evil scientist needs.
Mega Man 8 (PlayStation and Sega Saturn 1997)
In space, two strange beings are fighting, and both land randomly on planet Earth. Back here, Mega Man and Bass are battling when a call from Roll eventually interrupts them. Dr. Light says a strange meteor carrying powerful energy fell on an island, and Mega Man must investigate what is happening before it "falls into the wrong hands." Unfortunately for them, the island is precisely where Dr. Wily's secret base is located, and he escapes with the extraterrestrial energy. Fortunately, Mega Man finds one of the severely damaged robots inside a crater and takes it to Light for repairs.
Official Mega Man 8 artwork. After defeating four of Dr. Wily's eight robots, Mega returns to Dr. Light's laboratory and learns that the being under repair is named Duo. Duo then flees into a desert, and Mega Man decides to follow him. Upon arriving, Proto Man says Wily's new fortress is in the region, and the blue hero decides to go there, only to be captured by a giant robot built by the villain that simply gives Mega Man a "beating."
Duo explains that Wily is using "Evil Energy" from space in his creations and that this is making his robots more powerful. Mega Man must destroy the energy sources, which are guarded by the four remaining robots. It is time for another confrontation between Dr. Wily and Mega Man.
Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters (Arcade 1996)
Taking place six months after Mega Man 8, Dr. Wily has stolen robot parts from Dr. Light's laboratory, and once again Mega Man, Proto Man, and Bass join forces in battle. Curiously, Bass's ending is the only record we have to date of Dr. Wily creating Zero. Yes, the Zero from Mega Man X. Zero having a sinister "vision" of his creator in Mega Man X4.
Mega Man & Bass (Super Famicom 1998)
No one knows Dr. Wily's whereabouts after the latest battles, but he has already built a new castle for his return. A robot named King appears, however, planning to dominate the world and believing robots should not exist merely to serve humans. He expels Dr. Wily from his own castle. With no alternative, Wily and Light unite against him, while Mega Man and Bass must stop him. At the end of the adventure, the two robots discover King was good and had been brainwashed by Wily, who planned to build a King II. Proto Man destroyed the computer containing this project before it could materialize.
Mega Man 9 (Digital Distribution 2008)
After a long period of peace, Dr. Light's robots begin behaving strangely, and once again everyone believes it is part of Wily's plans. The evil scientist eventually appears on television, says he has nothing to do with what is happening, and even gives people his bank-account details so they can deposit money for him to build robots against Dr. Light's. The good scientist is arrested, and Mega Man quickly decides to investigate what is happening, solve the problem, and prove his creator's innocence.
Mega Man 10 (Digital Distribution 2010)
After the events of the previous game, something strange occurs: the planet's robots begin malfunctioning. Scientists around the world eventually discover they have been infected with a virus called "Roboenza," and Mega Man must find and eliminate its source. Wily must obviously be behind the problem.
Mega Man 11 (Digital Distribution 2018)
After the events of the tenth episode, Dr. Wily begins another plan to dominate the world and remembers a study he conducted while he and Dr. Light were students: the Double Gear System, a device that dramatically increases robots' power. After completing it, Wily again invades Light's laboratory and steals eight robots so he can dominate the world. To stop this, Light starts a prototype of his own Double Gear System and installs it in Mega Man, giving the blue hero new abilities.
The Bridge Between Classic Mega Man and the X Saga — What Do We Know?
- September 18, AD 20XX: Dr. Light completes the creation of Mega Man X and seals him away for 30 years of diagnostic testing. He believes humanity is not yet ready for a robot capable of feelings. For that reason, Light leaves a video message for anyone who finds X.
- Dr. Wily completes his final creation, Zero, but does not finish him.
- Dr. Light creates an artificial-intelligence system, the "Light Capsules".
- Dr. Cain is born.
WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW — Theories
A fan's imagining of a battle between classic Mega Man and Zero
The events between the classic saga and the X saga are shrouded in mystery, leading to many theories and questions:
- Did X and Mega Man ever meet? Is X an improved version of Mega Man himself?
- It is believed that Rush, Roll, and other characters may have been deactivated during this period and sent to the Robot Masters Museum, a location introduced in Mega Man 7.
- What happens to Dr. Cossack, Dr. Light, and Dr. Wily? They probably died of old age, but they appear as artificial intelligence in later games, indicating that they somehow "live." Dr. Light is frequently seen throughout this saga "delivering" new armor to X.
