Mega Man 11

It's not revolutionary, but Mega Man 11 feels almost like a classic Mega Man game, and is a good foundation for the next 10 games.

Mega Man 11 is a solid return for the Blue Bomber, but it's held back somewhat by overly long and frustrating stage design.

Capcom's iconic action hero returns in an adventure that maintains the trademark brutal challenge while finding a way in for newcomers.

Capcom recaptures the magic of Mega Man in its rock-solid sequel

This Mega Man looks modern, but it offers a classic Mega Man challenge. Thankfully, four difficulty settings and a range of upgrades help ease in all types of players

How much Mega Man 11 is expected to reinvent the wheel is by nature subjective. Despite its reserved approach, it undeniably slots in very nicely with the classic series while bringing our old friend into a new era. The big finish could have been a little more mega, but it succeeds in pulling off the gargantuan task of getting people to care about Mega Man again.

Although it's a solid, well-made game, it ultimately left me unsatisfied.

Ultimately, Mega Man 11 is another rock solid entry in the long running series. The new presentation style and Double Gear system is largely a success, and aside from some particularly nasty areas and enemy placement, the level design is decent. The level of challenge is what fans will have come to expect of the franchise, but unbelievably strict collision detection can result in some harsh losses. It's a tricky balancing act to make a new Mega Man game for hardcore fans as well as newcomers, and Capcom has just about walked that tricky tightrope, but not without some small wobbles on the way.

Mega Man 11 is an excellent resurgence for the Blue Bomber, imbuing the tried-and-true classic gameplay with modern touches and new ideas that expand on existing concepts in interesting ways. The underlying action platforming gameplay is just as tight and challenging as you remember, and when combined with the new visuals and extra options for replayability, you've got a game that's every bit as good as those that came before, while surpassing them in some ways. Mega Man 11 is a modern classic, a fitting refresh for a beloved series, and we'd highly recommend you add this one to your Switch library whether you're a newcomer or you've been playing since the NES days. Bravo, Capcom.

It may not be the smoothest transition — purists may shun the new mechanics, while unfamiliar players may wonder how the game was ever interesting without them — but the bottom line is that Capcom has found a way to keep Mega Man alive without banking solely on retro gaming nostalgia.