Honestly, trying to track down every single one of the Blue Bomber's adventures is a total nightmare. There are over 100 entries if you count every weird mobile spin-off and obscure arcade fighter. Most people just want to know how the main timeline flows. Or maybe they just want to see how the series evolved from 8-bit pixels to the 2.5D polish of Mega Man 11.
It's been a wild ride since 1987. Capcom basically birthed a genre. Then they fragmented it into seven or eight different sub-series. You've got the classic platformers, the darker X series, the RPG-heavy Battle Network games, and even a 3D adventure that still has fans begging for a sequel to this day.
If you're looking for all mega man games in order, you need to decide if you want release dates or the actual story timeline. We're going to break it down by sub-series because that's the only way it actually makes sense.
The Classic Series: Where the Legend Started
This is the "Blue Bomber" most people recognize. Dr. Light vs. Dr. Wily. Eight robots, one boss at the end of a corridor, and a weapon stolen for your own use.
The NES years were the golden era. Mega Man 1 was actually kinda rough around the edges—it even had a score system! Mega Man 2 is where the series truly found its soul, introducing the Password system and an iconic soundtrack that still gets remixed in 2026.
- Mega Man (1987)
- Mega Man 2 (1988)
- Mega Man 3 (1990)
- Mega Man 4 (1991)
- Mega Man 5 (1992)
- Mega Man 6 (1993)
After the 8-bit run, things got experimental. Mega Man 7 moved to the SNES with bigger sprites, and Mega Man 8 brought "full" (and notoriously cheesy) voice acting to the PlayStation. Then, out of nowhere in 2008, Capcom went back to 8-bit with Mega Man 9, proving that fans still loved the crushing difficulty of the old-school style.
- Mega Man 7 (1995)
- Mega Man 8 (1996)
- Mega Man & Bass (1998) - Often skipped, but it’s a core entry!
- Mega Man 9 (2008)
- Mega Man 10 (2010)
- Mega Man 11 (2018)
The Mega Man X Series: A Darker Future
The X series is where things got serious. Set 100 years after the classic era, it introduced X and his badass mentor Zero. It wasn't just about jumping; it was about dashing, wall-climbing, and finding hidden armor parts.
Mega Man X (1993) on the SNES is basically a perfect game. It's tight, fast, and rewarding. The series stayed strong through X4, which let you play as Zero with a Z-Saber for the first time.
Unfortunately, the transition to 3D with Mega Man X7 was... well, let's just say it's the black sheep of the family. X8 tried to fix things, and while it was better, the series has been on ice for a long time.
- Mega Man X (1993)
- Mega Man X2 (1994)
- Mega Man X3 (1995)
- Mega Man X4 (1997)
- Mega Man X5 (2000)
- Mega Man X6 (2001)
- Mega Man X7 (2003)
- Mega Man X8 (2004)
- Mega Man X Command Mission (2004) - A weird but fun RPG spin-off.
Handheld Eras: Zero, ZX, and Legends
While the consoles had the big names, the Game Boy and DS were getting some of the best gameplay in the entire franchise. The Mega Man Zero games, developed by Inti Creates, are notoriously difficult. Like, "throw your console across the room" difficult. But they tell a phenomenal, cohesive story about what happened after the X series ended.
Then you have Mega Man ZX, which tried an open-world "Metroidvania" approach. It's a bit confusing to navigate, but the combat is top-tier.
And we can't forget Mega Man Legends. It was the series' first real jump into 3D. It’s more of an action-adventure game with "Diggers" and ruins. Fans are still heartbroken over the cliffhanger ending of Legends 2.
The Handheld Order:
- Mega Man Zero 1 - 4 (2002–2005)
- Mega Man ZX & ZX Advent (2006–2007)
- Mega Man Legends 1 & 2 (1997–2000)
- The Misadventures of Tron Bonne (1999) - A prequel to Legends.
The Alternate Universe: Battle Network and Star Force
If you don't like platformers, Capcom had you covered with the Battle Network series. These are tactical RPGs set in a world where everyone has a NetNavi instead of a physical robot.
The grid-based combat is addictive. It was so popular it spawned six mainline games and a sequel series called Star Force. The recent Battle Network Legacy Collection (2023) and the rumored Star Force Legacy Collection for 2026 are the best ways to play these today.
- Mega Man Battle Network 1–6 (2001–2005)
- Mega Man Star Force 1–3 (2006–2008)
Why All Mega Man Games in Order Still Matters
You might wonder why anyone bothers with a list this long. It's because the DNA of these games is everywhere. From Shovel Knight to Cuphead, you can see Mega Man's influence in every tight jump and boss-rush mechanic.
If you're starting today, don't feel like you have to play everything. Pick up the Mega Man Legacy Collection. It has the first six games and a "Rewind" feature that makes those brutal NES levels actually beatable for mortals.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking you have to play the classic games to understand X, or X to understand Zero. While they are connected, each "sub-brand" stands on its own. You can jump into Mega Man 11 right now and have a blast without knowing a single thing about Dr. Wily's 1980s schemes.
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Actionable Steps for New Players
If you're ready to dive in, here is the most efficient way to experience the series:
- Start with Mega Man 2 or Mega Man 11. These are the most accessible entries in the classic series.
- Grab the X Legacy Collection. Play X1 and X4. They represent the peak of the 16-bit and 32-bit eras.
- Try the Battle Network Legacy Collection. If you prefer Pokemon-style collecting and tactical combat over reflex-based platforming, this is your home.
- Use the "Rookie Hunter" modes. Many modern collections include a mode that reduces damage. Don't be a hero; these games were designed to be quarter-munchers. There's no shame in learning the patterns with a safety net.
The franchise is deep, but it’s all built on that one simple premise: beat a boss, take their power, and find out who is weak to it. It’s a loop that hasn't grown old in forty years.