Few video game series have influenced the side-scrolling action genre like Mega Man. Returning to the classic roots that made him a star, the original "Blue Bomber" stars in Mega Man & Bass from Capcom.

Mega Man & Bass was originally released in Japan on Nintendo's Super Famicom system as Rockman & Forte. Thanks to a resurgence of popularity worldwide, Capcom is bringing the game to the U.S. on the Game Boy Advance.

A New Enemy

Our story begins with the introduction of a mysterious new robot enemy named King. A famous robot museum is attacked by King and many of Dr. Wily's robot plans are stolen. As either Mega Man or Bass, you must do whatever it takes to rescue the plans and stop King's sinister plot.

Each character has unique strengths and weaknesses. Mega Man features all of his trademark moves, like his slide and charged-up Mega Buster shot. Bass, another Dr. Wily creation, is similar to Mega Man. Instead of charging up shots, Bass comes equipped with a rapid-fire shot that he can shoot in any direction except downward. He can also double-jump to areas that Mega Man cannot reach.

Choose Your Own Adventure

In classic Mega Man style, players are given a choice of which level they go to next. Each stage's theme is based on the stage boss.

Mega Man games borrow heavily from each other and Rockman & Forte was no different, taking four bosses from Mega Man 8: Tengu Man, Astro Man, Dangler and the Gel Monster (aka Green Devil). Four all-new bosses round out Mega Man & Bass's gallery of rogues.

You'll win a new attack ability by defeating the boss at the end of each stage. Choosing which level to tackle next is important because certain abilities are more effective than others in certain levels.

Even Robots Need Money

Beating bosses isn't the only way to learn new techniques. Mega Man and Bass can collect special Bolts, which can be used to purchase upgrades between levels. You can also find more than 100 hidden CDs that contain detailed bios about each character, enemy and boss from every previous Mega Man games.

Gotta Collect 'Em All

Certain CDs can only be reached by Mega Man while others can only be reached by Bass. Completing the game with both characters is the only real way of collecting every CD. Each character has his own ending, which also enhances replay value. A handy battery-save feature has four separate save files.

Capcom's Mega Man & Bass is a true collector's item for any fan of side-scrollers. Filled with plenty of history and classic 2D action, Mega Man & Bass is not to be missed.