“Don’t blame you,” said Marvin and counted five hundred and ninety-seven thousand million sheep before falling asleep again a second later.”
-Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Rock on! The NES entries are classics, but the Game Boy offers far more than simple ports. Levels harken back to the originals but are unique. Among Robot Masters, four hail from one title and four from its follow-up, making you rethink optimal weapon alignment. Metal Blades still rule.

Among the five Game Boy titles, Mega Man II is considered the black sheep. While flawed, with projectiles moving at a sluggish pace and cramped screens making cheap damage inevitable, Mega Man II illustrates the strength of the core concept by remaining a serviceable action platformer. The iconic NES soundtrack is absent, replaced with decent but forgettable tunes. Tension mounts as final bosses are selected via unmarked teleporters.

The Game Boy also debuts unique characters, with Mega Man II showcasing the villainous Quint, who rides what can only be described as a pogo stick of death. Though the weakest of the Game Boy entries, Mega Man II still proves to be a solid challenge.