Mega Man 9 Difficulty

[Sazime]

Is anyone else having a helluva time with this game? Last MM game I could get through without a problem was 2. This one is just kicking my ass.

So far I've beat Galaxy Man, that's it. Is anyone else struggling with this?

[Sandman]

I've got to wait till I get off work. Didn't you see this coming though? Seriously...with achievements like this game has you know it'll kick your ass.

[Food Nipple]

Oh my god, Tornado Man's stage has some serious shit-your-pants platforming.

I did Galaxy Man pretty easily, and I think it took me a two tries to reach Concrete Man, but I died on the boss fight. Those elephants were the tricky part.

[Vyzov]

I've only heard from two people on this, and they've both said it's to easy. One has destroyed Concrete Man in one go, and the other has taken down Galaxy Man without a hitch.

Does it get harder, perhaps? Lord knows the wily stages are probably pretty tough.

[OrangePulp]

I found the game to be pretty difficult. Haven't beaten Wily yet (gotten to the second stage of the wily boss fight), but I've been avoiding buying items. It would probably be easy to do it if you stock up on E tanks and the half-damage item, but then again that solves every problem but instant death (which have their own saves, namely Beat and the anti-spike thing).

[Sazime]

I found the game to be pretty difficult. Haven't beaten Wily yet (gotten to the second stage of the wily boss fight), but I've been avoiding buying items. It would probably be easy to do it if you stock up on E tanks and the half-damage item, but then again that solves every problem but instant death (which have their own saves, namely Beat and the anti-spike thing).
Is there a description for the other items somewhere? I didn't see it in the built in manual.

[Mdot]

Hey Sazime, happy birthday. (not to go off topic or anything :) )

[OrangePulp]

Is there a description for the other items somewhere? I didn't see it in the built in manual.

Just click on the item, and it'll tell you what it does, then ask if you want to buy it. I haven't actually looked at the in-game manual yet; is it on the menu or something?

[Dog of Thunder]

It would be a lot easier if I didn't try to slide everywhere. :-)

Going for some of the challenges, specifically Mr. Perfect, which is beating the entire game without being hit, would make the difficulty insane.

[TheEvilNarwhale]

I tried the demo earlier today and got completely annihilated by the third elephant.

[Gerbs]

I tried the demo earlier today and got completely annihilated by the third elephant.

I can't get past the second. :(

[OrangePulp]

A suggestion on the elephans: concentrate on avoiding the ball and the gaps, and only shoot at it when you can afford to. Or, just blast them with the Trident; that weapon should go through the balls and damage them directly. Trident is the best weapon for general stage use.

[Variable Gear]

A suggestion on the elephans: concentrate on avoiding the ball and the gaps, and only shoot at it when you can afford to. Or, just blast them with the Trident; that weapon should go through the balls and damage them directly. Trident is the best weapon for general stage use.
This is a good tip. Just remember to stop shooting once an elephant breaks out its vacuum trunk. I finally got the pattern down tonight, in the trial version available on XBLA, and now I'm confident that I can beat Concrete Man in the Wii version. Those boss patterns are kind of rough, though, so I'm still worried.

[Food Nipple]

This is a good tip. Just remember to stop shooting once an elephant breaks out its vacuum trunk. I finally got the pattern down tonight, in the trial version available on XBLA, and now I'm confident that I can beat Concrete Man in the Wii version. Those boss patterns are kind of rough, though, so I'm still worried.

Once you learn each boss's weakness you'll tear right through them, provided you have the right weapon. I figured it out through trial and error, but I'd hate to imagine trying to kill them all with just your standard gun.

[Vyzov]

Once you learn each boss's weakness you'll tear right through them, provided you have the right weapon. I figured it out through trial and error, but I'd hate to imagine trying to kill them all with just your standard gun.

I wonder if it's like Mega man 1 and 2 in the regard that using a weapon a boss is weak against will kill them in 2-3 hits.

[Sl1pstream]

I hate this game. It just proves to me that either I've gotten worse at games over the years, or the games that I have played haven't challenged me enough, resulting in getting worse anyway.

I know that I will beat this, unlike other XBLA games, if only to prove to myself that I still have what it takes to get through this type of games.

[Crashcart]

It's definitely tough and I've only actually defeated Concrete Man so far, but the stages get easier the more you play them.

I don't remember feeling this way about past Mega Man games, but the level design seems specifically designed to be as mean as possible. There's platforming that requires pretty tight precision, lots of places to knock you back just far enough to land in pits or spikes, etc. Maybe I'm just misremembering the old 8-bit MM games.

