Onimusha: Blade Warriors
This 2D fighting game (Onimusha Buraiden in Japan) appeared on the PS2 and featured numerous characters from the Onimusha franchise as well as several unlockable characters. Completing the game once unlocked Mega Man as he appeared in the Mega Man Battle Network series. Players could also unlock Zero from Mega Man X.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom
Originally released in Japan in 2008 as Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Gross Generation of Heroes, this team-based fighting game allows players to build a tag team from the stables of both Tatsunoko and Capcom. Mega Man Volnutt, Roll, and Zero were all playable, though Zero was a Wii exclusive to Ultimate All-Stars.
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
Originally an arcade game in 1998, the game was ported to the Dreamcast and PlayStation the following year. While the Dreamcast version was praised for its close translation of the arcade experience, the PlayStation release didn’t include the tag-team battles due to lower system power. Mega Man was among the eight Capcom characters available.
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
The first game in the franchise to include 2.5D graphics, the sequel boasted a massively increased roster, expanding the total to 56. Though only two dozen characters are initially available, numerous others can be unlocked by earning experience points (all fighters are available at the start in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ports). Representing the Mega Man universe were Mega Man, Roll, Tron Bonne, and Servbot. Beat and Rush would also appear to assist Mega Man and Roll in special attacks.
Marvel vs. Capcom 3: New Age of Heroes
When the series finally resumed in 2011, a conscious effort was made to make the game more accessible to newcomers. This was accomplished by going with a simpler three-button attack scheme of low, medium, high attacks. Though the initial release only contained 40 characters, an expanded roster was included in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, released later that year. Though Mega Man himself didn’t appear in either version, Zero and Tron Bonne did. There were also cameos by Bon Bonne, Mega Man Volnutt, Tesiel Bonne, and Servbot.
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite
The fourth major installment in the franchise reduced the team size from three to two but returned to the original four-button control scheme. Pairs of light and heavy punches and kicks could be used with an auto-combo system and the ability to string combinations together even while tagging teammates into the match. Zero, Sigma (DLC), and X appeared, along with a new Mega Man–inspired boss enemy named Ultron Sigma (and its second form, Ultron Omega).
Street Fighter X Tekken
In one of the most interesting guest appearances of all, Mega Man was included as DLC for the 2012 release of Street Fighter X Tekken. What makes his appearance stand out, however, is not his inclusion, but that he was modeled after the “Bad Box Art Mega Man” that graced the cover of the North American 1987 original release.
