The second batch of downloadable content for IntiCreate's downloadable Mega Man 9 will arrive this week, bringing new modes and stages to the 8-bit-style platformer.

While the last set of downloads sold for $2-3, this round will sell for $1 per pack, and will be available later today for Wii owners, tomorrow for Xbox 360 players, and Thursday, October 23 for PlayStation 3 gamers.

• Hard Mode (100 Wii Points / $1) - Dubbed Hero Mode in Japan, this mode enables you to play the entire game on an increased difficulty level with alternate enemy distribution and spawning points. Hard Mode is not compatible with Rankings or Challenges Modes.
• Expert Mode (100 Wii Points / $1) - Dubbed Super Hero Mode Japan, this mode represents the apex of Mega Man 9 difficulty settings and is not for the novice Mega Man 9 player. This mode triples the level of difficulty from the default Mega Man 9 game. Expert Mode is not compatible with Rankings or Challenges Modes.
• Special Time Attack Stage (100 Wii Points / $1) - This DLC gives you an additional stage for Time Attack Mode, complete with an all new level and Robot Master Boss, "Fake Man." Similar in difficulty to the Willy Stages, players will have a fun time tackling this time sensitive competitive stage. Special Time Attack Stage is not compatible with Challenge Mode.

Remember the Mega Man 9 box, complete with old-school, hand-drawn artwork and exaggerated promo writing on the back? Well, Capcom was indeed listening and has decided to put a small number of those boxes on sale--today.

An entry on the official Capcom Blog states that the boxes--which are press kits, not the actual Mega Man 9 downloadable game--will be sold, starting at 5:00 PM Central Time, at a price of $49.95.

So while Inti Creations' famously difficult 8-bit revival won't be in the box, customers will get an NES cartridge containing a CD full of screenshots and other tidbits used to promote the game.

Capcom says that quantities are very limited, so potential buyers should make a tidy, single-file line at the Capcom Store. Of course, this is The Internet, so a "tidy, single-file line" really means hitting the refresh button as fast as possible at 4:59 PM.

This week's additions to the Wii's online Shop Channel bring a total of four new downloadable games, plus some downloadable content for the recently released Mega Man 9.

WiiWare
• MadStone (Riverman) / 800 Wii Points ($8)
• Midnight Bowling (Gameloft) / 800 Wii Points ($8)
• Mega Man 9 (Inti Creates)
  • Proto Man Character / 200 Wii Points ($2)
  • Endless Attack Mode / 300 Wii Points ($3)
Virtual Console
• Mario Golf (Camelot, Nintendo 64) / 1000 Wii Points ($10)
• Shining Force II (Camelot, Genesis) / 800 Wii Points ($8)

The Mega Man 9 DLC will hit Xbox 360 tomorrow, and PlayStation 3 Thursday.

All the above titles and content are now available. Read on for details... Read more

Capcom's Mega Man 9, a throwback to the 8-bit days, is getting a taste of 21st-century game economics with downloadable content coming in October.

Five add-ons have been announced so far including two higher difficulty settings, an Endless Attack mode, and a new Time Attack stage. The ability to play as Mega Man teammate Proto Man rounds out the five.

Mega Man 9, developed by Inti Creation, is now available on the Wii Shop Channel, with Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store releases coming later this week. It is expected that the DLC will hit all three platforms.

Details, prices and release dates follow, as reproduced from Wii Fanboy... Read more

In addition to the promised release of Mega Man 9--also coming to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 within the next week and a half--today's update to the Wii's online shop brings two retro downloads and a new painting puzzle game.

WiiWare
• Mega Man 9 (Inti Creates, Capcom) / 1000 Wii Points ($10)
• PLATTCHEN twist 'n' paint (Bplus) / 1000 Wii Points ($10)
Virtual Console
• Super Dodge Ball (Technos, NES) / 500 Wii Points ($5)
• Vectorman (BlueSky Software, Genesis) / 800 Wii Points ($8)

All four games will be downloadable from the Wii Shop Channel beginning today at 12 PM EDT, 9 AM PDT. The official details follow below... Read more

Publisher Capcom today used its official blog to announce the release dates for Mega Man 9, revealing that Wii and PlayStation owners will gain access to the downloadable game beginning next week.

Expected to carry a $10 price point, Inti Create's downloadable 8-bit revival of the old-school series will arrive on each platform's respective download service on:

• Wii - Monday, September 22
• PlayStation 3 - Thursday, September 25
• Xbox 360 - Wednesday, October 1

Capcom's Mega Man 9, already garnering attention for its old-school style, has cranked up its coolness to eleven with a packaging-related tribute to its 8-bit roots.

The Inti Creates-developed revival is to be a digitally-downloadable title on Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, making the packaging wholly unnecessary. The 8-bit "cartridge" and box shown below are actually a press kit with the CD containing materials such as screenshots.

Hardcore Mega Man fans should fret not. "We're thinking about offering a very limited quantity (200) on the Capcom Store, probably with a [PlayStation Network] or [Xbox Live Arcade] game voucher," wrote Capcom's John Diamonon on Capcom's Unity blog. Diamonon claims that Capcom is putting out feelers for fan reactions and will make the decision based on expressed interest.

Blake's take: Honestly, I don't think 200 limited-edition copies are enough. I'd love to see Capcom take this all the way to retail. Sure, it makes little financial... Read more

From publisher Capcom comes new screenshots and concept art from the company's downloadable retro revival Mega Man 9 (PS3, 360, Wii), showcasing three of the title's eight robot masters.