Still, with enough practice the levels are obviously doable. It just seems to take a lot more continues than Mega Man 2 ever did. Maybe I just suck.

[Vyzov]

I can't remember if it was Megaman 2 or 3 that had that one impossibly hard level because there were many jumps you had to make where you couldnt' see you landing point, the screen had to scroll mid jump. :S

[Straximus]

MM9 seem right on par with the difficulty of the rest of the series.

People keep bringing up MM2 as being easier, and there's a reason for that. For the US release, Capcom renamed "Easy" mode to "Normal", and "Normal" to "Difficult". At the time, the feeling was that US gamers preferred easier games than the Japanese. So, if you remember MM2 being easier, it's probably because you unwittingly played it on Easy mode.

[Young Al Capone]

So I am finally picking this up this afternoon. It better be as cool/difficult as all of you fuckers are saying it is, or someone is gonna have some 'splainin' to do.

[Psykoboy2]

Is anyone else having a helluva time with this game? Last MM game I could get through without a problem was 2. This one is just kicking my ass.

So far I've beat Galaxy Man, that's it. Is anyone else struggling with this?

Man up, nancy boy!

Sorry, haven't used that in like forever around here...or there...whatever.

Yeah, it's a bitch that beats the shit out of you but you keep coming back for more cause you like it. I couldn't even finish the demo level.

[Sl1pstream]

Yeah, it's a bitch that beats the shit out of you but you keep coming back for more cause you like it. I couldn't even finish the demo level.

Me neither. Still paid them 800 points to support what they're doing. Like I said, I'll finish this somehow.

[OrangePulp]

Who's level was the demo level? Also, if you want to lighten things up a bit, you can always buy E-tanks and the like at the store. Doesn't help you with instant death and spikes (although you can buy beat, and another item, to take care of that), but it can make beating bosses easy.

[Variable Gear]

Who's level was the demo level?
Concrete Man.
Once you learn each boss's weakness you'll tear right through them, provided you have the right weapon. I figured it out through trial and error, but I'd hate to imagine trying to kill them all with just your standard gun.
But, I want to beat that challenge. There's one for beating all bosses with your buster.

[Food Nipple]

Who's level was the demo level? Also, if you want to lighten things up a bit, you can always buy E-tanks and the like at the store. Doesn't help you with instant death and spikes (although you can buy beat, and another item, to take care of that), but it can make beating bosses easy.

The demo level is Concrete Man.

I think that MM9 is around the same difficulty level as MM2 or MM3, but I think it probably relies more heavily on instant kills than the older ones did. I'm sure part of the reason for that is the shop, which makes it easy to buy your way through the game with E-tanks. I got the achievement for beating the game without dying without too much trouble thanks to a couple of E-tanks, I'm finding it much harder to get the no E-tanks achievement, I'm stuck on the last phase of Dr. Wily.

[The Doctor]

I agree with placing the difficulty at or slightly above MM2 (hardmode) or MM3. Most of my deaths have been platforming goodness, but a few runs get me acquainted with things well enough to get through it. I've rarely used energy tanks or any of the items. My first boss I killed was Splash Woman. The achievements will be insane however.

This makes me really wish they had MM3 on Virtual Console, BTW.

[King3567]

I need this game. The achievements look devilishly difficult (damn you Capcom!).

[Kielaran]

Definitely fun, in a masochistic way. I have beaten Galaxy Man and got to both Tornado Man and Magma Man, but couldn't seal the deal on either. Maybe I should buy some E-Tanks.

[Sazime]

I wonder if it's like Mega man 1 and 2 in the regard that using a weapon a boss is weak against will kill them in 2-3 hits.
When I started beating Air Man first, that game became a cake walk.
So, if you remember MM2 being easier, it's probably because you unwittingly played it on Easy mode.
Noooooooo! /Emo Vader

*sniff* I'm a nancy boy? *cry* Well, at least I'm not a fancy lad!

[Food Nipple]

But, I want to beat that challenge. There's one for beating all bosses with your buster.

I'm interested in the "Complete the game using the least possible amount of weapon energy" challenge. You'll get the boss buster one in the process.

[OrangePulp]

Wow, least possible weapon energy? That could be rough. Probably have to do things like just run through the laser beams, rather than using concrete shot to block them. Also, using rush coil rather than concrete shot on the lava beams bit (which I do anyways). Of course, if you stay stocked at 9 E tanks with 999 bolts... Eh.

[TrackZero]

Is anyone else having a helluva time with this game? Last MM game I could get through without a problem was 2. This one is just kicking my ass.

So far I've beat Galaxy Man, that's it. Is anyone else struggling with this?

Only got a chance to play the demo tonight, but I didn't have any real problems with the concrete man level. Died once (granted, I didn't get to fight said concrete man at the end of the demo).

[Ancalagon]

So..... whats the story? What happens? Is Light guilty?

[boratika]

So..... whats the story? What happens? Is Light guilty?

Yep. He gets executed at the end and everyone has a robo-party. Rush gets an upgrade that makes him into turntables and bass busts out some serious DJing. (His name is bass, of course he's a DJ)

[Ancalagon]

Yep. He gets executed at the end and everyone has a robo-party. Rush gets an upgrade that makes him into turntables and bass busts out some serious DJing. (His name is bass, of course he's a DJ)

Die human! No seriously, what happens?

[boratika]

Die human! No seriously, what happens?

Exactly what you expect to happen.

[Young Al Capone]

This game is a little slice of perfection, delivered from Valhalla by Faerie Candymancers.

I have only beat Galaxy Man, but have made some serious progress on Splash Woman's and Plug Man's stages. Cannot wait to play some more tonight.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I beat Plug man after about 4 run-throughs on his stage because I'm awesome and you all suck. Every part of Plug Man's level was hard.

I chose him because he had the worst name out of all the bosses. :)

[MachEnergy]

I love how the challenge of the levels alone is really up there. I'm having a good time just memorizing/mastering the levels. Once I'm good enough to get to the robot masters with a decent stock of lives, I'll work out the proper order. I'll be damned if I GameFAQ the boss order!

[MachEnergy]

I beat Plug man after about 4 run-throughs on his stage because I'm awesome and you all suck. Every part of Plug Man's level was hard.

I chose him because he had the worst name out of all the bosses. :)

lol.....i told my wife that i liked all the new robots but plug man........just so i could say "butt plug man" in a sentence

nowadays she just smiles and has a "bless his heart" look in her eyes.....i'm worried she might think i'm retarded :D

[LongStepMantis]

Noooooooo! /Emo Vader

*sniff* I'm a nancy boy? *cry* Well, at least I'm not a fancy lad!

Oh man, oh man, do I hate them fancy lads! ;)

/Letterman

I'm anxious to try MM9 now after hearing the tales of woe in this thread.
But I promised myself no new games until I beat some of the ones I have piled up.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I love how the challenge of the levels alone is really up there. I'm having a good time just memorizing/mastering the levels. Once I'm good enough to get to the robot masters with a decent stock of lives, I'll work out the proper order. I'll be damned if I GameFAQ the boss order!

Real men use the mega buster.

[Food Nipple]

Wow, least possible weapon energy? That could be rough. Probably have to do things like just run through the laser beams, rather than using concrete shot to block them. Also, using rush coil rather than concrete shot on the lava beams bit (which I do anyways). Of course, if you stay stocked at 9 E tanks with 999 bolts... Eh.

Yeah, it's going to tricky to find the most efficient way to get through some of those Wily levels. There's one section where I always use the rush jet over some spikes, but maybe you need to buy a couple of those spike items for that part.

I think the worst part is probably going to be that one section where you need to use a rush coil to pop through a hole in the ceiling, which gets covered up by one of those projector guys. I have a hard enough time lining it up when I can see the gap, and I won't be able to kill the projector since that requires either a homing shot or a magma blast. Plus, if you miss the jump you need to reload and start the Wily stages all over again.

[Morangie]

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3666/20080929le7.jpg

I suck so very, very badly at this game.

[Sazime]

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3666/20080929le7.jpg

I suck so very, very badly at this game.
Is it just me or are there both Oddworld and VG Cats references in there?

[King3567]

So I got this game and it is kicking my ass. I easily defeated Galaxy Man but everything else is ridiculous. Everyone says Splash Woman's stage is easy but I can't get past the part where those platforms move really quick and if you miss...SPIKES!

I am a Mega Man n00b so feel free to mock me when I ask this but what are the screws used for and how do I buy stuff?

[Mot Wakorb]

So I got this game and it is kicking my ass. I easily defeated Galaxy Man but everything else is ridiculous. Everyone says Splash Woman's stage is easy but I can't get past the part where those platforms move really quick and if you miss...SPIKES!

I am a Mega Man n00b so feel free to mock me when I ask this but what are the screws used for and how do I buy stuff?

N00b.

Look at the bottom of the stage select, there should be a home option - that's where you buy stuff using the screws.

[Kielaran]

I am failing bad at beating the game without E tanks. I can get to phase 3 of the last guy, but then major lose.

[King3567]

N00b.

Look at the bottom of the stage select, there should be a home option - that's where you buy stuff using the screws.

I saw that not long after posting :p

I have beaten Galaxy Man and Concrete Man and working on beating Splash Woman. I can get to her, but she is a tricky little devil :mad:

[Young Al Capone]

I beat Galaxy Man, Splash Woman, Hornet Man and Jewel Man over the weekend. I tried some of Concrete Man's stage and that was super rough, so I am not sure who I want to tackle next yet.

The game is every bit as awesome, brutal and fun as I had hoped it would be.

[AliasRomanian]

I was playing this last night for a few minutes but am to damned sucked into warhammer. With my addictive personality I knew I should have never picked War up, also with all the great Q4 releases.

[QueQueg]

Having only tried the demo for about 30 minutes, I couldn't get past the first gap on the first level. I gave up. I don't suck at games, honestly. I just have a low tolerance for immediate frustration.

[National Kato]

Having only tried the demo for about 30 minutes, I couldn't get past the first gap on the first level. I gave up. I don't suck at games, honestly. I just have a low tolerance for immediate frustration.

QFT...and at the same gap for me, as well. I tried it about three times and said, "What the fuck am I playing this for? Everyone says it's difficult. Why do I even want to play this?" And then I realized...

I don't. :D

[BLeeP]

I had a REALLY tough time with this game when I first started it. It took me awhile to kill any boss, and then I finally got past Splash Woman. After that, progress was quick. This game is so pattern heavy (except for the bosses, it seems >_<) that once you know how to get past a part, you can pretty much get past it every time. I am now at Wily's Fortress and I can see the game getting tougher, but I think I just need to devote a night to get through it.

Also, I have no idea what the boss pattern is. I assume Splash Woman is to start, and then I picked the right guy after her, and after that I basically just spam Laser Trident on all bosses. I know there was maybe a couple more that I figured out, but nowhere near all eight.

[Young Al Capone]

This game is so pattern heavy (except for the bosses, it seems >_<) that once you know how to get past a part, you can pretty much get past it every time.

This.

Once I have figured out how to pass any single part of this game, besides the bosses, I have been able to replicate it near everytime without taking damage.

[King3567]

Beat Plug Man! Now, I am stuck between Tornado Man and Magma man as to who to go for next.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I lost to final Wily last night. Crap.

[Food Nipple]

I got the Conservationist achievement, whose description isn't worded very well. People found strategies that were more efficient than Capcom's expected solution, and didn't get the achievement.

If you're going for it, my advice is to read up on it first. The short version is: Use 4x Tornado blast on Wily 1, Laser Trident where needed, use the rush coil to get past both magma screens, use 2x spike boots instead of the rush jet, and run through all the lasers in the final part, using the rush coil on the last one.

[Variable Gear]

Anyone pick up the Proto Man DLC? I did, and it appears to me that certain stages are built with him in mind. His slide, shield and ability to charge shots really comes in handy. However, this enhanced ability set is balanced by the fact that Proto Man receives more knockback and damage per hit. It's kind of hard to get used to that, at first.

[TheEvilNarwhale]

I found it a lot harder to hit enemies with the charge shot than I was expecting. Protoman also seems to not be able to fire as much as megaman.

[Food Nipple]

I hear good things about the endless stage, apparently remade sections of classic mega man levels can pop up in it.

[Mike Kelehan]

I got the Conservationist achievement, whose description isn't worded very well. People found strategies that were more efficient than Capcom's expected solution, and didn't get the achievement.

If you're going for it, my advice is to read up on it first. The short version is: Use 4x Tornado blast on Wily 1, Laser Trident where needed, use the rush coil to get past both magma screens, use 2x spike boots instead of the rush jet, and run through all the lasers in the final part, using the rush coil on the last one.

I used the Concrete Shot on the last one. Also, I used an extra Rush Coil in a spot where I shouldn't have, but still got it. I think the game plays it pretty fast and loose with that achievement. Also, the one about not killing any unnecessary enemies does NOT include enemies spawned by bosses.

And hey, you guys know what's really fun? Endless Attack. Best use of $3 all week.

[TheEvilNarwhale]

Hmm. I may have to check out the endless attack. It seems to be getting a lot of praise. Have you guys tried the time trials? That is an exercise in frustration, but it is too fun to not try.

