Jump. Shoot. That’s pretty much it when it comes to classic Mega Man games, and Capcom hasn’t changed the formula here. Press the Start button to bring up the weapon selection menu, then jump and run until you feel the need to shoot. The slide technique, added in later NES Mega Man games, isn’t here, as Capcom has stuck with the basics.

Stagger? Paradigms? Sounds confusing, right? And if you’ve seen the gameplay trailers, it can look absolutely hectic. However, once you get the hang of it, the game’s fast pace and inherent strategy — especially against bosses or large groups — provide a greater sense of satisfaction than simply grinding away at hit points.

Any question as to whether or not I was playing a transcendent title evaporated when my fiancée started regularly sitting down to watch me tackle splicers and Big Daddies — a scenario that never happened to any real extent before or since.