This stunning sequel boasts one of the most impressive soundtracks to ever grace a video game. If you think back to why NES games are known for such classic gaming music, Mega Man 2 is probably the primary reason. One memorable track after another will keep you humming them for decades - it surely has done that to me, I can't stop humming them to this day! My favorite song from this game is in Flash Man's stage, if you're curious. Aside from that, the sound effects themselves are enhanced over the first game, but are much more closely linked to the original than the rest of the series. Needless to say, this game is a pleasure for the auditory senses.

     The gameplay is tighter and more enjoyable than the first game as well. Not to knock the original Mega Man, but MM2 just exudes a better technical prowess in that sense. Mega Man gameplay wouldn't quite be perfected until Mega Man 3 (when a slide feature was introduced), but it's still top-notch here in the sequel. The level design is also a big step up. First off, there are more robot masters to defeat here, and each of their respective levels are endowed intricately with their personalities.

     Another aspect of Mega Man 2 is its intense difficulty. Indeed a supremely hard game, and that goes for the entire Mega Man NES series, but "2" is particularly tough. It indeed features one thing I've always hated about these early games is those darn disappearing/reappearing platforming blocks - you know what I'm talking about! They are incredibly aggitating, and I feel detract from the flowing action. There are some tricks to get around them, and I've definitely tried my best to avoid them, so, if you can do that, then all the more power to you. The Dr. Wily stages are also very hard - especially the bosses, so, you'll need your most prime skills to defeat this one, and it's worth it, because the ending is a surprise, and shows off one of the most hauntingly odd stages I ever saw in an NES game; I can't say anymore about it though, for you must see for yourself.

     Mega Man 2 is not only one of the best games in the Mega Man library, but it is one of the best NES games period. The next game in the series would indeed be the best, but MM2 stands along side it as a close second. This game certainly garners itself the silver medal in terms of Mega Man games, with "3" getting the gold - why allusions to the Olympic medals? I have no idea. In any case, if you want to play some intense action with awesome 8-bit visual flare, and with one of gaming's greatest soundtracks to boot, then this is the game for you.

-Kurt L.

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