Rockman Complete Works FAQ
August 31st 1999, Revision 0.8
Written By: Justin Strauss (crono@resonatorsoft.com)
This document is the intellectual property of the author. It is intended to
provide help, to fellow gamers, on a title that is both entertaining and
difficult at various times. Please do not copy or distribute this file in any
format (other web page, part of another FAQ, etc.) without consent of the
author. If you have any new tips or info you want us to hear, drop an e-mail.
And, just in case this comes up, Game Cave may not distribute this to those who
purchase this title.
Rockman is a trademark of Capcom Co., Ltd. Copyright 1987-1999 by Capcom Co.,
Ltd. All related names fall under the same applicable laws. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents:
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0.0 Revision History
1.0 General Description
2.0 Title Screen, the Modes
3.0 Main Game Information
4.0 Option Menu Translations
4.1 Main Option Menu
4.2 In-game Pause Menu
4.3 Button Configuration Menu
5.0 Battle Data Information
6.0 Special or Hidden Modes
6.1 Boss Battle
7.0 Contributions and Thank-You's
0.0 Revision History
--------------------------------------
V0.8 - 08/31/99 - Initial Release! Expect typos or grammar problems. ^_^
V1.0 - 09/08/99 - Coming Soon! Will include Rockman 2 and other new stuff.
Coming Soon:
-exact information for the battle data
-Pocketstation info and games
1.0 General Description
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Rockman is back, in all his 8-bit glory! For the purely American gamers,
"Rockman" is the original name for one of the best known videogame heroes of all
time, Megaman. We've been through countless adventures with ol' Rock, and boy
has it been a wonderful 10 years. Some might be confused as to how many Rockman
titles there really are, though. As far as the "Rockman Complete Works" goes, it
is a re-release series for Playstation. The first six Rockman games are being
released, in order, with cool new additions and such. We get a choice between an
unaltered original version, and a version with small bits changed. Plus, there's
Pocketstation games galore, and new special modes to earn. Some people might
complain about how "they're not releasing all 6 games on one disc, like they
should." However, for a true Rockman fanatic, these reduced-price discs won't be
such a waste of money.
Just in case anyone's confused as to Rockman's long history of games, let's
review. It may seem boring, but the Rockman fanatics will know what this all is:
His first six titles were released for the NES, from 1987 all the way until the
early 1990's. Rockman 7 was released for Super NES, while Rockman 8 was released
for Playstation (on his 10th anniversary in gaming). In Japan only, they also
released a game called "Rockman and Forte" as a sort of "finale" for the series
so far. It contained a comprehensive directory of all the former Robot Masters,
as well as the ability to play as either Rockman or (you guessed it...) Forte.
He is better known in America as "Bass," the arch-nemesis of Megaman who was
created by Dr. Wily.
Then comes the secondary incarnation, Rockman X. The first three Rockman X
games were released for Super NES in the 1990's. Rockman X4, a vastly smoother
game, was finally released for Playstation and Saturn in 1997. There are also
five Rockman games on the GameBoy, all of which are numbered with Roman Numerals
(as not to confuse them with the main series). Next there's the 3D Rockman
series for Playstation called "Rockman Dash." Dash 2 is planned for release
soon, while the villain of the first game already got her own spin-off title
("Tron and Kobuun"). And lastly there's "The Power Battle" which is a 2-player
Rockman arcade series, where you just fight bosses.
Besides these series, however, Rockman has starred in a number of other
titles. There are also a bunch of wacky Rockman specialty games, such as Rockman
Soccer and Rockman Battle and Chase (Mario Kart type game). There is also an
anime-style graphic adventure game which didn't get too much press in America.
On top of this, there have been a few cheesy attempts at remakes of the older
Rockman games already. There was one for the Sega GameGear, one for the PC
Computer, and one for the Sega Genesis called the "Wily Wars." However, none of
those did so well, or worked properly on their own respective platforms. Only
now are we gonna see a great re-release and enhancement of the classic Rockman
titles. The Complete Works shall truly live up to its name.
2.0 Title Screen, the Modes
--------------------------------------
Once you reach the title screen, you will be greeted with five choices of
menus. These are all in Japanese, so it may be a bit confusing. So here, for
your use, is a translation of the screen (and later in the FAQ, any other menu).
You initially are given the first five choices, in order from top to bottom.
Anything with an asterik next to it is opened for you later:
-Original Game
-Enhanced Game
-Options
-Battle Data
-Pocketstation
-Boss Battle*
3.0 Main Game Information
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The "Complete Works" versions add many new features that were not in your
original Rockman titles. Both of the first two menu options will take you to
different versions of the Rockman game you know and love from the NES. The
game's graphics and sound are perfectly emulated from the NES, in fact, and have
no difference from their originals whatsoever. Reguardless, there are many new
features that are added to the game that make it much more fun. First off, you
must know the difference between the first two menu options (original or
enhanced game). The "original game" only takes advantage of the first two
features that I'll list below. The "enhanced game," however, uses all of the
features below! Check 'em out:
-The ability to save your game. You can save the game at any time to your
memory card. You get eight save-files to choose from, all one only one block of
memory on the card! The save files you keep can be used on either the original
or enhanced game, no matter which one you saved on. You still can not save in
the middle of Wily's castles, sorry. This just saves "who you beat, and what
stuff you have."
-The ability to switch weapons without pausing. You can use the L1 and R1
buttons to switch between your different special weapons at any time. This is a
feature that we saw on later Rockman titles, and it's great to see it back
again. It is also useful because it will instantly switch weapons WHILE you are
moving, without stopping you. Whenever you switch weapons the old way (on the
weapons screen), you will zap and pause for a second while you change weapons.
