Mega Man 3

Fires a light blue laser forward. When the laser strikes a solid object it will rebound at an angle. If it strikes an enemy with a glancing blow, it will be shortened but continue to bounce around. In this way it is possible to take multiple hits with a single laser. Only one laser can be on the screen at a time, and it bounces for a time before dissipating.

Fires a fist-shaped projectile that flies slowly forward and packs quite a punch (sorry, bad pun). Although not really an explosive, this can nevertheless take out certain walls and doors.

Shoots big red and white magnets. The magnets fly straight until they come across an enemy; then they will attempt to swerve upward or downward toward the foe. Their tracking is not very fine.

Fires small cone-shaped projectiles forward. Very much like Mega Man’s built-in arm cannon except it fires needles instead of spheres of energy. Can rapid-fire—just hold down the button.

Produces small green snakes that travel across the floor and up or down any walls they encounter. Up to three can be on the screen at once.

Four-pointed ninja stars. These can be aimed much like the Metal Blade, but since they boomerang back, their range is limited.

Fires a sphere of energy straight. There is little variation to this one; however, the relatively large size of the sphere makes it pretty easy to use.

Activate by jumping and pressing fire. The user will spin until he hits the ground. This weapon is extremely sporadic in its weapon energy use; sometimes a single spin will eat up all of the Top Spin’s energy, and other times, you can use it several times without using a single unit.

Energy pellets refill your life meter. The small ones refill 2 units—not a lot, but it can really add up.

These globes are the same as energy pellets except that more energy is refilled (8 to 10 units usually).

The colored pellets are weapon energy. They refill your current weapon or adapter rather than your life energy. Weapon energy changes color according to which weapon you are currently equipped with. Before picking up a pellet be sure to equip a weapon that needs the energy.

These are the same as weapon energy pellets except that more energy is refilled (8 to 10 units usually).

Extra lives. If you have one of these when you bite the dust, you’ll be given another chance at the stage, restarting at the furthest continue point that you’d reached.

This is an entire stock of energy that Mega Man can carry around until needed. You use these off the subscreen. When used, Mega Man’s energy meter will be refilled completely. Mega Man can carry up to nine of these at a time.

Although this looks like an energy tank, it’s actually more like a crate that contains items within. Shoot the box to open it; the item you receive is random. Note that the boxes generally do not return once you shoot them, and the power-ups often disappear after a few seconds after they are uncovered, meaning you’d better be ready to grab them when you can.

This is a springboard which enables Mega Man to leap greater distances. Just call Rush and then jump onto him. You’ll rebound off and soar almost to the top of the screen.

Mega Man can hop onto Rush and ride him, much like a skyboard. This is perhaps the most popular of the Rush modes (the Mega Shows use it extensively). Interestingly, Rush only loses energy while Mega Man’s feet are on him, so if you hop repeatedly or even jump onto a ledge and walk across it (with Rush stuck underneath), Rush won’t burn any energy for the time that you’re not standing on him. You can extend your flight time greatly by jumping repeatedly while moving. (You don’t have to worry about falling off—Rush always moves so that he’s underneath you no matter what you do; it’s physically impossible to fall off.)

Mega Man rides this through water. It cannot be activated out of the water, although you can take it onto land once you’re in it and hop around if you so desire.

Mega Man was once a household robot named Rock, but when Dr. Wily turned evil, Rock was converted by his creator Dr. Light into the fighting robot known as Mega Man. This small blue robot is equipped with twin arm cannons and the Weapon Copy system which lets him take weapons from defeated foes.

Mega Man’s canine companion, this is a robot dog built by Dr. Light to aid in Mega Man’s travels. Rush is always ready to respond to Mega Man’s call; when Mega Man needs use of a Rush form, his dog teleports in, does his thing, and leaves. Any weapon energy you pick up while you have a Rush form equipped (even if Rush isn’t on the screen at the time) goes to that Rush form.

This is the scientist that started it all, for he was the one who first created revolutionary human-like robots. He was responsible for creating Mega Man and Roll, and he worked with Dr. Wily for a time.

Dr. Wily was once Dr. Light’s partner, but then he turned against his former colleague, using fleets of Robot Masters to try to take over the world. Rumor has it he’s reformed his ways...but has he?

This mysterious robot was constructed by Dr. Light before Mega Man was even built. He likes to be on his own, doing things his way. He often pops in during the games, usually with his characteristic whistle, to give his brother Mega Man items or advice, or to just plain pull him out of a jam.

This mysterious robot has the capability of mimicking other Robot Masters. He can use their weapons and attack styles, and takes on their speed and other characteristics. Unfortunately however Mega Man cannot gain weapons from Doc Man.

Gemini Man is capable of doubling himself and does it often. Usually he and his clone will simply circle the room, bowling over anyone who gets in his way. He won’t fire unless you shoot first, at which point both Gemini Men will freeze, and the one on the ground will return the fire with his plasma cannon. Then they will start to circle again. If you destroy Gemini Man’s clone, his pattern of attack is completely different. This is when he will use his Gemini Laser. Use Search Snakes or his own weapon on him, remembering that he will jump when you shoot so don’t fire too close.

Whatever you do, don’t let this monster land on you. He will seriously damage you if he does so. His Hard Knuckles are semi-seeking; they will attempt to head in your direction though their tracking isn’t very fine. Use Magnet Missiles and slide to dodge his leaps.

Magnet Man has quite a magnetic personality. Not only are his missiles magnetic, but he is also capable of putting up a magnetic force field which draws enemies in and damages them upon contact. The Spark Shock will do him in with four hits, though it is sometimes easier to use a plasma cannon or even Magnet Missiles, if you have them.

Needle Man can be deadly when he starts pelting you with his Needle Cannon. He can also lash out with the spikes on his head for a powerful blow. To get rid of this menace quickly, use the Gemini Laser. It may be difficult to aim, but needs to connect only four times to finish Needle Man.

The dreaded Shadow Man will pummel you with a fast and furious attack. He usually tosses Shadow Blades three at a time, and is capable of sliding all the way across the room. Another unfortunate thing is that the weapon that works best on him is one of the hardest with which to hit. Take the Top Spin to Shadow Man to have the best chance; the number of hits needed are few but vary depending on how solidly you strike.

One of the more unusual of the early Robot Masters, Snake Man is decorated as his name suggests, right down to the tail. He sends his small Search Snakes after his opponent or just plain runs him down. Snake Man cannot move very fast or jump really high, but often the layout of his room makes him nevertheless hard to dodge. His Search Snakes can be destroyed with several hits, and Snake Man himself can be destroyed most quickly by use of the Needle Cannon.

Spark Man does not have hands or cannons but instead two electrodes capable of producing electrical shocks. He can charge up and fire a larger shot by touching his electrodes to his head and accumulating energy. Spark Man is most easily finished with around seven Shadow Blades.

Top Man is one of the least durable of the Robot Masters, although he makes up for this by being impossible to hit while spinning. He can produce an unlimited number of tops to throw at you by pulling them off his head when he needs them. Hard Knuckles will knock him for a loop.