Before the Games
Ruins of Dr. Light's Laboratory
On April 8, 21XX, Dr. Cain embarks on an expedition to find a fossil from a Mesozoic plant. The following day, during an excavation, he finds a strange metal object marked with the location "E-46" and decides to investigate it. On reaching the point described by the metal, he discovers the ruins of Dr. Light's laboratory. Examining fragments of papers scattered there, he notices they always refer to "the capsule." After three days of searching, Cain finds the capsule. As he wipes away the dust covering it, he sees a large letter "X." Pressing the activation button reveals a message written by Dr. Light saying the capsule will take another 24 hours to open. The following day, Dr. Cain manages to open it and finds the robot Mega Man X. Observing the technical specifications provided by Light, he realizes this is the most powerful robot ever seen in history. He therefore abandons his expeditions and returns to his laboratory with X and materials collected from the ruins.
The Creation of Reploids and the Origin of Mavericks
By modifying several original designs created by Dr. Light, Cain and Mega Man X manage to create the first wave of robots called Reploids, which will help humans in daily life. Some time later, the first Reploid begins misbehaving and soon must be deactivated. The term "Maverick" is given to "Reploids" who become corrupted and begin disobeying and attacking humans. Eventually a second Reploid becomes a Maverick, and months later, a third. With no other choice, Dr. Cain establishes the Maverick Hunters organization and appoints his most powerful Reploid to lead it: Sigma. The world remains at peace for a long period, since the Hunters are highly efficient at neutralizing Mavericks.
Zero's Awakening
A group of Reploids finds a capsule in the ruins of another laboratory, Dr. Wily's, containing the robot we would eventually know as Zero. As soon as he is freed, Zero displays great power and destroys every Reploid there, as well as several intruders in the laboratory ruins. Because of his violent behavior, he comes to be called a Maverick. Under these circumstances, Sigma, the most powerful of the Reploids, goes to meet him, and the two battle—see video.
After the battle, Sigma absorbs the virus that would eventually become known as the "Maverick Virus, created by Dr. Wily more than 100 years earlier and responsible for Zero's violent behavior. Zero is taken to Dr. Cain's laboratory, reprogrammed, and made into a Reploid. No one realizes, however, that Sigma now carries the Maverick Virus inside him, and little by little the virus begins taking over every circuit of the most powerful Reploid.
Dr. Cain's Worst Nightmare — Sigma Becomes a Maverick! (The Day of Sigma — 2012 OVA)
Over time, Sigma comes to believe Reploids should rule the world and humans should serve them. He secretly begins persuading the strongest Reploids to launch an offensive against humans. Those who resist end up facing him in hand-to-hand combat and are forced to follow him through the law of force. Vile, a robot imprisoned for his poor behavior, is released by Sigma. Learning this, Dr. Cain writes in his diary that his worst nightmare has become reality: Sigma has become a Maverick. Zero therefore becomes the new leader of the Maverick Hunters.
The "X" Saga — 21XX
Mega Man X / Maverick Hunter X (Super NES 1993 / PSP 2012)
The first known battle between X, Zero, and the Mavericks. During this period, Zero sacrifices himself while defeating Vile, and X destroys Sigma. Because of his strong performance, X becomes commander of the 17th battalion of the Maverick Hunters , while Serges, a Reploid who followed Sigma, manages to rebuild the Maverick and forms the X-Hunters to also rebuild Zero and use both against Mega Man X.
Mega Man X2 (Super NES 1995)
Six months after Sigma's defeat, the Reploids find an abandoned factory, discovering new evidence of Mavericks and the X-Hunters. X sets out on an adventure to fight the X-Hunters, recover Zero's parts, and take them to Dr. Cain. X fights Sigma again. After this episode, Zero becomes commander of Battalion 0 of the Maverick Hunters.
Mega Man Xtreme (Game Boy Color - 2000)
One day, the Maverick Hunters mother computer is hacked by an unknown being. All data is instantly corrupted and replaced, causing chaos around the world by reviving Mavericks from the past. X and Zero set out to defeat whoever stole the data.
Mega Man X3 (Super NES 1996)
Opening from the PSX and Sega Saturn rerelease
Shortly before the events of Mega Man X3, the Reploid scientist Dr. Doppler is created and manages to develop an antidote for the Maverick Virus. During his research, however, he himself becomes infected. Worse still, the antidote has a "placebo" effect, working for only a few moments before the "cured" Reploids return to being Mavericks. Doppler's army decides to attack the Maverick Hunters base, and X and Zero must stop the invasion. They also revive Vile, who died during the events of the first Mega Man X, while Dr. Doppler begins working on a new body for Sigma. During the final battle, the villain corners X and nearly enters his body in virus form, but Zero manages to prevent X from being infected.
Long Period of Peace
An unspecified amount of time passes. Dr. Cain establishes a new robot order called the Repliforce to help the Maverick Hunters maintain order in the world. On January 1, 21XX, they officially form the Repliforce army. A female member of this group, Iris, begins training alongside Zero and other Maverick Hunters to help fight the Mavericks.
Mega Man Xtreme 2 (Game Boy Color - 2001)
X and Zero are sent to Laguz Island to investigate the mysterious incident known as "Erasure." Several Mavericks from the past are revived, and they discover that Sigma, revived once again, was behind it all.
Mega Man X4 (PlayStation and Sega Saturn 1997)
Sigma, in another of his bodies, meets the
General of the Repliforce and encourages him to rebel against the Maverick Hunters. Even after the General dismisses him, Sigma says "this is not over." The game's events unfold, the villain Eregion begins causing trouble in the Sky Lagoon Space Colony, and Mega Man X and Zero must unite to defeat the Mavericksand save the world once again. After Sigma's defeat in the space colony, X contacts Zero by TV-Phone with a major concern:
"But Zero... what if I become a Maverick one day?" X says.
"Don't ask such a stupid question! I'm ending the call now!" Zero replies, visibly upset. "Wait, Zero! I'm serious!" X replies. "Zero... if I become a Maverick, you will have to destroy me.". "...Don't be ridiculous. Come back soon," Zero replies, hanging up the TV-Phone.
"Promise me... Zero..."
Mega Man X5 (PlayStation 2000)
Some time after the Repliforce War (Mega Man X4, Earth is at peace. The space colony where the last battle against Sigma occurred is under repair, so the Reploids turn their attention to restoring another abandoned space colony, Eurasia.
Alia and Gate, two Reploid researchers, attain high status within the Research Center, but Gate's study using DNA techniques makes his colleagues fear him. They remove him from his position, and he is forced into exile.
One day, however, Sigma and his newest Maverick, Dynamo, spread a virus throughout the Eurasia colony and place it on a collision course with Earth. Sigma himself also decides to attack the city, and with no alternative, X and Zero set out to fight him.
When he is defeated, the explosion of his body causes the Sigma Virus to spread across the entire planet, transforming several Reploids into Mavericks. The villain's greater objective is for this virus and one aboard Eurasiato combine and corrupt Zero, returning him to his original function and thereby destroying Mega Man X. Zero and X fight one of the most memorable battles in the entire franchise.
During the adventure, the Reploids try to stop the space colony by firing the Enigma Cannonat it, but they fail. With no alternative, X and Zero travel there in a spacecraft to defeat Sigma once again.
After the villain is defeated, Zero is severely damaged by the resulting explosion, leaving only the upper half of his body active.
X shouts for Zero not to die, but Sigma's last remains still exist and fire a final beam that pierces X and Zero simultaneously.
With his remaining strength, Zero manages to shoot Sigma's remains and tells X to keep living. Both are severely damaged.
X is apparently dead, but the hologram of his legendary creator appears:
"...Not yet... I want you to rest and relax for now." "Hold on, X." "Just for a few moments..."
In memory of his friend, X begins using Zero's sword, the Z-Saber.
Mega Man X6 (PlayStation 2001)
The Maverick Hunters begin repairing robotic society after the last war. Gate, one of the Reploids known for his work with DNA fragments, explores the space-colony ruins and is struck by the Sigma Virus, becoming a Maverick. To make matters worse, he finds fragments of Zero's body. Gate uses his intelligence to create the exceptionally powerful robot High Max, the Zero Nightmare, an artificial clone of the Reploid made with fragments of his body, and the Nightmaredrones. He also revives Sigma and rebuilds Reploids from the Research Center, turning them into Mavericks. The world is again in chaos, and Alia eventually discovers that Gate is behind it all. After X fights Zero Nightmare, he learns that the real Zero was completely restored by Gate's DNA fragments, and the two again join forces to save the world and defeat the partially revived Sigma. Alia promises to create a program resistant to every kind of virus, and everyone pledges to work together to make this dream a reality.
