*Spoilers* - Full ‘Robot Master Stages’ list here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fAVhh9MzcAlXTtYl_Xo2yYqptLcDfolMimuFraGtKVo/edit?usp=sharing New series for 2021! Nico & Zargon Fridays! Come check us play all sorts of retro games! shorturl.at/ltAFI 🎮 WATCH THE BEST MEGA MAN GAMES LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/yOhhfv1X-BA/w-d-xo.html 🌇 WATCH THE BEST ROBOT MASTER STAGES LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/nnhrjTx6_J0/w-d-xo.html 🤖 WATCH THE BEST ROBOT MASTER LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/5C6GZa338K8/w-d-xo.html 🔫 WATCH THE BEST ROBOT MASTER WEAPONS LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/ODDViuDmVDM/w-d-xo.html ☠️ WATCH THE BEST ENDGAME BOSSES LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/YRofI4_jht8/w-d-xo.html
You lost me at clown mans stage, how you gonna tell me I'M wrong for enjoying 8, go on to belch and cough for comedic effect(?) And expect me to take you seriously? Wont be watching more 👎🏻
So just like last time, copypasted the results into Excel and through some wizardry I managed to suss out which game has the best levels. I did this by giving every stage a number of points equal to its rank on the list. I then added all the numbers and divided the result by 8 to reach the average rank for each game, accurate to up to an eight of a point. This means that the lower the number, the better the game's rank. So here we go! #12: 90.250 points for Mega Man & Bass. When seven of your stages are in the eight worst stages, it's easy who's going to lose. Cold Man's 76th spot does not help. #11: 76.875 points for Mega Man 8. Six of your stages in the 20 lowest ranks means you won't be taking home the bacon. #10: 64.125 points for Mega Man 2. Surprising to see one of the most beloved games ranked this low, but be honest here: MM2 was just like this list's winner 75% JANK. Spread evenly out in the lower ranks, not even Wood Man at number 11 helps get this rank up (heh >:]). #09: 60.750 points for Mega Man 1. Let's be honest, the Mega Man 1 stages were nothing worth looking at. Its stages are more clustered than that of MM2, and even when the Fire Man rises it cannot prevent MM1 from crashing with no survivors. #08: 54.875 points for Mega Man 5. Some of the game's stages just went on and on with no end in sight, and the same goes for MM5's entries into the list. From Gyro Man's 32nd place to Wave Man's 79th place, the game lacks the hard hitters to make it up bigger. #07: 45.000 points for Mega Man 6. The best looking of the NES bunch, the ranks are spread thin with Plant Man's 20th spot balancing out Centaur Man's 70th spot. #06: 41.750 points for Mega Man 3. Snake Man and Gemini Man at ranks 16 and 18 tried their best but they could not bring MM3 any higher with Magnet Man's 65th spot dragging them down and Top Man's 57th for his blue background weed plantation stage. #05: 34.500 points for Mega Man 7. Cloud Man and Spring Man being stuck at ranks 83 and 74 drag down the rest of the excellent ranks, especially staining Junk Man's victory. Turbo Man, Slash Man and Freeze Man helped mitigate the damage, lest we'd have another Mega Man 6 on our hands. #04: 32.750 points for Mega Man 10. Practice does not make perfect, it seems. The trio in the low 40s drags down an otherwise great showing, even balancing out Pump Man's 56th place. #03: 32.125 points for Mega Man 11. The youngest child is an energetic one. Impact Man at 69th place, while nice, drags down the others alongside Bounce Man's 72nd spot. Fuse Man and Block Man in the 30s don't really help either, since the remaining four are in the top 20. But the game can be proud with its bronze. #02: 25.375 points for Mega Man 4. When your worst entry is only at the 51st spot you have a great start, accompanied by a pair at the low 30s, a cluster in the low 20s and the second place. So good on you, Toad Man, for getting second place and making your game the second best. At least you're not the worst this time. #01: 23.625 points for Mega Man 9. A minute difference with Mega Man 4, but with three stages in the top 10, a duo in the mid-20s and even your worst being the best ranked of all other games' worst you have what it takes to make like Robbie Rotten and be number one. So good on you, Mega Man 9. You have the best stages and are the best bean in the bunch. Dishonorable mention goes to Concrete Man and his 40th place, for not making this into a hat trick.
The results are actually slightly different if you base them off of the score Nico gave them rather than the placement he gave them. This is likely because the placements don't have a consistent progression of quality and the scores suddenly skyrocket at the end out of nowhere. The rankings based on score are as follows: 1st place Megaman 9 Average Score: 6.15 2nd place Megaman 4 Average Score: 5.925 3rd/4th place: Megaman 7 and Megaman 11 Average Score: 5.45 each 5th place: Megaman 10: Average Score: 5.15 6th place: Megaman 3: Average Score: 4.4375 7th place: Megaman 6: Average Score: 4.1625 8th place: Megaman 5: Average Score: 3.3875 9th place: Megaman 1: Average Score: 3.25 (3.1 with Powered Up) 10th place: Megaman 2: Average Score: 2.7875 11th place: Megaman 8: Average Score: 1.825 12th place: Megaman and Bass/Rockman and Forte: Average Score: 0.825 Kind of funny how just a change in variables makes Megaman 7's stages better than Megaman 10's, but I guess that's just how it goes sometimes.
Just a small thing, the MM6 robot masters are meant to represent countries. Wind Man representing China makes the Pandas a choice, and Yamato being Japanese makes the background design work.
To add on to this, the same goes for Napalm Man is 5. Napalm was most famously utilized in the Vietnam War, which is what this stage is theme around. That's why it's in a jungle with tigers, there are pits, and then tunnels. There are Joes in helicopters and rockets shooting at you. It's all the Vietnam War. It's actually in pretty poor taste.
@@VonSnootingham And to add on to that, Because of Napalm Man's stage theme being based on the Vietnam War it caused Mega Man 5 to be banned from Vietnam. But despite that Napalm Man's stage is my second favorite stage in 5.
