Mega Man Powered Up

Imagine the classic Mega Man from the 8-bit era going through complete plastic surgery into a cute, chubby 3D — while not skipping a single gram of that old devilish difficulty. That is exactly Mega Man Powered Up, a pocket remake of the very first installment from 1987, which Capcom sent to the PSP as a treat for fans and newcomers alike.

The core of the game stays true to the original: you run through short, precisely designed levels, jump over traps, and at the end of each stage a robot boss awaits, whose weapon you gain after defeating him and use against the next enemy. This „rock-paper-scissors" mechanic of choosing the boss order remains one of the cleverest design ideas in action platformers to this day, and Powered Up presents it in a clean, readable form. New compared to the original is the addition of two brand-new bosses, so even seasoned veterans get unfamiliar challenges.

But the biggest draw is elsewhere. After defeating them, you can play as a whole row of robot bosses yourself — each has its own movement, jump, and attack, which fundamentally changes how you approach individual levels. Add to that a full-fledged level editor in which you build, save, and share your own tracks. For its time, it was a surprisingly generous offering of content that turned a tiny remake into a surprisingly addictive little box.

Visually, the game bets on the so-called „super deformed" style with big heads and cute proportions, complemented by new voice acting and light-hearted humor. For some it is a delightful refresh, for others heresy against the austere 8-bit aesthetic — fortunately, a classic „old style" mode in a more faithful retro guise is also available. This option shows how considerately Capcom approached the series' legacy.

Mega Man Powered Up is a showcase of what an honest remake should look like: it respects the source but is not afraid to enrich it with meaningful new features. For PSP owners who love precise, demanding action with perfectly tuned controls, it is one of the best platforming reasons to switch the console on at all.

Why play it: A pocket-sized love letter to the 8-bit original, enriched with playable bosses and a level editor — precise action that will please veterans and newcomers alike.