The Creation of the Red Alert Syndicate
After the events of Mega Man X6, X decides to retire from his role as commander of the 17th battalion and seek more peaceful solutions for the world. Red, an officer of the Repliforce, establishes the Red Alert Syndicate. Two Reploids, Aluce and Cedar, are infected by a virus and both destroyed by Red and Axl. The infection occurred because Sigma, revived yet again, is behind it all.
Mega Man X7 (PlayStation 2 - 2003)
A new Reploid joins Zero and X. His name is Axl, and he can also copy his enemies' abilities. X, who had chosen not to fight anymore, reverses that decision and joins the adventure. Because of his strong performance, Axl joins the Maverick Hunters team, while Zero retires as commander of Battalion 0 but remains a Maverick Hunter.
Mega Man X8 (PlayStation 2 - 2005)
The government begins plans to colonize the moon, and the newest Reploid, Lumine, is appointed director of the project, which becomes known as Jakob. The Jakob Project features a newly built "new generation of Reploids." Sigma attempts to manipulate the project, installing his DNA in Copy Chips inside every Reploid built, which will eventually turn them into Mavericks. Vile is revived once again. Axl, Zero, and X set out on another adventure. Sigma is eventually defeated, and everyone discovers Lumine was behind all the evil plans. She is ultimately defeated.
Events Between the X and Zero Sagas
Maverick War—Mega Man Zero 3 artwork.
The events of the games mentioned earlier became known as the "Maverick War"
It is not known how, but Zero is sealed away for at least 100 years. Many believe one of the alternate endings of Mega Man X6 is "canon," while the events of Mega Man X7 and Mega Man X8 are parallel stories.
The Cyber-Elf technology is invented through analysis of Zero, and these beings are pure energy guided by artificial intelligence. They were created to end the Maverick Warby expanding the Reploids' power and giving them the ability to fight the Maverick/Sigma Virus.
The key to this was the creation of the Mother Elf , which X used to permanently destroy the Maverick Virus and thereby end the Maverick War.
Neo Arcadia is built as the world's principal city-state, a place where humans and Reploids can finally live in peace.
The Mother Elf is then stolen by the evil Dr. Weil —whom many fans theorize to be a new incarnation of Wily—, who transforms her into the Dark Elf and begins another war. Over a four-year period, extremely violent battles eliminate 90% of Reploids and 60% of humans.
Could Dr. Weil Be the Return of Dr. Wily?
During this period, Zero's original body is stolen by Weil, who uses it to build Omega, a powerful battle robot. He also creates copies of the Dark Elf to control every remaining Reploid in the world. Zero is rebuilt with a new body using his original mind.
Zero and X—who was alive—fight Weil's forces and ultimately face Omega. Both manage to defeat him using the Final Strikeattack.
Dr. Weil is banished to Neo Arcadia, and his punishment is to be sealed inside "regenerative armor" that lets him survive for eternity while suffering in solitude.
After the battle, Zero seals himself away again, while X seals the Dark Elf inside the Yggdrasil tree using his own body. In this context, four guardians— Fefnir, Harpuia, Leviathan and Phantom —are created to protect the world.
The "Zero" Saga
Mega Man Zero (Game Boy Advance - 2002)
It is believed that Mega Man Zero takes place 100 years after the events of Mega Man X6, considering the ending in which he was sealed away for analysis. Ciel, a kind human scientist, goes with her friends in search of the legendary Reploid Zero so he can help them fight Neo Arcadia's villains, who have begun behaving badly and are a kind of new Mavericks. They reach the ruins of the old laboratory where Zero has been sealed for another century.
Official Mega Man Zero artwork
After he is awakened, they encounter trouble and a being called a Cyber-Elf gives him the legendary Z-Saber sword from the previous century. Zero and Ciel return to the Resistance Base, a kind of headquarters for the heroes and a place where they could remain safe.
Ciel explains the situation to Zero, saying the current world is drastically different from the preceding century: Reploids are being oppressed by Mavericks, which are led by none other than "X," his former adventure companion. Believing X's attitude is wrong, she created the Resistance Base.