[Lutheran]

The game , to me , is impossible lol. Its hard as hell.

[King3567]

Achievement Unlocked: Beat all eight bosses with the standard gun.

[EternalGamer]

I'm having trouble with Wiley's 1st stage. I figured out that you can use Concrete Man's power to block the magma beams, but it is still hard as hell to time that and use Rush at the same time.

[OrangePulp]

Don't bother blocking the beams. On the part with three of them, the trick is to bring down rush right as (or before) you get off the ladder, then immediately jump, so that you land on him right as he comes in.

I have to say, 1/2 damage item on wily stage 4, is the cheapest thing ever, as it applies to the initial stage, as well as all 8 robot masters and the wily bosses. That, combined with a few E tanks, makes the end section a cake walk (which was kinda nice, as I was tired of playing it without beating it).

[Food Nipple]

I'm having trouble with Wiley's 1st stage. I figured out that you can use Concrete Man's power to block the magma beams, but it is still hard as hell to time that and use Rush at the same time.

You're supposed to use the concrete shot to create a stairway out of the frozen magma beams, but I find it's a bit easier just to use the rush coil.

http://www.1up.com/flat/MyCheats/MegaMan9/clips/wil001.gif

[Abednigo]

I love the idea of an old school Mega Man. But I'm also not as patient as I once was. If a game annoys me for more than 20 minutes, I go to a guide online. But an online guide probably won't help much with a game like this when timing and quick button presses are important.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I finally beat it. It is a hard game.

[MachEnergy]

You're supposed to use the concrete shot to create a stairway out of the frozen magma beams, but I find it's a bit easier just to use the rush coil.

http://www.1up.com/flat/MyCheats/MegaMan9/clips/wil001.gif

This is exactly where I got stuck last night. You are awesome for providing a gif! I just decided to read this thread and see how it has developed, and whallah! Funny how I won't look anything up on gamefaqs, but if I see something listed in a forum post, I'm cool with it.

[King3567]

You're supposed to use the concrete shot to create a stairway out of the frozen magma beams, but I find it's a bit easier just to use the rush coil.

http://www.1up.com/flat/MyCheats/MegaMan9/clips/wil001.gif

Thanks, I was stuck at this part.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Thanks, I was stuck at this part.

I almost got stuck because I used concrete shot, but did not realize that I actually MISSED the flame spout. I was puzzled for some time.

Also, does anyone know a good way to avoid the fire from that stupid dragon miniboss? I can't figure out the movement pattern.

[King3567]

I almost got stuck because I used concrete shot, but did not realize that I actually MISSED the flame spout. I was puzzled for some time.

Also, does anyone know a good way to avoid the fire from that stupid dragon miniboss? I can't figure out the movement pattern.

Avoiding the fire is very hard. You have to jump over the first ball that comes at you (shoot the dragon too). Then, run towards the middle and avoid the second one. Then, wait till just the right moment and jump over the third one.

It is very difficult to dodge all of the fireballs and I say just use your remaing T. Blow ammo and finish him off with the homing bees.

[TheEvilNarwhale]

Use the B. Bomb. It will suck all the fire off of him. After 3 times it should be dead.

Also Protoman is getting easier just like it did with megaman. You just have to relearn the game again and adapt to his strengths and weaknesses.

[MachEnergy]

re: Fire Dragon mini-boss:Use the B. Bomb. It will suck all the fire off of him. After 3 times it should be dead.

this is what I have done.....never tried the tornadoes though, i'll have to give that a try tonight

[Young Al Capone]

23 screens on endless attack last night, that is my best so far.

Anyone else?

[OrangePulp]

You're supposed to use the concrete shot to create a stairway out of the frozen magma beams, but I find it's a bit easier just to use the rush coil.

http://www.1up.com/flat/MyCheats/MegaMan9/clips/wil001.gif

That gif really trumps my explaination, lol. Looks like 1up has a pretty good guide.

[Food Nipple]

That gif really trumps my explaination, lol. Looks like 1up has a pretty good guide.

It's pretty cool. The whole thing is supposed to be styled after the old school guides in Nintendo Power.

[King3567]

It's pretty cool. The whole thing is supposed to be styled after the old school guides in Nintendo Power.

God, I love me some 1up. They are the greatest gaming media outlet and actually seem sincere and honest. Doing things like this make them the only one out of the big three sites that I go to.

[Dukefrukem]

Yes it's hard. Bought this last night for shits.