Oh my god! I didn't knew the secret on Junk Man's stage ceiling, that's really awesome, unfortunately it doesn't have BIG reward for going there, so it's pretty much useless
This is such an amazing list. I love how well you broke down the reasons why the great levels were great and the horrible ones were horrible. I'd say this is the best of the three lists that you've made easy. Honestly I can't disagree with a single assessment you made here, though I might've ranked Sheepman slightly higher. The top five are truly some very special stages, some of which I never realized just how well they work until watching this video. Again though, you nailed your explanations for why each is as good as they are. Likewise, I loved you ripping apart the bad ones. You deserve a massive pat on the back for all this hard work. Amazing job. As for future list ideas, maybe the Top Mega Man enemies? Although that one would probably be pretty massive.
I'm honestly pretty surprised to see Yamato Man's stage so far down on this list. You get to chose between two paths multiple times, and I mean actual multiple paths, not just short little detours that unite with the main paths two screens later, which makes the whole stage feel very dynamic. It's something you don't see very often, if even at all, in a classic mega man game. The visuals and theme of this level are great too, you're basically infiltrating an ancient japanese fortress. And on a side node, the music of this level is also pretty good.
Has to be the best Mega Man list out there. We differ in some opinions on what makes for good game design, but the way you back up your thoughts is impossible to refute without looking like a dumbass in most cases. Subjective rankings are strengthened exponentially by having experience with the thing you're listing, and all the little details that make their way into this video makes it very obvious you know your stuff. Incredible work and really quite informative while being completely unpretentious. Also, Junk Man is just the perfect way to end... magical stage, harkening back to past obstacles and putting new spins on them is indeed ingenious towards the level theme. Something about Mega Man has always been very personal to me.
This list is Excellent and well put together. You definitely explained the stages perfectly about its: Pros and Cons, What you would have done different, and just overall what should a stage truly be. This changed some of my opinions on the stages that I wouldn't have never Thought about. Great Work 👌
These are the videos I love. You have quickely become my favorite channel in the past year or so. You are truly a brilliant genius with this series, everything you do has been looked over to perfection. Every list or side video you do you can clearly see how his change in opinions and additional expeirience has effected your statements. You created a perfectly balanced way to list each board. I would only change some of the rankings. Your improvements are amazing and bringing up problems you talked about not just in the official game but also in the fangames, you did your homework. As a kid I also thought of the sounds used in Cutman sounded like Zelda (And Mario) music. Finally someone sees this point of view. Always called those flying guys in sheep man Osamas because of those turbans. There is also this glitch with the Eggs in Gemini Man, they sometimes will stay in the games code after being destroyed. Fire man was a surprise but I completely understand, I never thought of the stage when I was at the beginning, more of a nice surprise at the end, it is fucking great except that one screen.
I think you missed the entire point of Napalm Man’s stage. Jungle and waterfalls. Pits with spikes in them. Tunneling. Missiles and a military base. It’s the Vietnam War as a stage, you know, the place we used a lot of Napalm? I don’t think you could possibly have a better representation. A jungle with waterfalls, punji pits, vietcong tunnels and a military base/hangar. I’m not saying it’s the best stage ever, but I think your list is skewed because you missed these references
That's a lot of obscure thought and references to put into a game made for (little) kids. We would have been fine with a more traditional theme. I'm not sure children aged 4-15 are going to know about the Vietnam War, especially in Europe. Let alone make the connection.
@@NicoEvaluates I didn’t make the connection as a kid, but my father fought in Nam, so I eventually learned the connection, and as an adult, I find it pretty great
@@garvensman It's a nice additional context, but even with the context, it's not universal enough to get it for americans, let alone the rest of the world who did not participate. I am also in the boat of preferring another type of stage, but I appreciate the try nonetheless
I am not American, and it is extremely obvious if you even know what Napalm is. Even if you don’t, jungle + military theming is pretty obvious, and Napalm man takes cues from fighter jet design. Electric sheep is a way more niche reference, and sheep man was not penalised.
I'm proud that 11 did it's job, as it appeals to both the older community, and the younger. To see Torch Man make it up to 3rd was actually astonishing to me, because 11 is truly received as a new Mega Man game, and it gives me hope for the future games.
I know this is stupid but I actually love mega man 8. It was the first Mega Man I ever beat. I'm replaying all the games now and 8 was the first one I replayed. I really do love that game.
I played 1 to 10 in order back to back and 8 is my favorite too. (No Nostalgia) I just think it tries new ideas, has great presentation and has a solid selection of good bosses.
@Nico Evaluates, The bits in MM1 with enemy filled hallways before bosses is put there for loading purposes, because they didn’t have a good way to make you spend a ton of time at the boss gate. 1 is really limited by MMC1 hardware, more than anything.
Astro Man’s stage in MM8 is meant to be virtual space I think. I know he used to manage a planetarium but that’s all I can think of 14:30 I didn’t know that lmfao. Ground Man’s stage is the only stage I find in MM&B that doesn’t look like a cloned stage from MM8. But the fucking waterfalls man
I disagree with Burner Man's theming being in the forest as not making sense ONLY because the story has King convincing/tricking Burner Man into believing he has a bomb in his chest and if he doesn't destroy all the forests by burning them to the ground, he'll explode. Otherwise, no, garbage stage and that's the only reason the theme exists. They never really tell you this either, you find out from other sources/books
@@demontropolis7742 Oh I totally agree. Burner Man's just sucks. Just pointing out I disagree a forest theme can't work for a fire-themed boss, as it shows with Torch Man
That lore is not even needed. Burner Man is a FOREST FIRE ROBOT. His whole design is to burn.natural.environment. What is so bad about the presentation? The level design is trash, but he overhates Mega Man and Bass too much.
I actually just ranked the music by just ranking the whole soundtracks a few weeks ago I kind of disagree with taking into consideration how the stages/enemies fit the robot master's theme though. The Mega Man series has a surprising amount of world building; the stages are actually places in the world that happen to be where the robot master took over, generally because it is advantageous terrain, rarely a location specifically built for the Robot Master. For example, Napalm Man is most effective in a jungle (where napalm was actually used in real life) where he can start massive forest fires similar to Torch Man, only Napalm Man doesn't have an extremely high heat tolerance and would be at risk of having his napalm bombs ignite and explode him. The enemies also all have previous jobs they were created for, very few were created specifically by Dr. Wily, instead being stolen equipment, often from a nearby location or as part of a mass production line. The enemies are not supposed to have much to do with the Robot Master's name, again just being conveniently nearby robots or robots who do well in the terrain the Robot Master is occupying.
Would you say it would be awesome if Ice themed enemies were in Fire Man stage? Or the fact that there are Crystal Joes in Wave Man stage? Theme I feel like is an important factor in Delivery.
That is a nice explanation, but it comes second. It's classic Mega Man afterall, you could always make and send thematic robots to the places and nobody would question the convenience of that, because it's not absurd in the slightest. Lore is just a stretch when trying to defend this from a game design perspective.
@@uandresbrito5685 yeah of course it doesn't really teach you, but jumping and letting it slow down when you get to solid ground is how to go. If you short hop a bunch it doesn't really help though, since landing and moving forward even an inch will be a speed increase.
29:14 I'm surprised. It seems that nobody knows that if you hit the second weather machine on Cloud Man stage with the Freeze Cracker, it makes it snow and the level is so much easier.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that Gravity Man's stage is very underwhelming. Instead of ranking every stage in the series on one list, I'll just rank the stages from my favorite to least favorite in a separate list for each game. And for Mega Man 10, I'm ranking the hard mode versions of the stages because I think the game is more fun that way. MM: Fire > Elec > Bomb > Cut > Ice > Guts MM2: Bubble > Metal > Quick > Wood > Air > Crash > Flash > Heat MM3: Gemini > Snake > Top > Shadow > Spark > Hard > Magnet > Needle MM4: Toad > Ring > Dive > Dust > Drill > Pharaoh > Bright > Skull MM5: Star > Napalm > Gyro > Charge > Stone > Wave > Gravity > Crystal MM6: Plant > Wind > Blizzard > Centaur > Knight > Yamato > Tomahawk > Flame MM7: Turbo > Spring > Junk > Shade > Freeze > Burst > Slash > Cloud MM8: Tengu > Clown > Grenade > Search > Aqua > Frost > Sword > Astro MM9: Jewel > Hornet > Galaxy > Tornado > Magma > Plug > Splash > Concrete MM10: Solar > Strike > Nitro > Chill > Blade > Commando > Sheep > Pump MM11: Torch > Acid > Impact > Block > Bounce > Fuse > Tundra > Blast MM&B: Dynamo > Tengu > Cold > Astro > Magic > Ground > Burner > Pirate
I only just noticed that Oil Man and Flame Man have the EXACT same theme of lighting oil on fire. Except Flame Man just does it better. Which, Flame Man also came first. Hmm....
So why do the birds in Concrete Man's stage dock points for "copying existing designs", but yet that wasn't criticized in Wily Stage 1 of Mega Man 9 (which also started off with the birds)?
Just curious bro.....but why did you give Air Man's "DELIVERY" an abysmally low score of 0.3? Not upset about it at all, just wondering. Thanks and keep up the expert, top-notch game analysis work.
@@NicoEvaluates Wow. I did not expect that QUICK of a response back. Even QUICK MAN would be impressed. *lol* It is unfortunately very plain and boring looking in general and not that complex or appealing. I still think it's not as ugly as some of the rougher stages in 1 like Elecman and parts of Gutsman for instance. I kinda liked the giant air-gremlin-face platforms & some of the foreground clouds but I suppose I'm in the minority. The rest is very much mmmeeehhh...... :/
As a whole I think Stone Man is just a mess of wasted potential. His stage (as discussed here) just lacks gimmicks and anything entertaining. Decent level to play through but nothing really exciting. As for Stone Man himself, he’s just not designed well as a boss and considering he can turn into a brick pile to make himself invincible, you think he could do more with that. And then Power Stone sucks. Make it spin clockwise instead, make it spin slower so its easier to hit things, or make it do a shit load of damage
Forgive me if I missed something, but I do not understand many of the choices of this video, such as why sword man is so low on the list and junk man is so high. Sword man’s gimmicks seem more inventive and interesting and interactions in the stage only require weapons the player already has, while the player may have nothing required for the secrets in Junk man. Also, aren’t any action platformers that aren’t heavy rng puzzles by design any way. If you beat a stage in any of these types of games, you can do it again. I do suppose junk man offers more in the way of replay value due to its secrets, and might have better enemy designs, but the gap in ranking feels way to vast, and theming wise, I think sword man’s dungeon feels as well done, if a little less inspired than the factory of junk man’s stage. Also Turbo man is also higher up than astro man’s stage, and while the theming is clearly better, if a little less unique in turbo man, the gimmicks are way more annoying in turbo man’s stage than a basic door puzzle a child could solve in minutes. (The truck fight is a highlight). It is also super weird that you penalise Napalm man for theming, but give Sheep man ponts for it, when the former is much more obvious. It is your list though, and you do provide solid enough statements for why you like or dislike a level.
Yep... MM games have pretty mediocre level design with some great ideas here and there. Yet somehow they manage to be enjoyable throughout the whole series and I love them. (only talking about the classic series here, I don't know much about the others yet)
@@uandresbrito5685 I did play MMX! Fun game but I still prefer the classic series. Have yet to play X2-X4 though, (and zero/zx, and MM7 and MM10 hehe) Next will probably be MMX2, but now I'm on a shmup binge that will keep me away from my lovely platformers for a while ;)
@@SPM_STG Well, X, X2 and X4 are all fantastic. X3 is decent, but you're better playing the Zero Project ROM Hack. X8 is also worth the time. X6 may be fun if you like broken games like Mega Man 1. I certainly do. Mm7 is my favorite, so I hope you enjoy it too.