Zero fights X's forces, led by his guardians Fefnir, Harpuia, Leviathan, and Phantom. After these events, Ciel reveals the truth: the villain is not the real X butCopy X, whom she created, though he did not turn out as she planned.
At this point, Neo Arcadia's army attacks the Resistance Base. Zero manages to stop the assault and sets out to confront Copy X. The Cyber-Elf, the same one that appeared when Zero was awakened, emerges and says it deactivated Neo Arcadia's security system, allowing him to invade the city and destroy Copy X.
After invading it, Zero faces the four guardians again, one after another. Phantom detonates his own body in an attempt to defeat the hero but fails.
Zero reaches the main room and confronts Copy X. After the battle, the Cyber-Elf reveals itself as the real X and tells Zero the war is not over.
Mega Man Zero 2 (Game Boy Advance - 2003)
After Copy X's defeat, Zero spends a year wandering the desert alone and defeating Neo Arcadia's remaining robots. Following successive victories, Zero collapses during a violent desert storm and the guardian Harpuia finds him.
The Resistance Base now has a new commander, Elpizo, a Reploid. Ciel stepped down to have more time for her research. While listening to the speech, a soldier interrupts her to report that Zero has appeared unconscious in front of the Resistance Base.
After recovering in a capsule, Zero awakens and searches for Ciel, but he encounters Elpizo along the way and the two argue.
Soon afterward, Zero finds Ciel, who explains that she is researching the "Baby Elves," which she believes may provide an answer to all the chaos.
After several missions assigned to destroy Mavericks, Zero finds another Baby Elf , and at that moment X appears as a Cyber-Elf , saying the Baby Elves are searching for their mother, the Mother Elf, who became the Dark Elf.
The dynamic duo that transcends time. Art by "ultimatemaverickx."
Soon afterward, Zero returns to the Resistance Base, and Elpizo orders everyone, including Zero, to launch an offensive against Neo Arcadia.
Ciel tries to persuade him to abandon the idea, since he holds that authority. The scientist then tells the hero to go there, but with a mission to prevent anything bad from happening.
On reaching Neo Arcadia, Zero finds Elpizo unconscious before X's three guardians: Harpuia, Fefnir, and Leviathan. When Zero confronts him, Harpuia says the war continues only because Elpizo exists.
After several events, Zero and Elpizo fight. When the villain is defeated, he asks forgiveness for everything he has done, and the Dark Elf reveals her true form as the Mother Elf, transforming him into a Cyber-Elfand giving him another chance to live, but now fighting for good...
X, also in his Cyber-Elf form, explains that the Mother Elfwas created to save the world in the past during the Maverick War.
Dr. Weil manipulated her, however, becoming chiefly responsible for this entire war.
Mega Man Zero 3 (Game Boy Advance - 2004)
Two months after Elpizo's defeat, an aircraft falls from space and begins emitting energy similar to that of the Dark Elf, prompting Zero to investigate. Inside the aircraft, he finds a gigantic Reploid named Omega whom not even Fefnir and Leviathan can harm.
As Zero tries to fight him, Harpuia appears, but a new Copy X assumes command of Neo Arcadia. The mysterious Dr. Weil, returned from exile, says he created the new Copy X. Copy X and Weil challenge Zero and the Resistance to determine who will capture the Dark Elf first.
After several events, Zero defeats Copy X, and Dr. Weil obtains the Dark Elf. Zero also destroys Omega in his most difficult battle to that point. After Zero wins a fight, Weil tells the protagonist he is merely a copy of the real Zero and that Omega contains the true Zero's body from the era of the Maverick Hunters.
X reappears in his Cyber-Elf form and tells Zero this is true: he and Zero fought Omega in the past, but Zero's original body still has his "true heart." The protagonist, whether he is the real Zero or not, says he must destroy Omega even though it contains the original body.
After the battle, Omega explodes, leaving Zero unconscious. In the few visions he manages to have, he sees X saying his energy as a Cyber-Elf is running out and he cannot remain in the human world much longer.
It is believed that X then went to cyberspace. The guardians Fefnir, Harpuia, and Leviathan die in the explosion, while the Dark Elfbecomes the Mother Elfagain, carries Zero's body to the Resistance Base, and departs.
"Only I... only I am the real Zero."
