Capcom is currently considering various options for one of its highly popular franchises. The year 2023 has proven to be a thrilling one for this prominent Japanese video game company, with major releases such as Resident Evil 4, Street Fighter 6, and the upcoming third-person dinosaur shooter, Exoprimal. Additionally, Capcom unveiled new games during its recent showcase, including Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy and an exciting action-adventure game titled Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess.
Being one of the world's oldest independent video game developers, Capcom boasts a collection of highly sought-after franchises. Among its early success stories are the infamously challenging Ghosts 'n Goblins and the side-scrolling beat 'em up Final Fight, which were originally introduced as arcade titles in 1985 and 1989 respectively. Throughout its history, Capcom has achieved considerable success, largely due to the immense popularity of its Street Fighter franchise and its commitment to maintaining competitiveness in the home console market.
Capcom is carefully evaluating their approach to future games in the Mega Man franchise. Since its debut in 1987, this iconic series has created numerous sequels, follow-ups, and spinoffs across various console generations. During a Q&A session with shareholders, Capcom emphasized that they are handling the Mega Man series with great caution, considering multiple factors to develop a strong concept for future installments. The discussion also touched upon retro compilations like Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection. Capcom revealed that they are actively considering how to approach porting and address technical issues surrounding these compilations.
Mega Man 11, released in 2018, received positive reviews with an average Metacritic score of around 80 across multiple platforms. However, there is a sentiment among some Mega Man fans that recent entries lack the innovative spirit found in other iconic 2D platformer franchises like Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Capcom tends to explore more experimental game design in newer IPs, such as the upcoming Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. This approach has led them to be hesitant about introducing drastic changes to the beloved core gameplay that Mega Man fans have grown to appreciate. Nonetheless, there is a growing belief that the series needs a fresh perspective in order to rediscover its magic and continue its successful legacy.
Source: VGC