Eh, you said you don't like just shooting breakable blocks in the way in block man's evaluation, but you like doing it in dust man's stage? Seems to be nostalgia blindness to me.
Hey Nico! One question: I have heard your complaints about vertical segments in stages and how the camera can be a little -- iffy -- to say the least. Is there an example of a vertical stage segment that, in your opinion, is done right? Or are vertical segments an absolute no-no in Mega Man level design?
@@zerobotico2382 I’m instead thinking it should work as is, but if the overall elevation increases (say from a jump to a higher platform) the camera will shift accordingly, only following Mega Man’s vertical position if he is falling from a lower point than where he started.
I split the countdown here into eight tiers: 96-85 / Crap - Where levels suck the hardest. 84-73 / Bad - The second worst tier, or course. 72-61 / Subpar - Still sucky, but close to average. 60-49 / Average - Not good, not bad, just tolerable. 48-37 / Nice - Slightly above average. 36-25 / Good - A lot higher than average, but needs more polish. 24-13 / Great - Better than good, but with a few minor hiccups. 12-1 / Excellent - Near perfection. Where levels shine the most.
*Spoilers* - Full ‘Robot Master Stages’ list here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fAVhh9MzcAlXTtYl_Xo2yYqptLcDfolMimuFraGtKVo/edit?usp=sharing
New series for 2021! Nico & Zargon Fridays! Come check us play all sorts of retro games! shorturl.at/ltAFI
🎮 WATCH THE BEST MEGA MAN GAMES LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/yOhhfv1X-BA/w-d-xo.html
🌇 WATCH THE BEST ROBOT MASTER STAGES LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/nnhrjTx6_J0/w-d-xo.html
🤖 WATCH THE BEST ROBOT MASTER LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/5C6GZa338K8/w-d-xo.html
🔫 WATCH THE BEST ROBOT MASTER WEAPONS LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/ODDViuDmVDM/w-d-xo.html
☠️ WATCH THE BEST ENDGAME BOSSES LIST HERE: th-cam.com/video/YRofI4_jht8/w-d-xo.html
Do you ever think you will add-on to the Robot Master list and weapon list as far as 11 goes?
You lost me at clown mans stage, how you gonna tell me I'M wrong for enjoying 8, go on to belch and cough for comedic effect(?) And expect me to take you seriously? Wont be watching more 👎🏻
@@cornpop2630 I enjoyed 8 too, but I respect his opinion. And the game does have its flaws tho
@@tengudwn57 sounds like every game ever lol
@@cornpop2630 Valid
Magnet man review was perfect.
You are right also I like the song he did for Magnet man!🧲
The song is based on a cover song of Magnet Man's stage made by a band called "The Megas". Would highly recommend their music.
@@angelakn6258:38 here is magnet man stage review.
So just like last time, copypasted the results into Excel and through some wizardry I managed to suss out which game has the best levels. I did this by giving every stage a number of points equal to its rank on the list. I then added all the numbers and divided the result by 8 to reach the average rank for each game, accurate to up to an eight of a point. This means that the lower the number, the better the game's rank. So here we go!
#12: 90.250 points for Mega Man & Bass. When seven of your stages are in the eight worst stages, it's easy who's going to lose. Cold Man's 76th spot does not help.
#11: 76.875 points for Mega Man 8. Six of your stages in the 20 lowest ranks means you won't be taking home the bacon.
#10: 64.125 points for Mega Man 2. Surprising to see one of the most beloved games ranked this low, but be honest here: MM2 was just like this list's winner 75% JANK. Spread evenly out in the lower ranks, not even Wood Man at number 11 helps get this rank up (heh >:]).
#09: 60.750 points for Mega Man 1. Let's be honest, the Mega Man 1 stages were nothing worth looking at. Its stages are more clustered than that of MM2, and even when the Fire Man rises it cannot prevent MM1 from crashing with no survivors.
#08: 54.875 points for Mega Man 5. Some of the game's stages just went on and on with no end in sight, and the same goes for MM5's entries into the list. From Gyro Man's 32nd place to Wave Man's 79th place, the game lacks the hard hitters to make it up bigger.
#07: 45.000 points for Mega Man 6. The best looking of the NES bunch, the ranks are spread thin with Plant Man's 20th spot balancing out Centaur Man's 70th spot.
#06: 41.750 points for Mega Man 3. Snake Man and Gemini Man at ranks 16 and 18 tried their best but they could not bring MM3 any higher with Magnet Man's 65th spot dragging them down and Top Man's 57th for his blue background weed plantation stage.
#05: 34.500 points for Mega Man 7. Cloud Man and Spring Man being stuck at ranks 83 and 74 drag down the rest of the excellent ranks, especially staining Junk Man's victory. Turbo Man, Slash Man and Freeze Man helped mitigate the damage, lest we'd have another Mega Man 6 on our hands.
#04: 32.750 points for Mega Man 10. Practice does not make perfect, it seems. The trio in the low 40s drags down an otherwise great showing, even balancing out Pump Man's 56th place.
#03: 32.125 points for Mega Man 11. The youngest child is an energetic one. Impact Man at 69th place, while nice, drags down the others alongside Bounce Man's 72nd spot. Fuse Man and Block Man in the 30s don't really help either, since the remaining four are in the top 20. But the game can be proud with its bronze.
#02: 25.375 points for Mega Man 4. When your worst entry is only at the 51st spot you have a great start, accompanied by a pair at the low 30s, a cluster in the low 20s and the second place. So good on you, Toad Man, for getting second place and making your game the second best. At least you're not the worst this time.
#01: 23.625 points for Mega Man 9. A minute difference with Mega Man 4, but with three stages in the top 10, a duo in the mid-20s and even your worst being the best ranked of all other games' worst you have what it takes to make like Robbie Rotten and be number one. So good on you, Mega Man 9. You have the best stages and are the best bean in the bunch.
Dishonorable mention goes to Concrete Man and his 40th place, for not making this into a hat trick.
Thank you for this information :)
The results are actually slightly different if you base them off of the score Nico gave them rather than the placement he gave them. This is likely because the placements don't have a consistent progression of quality and the scores suddenly skyrocket at the end out of nowhere. The rankings based on score are as follows:
1st place Megaman 9 Average Score: 6.15
2nd place Megaman 4 Average Score: 5.925
3rd/4th place: Megaman 7 and Megaman 11 Average Score: 5.45 each
5th place: Megaman 10: Average Score: 5.15
6th place: Megaman 3: Average Score: 4.4375
7th place: Megaman 6: Average Score: 4.1625
8th place: Megaman 5: Average Score: 3.3875
9th place: Megaman 1: Average Score: 3.25 (3.1 with Powered Up)
10th place: Megaman 2: Average Score: 2.7875
11th place: Megaman 8: Average Score: 1.825
12th place: Megaman and Bass/Rockman and Forte: Average Score: 0.825
Kind of funny how just a change in variables makes Megaman 7's stages better than Megaman 10's, but I guess that's just how it goes sometimes.
@@genericyoutubecommentchann7418 Yeah, I considered looking at those scores as well but I have not received enough vaccines to be that autistic.
@@genericyoutubecommentchann7418 I consider 7's levels overall better than 10's levels and Nico indeed rated 7 overall higher than 10.
@@lordlouie3550 I don't think he was serious.
Just a small thing, the MM6 robot masters are meant to represent countries. Wind Man representing China makes the Pandas a choice, and Yamato being Japanese makes the background design work.
To add on to this, the same goes for Napalm Man is 5. Napalm was most famously utilized in the Vietnam War, which is what this stage is theme around. That's why it's in a jungle with tigers, there are pits, and then tunnels. There are Joes in helicopters and rockets shooting at you. It's all the Vietnam War. It's actually in pretty poor taste.
@@VonSnootingham And to add on to that, Because of Napalm Man's stage theme being based on the Vietnam War it caused Mega Man 5 to be banned from Vietnam. But despite that Napalm Man's stage is my second favorite stage in 5.
@@ZeldaMasterLogan This is a common myth. Mega Man 5 was never released in Vietnam, Mega Man games in general weren't.
Oh my god! I didn't knew the secret on Junk Man's stage ceiling, that's really awesome, unfortunately it doesn't have BIG reward for going there, so it's pretty much useless
Reward is skipping a few sections.
I only ever knew about the missing ceiling in the footholder section, not the second part.
@@NicoEvaluates speed runners:right that down, right that down!,
Love how Megaman 8 and
Rockman and Forte never ever fails to disappoint Nico
Burner Man : So what do you think about my awesome stage ?
Flame Hyenard : BURN BURN BURN TO THE GROOOUNNDDD !!!!!!!!!
God dammit.
1:11:25 Wow, you actually used the spark shock!
Pretty sure it's the same footage from his weapon rankings
During his evaluation, he was demonstrating the S.Shock. That's why he used it.
I appreciate that you gave a **score** for music that doesn't affect the ranking.
I do too. Once again, MASSIVE KUDOS to you, sir Nico.
I think music should be grouped with delivery.
@@professortrickroom3777 I don't. As with fun factor, overly subjective things would ruin the overall score.
This is such an amazing list. I love how well you broke down the reasons why the great levels were great and the horrible ones were horrible. I'd say this is the best of the three lists that you've made easy. Honestly I can't disagree with a single assessment you made here, though I might've ranked Sheepman slightly higher.
The top five are truly some very special stages, some of which I never realized just how well they work until watching this video. Again though, you nailed your explanations for why each is as good as they are. Likewise, I loved you ripping apart the bad ones.
You deserve a massive pat on the back for all this hard work. Amazing job.
As for future list ideas, maybe the Top Mega Man enemies? Although that one would probably be pretty massive.
You absolute mad man you did it, you actually did it!
No no he really didn’t
@@superfighter064 fuck u
Maybe you should take a well-deserved week off after this.
And so he did. Good job, bub! You have very very much earned this rime off. :)
I'm honestly pretty surprised to see Yamato Man's stage so far down on this list. You get to chose between two paths multiple times, and I mean actual multiple paths, not just short little detours that unite with the main paths two screens later, which makes the whole stage feel very dynamic. It's something you don't see very often, if even at all, in a classic mega man game. The visuals and theme of this level are great too, you're basically infiltrating an ancient japanese fortress. And on a side node, the music of this level is also pretty good.
The Moral of the story:
Mega Man 8 and Mega Man & Bass are not very good games.
"Small price to pay for some good visuals"
*Nico Evaluates does not like Mega Man 8 and Mega Man & Bass.
Me neither.
@@PrGibus Exactly my good man
Mega Man 8 I agree with, but I honestly never understood the hate train for Mega Man & Bass.
After all this time waiting, it has arrived!
Just hope nobody says the video starts at any time except for 0:00
*When is Magnet Man Rap coming?*
Nice to see you here
58:37
You're welcome
Has to be the best Mega Man list out there. We differ in some opinions on what makes for good game design, but the way you back up your thoughts is impossible to refute without looking like a dumbass in most cases. Subjective rankings are strengthened exponentially by having experience with the thing you're listing, and all the little details that make their way into this video makes it very obvious you know your stuff. Incredible work and really quite informative while being completely unpretentious. Also, Junk Man is just the perfect way to end... magical stage, harkening back to past obstacles and putting new spins on them is indeed ingenious towards the level theme. Something about Mega Man has always been very personal to me.