The bosses detailed in the latest media update include Concrete Man, whose Concrete Shot weapon can create temporary footholds when it hits a solid surface. Tornado Man's Tornado Blow sweeps small enemies off the screen while damaging larger foes, and Magma Man's chargable Magma Bazooka shoots spreading fireballs.

As per the customs and traditions of previous Mega Man titles, the bosses forfeit their special weapons when defeated. Capcom further noted that more media detailing the remaining five robot masters will be unveiled in the near future.

While a North American release date for Mega Man 9 has yet to be announced, Capcom recently told Shacknews that it is aiming for a near-simultaneous release on the Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360's respective downloadable gaming services.

For more on the title, check out our hands-on preview.

Capcom's 8-bit downloadable revival Mega Man 9 (PS3, Wii, 360) could create new possibilities for developers if it proves a commercial success, Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi told Game|Life.

"I'm watching [Mega Man 9] very closely to see how it does," said Igarashi. "I'm a big retro gaming fan, so if it is successful that definitely opens up doors for what I can do."

Developed by ex-Capcom staffers at Japanese firm Inti Creates, Mega Man 9 made waves earlier this month when the title was revealed to be a stylized 8-bit endeavor making use of assets and gameplay conventions of the original NES Mega Man titles.

Mega Man 9 is developed from the ground-up as a downloadable title, and is the first game to be planned to hit all three platforms' respective digital storefronts... Read more

Publisher Capcom has released a new trailer from Inti Creates downloadable classic franchise update, Mega Man 9 (PS3, Wii, 360), showing off the title's gameplay and setting the scene for the blue bomber's latest outing.

No release date has yet been announced. For more information, check out our hands-on preview direct from the E3 Media and Business Summit.

A few friends told me on E3's show floor that playing Mega Man 9 was like being a kid all over again. That's a fair assessment, but I think it goes a bit further.

While I can remember playing a great deal of the first six Mega Man games on the NES, I can't remember playing a single one of them for the first time, learning the level structures and stumbling through the hazards. The knowledge is simply already there—not the case in Capcom's downloadable follow-up Mega Man 9.

But make no mistake, it is most certainly a Mega Man game. And though it is planned for appearance on consoles which pack exponentially more power under the hood, it's definitely 8-bit—the first new 8-bit game I've encountered as an adult... Read more

Eyes not tired yet from the bombardment of E3 media? Good, because we have several items from Capcom for you. Check out the full story for screenshots and videos from Age of Booty, Bionic Commando, Dark Void, Flock!, Mega Man 9, MotoGP 08, Neopets Puzzle Adventure, Resident Evil 5 and Street Fighter 4.

Age of Booty (PC, PS3, X360) Videos: Shackvideo

Bionic Commando (PC, PS3, X360) Video: Shackvideo

Dark Void (PC, PS3, X360)... Read more

Capcom and Inti Create's downloadable revival of Mega Man will, as previously rumored, arrive on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in addition to the Wii, IGN has confirmed.

Featuring a pixel-based art style and optional protection against one-hit kills, Mega Man 9 marks the first downloadable game to be announced for the online stores--PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Marketplace, Wii Shop Channel--of all three systems.

North American release details are not yet available, though the title is slated to hit Japan's WiiWare store in September for 1000 Wii Points ($10).

In addition, Capcom revealed that the NES classics Mega Man 1 and 2 will soon be released in the Wii's online Virtual Console storefront. Once again, no pricing or release details were specified, though the games are expected to carry the store's usual 500 Wii Point ($5) price for NES games.

Several new screens and details of Capcom's Mega Man 9 (Wii) were revealed on GamesRadar, showing off series creator Keiji Inafune's 8-bit downloadable sequel.

"For the first time in many years, we are developing an 8-bit game," said Inafune. "This opportunity has awoken my spirit as a game designer. I've stepped closer to the designing team to get more hands-on with the graphics and game design. I've been more involved in the actual creation process this time, and even designed the bosses!"

In addition to several items appearing in previous NES Mega Man titles, Mega Man 9 will also include a shop where players can buy items such as new armor, spike shoes that protect against one-hit kills, and energy balancers.

The game is slated for a September release in Japan, according to Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu. A North American localization is likely to follow soon thereafter.

Mega Man 9 is slated to appear as a downloadable title on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in addition to Wii, reports Ars Technica.

Last week, Capcom confirmed the sprite-based side scrolling sequel would arrive as a downloadable WiiWare title, and is being developed by Mega Man Zero and ZX veterans Inti Creates.

Ars claims that Capcom's E3 roster lists PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions, but curiously, does not mention the Wii. The site chalks up the Wii exclusion to Nintendo Power's recent revelation, though it is also possible that the platform text is placeholder.

When reached for comment, a Capcom representative told Shacknews that the company "has not officially announced our complete E3 lineup at this time," and added that "Mega Man 9 is one of the best, most challenging games you'll ever play!"

If the title really does come out on all three systems, Mega Man 9 will be the first game to hit all three online marketplaces. Capcom's recent PC support indicates a PC version is feasible as well, though the company has yet to make an official statement.

Scans of gaming magazine Nintendo Power have revealed that a new downloadable edition of Capcom's original Mega Man series is in the works for the Wii. The company has since confirmed the game's development to Joystiq.

Titled simply Mega Man 9, the game was unveiled in scans posted by fan site The Mega Man Community. According to the article, the WiiWare-bound game is crafted in a classic 8-bit graphical style similar to the first six Mega Man games on the NES. Music and cinematic cutscenes will be similarly stylized.

Transcriptions of the article go on to reveal that Mega Man 9 returns to the series' roots with plainly-named bosses such as Magma Man, Plug Man and Galaxy Man. Using the Wii Remote turned on its side, the title employs a basic control scheme... Read more