I have also wondered this. I never saw anything wrong with it. It's a good entry in the series.

I do, but usually only because I feel like it or because there's a particular weapon I like using.

One of my personal favorite games is Mega Man 5 because it it so easy to pick up and play. Compared to the other games in the series it isn't that difficult but it's still a blast to play and i'd say it's probably the best choice if you're new to the series.

@iPancakez - I totally agree. I played through 5 yesterday and that's what prompted the question. The music is good enough (Wave Man, Stone Man) to make you want to hear what the rest of the series has, the game isn't very difficult, but not so easy it's boring, and there are enough issues people won't notice when comparing the other games because that'll be their first and fondest game.

Sadly, the best intro to the X series is the first game. I say sadly because it's regarded as the best game in the series, generally speaking. I would rather someone have an entry into a series that isn't the most fun because it's all downhill from there, so to speak. It's difficult, but it's beatable. I beat it as an 8 year old. The rest of the games are significantly more difficult. I'm not saying the rest of the series is bad by suggesting it's downhill, but would anyone ever pick up another X game if you started with X6? Maybe, but I don't find myself wanting to play X6 even as a big fan of the series. X4 would be an alright starting point too.

@Stuffystuff - Don't forget Napalm Man and Charge Man. Those are my two favorite songs on Mega Man 5. In fact, Napalm Man is my favorite robot master theme as far as the 8-bit games go.

Charge Man's theme is awfully calm for being on a train, but it's a good one. The Wily music is good too. I thought they checked when they did the same song on every Proto Man stage. Oh well. The whole soundtrack has a more relaxed feel than the other games, imo.

@stuffystuff
Gravity Man has an amazing track that I found myself humming the other day. I also think the really spacey track in Star Man's stage is great and Charge Man's is an instant classic.

OMG! Rush!

Looking good, Archie! This "Quake Woman" hopefully will be just as hot or hotter than Splash Woman!

Need to catch up on my Megaman comics.

Mega Man 5 is definitly a nice pick up and play experience, because it's so bloody easy, Punky Brooster breezy and relaxy' happy in tone.
It's also the most calming MM game I've ever played since each tune for the most part sports a mellow and soothing tone that completely chills you out weather you're cruising on a Jet Mobile in Wave Man's stage or blasting down Giant Cybernetic Chickens in Gyro's.

Still one of my least favorites in the series for being kind of uncreative, bland, Way too easy, boasting a weak selection of weapons, an unmemorable soundtrack(for the most part) and while 'calming' not having a diverse enough hard hitting up beat 'soundtrack' that captures each stages atmosphere. A few tracks do, but most are rather Shredder-Spacey and don't reach the heights of 2, 9, 1 and even 3 and 4. Yet I honestly never get Sick of Starman's music though, he's such a galactic bad ass. Anyways, I'm on complete rewind with my repetitive MM5 comments so I'll stop right here.

Oh and i wouldn't recommend MM5 at all as someone's 'first' 8-bit venture into Mega Man. I'd say start with the original and play them in order.
That way you'll appreciate the giant difference in quality regarding practically everything between 1 and 2. 1 is still an awesome game! One of my favorites in the franchise. Ice man's my boy!

Everytime someone mentions the platform part I cant help but think of Roham Mythril. Lol.

Everyone I try to get into the series complains it's too hard, so starting with the first game with people who aren't used to retro gaming or the series has been a bad idea in my experience. When MM9 came out, my friends came over to try and play it and they couldn't beat any level, not even Concrete Man's. At least it makes me look like an awesome gamer when they see I can blaze through Elec Man's stage and beat him Buster only. It's sad, but I feel like I have to treat people like scared pets and earn their trust to get them into the series.

_{Hmm... No one will talk about Megaman 2 then? I guess I will then..}
Mega Man 2
When the original Megaman came out, it introduced many mechanics that would make the game more playable than the other titles released at the same year. It was great, but it still had some rough edges in it. Megaman 2 took the first game's formula and added alot more flare into it to make one of the most popular MM games to date. Many regard this as the best game of the series, even without nostalgia goggles... but while I do enjoy it, it does have problems. First off, While it was awesome to plow through the eight bosses, the fortress stages felt somewhat dull, making it to be an anti climactic ending. Also, While I loved the metal blades, it was a game breaker for me, almost all enemies would get pawned and it lessens the challenge. That aside, Megaman 2 is still an above average game that is a fun and approachable game since it is relatively easy compared to its sequels.

Awesome, the cover for Mega Man #16 looks pretty neat!