This list is Excellent and well put together. You definitely explained the stages perfectly about its: Pros and Cons, What you would have done different, and just overall what should a stage truly be. This changed some of my opinions on the stages that I wouldn't have never Thought about. Great Work 👌
This made for a great birthday present. Thanks Nico
Hey same here bro, except mine is a day before yours
YISS. Though I gotta say, your 3 huge lists are very replayable videos.
These are the videos I love. You have quickely become my favorite channel in the past year or so. You are truly a brilliant genius with this series, everything you do has been looked over to perfection. Every list or side video you do you can clearly see how his change in opinions and additional expeirience has effected your statements. You created a perfectly balanced way to list each board. I would only change some of the rankings. Your improvements are amazing and bringing up problems you talked about not just in the official game but also in the fangames, you did your homework.
As a kid I also thought of the sounds used in Cutman sounded like Zelda (And Mario) music. Finally someone sees this point of view.
Always called those flying guys in sheep man Osamas because of those turbans.
There is also this glitch with the Eggs in Gemini Man, they sometimes will stay in the games code after being destroyed.
Fire man was a surprise but I completely understand, I never thought of the stage when I was at the beginning, more of a nice surprise at the end, it is fucking great except that one screen.
This comment is good and all
*but this room is just a fill*
I think you missed the entire point of Napalm Man’s stage.
Jungle and waterfalls. Pits with spikes in them. Tunneling. Missiles and a military base. It’s the Vietnam War as a stage, you know, the place we used a lot of Napalm?
I don’t think you could possibly have a better representation. A jungle with waterfalls, punji pits, vietcong tunnels and a military base/hangar. I’m not saying it’s the best stage ever, but I think your list is skewed because you missed these references
That's a lot of obscure thought and references to put into a game made for (little) kids. We would have been fine with a more traditional theme. I'm not sure children aged 4-15 are going to know about the Vietnam War, especially in Europe. Let alone make the connection.
@@NicoEvaluates I didn’t make the connection as a kid, but my father fought in Nam, so I eventually learned the connection, and as an adult, I find it pretty great
@@garvensman It's a nice additional context, but even with the context, it's not universal enough to get it for americans, let alone the rest of the world who did not participate. I am also in the boat of preferring another type of stage, but I appreciate the try nonetheless
I am not American, and it is extremely obvious if you even know what Napalm is. Even if you don’t, jungle + military theming is pretty obvious, and Napalm man takes cues from fighter jet design. Electric sheep is a way more niche reference, and sheep man was not penalised.
Mega Man 6 is by far the best NES Mega Man game, and no one can tell me otherwise. 4 comes super close though.
"by far"
"4 comes super close though"
85: Aqua Man
subtitles: hot woman
I mean, they are only half wrong...
Yay,it's finally here,what a feast this'll be...
This in a nutshell
96-26: absolute fucking shit
25-1: pretty ok
@@caioalves3343 These aren't my opinions, I was poking fun at Nico's harsh rating system.
I honestly wonder if there will be a Best Wily Stages list...
"They just waddle around like turds." What kind of turd actually gets up and waddles around?
HOWDY HO
I really REALLY didn't want to like the Magnet Man song. But I accidentally loved it.
Fantastic list as always, Nico. You've worked hard on this, and it shows. Well done!
It shows that he hates almost everything about Mega Man.
Good job! I only spend 5 days watching the video... but it was cool! I remembered any stages and I see elements that i didn't know.
I'm proud that 11 did it's job, as it appeals to both the older community, and the younger. To see Torch Man make it up to 3rd was actually astonishing to me, because 11 is truly received as a new Mega Man game, and it gives me hope for the future games.
Aw man these type of video's is what I subscribed for, looked up a ranking of all robotmasters and stumbled upon your vid, and now I am a fan!
Magnet mans music is a bop tho.
I know this is stupid but I actually love mega man 8. It was the first Mega Man I ever beat. I'm replaying all the games now and 8 was the first one I replayed. I really do love that game.
I played 1 to 10 in order back to back and 8 is my favorite too. (No Nostalgia) I just think it tries new ideas, has great presentation and has a solid selection of good bosses.
Love the Tourettes Guy reference in Plant Man's stage. 🤣
9:02
28:28 Gordon Ramsay reference!
Then I thought i was the only one who noticed that :)
@Nico Evaluates, The bits in MM1 with enemy filled hallways before bosses is put there for loading purposes, because they didn’t have a good way to make you spend a ton of time at the boss gate. 1 is really limited by MMC1 hardware, more than anything.
Astro Man’s stage in MM8 is meant to be virtual space I think. I know he used to manage a planetarium but that’s all I can think of
14:30 I didn’t know that lmfao. Ground Man’s stage is the only stage I find in MM&B that doesn’t look like a cloned stage from MM8. But the fucking waterfalls man
I disagree with Burner Man's theming being in the forest as not making sense ONLY because the story has King convincing/tricking Burner Man into believing he has a bomb in his chest and if he doesn't destroy all the forests by burning them to the ground, he'll explode.
Otherwise, no, garbage stage and that's the only reason the theme exists. They never really tell you this either, you find out from other sources/books
AltimaMantoid the fact that Torch Man did a similar forest theme but better and with more love put into it just adds more insult to Burner Man
@@demontropolis7742 Oh I totally agree. Burner Man's just sucks. Just pointing out I disagree a forest theme can't work for a fire-themed boss, as it shows with Torch Man
@@AltimaMantoid absolutely
That lore is not even needed. Burner Man is a FOREST FIRE ROBOT. His whole design is to burn.natural.environment. What is so bad about the presentation?
The level design is trash, but he overhates Mega Man and Bass too much.