Mega Man Zero 4 (Game Boy Advance - 2005)
After the battle against Omega, Neo Arcadia's humans begin leaving the city in trucks because they are under the dictatorship of Dr. Weil, who has become its new leader through force.
Humans or Reploids who oppose Dr. Weil's orders are quickly classified as Mavericks and eliminated with help from Craft, his "right-hand man."
They decide to seek refuge in Area Zero, the last known habitable place beyond Neo Arcadia's reach and also the ruins of the Eurasia Space Colony, which fell to Earth during the events of Mega Man X5.
Amid these events, Zero confronts Craft, who says he does not trust humans. Zero says he promised an old friend—X—that he would protect them and fight for justice so humans and robots could live in peace. Craft loses the fight and recognizes his mistakes.
With human shortages and reversals caused by Dr. Weil, Zero travels to his space base. There he finds Dr. Weil alive, and Weil reveals that he is actually a human from hundreds of years earlier who lived during the Maverick War. Weil was exiled by humans, who gave him regenerative armor so he would never die or become ill, living forever in the solitude of exile and thereby becoming immortal. Weil was therefore the first human in history to become a Reploid.
His ultimate objective during the Maverick War was to destroy every Reploid because their existence caused humanity to fall into decline. Now he also wants to destroy humans in revenge for their ingratitude in exiling him.
Furthermore, because Weil is human, Zero could not hurt him without being pursued by society and classified as a Maverick. Zero ignores these words, saying he does not care about being called that because his only objective is to protect those he cares about.
Weil merges with the ship's core, and the two fight a difficult battle. After defeating Dr. Weil, Zero cannot teleport to the Resistance Base, and the space colony explodes.
Ciel tries to contact Zero through the monitor but cannot. She and the Resistance members embark on an expedition to find him across the world, but they fail.
That night, a shower of "shooting stars" appears in the sky, though they are actually pieces of Ragnarök, the weapon Weil was trying to activate to end humanity.
"I promise I will make the world a peaceful place for humans and Reploids," Ciel says, making a promise to herself. Deep down, she feels Zero is still alive.
Events Between the Zero and ZX Sagas
After the events of Mega Man Zero, Ciel creates an organization called the "Guardians", a new name for the Resistance, which has lost its original meaning because no one remains to "resist." While investigating the ruins of Ragnarok, she finds traces of Dr. Weil and a material called biometal, a device capable of merging with living beings and transforming one into a host. Essentially, if that biometal could merge with another body, Dr. Weil could return to life. Ciel disposes of every fragment found and travels the world looking for them so there is no possibility of Dr. Weil returning.
Ciel creates the Biometals—official Mega Man ZX artwork. With the knowledge she acquired, she also decides to use the technology for good by developing biometals based on the warriors of old: X's guardians—Harpuia, Fefnir, Leviathan, and Phantom—as well as X and Zero themselves. She nevertheless needs the correct hosts in which to place them. Over time, one of the Guardians' allies, Serpent, takes Dr. Weil's biometal from the laboratory. Making matters worse, he carries the ancient human's blood because he is one of his descendants. Serpent begins having evil thoughts and steals nearly all the other biometals. For unknown reasons, Ciel's younger adoptive sister, the Reploid Prairie, takes her place with the mission of protecting the remaining biometals , those belonging to Zero and X.
The ZX Saga
Mega Man ZX (Nintendo DS - 2006)
Centuries after the events of Mega Man Zero 4, Reploids and humans finally live in peace. Robots have been humanized and can now age, while humans receive robotic parts that expand their abilities.
Here we are introduced to Giro, leader of a transport company, and Vent, his friend who must deliver a package to a client, Prairie. While the two are talking, Mavericks appear as a result of a circuit malfunction affecting society for mysterious reasons. In the confusion, Vent falls from a cliff.
When he gets up, he coincidentally finds the client awaiting the delivery. A giant snake-shaped Maverick eventually appears, and the package is revealed to contain a biometal with the characteristics of "X." It merges with Vent's body, transforming him, and he fires his X-Buster at the Maverick, defeating it.
With his new form, Vent decides to join the Guardians in fighting the Mavericks. He eventually meets Giro, who has Zero's biometal , and Giro also joins the Guardians.
When a massive Mavericks attack strikes the city, the two race there and eventually encounter Serpent. Giro tries to stop him but is defeated and then manipulated, forcing Vent to fight Giro, who is seriously injured.
