Rockman, known internationally as Mega Man, is Capcom’s long-running action game series created by Akira Kitamura and later shaped by creators including Tokuro Fujiwara, Keiji Inafune, and Kazuhiro Tsuchiya.
Across its branches, the series explores computers, networks, artificial intelligence, robots, and humanity through several distinct timelines and play styles.
The original Mega Man series began in 1987 and established the franchise name. Set in the year 200X, it depicts a world transformed by advances in artificial intelligence and robotics. Two leading engineers, Dr. Light and Dr. Wily, pursue peace and ambition in opposite directions, and Light's household robot Rock repeatedly thwarts Wily's schemes through his own sense of justice. The core games are action titles known for their difficulty, and this branch remains the largest in the Mega Man franchise, including related spin-offs.
In the year 21XX, Dr. Cain discovers the mysterious robot X. His design becomes the foundation for a new generation of highly advanced robots capable of independent thought. These thinking machines spread rapidly and become essential to human society, but some begin to harm humans, earning the label 'Mavericks.'
The Mega Man Legends series began on December 16, 1997 with the release of Rockman DASH in Japan. It is the third of the seven major Mega Man branches.
'DASH' stands for Digouter's Adventure Story in Halcyon-days.
Mega Man Battle Network is set in the year 20XX, an age of highly advanced network technology. Nearly everyone owns a PET, or Personal Terminal, which stores a sentient artificial intelligence program called a NetNavi, a digital partner with an emulated personality.
The Mega Man Zero series is the fifth major branch of the Mega Man franchise. It debuted in 2002 as a line of action games and consists of four main entries.
Mega Man ZX is the first entry in the sixth major Mega Man branch. Released in 2006 by the series' second development line, it continues the story world of Mega Man Zero while connecting the two casts more indirectly. It is also the first Mega Man game to feature a female protagonist.
Mega Man Star Force is a new Mega Man branch developed by the Mega Man Battle Network team for the Nintendo DS. The Japanese version was released on December 14, 2006.
Mega Man Xover is a social RPG set in a crossover world where eras from across the Mega Man series intersect. Players cooperate with one another to fight against evil forces.