-The enhanced lifebars. It has an updated look to it, more like the Super
NES life bars. Under your lifebar is a picture that tells you how many more
lives you have. When you change your weapon, its symbol will show up under the
life bar, and tell you how many shots you have left! In addition, the bosses'
life bars will look fancy, and have a Dr. Wily logo under them. Another thing to
notice about the lifebar is that when you get hit, the segment that you just
lost will show up in red, then disappear. This way, you can see how powerful
your enemy is.
-Dr. Light with hints and advice. Whenever he has something to tell you
about a particular area, an exclamation point will show up in the lower-left
corner of the screen while you play. If you go to the "pause menu" (see
descriptions below), he will give you advice on what to do to get by. His advice
is very useful, though meaningless if you can't read Japanese. Oh well, we all
know how to beat these games anyways, eh?
-Beat will show you the way. On certain spots where there are multiple
paths, you might wonder exactly which one is the correct one to take. In these
cases, Beat (Rockman's blue bird robot) will point an arrow in the direction
that he thinks you should go. This is helpful in many spots, especially the more
complex or busy areas of the game. He'll also show you any out-of-reach exits to
certain areas.
4.0 Option Menu Translations
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Option Menu - access this from the title screen.
-Difficulty: Easy/Normal
-Game Speed: Slow/Normal
-Button Configuration
-Options Data: Load/Save
-Return to Title Screen
Pause Menu - access this when playing the game, by pressing SELECT.
-Return to Game
-Button Configuration
-Screen Position
-Restart This Game
-Return to Title Screen
Button Configuration - access this from either of the above menus.
-Normal Shot (default is "Square")
-Turbo Shot (default is "Triangle")
-Jump (default is "X")
-Weapon Back (default is "L1")
-Weapon Forward (default is "R1")
-Reset to Defaults
5.0 Battle Data Information
--------------------------------------
This mode is a combination of various things. It mainly includes a list of
all the enemies in the game (this means the minor ones and the masters of each
level). For each enemy, there is a brief description and statistics for life
points and strength. There is also a box under each enemy, telling which special
weapon they are weakest against. However, not all of these things will show up
right away.
The battle data list will be empty when you start the game (except for the
first two slots). When you encounter an enemy in the main game, that enemy will
show up in the battle data section. However, not all of the info (weakness,
stats, description) will show up right away. You must encounter them a specific
number of times, or actually USE the weapon they are weak against, in order to
make this info show up.
Some of the entries in the battle data area are non-enemy stuff, such as
heroes (Rockman, Roll, etc.) or various artworks or backgrounds. Each of these
apparently has some special objective that must be fulfilled in order to reach
them. The specifics of this will be listed in a separate section.
There are three choices of what to do when viewing the data gallery. If you
press "Circle" you will be given a choice to Load/Save the battle data. NOTE,
YOU MUST SAVE YOUR BATTLE DATA IN THIS WAY EVERY TIME YOU PLAY THE GAME!!! It
will not automatically save battle data when you save the "main game." Make sure
to go here before you turn off the game each time, and save your battle data.
Anyhow, pressing "Triangle" on any of the main character profiles will reset
their stats to default (pocketstation related). Pressing "X" will exit you to
the title screen. You can press Circle or X on any battle data, while Triangle
is only offered on Rockman or the Master Robots.
6.0 Special or Hidden Modes
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Boss Battle - This is the hidden mode you will find in Rockman 1. This mode
is earned by completing the original/enhanced game. This means that you must
defeat the Dr. Wily levels, and get the ending. In this mode, you must battle
all six of the game's main bosses in any order you choose. No levels, no Wily
stuff, just the six bosses. You can select how many lives you will get to do
this: 0, 1, 3, 5, 9, or Infinity. The game will also count how long it takes you
to do all this in minutes, seconds, and milliseconds (for example, " 2:14:82 ").
The game will automatically save your best time score, and you can also earn
battle data through this mode.
7.0 Contributions and Thank-You's
--------------------------------------
GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com) for hosting this FAQ, along with more great
gaming info than most any site out there. Keep up the good work, man. Without
GameFAQs... where would we all go for detailed game help? Sure, lotsa places
have great code archives, and some TRY to keep all the best FAQs. But who
succeeds? Only one, my friend ^_^
The wonderful patrons of my own message board, the OtherWorlds Shrine
(www.tows.org/tows/) which is sometimes the only refuge for the true gamer.
Along with my friend Sineswiper, we keep the shrine alive as a place for gamers
to respectfully speak and get together while online. The friends that I have
made there have meant the world to me, despite how my "real life" sometimes
drags me offline for days at a time. Either way, here's to ya'll... and I won't
mention any names (as there are too many of you to possibly remember them all
now. And you'll kill me if I miss any, hehe).
The select few of my friends who love gaming almost as much as myself, and
keep me inspired to keep on playing. Tacchi, you're as obsessed over games as
me, and for over a decade. We're getting old, dude. Crystal, well you can kick
most of our sorry arses ^_^ Steffannee... you introduced me to Will in Rival
Schools! Scott, you've been a pal through it all, despite how you suck at games
^_^ Kathryn, your love and understanding will always be cherished (yes, call me
sappy). And Alex, you've been there since we were infants, when the NES was only
a dream in the semi-near future.
Capcom of Japan, and all the great staff who bring Rockman to life. This has
been my favorite videogame series since the late 1980's, and my opinion has
never wavered. Although the gameplay style only goes through small changes each
time, it is obvious as to why. This series has changed and epitomized the 2D
Platform game. And of course, despite how great the first one was, the series
gets better and better with each title (the changes all being for the best).
Just compare Rockman on NES to Rockman X4 on Playstation... you'll see the
"evolution" right there.