Enraged by the situation, Vent tells Serpent he will avenge what happened. With his remaining strength, Giro transfers his biometal to Vent's body and becomes a Cyber-Elf. With the powers of biometal X and biometal Z, Vent transforms into, Vent transforms into Mega Man ZX, combining the powers of both legendary heroes.
His mission is now to find four Biometals carrying the powers of X's legendary guardians, since Serpent is using them for evil purposes.
After recovering the biometals from Mavericks and taking them to the Guardians, Serpent launches an aerial offensive, and two of his loyal henchmen, Prometheus and Pandora, attack the base's core.
After fighting Prometheus, Mega Man ZX wins and sets out on another adventure to find more materials.
He then travels to the base containing the final great biometal, where he finds Serpent and Pandora. ZX fights Pandora and wins, but in the meantime Serpent takes the final great biometal and leaves.
A massive attack strikes the city. ZX goes to save the people, and after further adventures, he finds Serpent inside Neo Arcadia's former location. Serpent possesses Dr. Weil's biometal . After merging with it and battling, Serpent gives ZX a "beating," and the hero loses his transformation.
The biometals collected earlier from the four guardians then merge with ZX's body, giving him a new transformation.
"Your true power is based not on hatred but on the courage that accompanies you," the Biometals say.
Transforming again, ZX fights a final battle against Serpent. After winning, he returns to the Resistance Base.
Mega Man ZX Advent (Nintendo DS - 2007)
Four years and eight months after the first game's events, the federal government establishes a new organization to maintain harmony and equality between humans and Reploids: the Legion, led by the Sage Trinity, three humans with robotic parts who appear to be hundreds of years old. They are Master Mikhail, Master Thomas , and Master Albert —references to Mega Man's legendary doctors from hundreds of years earlier? Starring Grey or Ashe, the game tells two nearly identical stories depending only on whom the player chooses. For that reason, from this point onward he or she will be called the "protagonist".
Sage Trinity: Masters Albert, Thomas, and Mikhail—from left to right
The story begins with bounty hunters entering an abandoned laboratory, where they find a capsule containing a resting Reploid and are eventually attacked by a group of Mavericks. During the shootout, the capsule is struck and the Reploid protagonist is activated.
During the incident, the protagonist is rescued by a bounty hunter and awakens in a camp room. He receives a mission to deliver a package to the Legion.
The package contains a biometal, model "A." While traveling by train, Prometheus and Pandora appear, and the biometal merges with the protagonist's body. He becomes Mega Man A —a reference to Axl from the Mega Man X series?—and can transform into a defeated enemy.
The protagonist returns to the hunters' camp, where the Sage Trinity introduces itself and assigns a mission to investigate what is causing the return of the Mavericks.
After several adventures, Albert of the Sage Trinity reveals his true objectives: he is the commander of evil and infiltrated the Legion to collect the four "W" Biometals.
He believes society has been destroyed after so many wars and that the only way to correct so many problems across so many centuries is to have a single eternal sovereign whom all society serves.
He would therefore need to eradicate all existence and then gradually repopulate it. He flies out the window, and the protagonist sets out on a mission to find him.
Along the way, he faces other Mavericks, Prometheus, and Pandora. When he invades Albert's base, he finds Vent, the protagonist of the first ZX.
Vent believes the protagonist may be a threat, and the two battle. After Vent is defeated, his powers are absorbed, and immediately afterward the biometal W in the background falls.
The protagonist races to the lower floor, but upon arriving, he sees one of Albert's robots steal the biometal. After a battle, Vent realizes they are on the same side, and they join forces.
After the adventures, Albert absorbs Prometheus and Pandora's powers, releasing a base in the sky, Oroborus. Vent, in his Mega Man ZX form, and the protagonist, Mega Man A, invade it.
The protagonist eventually reaches Albert, who transforms into a three-headed dragon. After a difficult battle and several forms, the hero wins and the world is at peace again... or is it?
Thomas, one of the three sages, says he agrees with Albert's ideas...
And Mega Man Legends?
Official artwork. Mega Man's fan base debates whether the "Legendsseries is a parallel story or takes place thousands of years after ZX Advent. We believe it does take place in the same universe. We will create a special article devoted solely to the Legends saga.