I actually just ranked the music by just ranking the whole soundtracks a few weeks ago
I kind of disagree with taking into consideration how the stages/enemies fit the robot master's theme though. The Mega Man series has a surprising amount of world building; the stages are actually places in the world that happen to be where the robot master took over, generally because it is advantageous terrain, rarely a location specifically built for the Robot Master. For example, Napalm Man is most effective in a jungle (where napalm was actually used in real life) where he can start massive forest fires similar to Torch Man, only Napalm Man doesn't have an extremely high heat tolerance and would be at risk of having his napalm bombs ignite and explode him. The enemies also all have previous jobs they were created for, very few were created specifically by Dr. Wily, instead being stolen equipment, often from a nearby location or as part of a mass production line. The enemies are not supposed to have much to do with the Robot Master's name, again just being conveniently nearby robots or robots who do well in the terrain the Robot Master is occupying.
Would you say it would be awesome if Ice themed enemies were in Fire Man stage? Or the fact that there are Crystal Joes in Wave Man stage?
Theme I feel like is an important factor in Delivery.
That is a nice explanation, but it comes second. It's classic Mega Man afterall, you could always make and send thematic robots to the places and nobody would question the convenience of that, because it's not absurd in the slightest. Lore is just a stretch when trying to defend this from a game design perspective.
Actually, the conveyors in Dynamo Man are not random. They speed up depending on how long you walk on them.
That's pretty interesting. So I suppose you should move jumping?
Still, no good teaching elements.
@@uandresbrito5685 yeah of course it doesn't really teach you, but jumping and letting it slow down when you get to solid ground is how to go. If you short hop a bunch it doesn't really help though, since landing and moving forward even an inch will be a speed increase.
@@jeanziegler1080 I see. I don't think it's much better, but not being random is a plus.
29:14 I'm surprised. It seems that nobody knows that if you hit the second weather machine on Cloud Man stage with the Freeze Cracker, it makes it snow and the level is so much easier.
Wave Man's stage is fun. I love the autoscroll sections
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that Gravity Man's stage is very underwhelming. Instead of ranking every stage in the series on one list, I'll just rank the stages from my favorite to least favorite in a separate list for each game. And for Mega Man 10, I'm ranking the hard mode versions of the stages because I think the game is more fun that way.
MM: Fire > Elec > Bomb > Cut > Ice > Guts
MM2: Bubble > Metal > Quick > Wood > Air > Crash > Flash > Heat
MM3: Gemini > Snake > Top > Shadow > Spark > Hard > Magnet > Needle
MM4: Toad > Ring > Dive > Dust > Drill > Pharaoh > Bright > Skull
MM5: Star > Napalm > Gyro > Charge > Stone > Wave > Gravity > Crystal
MM6: Plant > Wind > Blizzard > Centaur > Knight > Yamato > Tomahawk > Flame
MM7: Turbo > Spring > Junk > Shade > Freeze > Burst > Slash > Cloud
MM8: Tengu > Clown > Grenade > Search > Aqua > Frost > Sword > Astro
MM9: Jewel > Hornet > Galaxy > Tornado > Magma > Plug > Splash > Concrete
MM10: Solar > Strike > Nitro > Chill > Blade > Commando > Sheep > Pump
MM11: Torch > Acid > Impact > Block > Bounce > Fuse > Tundra > Blast
MM&B: Dynamo > Tengu > Cold > Astro > Magic > Ground > Burner > Pirate
I was hoping you'd talk about the Wood Man mini boss in the Saturn version of Search Man.
Wind man stage was just like your sneeze, building up, and then not doing anything
I don't mind Elec's stage. The disappearing blocks are mercifully short and easy. How on earth did it come before Ice Man's stage?
Concrete Man is NOT #1? That’s the biggest surprise of the whole list.
Thankfully.
58:38
Yes
You are crazy dude.
58:37 The greatest review of all time. 💛
I like Cloud Man's stage. Its one of the few MM7 stages I like.
Aw, you’re not including the ones from Mega Man V (Gameboy)?
Like I've said to many people in recent comments, the Gb games will eventually get their own list.
Best video of all time.
I whole-heartedly agree.
Well, I know what I'm going to spend listening to at work today!
Best Wily Stage Bosses and Best Wily Stages
@@caioalves3343 Either last or close to last.
Who watched the whole thing in one sitting?
1:00:12 - 1:00:17
SEAMAN!
1:24:13 the best part of the video
Anyone realized how much blast man looks like Axl
I always think it looks more like Bakugo, but the color scheme also leads a lot to Axl
It's like they're combined
I want to watch this someday.
The magnet man song needs to be extended and put in a video where it repeats for an hour
Nico, you are a god
1:28:05 Half to best
I love mega man 2 but I never look forward to crash man stage. It’s just climbing.
Same w elec man.
I love the magnet man song now keep up the good work!
Next list: rank all Wily/Cossack/ProtoMan/Mr. X/Whatever stages
Would place burst man higher but I agree a lot
MM11 came out 20 and a half years after MM&B. So it took Capcom 2 decades (or a Lincoln "score") to perfect Burner Man into Torch Man.
I liked your list and the breakable block in flame man stage gives you a 1up
For me Burst Man needs to be last. This evil bouncy castle is the reason I haven't touched the game in a year
Oh cmon it’s not that bad
It was for me
@@GabrielTheMagolorMain what made it so bad for you?
It just made me rage, and I still haven't completed it out of pure anger
@@GabrielTheMagolorMain I mean what do you struggle with?
I understand your point about the X and O blocks, but personally the colors never cross my mind. I just see O as good and X as bad.
2:44:00 how do you have Leaf Shield in Wood Man's level? Mega Man 2 doesn't let you replay levels
Game Genie, I think.
In the evaluation he used a game genie cheat that gives him all weapons at the start
58:37 - 59:51 temazo tienes que hacerla canción
I only just noticed that Oil Man and Flame Man have the EXACT same theme of lighting oil on fire. Except Flame Man just does it better. Which, Flame Man also came first. Hmm....