^ Grahh! still haven't got to the second story arc yet Still waiting on the 2nd graphic novel compilation...

Also, Recently a video was posted about the current build of Megaman Legends 3 which aired in Japan 3 months before cancelation. What we could have had.

Normally, I should have gotten over the cancelation, but seeing this build prompts me to cry in agony some more. Well, There is only one thing I can do to fill the void... Woe is me

Awesome, just read MM#12 and the conclusion of the arc. There's an awesome little touch to the first page after the title that was pretty cool to see, and kind of gave a hint to an upcoming character!

Definitely not going to get another subscription from Archie, though. I'm tired of bent issues in the mail and would rather continue buying mint copies online from mycomicshop.com.

Fell off the comic. At where time man and oilman are in. Either will read in trade or hope for a sale.

You're in luck, the 2nd arc is already available in trade paperback!

ALSO, yay, the Robot Master Field Guide, after numerous delay...

This is the exact same problem i have. If you're dealing with people who play games casually they're going to fail incredibly bad at anything Mega. Throw the controls in the hands of a hardcore retro gamer and he'll know what he's up against and will most likely deliver the goods and hold his own.
I hate it when people complain "ughhh, but it's too hard" Mega man 9 in no way is 'too hard'....Clearly these people have never heard of Mega Man & Bass lol

Mega Man 10 i find even destroys 9 in the challenge department....Most of the boss battles in that one were irritating and devilishly tricky. Blade man sliced and diced me too many times to count, along with Solar - pea shooter wise.

It's like suck it up, practice, get better and learn the ropes. THEN you'll understand the feeling of mastering a videogame, actually feeling a sense of reward and a great deal of gaming-satisfaction and what video game intensity feels like:p I don't even bother introducing people that aren't into gaming 'to vidogames' anymore. Man, I wish my friends were actually into gaming. It's just 'film' with most of them, with a bit of slight gaming on the side.

Anyways, how difficult is 7 ranked in the classic franchise? Also, i still can't wrap my head around how most people say MM1 is the hardest or one of in the franchise. I just beat it 2 Christmas's ago and the only part that gave me serious mega trouble was the giant pit secton with those flying random moving goofy platforming goober heads i Ice Man's stage which i previously linked above in that YouTube Video. Other than that, it's pretty damn easy. The Robot Masters themselves last only half as long as a typical RM health-wise' in comparison to the sequals and once you get that certain weapon that the boss is weak against they completely explode after 3-4 shots. LOL Yellow Devil in no way gave me a challenge....MM10's however, slayed me completely.

What would you guys rank the franchise in terms of toughest to easiest, just for kicks? Discluding 6 & 7 as i haven't played them yet, Again for the billionth time.lol

Mega Man & Bass
Taking the number one spot for numerous reasons. King's Stage 2's Jet Boss 'especially' was INSANE. Plus Magic, Burner & Dynamo man gave me a great deal of Trouble. Not for the faint of heart!

10
3 - (The Dr.Wily RM return stages + The MM2 Android bosses had me frustrated to the Count Chocula core)
9
4
2 - (Wily's Castle is a PAIN...The Dragon and that Bomb-based boss drive me nuts, plus Quick man is SO quick. )
1
5 - (So easy it hurts...)

As for Mega Man 8 I can't remmeber weather that one gave me too much trouble or not. It's challenge based on what i rememeber seemed to be in the middle. Not too easy, but not too hard either.

I haven't played Mega Man and Bass so I can't speak for it, but as far as the rest of the series goes:

Mega Man 7 - Not necessarily the hardest, but definitely the most frustrating. Turbo Man's stage. The practically mandatory Super Adaptor and homing shot. Doctor Wily's flippin' capsule is the hardest boss EVER.
Mega Man 10 - The robot masters seem to have a lot of health and can be hard to kill even with their weakness.
Mega Man 3 - The robot masters are quite challenging but the remix levels are the real killer. Easiest castle in the series though.
Mega Man 9 - MM9 and MM4 both have fairly balanced difficulty but I thought 9 was a tad harder.
Mega Man 4 - Challenging especially with a second castle.
Mega Man 2 - Almost the opposite of MM3, the levels are fairly easy but the castle is terrible.
Mega Man 1 - Not too bad aside from the platforms in Ice Man's stage and Yellow Devil who can be pause glitched.
Mega Man 8 - No energy tanks but the difficulty is scaled accordingly.
Mega Man 5 - Overpowered charge shot causes Buster only runs.
Mega Man 6 - Around the same as MM5 but the jet adaptor makes this even easier.