You know you're getting old as a gamer when a series that you remember playing on your NES turns 15. I can remember when I was still in high school and I first encountered Mega Man, a fun little action title for the NES in Capcom's line-up. The concept at the time was excellent- take control of a little blue soldier with a gun and allow him to use new powers that he acquires from the bosses he defeats on each level. The challenge level was also unheard of at the time, and helped define the term "hardcore", where only an elite few could beat the game in one sitting, without the need of a password or a cheat device like the Game Genie.

Now Mega Man is getting some props for all the years of entertainment he's provided, courtesy of Capcom and Atomic Planet. Mega Man Anniversary Collection chronicles the first releases in the Mega Man series, going from the Mega Man games on the NES to Mega Man 7 on the SNES and Mega Man 8, a game that was released years ago for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Two additional games have also made the cut in the collection, Power Fighters and Power Battle, which were two arcade releases from Japan that focused more on fighting elements rather than platforming goodness.

Mega Man Anniversary Collection is not quite something you would consider a quintessential collection. It is missing the Mega Man X series, a group of games introduced on the NES that featured a more "extreme" Mega Man battling the evil Dr. Wily and his robot armada. This series became even more popular than the Mega Man series, and the X2 and X3 chapters can be found on eBay for roughly $50-$80, depending on condition.

But that's a small complaint. What's still here is a fascinating bunch indeed, even if the two arcade beat-em-ups aren't exactly up to snuff with the rest of the Mega Man adventures. Just to play Mega Man 2 again (my personal favorite) in perfect emulation, right down to the simple animations on the clouds and the "epic" battle I keep having with Metal Man atop a moving conveyor belt, is a benefit enough. Learning the power slide in Mega Man 3, checking out Mega Man 6 after being unable to find it originally for the NES, and getting through Mega Man 8 in as few credits as possible are also fun advantages to this game. That's the joy of a collection such as this: there's rediscovery for some of us, while others can see what the series was all about for the first time. And it is a series to behold.

Atomic Planet's done excellent work in keeping the games moving, with very little loading time or technical limitations that would hamper the Mega Man experience. They've even added options to tinker with, including difficulty levels and lives, so if the challenge is too great, it can be easily adjusted. There's also great music taken straight from the games, as well as traditional sound effects, but, sadly, the remixed stuff that was promised can't be played in the game (like it can on the PS2).

Another quirk that may bother some is the choice of button configuration. The A button, the largest button on the GameCube pad, is used for firing Mega Man's weapon, while the B button is used for jumping, and the Z button pulls up the item screen. Some may flinch at such a set-up, but it really works rather well once you get used to it. The A button is more primarily used, especially during boss fights, so I can see why Atomic Planet set up the controls this way. The gameplay still works very well, and you finally get a rapid-fire option for some of the earlier games, a must for some tougher boss battles.

If you do manage to get through a number of the game's challenges, you'll not only be able to check out the two bonus games embedded deep within the Collection, but also some interesting clips with the producers of the Mega Man series, and some awesome artwork to admire.

Mega Man Anniversary Collection would have been an ultimate purchase for everyone on the planet had some simple little things been added, like the X games or having the in-game remixed tunes. As is, for a mere $30, it's still quite an interactive history lesson in itself, a reminder of how great games could be with just a few simple designs and the right balance of passionate gameplay. It's still a must-buy for action gamers, Capcom fans, old-schoolers, and those interested in seeing how much Mega Man has grown up over the years. So indulge and enjoy.