I had a feeling Burner Man would take last again lol
It's acid, not poison. He's called *Acid* Man.
tooterp likes megaman and bass I asked them their thoughts on this video
So why do the birds in Concrete Man's stage dock points for "copying existing designs", but yet that wasn't criticized in Wily Stage 1 of Mega Man 9 (which also started off with the birds)?
Did this list consist of Wily Stages or not?
You got my like after getting to Magnet Man
58:39
You're welcome
Just curious bro.....but why did you give Air Man's "DELIVERY" an abysmally low score of 0.3? Not upset about it at all, just wondering. Thanks and keep up the expert, top-notch game analysis work.
It's way too simple in terms of graphics, and when there are detailed parts, they are 'ugly' to me.
@@NicoEvaluates Wow. I did not expect that QUICK of a response back. Even QUICK MAN would be impressed. *lol* It is unfortunately very plain and boring looking in general and not that complex or appealing. I still think it's not as ugly as some of the rougher stages in 1 like Elecman and parts of Gutsman for instance. I kinda liked the giant air-gremlin-face platforms & some of the foreground clouds but I suppose I'm in the minority. The rest is very much mmmeeehhh...... :/
As a whole I think Stone Man is just a mess of wasted potential. His stage (as discussed here) just lacks gimmicks and anything entertaining. Decent level to play through but nothing really exciting. As for Stone Man himself, he’s just not designed well as a boss and considering he can turn into a brick pile to make himself invincible, you think he could do more with that. And then Power Stone sucks. Make it spin clockwise instead, make it spin slower so its easier to hit things, or make it do a shit load of damage
Nico I fucking love you
Forgive me if I missed something, but I do not understand many of the choices of this video, such as why sword man is so low on the list and junk man is so high. Sword man’s gimmicks seem more inventive and interesting and interactions in the stage only require weapons the player already has, while the player may have nothing required for the secrets in Junk man. Also, aren’t any action platformers that aren’t heavy rng puzzles by design any way. If you beat a stage in any of these types of games, you can do it again. I do suppose junk man offers more in the way of replay value due to its secrets, and might have better enemy designs, but the gap in ranking feels way to vast, and theming wise, I think sword man’s dungeon feels as well done, if a little less inspired than the factory of junk man’s stage. Also Turbo man is also higher up than astro man’s stage, and while the theming is clearly better, if a little less unique in turbo man, the gimmicks are way more annoying in turbo man’s stage than a basic door puzzle a child could solve in minutes. (The truck fight is a highlight). It is also super weird that you penalise Napalm man for theming, but give Sheep man ponts for it, when the former is much more obvious. It is your list though, and you do provide solid enough statements for why you like or dislike a level.
Yep... MM games have pretty mediocre level design with some great ideas here and there.
Yet somehow they manage to be enjoyable throughout the whole series and I love them.
(only talking about the classic series here, I don't know much about the others yet)
Should play MMX asap
@@uandresbrito5685 I did play MMX! Fun game but I still prefer the classic series. Have yet to play X2-X4 though, (and zero/zx, and MM7 and MM10 hehe)
Next will probably be MMX2, but now I'm on a shmup binge that will keep me away from my lovely platformers for a while ;)
@@SPM_STG Well, X, X2 and X4 are all fantastic. X3 is decent, but you're better playing the Zero Project ROM Hack.
X8 is also worth the time. X6 may be fun if you like broken games like Mega Man 1. I certainly do.
Mm7 is my favorite, so I hope you enjoy it too.
I like getting the hippos and ring things with Rain Flush
wow
Cant believe ConcreteMan didi win this time.
58:38 magnet man level review starts here
45:44 oh yes, Elec Man is from the second game Nico
For, not from.
@@NicoEvaluates
Oh sorry
Will you make the top of Mavericks?
Eh, you said you don't like just shooting breakable blocks in the way in block man's evaluation, but you like doing it in dust man's stage? Seems to be nostalgia blindness to me.
How about a list of the worst to best dr wily/cossack/x fortress levels?
Hey Nico!
One question: I have heard your complaints about vertical segments in stages and how the camera can be a little -- iffy -- to say the least. Is there an example of a vertical stage segment that, in your opinion, is done right? Or are vertical segments an absolute no-no in Mega Man level design?
None pop to mind. The camera is the most important thing to get right in these sections. Castlevania does it pretty well.
I think the secret is just having the camera not scroll until the player is close to the top/bottom of the screen
@@zerobotico2382
I’m instead thinking it should work as is, but if the overall elevation increases (say from a jump to a higher platform) the camera will shift accordingly, only following Mega Man’s vertical position if he is falling from a lower point than where he started.
So I take it you hate Rockman and Forte? No love for anything on any of your lists?
IIRC it’s his most hated official Mega Man game
Me:looks at clock.
Clock: 5am
Me: I should go to sleep.
You tube recommendations: top 96 megaman stages.
Also me: I don't need sleep I need answers.
Hahaha
Yes
LOL!!!!
I split the countdown here into eight tiers:
96-85 / Crap - Where levels suck the hardest.
84-73 / Bad - The second worst tier, or course.
72-61 / Subpar - Still sucky, but close to average.
60-49 / Average - Not good, not bad, just tolerable.
48-37 / Nice - Slightly above average.
36-25 / Good - A lot higher than average, but needs more polish.
24-13 / Great - Better than good, but with a few minor hiccups.
12-1 / Excellent - Near perfection. Where levels shine the most.
You should rank every wily stage next.
Mega Man 2: *Nervous heavy breathing*
That’s going to be hard because over half of them are pretty forgettable lol
@@MeisterGaming64 But the wily stages in megaman 2 are so good
@@toolala3908 My ass they are
Toolala 2 has the worst wily stages
58:42 For anyone who wants to listen to that Magnet Man song all over again.
Beautiful
Nico should make an entire track for a remix of magnet man's stage theme. I would buy that
@@luigithewaddledee Nico, not Nick.
thanks dude