Mega Man makes his second 8-bit debut of the decade, bringing back all the best from the original games in the series. A terrible virus, Roboenza, has spread across the world, infecting robots and leaving humanity unable to perform even basic tasks because of it. What’s worse, the robots are threatening to take over the world! Enter Mega Man.

The first thing that struck me about Mega Man 10, of course, was the 8-bit, pixilated graphics. I felt like I had been transported back in time to the era of the NES and Super Nintendo. In fact, every time I started the game and viewed the title screen, I inevitably did a double take when I saw the © 2010 CAPCOM at the bottom, thinking there must be some typo. Quickly reminding myself that this IS indeed a current title, I resumed my playing, dismissing the thought from my mind ... until I made the same mistake again, of course. But I digress. Mega Man 10 is a blast to the past for anyone who has played the earlier games and a retro-style treat for anyone else.

The core of this game is the simple two-button jump and fire-control setup, and Mega Man 10 makes excellent use of it. One of the great things about older video games was just how technical and brutally difficult they were. Each move you made had to be executed with precision. This game carries on that classic trait, bringing on challenging bosses and insane levels with death at every turn. You will have to quickly master how high and far Mega Man jumps, how fast he can run, and how quickly he can shoot to survive. Now, that’s not to say the gameplay is only for hardcore gamers who want to spend a while replaying the same sequence until they succeed. Some people love that, but for others, the game is more fun if it is a little less harrowing. Mega Man 10 has this covered, providing an easy mode that removes some of the traps and obstacles, adds floating platforms to tough areas, and makes bosses a little less formidable.

As you play through the game, you can choose from eight stages to play, each with their own boss. Just as in older Mega Man games, when you defeat a boss, you gain its signature attack, which can be used whenever you choose. These attacks are helpful in a variety of situations, from defeating enemies to taking down bosses. Plus, Mega Man starts with the ability to use the robot Roll, who gives you a boost to reach higher areas. In between levels, you can visit Dr. Light, Mega Man’s creator, in his shop to purchase items. These include health and weapon power-ups, extra lives, guards against falling onto spikes, and even a book of hairstyles that allows you to play as Mega Man without his helmet.

And, let us not forget, Proto Man makes an appearance in this title, helping Mega Man combat the deadly virus. Each time you start a new game, you have the option of choosing Proto Man or Mega Man. Proto Man carries a shield, which can deflect some attacks midair, is able to charge his arm cannon and can slide across the ground for a quick escape. This gives the game more replay value, makes it more flexible because you can hone your skills with whatever character suits you best and just makes it more fun.

The visuals and audio in Mega Man 10 are excellent. The 8-bit graphics are crisp and clean, the game runs smoothly and it truly feels like a game from a previous era. In fact, some of the character sprites are taken straight out of the older NES Mega Man titles. The audio also returns to its early 8-bit years, full of beeps and bloops. The fast-paced rock-’n’-roll style of Mega Man music from the good old days returns, keeping the pace frantic but the atmosphere light. This game is one polished package, looking and sounding great, and really encapsulating the game series.

So why buy Mega Man 10? For a nostalgic waltz down the golden age of 8-bit arcade games? For a brutally difficult yet fresh and rewarding challenge? How about for a reinvention of a classic game series on a next-generation console? There are plenty of good reasons, and I completely recommend this game to anyone, even if you’re not up to a hardcore old-school challenge. Easy mode is there for a reason after all. This game is available via PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade for download, and it’s well-worth the price!