Why Mega Man 2 is one of the greatest games ever made

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A wonderful game in 1989 or 200X

But MM2’s looks are merely half the equation, as the sound--particularly the songs--set the standard for what would ultimately become an entire genre of music. Compared to the simplistic tracks in most of its contemporaries, the multilayered compositions were astounding. They still hold up today, as each song blends retro tunes with futuristic electronica that's sure to warm you with nostalgia. Each melody is ingrained in the minds of a generation and the Mega Man series’ soundtracks have always tried--and in some cases nearly equaled--the excellence of MM2’s tunes.

When you read about the creation of Mega Man 2, you see that it was a labor of love. The first game wasn’t a hit, but the developers convinced Capcom to give the character another shot. The devs’ effort to keep the series alive shines through in every moment, and unlike so many sequels made out of formality or sales expectations, MM2 exists out of dedication. Everything that people love about Mega Man is in MM2, and while it’s been iterated on many times over, the pure fun of the series has never been showcased more masterfully.

Why _____ is one of the greatest games ever made" is a weekly feature that goes through GamesRadar's list of the 100 best games of all time and highlights different titles, explaining why they're on the list, what makes them so amazing, and why we love them so much.

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Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert

Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts.