"In 20XX and 30XX the point is to build yourself up to the point you can beat the game without dieing. It's partly about learning the game and also you get currency on each run you can use to buy gear that will appear in future runs, giving you more advantages. If that doesn't appeal to you, you won't like it. I don't think it really fills the same niche as Mega Man X, but it is fun."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20XX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAdLuy_0VJ8

"In 20XX and 30XX the point is to build yourself up to the point you can beat the game without dieing. It's partly about learning the game and also you get currency on each run you can use to buy gear that will appear in future runs, giving you more advantages. If that doesn't appeal to you, you won't like it. I don't think it really fills the same niche as Mega Man X, but it is fun."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30XX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaqlsfAODF8

"...gameplay and control is much more in the likeness of Mega Man games on the NES and the boss fights at the end of each major stage."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Kid:_Fortress_of_Peril#Sequel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3tgN_QHO4U

"...gameplay and control is much more in the likeness of Mega Man games on the NES and the boss fights at the end of each major stage."\n"New features have been covered, such as the following: new block types of ice, conveyors, and sludge; Wall Grip upgrade; the in-game death counter; and the intro stage."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Kid:_Fortress_of_Peril#Sequel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP-LoRDK1vw

"Blaster Master is heralded as one of the best NES action games of all time. How it smartly combines the boss weapon grabs of Mega Man with the tight platforming of Metroid. And then it tosses in some top-down action like the first 8-bit Legend of Zelda to brew up an absolutely brilliant experience"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaster_Master_(video_game)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTl1gTTOFNA

"If you’re looking for a reference point, it plays a lot like a less linear version of Mega Man, with a similar look and feel. It’s a little easier than Mega Man though, what with being able to jump higher and fire upwards, and the fact that enemies drop health power-ups far more frequently."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaster_Master_Zero

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdtJ8JFw8-U

"If you’re looking for a reference point, it plays a lot like a less linear version of Mega Man, with a similar look and feel. It’s a little easier than Mega Man though, what with being able to jump higher and fire upwards, and the fact that enemies drop health power-ups far more frequently."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaster_Master_Zero_2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6aF7agZb1M

"If you’re looking for a reference point, it plays a lot like a less linear version of Mega Man, with a similar look and feel. It’s a little easier than Mega Man though, what with being able to jump higher and fire upwards, and the fact that enemies drop health power-ups far more frequently."

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/BlasterMasterZeroIII

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAjtau_K1FU

Cathode Raybots is an online game that plays like a Mega Man boss rush. You have a primary Mega Buster-like weapon (that auto-charges) and a close-range flame thrower for secondary weapon. Players fight against bosses created by other users.

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/610807

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eWpNUUPNao

Cathode Raybots fan game and classic Mega Man clone. There's no slide but there are charged shots. with auto-charge being turned on at all times.You can choose from 6 levels and get the weapons of their respective bosses.

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/638234

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByFBFvMcEBE

Cathode Raybots fan game and classic Mega Man clone. There's no slide but there are charged shots. with auto-charge being turned on at all times.You can choose from 6 levels and get the weapons of their respective bosses.

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/674395

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWskDEnQHUc

Hack and slash game with combo-oriented combat, stage selection-based non-linear progression and explorable HQ between missions. Stages change depending in what order you choose them, like Mega Man X1, X6 or Cocoron.\n"You get seven levels, the layout of each changes depending on what order you pick them in, and a set of final levels with a boss rush dood! (...) The sequel is more or less the same but harder, in what I felt, an X6 type of way. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prinny:_Can_I_Really_Be_the_Hero%3F

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPbWUiAzw_E

Hack and slash game with combo-oriented combat, stage selection-based non-linear progression and explorable HQ between missions. Stages change depending in what order you choose them, like Mega Man X1, X6 or Cocoron.\n"You get seven levels, the layout of each changes depending on what order you pick them in, and a set of final levels with a boss rush dood! (...) The sequel is more or less the same but harder, in what I felt, an X6 type of way. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prinny_2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gByO5eCHhk

"A game that's parallel but not really a clone of Mega Man is DuckTales. In DuckTales you play as Scrooge, exploring various exotic locations in search of treasures. You don't shoot, but instead use your cane to pogo jump on enemies or golf swing blocks into them. He also use these abilities to reach and uncover various paths and hidden areas. DuckTales is more focused on exploration and discovering secrets than it is tricky platforming and action gunning, but there are some clear connections. Like Mega Man there's a stage select, distinct boss fights specific to each level, a scrolling pan when you enter or exit areas and even the hit animation when you take damage and get push back."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuckTales_(video_game)#Gameplay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKbFtn2b9Nc

"Darkwing can shoot and also grab onto Ledges and various platforms, which you then use to reach new areas or solve various platforming puzzles. The gameplay is much more in line with Mega Man than DuckTales, and that the focus is back on shooting and jumping more than exploring. You can choose between three stages, each of whom has a unique boss fight at the end. But once, you beat those levels you'll unlock another stage select screen with three more levels to beat."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkwing_Duck_(Capcom_video_game)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne7U8pgrhn4

"The sequel DuckTales 2 is largely the same gameplay as the original, but with even larger stages, with more secret areas, more diverging paths and discoverable map pieces that unlock an extra secret bonus level. The main improvement here is the addition of the abilities that Scrooge can unlock by finding Gyro in various places, that then allow him to Pogo drag or golf swing certain unique blocks that he couldn't move before. These cane upgrades are the most similar mechanic to the Rush items in Mega Man, and also some of the extra areas in later titles that require a certain boss item to remove barriers. While still very different from Mega Man, DuckTales 2 is maybe a little more similar than its predecessor."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuckTales_2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqjiM1FntqY&t=316s

"A game that's parallel but not really a clone of Mega Man is DuckTales. In DuckTales you play as Scrooge, exploring various exotic locations in search of treasures. You don't shoot, but instead use your cane to pogo jump on enemies or golf swing blocks into them. He also use these abilities to reach and uncover various paths and hidden areas. DuckTales is more focused on exploration and discovering secrets than it is tricky platforming and action gunning, but there are some clear connections. Like Mega Man there's a stage select, distinct boss fights specific to each level, a scrolling pan when you enter or exit areas and even the hit animation when you take damage and get push back."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuckTales:_Remastered#Reception

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj8uIiOeI7Q

You control Sachi, a human enhanced with a ForceGear shuit. Her movement is based on classic Mega Man, her attacks are based on X and Zero moveset of the PlayStation 1 era of Mega Man X. Game starts with a stage select and 4 bosses, and you can buy stuff at the shop between stages.

https://sippusennki-forcegear.jimdofree.com/%E7%96%BE%E9%A2%A8%E6%88%A6%E8%A8%98%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AE%E3%82%A2/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82IdXg8aLRo&list=PLZBzDKGQ2JcoFuRTBnlNDz4olOYa2OShJ

Mega Man clone with 6 different playable characters. You have to beat 5 stages that get unlocked linearly as you progress.

https://sippusennki-forcegear.jimdofree.com/失われたカレーplus/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ku6cAOV9uM

Sachi controls really similar to how she controlled in the first game, with X and Zero attacks but limited to classic Mega Man movesets. Setsuna, the new character, plays more like a mixture of Copen and Gunvolt, having tag-like mechanics, a laser gun and a multidirectional air dash. Both have different storylines and you can unlock 4 more characters after beating the game (I think they are collaborations with other creators).

https://sippusennki-forcegear.jimdofree.com/%E7%96%BE%E9%A2%A8%E6%88%A6%E8%A8%98%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AE%E3%82%A22/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-3-mQzv0Y

Mega Man clone with 6 different playable characters. You have to beat 5 stages that get unlocked linearly as you progress.

https://www.simplelove.co/entry/20220926/1664188286

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFPvts2wFew

Linear Castlevania clone where you can switch weapons and characters on the fly (some closer to Mega Man jump and shoot mechanics). If you beat the game, you can unlock the Sachi from the ForceGear series, with her Zero/X moveset. Also, it is still set in 20XX.

https://www.simplelove.co/entry/20240513/1715553251

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj97QLqbl7Y

"Challenging 20 levels of platforming with wild west style (...) After a while the game begins to resemble very much the Megaman games of NES. While you have infinite ammo, your rate of fire is limited by your weapon. Many features of the levels from enemies to obstacles also resemble Megaman, from moving platforms to appearing and disappearing blocks to alternating gravity and wind machines."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunman_Clive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta-VabYBDng

"For the uninitiated, Gunman Clive 2 is a platforming sidescroller reminiscent of classic NES titles like Mega Man. The majority of the game’s 25 levels are focused on making it to the end of the stage while fighting a unique menagerie of enemies. This time around, however, there’s a bit more variety. Developer Hörberg Productions didn’t make any radical changes to the formula, but there are some welcome new additions, such as flying levels, animal compatriots, and a greater variety of locations and enemies."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunman_Clive_2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Y73eZsY0s

The game has a non-linear progression with a stage selection screen, followed by 3 final levels on a space fortress with a boss rush right before the last boss. Beating the bosses doesn't give you their weapon though, it only gifts you more HP, like Mega Man X heart tanks. The gameplay is closer to a run and gun game like Metal Slug than Mega Man.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunstar_Heroes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmX6olOtX54

The game has a non-linear progression with a stage selection screen, followed by 3 final levels on a space fortress with a boss rush right before the last boss. Beating the bosses doesn't give you their weapon though, it only gifts you more HP, like Mega Man X heart tanks. The gameplay is closer to a run and gun game like Metal Slug than Mega Man.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunstar_Heroes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya2sM0I0tmw

"You are immediately dropped into your first mission to get your bearings, before branching off into the level selection. So, Mega Man X style. And as a spiritual successor, as expected, Gunvolt and X do share a lot of similarities outside of just visual presentation and a blue color scheme. Both games are action platformers, meaning a lot of jumping, running and gunning. Like X, Gunvolt, shockingly, has a gun (sort of). He also has a dash and can even do the wall jump trick, which all just feels right, as the controls are tight and the jumping is spot on."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azure_Striker_Gunvolt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Uespi189hg&t=77s

"A stripped down series of games that brings the gameplay closer to classic series style. The first game was a bit too basic with not enough content, but Burst feels like a full fledged title with perhaps too much content."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Gunvolt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_cl8AzkKDc

"Striker gunvolt continues its reign as the spiritual successor to the Mega Man X and Zero games."\n"Like many of Mega Man's playable characters, most notably the original Mega Man and Mega Man X, Copen uses the weapons of previously defeated bosses."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azure_Striker_Gunvolt_2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnKiAYgcyNw&t=315s

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_No._9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTgUd-oOQ-U

"A stripped down series of games that brings the gameplay closer to classic series style. The first game was a bit too basic with not enough content, but Burst feels like a full fledged title with perhaps too much content."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Gunvolt#Sequel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mmiiZ6O9ZM

"There's also a spinoff series involving Copen, one of the characters in the Gunvolt lore called Luminous Avenger iX. His gameplay is a lot like Megaman X where you play eight bosses and get their weapons."

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/LuminousAvengerIX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUD3UbE1O4A

"Kirin's powers and movements are heavily focused on short -distance Melee attacks, as her main weapon is a katana(...)and yes, Azure Stiker Gunvolt 3 feels more Mega Man Zero than any other of the series"\n"In addition to her main attacks, Kirin will also learn other moves after beating a boss; however, unlike Mega Man, these moves aren’t super effective against other bosses."

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol9zFEBTe1Y

"While his aerial game has been nerfed, his ground game has improved considerably thanks to a new weapon called the Razor Wheel. He uses this weapon in the place of his laser from before when it comes to tagged enemies, firing destructive energy discs(...) What’s more, he can also use it to perform a Zero-esque multi-hit melee combo, ending on a giant energy buzzsaw that’s just satisfying to watch cut through enemies for as long as you keep that final attack press held down"

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/LuminousAvengerIX2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBZKFlpqM5A

There's no selection screen, it is a Metroid-like, but you get to control the bosses of each area via the pause menu, and you an collect upgrades for each one of them. It's more platform than action, a bit like Super Mario World, Kirby's Dream Land or Super Mario Bros. 3.\n"​​Like mega man meets Mario 3"\n"When you face a boss, doors close behind you in a manner reminiscent of Mega Man. Metroid may be the game’s main influence, but The Saga at times feels like a melting pot of NES classics."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ufouria:_The_Saga

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HwS7vRDqUE

There's no selection screen, it is a Metroid-like, but you get to control the bosses of each area via the pause menu, and you an collect upgrades for each one of them. It's more platform than action, a bit like Super Mario World, Kirby's Dream Land or Super Mario Bros. 3.\n"​​Like mega man meets Mario 3"\n"When you face a boss, doors close behind you in a manner reminiscent of Mega Man. Metroid may be the game’s main influence, but The Saga at times feels like a melting pot of NES classics."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ufouria:_The_Saga_2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tPcGQ1dsww

"Like the classic games but with an upgrade bar that you can fill and spend mid-stage"\n"These games are platformers heavily inspired by Mega Man and Gradius."

https://darkwitch.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Dark_Witch:_Chronicle_2D_Act

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_8xdTkS0Eo

"Like the classic games but with an upgrade bar that you can fill and spend mid-stage"\n"These games are platformers heavily inspired by Mega Man and Gradius."

https://darkwitch.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Dark_Witch_Episode_2:_The_Price_of_Desire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b35-WW9axeo

"Like the classic games but with an upgrade bar that you can fill and spend mid-stage"\n"These games are platformers heavily inspired by Mega Man and Gradius."

https://darkwitch.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Dark_Witch_Episode_3:_Wisdom_and_Lunacy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PanCDpZ4Kk8

"Like the classic games but with an upgrade bar that you can fill and spend mid-stage"\n"These games are platformers heavily inspired by Mega Man and Gradius."

https://darkwitch.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Dark_Witch_Renovation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8lKO1XgnAo&t=528s

"Platforming goodness here. You play as Waffle, a dog-person police officer, who is after some up-to-no-good cat-people pirates called the Black Cats. Waffle uses a Police Robo (a Gustaff-like mecha) to get around in towns and ruins.(...) You travel by airship, going to island to island taking care of police business and finding a reason to the cat-people uprising. \nThe game in whole is more cute than funny and it is relatively short and easy (until the last stage). Almost anything in this game would remind you of Megaman Legends 2 or Misadventures. From the Kittens' antics to Alicia's (the main Black Cats pirate) love/hate inner conflict with Waffle, I would have thought it was part of the Legends series as an alternate reality or something. The most disappointing things about this game are that you can't upgrade your Police Robo (actually there are two upgrades, but I mean in customization) and, as said before, it is a short game (...). There is plenty of hidden things and unlockables to find though!"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tail_Concerto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ttFUY3yQ8

Both are 3D cozy sci-fi games with mecha and... "Both (main) characters are from a humanoid race (...) who lives in a setting way different from ours (Volnutt's planet is mostly covered in water and Red's world consist of floating islands), they both suffer from amnesia but were adopted by a family (...) and got a job important in their universe (Digger and Hunter), in their new family there is a sister who's always positive and supportive of them (...) humans used to live in their world but went extinct, they fought a gang of air pirates (...) as secondary antagonists, their main villain wanted to "reset" the world by commiting a genocide (...)"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solatorobo:_Red_the_Hunter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcdDHa1I0tI&t=710s

"You pick your stage, you can jump, and you shoot. Mighty Aphid wears it’s inspirations in the retro game scene on it’s sleeve. The goal for each stage is to rescue a small handful of civilians, then reach the goal. After this you’ll fight a nasty bug bossfight. After you succeed, you’ll be awarded with a new ability, from spread shots, flying, other ways to heal, and so on. I guess you could call this a mix of Shinobi/Moonwalker and Mega Man."

https://www.igdb.com/games/mighty-aphid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIr7rFPVE4c

A second entry on the same formula of Mighty Aphid 1

https://www.igdb.com/games/mighty-aphid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSl6GRFrAfs

"Mighty Switch Force. Its gameplay is more puzzle-platformer, but the music and visuals give off that Mega Man vibe."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Switch_Force!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY90KAV_yDc

"Mighty Switch Force. Its gameplay is more puzzle-platformer, but the music and visuals give off that Mega Man vibe."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Switch_Force!#Development

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY90KAV_yDc

"Mighty Switch Force. Its gameplay is more puzzle-platformer, but the music and visuals give off that Mega Man vibe."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Switch_Force!_2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY90KAV_yDc

"Mighty Switch Force. Its gameplay is more puzzle-platformer, but the music and visuals give off that Mega Man vibe."

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/MightySwitchForce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY90KAV_yDc

"Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is a platformer where you have a 'Saber' with moves that work exactly like Zero's from MMZ. I'm talking like the exact same arcs even. You even have a Arrow subweapon that works exactly like the Buster, charge and all."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momodora:_Reverie_Under_the_Moonlight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2G0iChPEGg

"She’s a little slow in the base movement speed, and while running is obtained later on, it’s tied to the stamina meter. Regardless, as I got acclaimed for her jump animation, dodge roll, and base moments speed, I ended up really liking it. If I had to point to a game that it reminds me of, it’d be something like Mega Man.(...)Sigils are cards found throughout the dungeon that offer improved base stats and new combat skills. Over time, you are able to equip more Sigils and customize your preferred loadout. I appreciated this added layer of customization as it allows players to define their approach to combat to fit their playstyle."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momodora:_Moonlit_Farewell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRtGzbHXdVY

The games starts with a selection stage screen and then you are thrown into an action platformer game with a weapon that can only attack horizontally and you controll a small big headed character.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Blade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEiUrMWH2pE

"You can select from six stages, each of which has their own cool boss fight and general vibe. What's interesting, is that there are multiple paths to take, and while some lead nowhere, you'll either find your contact who gives you access to the exit, or you'll find the door to the main boss. You use boomerangs which can be upgraded in power and in number, but there's also the temporary power blade suit which makes you super jacked until you take three hits of damage. Aside from the level select, Power Blade takes some pretty obvious cues from Mega Man in terms of Aesthetics, enemy designs, and just the general feel of playing capcom's classic platformer. While it lacks the choosable abilities of its influence, it's still really fun, and one of the best relatively unknown games on the system"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Blade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5kR5whd4FE

"There's still a level select, (... and) Nova can slide. Power Blade 2 dispenses with the diverging paths and getting key cards from the contacts designed in the first one, opting for a more linear level, broken into many stages. Instead of this single power blade suit, there are now four additional suits with varying abilities that let you climb on walls and even fly. It is also way way harder than Power Blade 1, with tons of cheap platforming sections and a barrage of near impossible to avoid enemies. Unfortunately while Power Blade 2 does add some ambitious elements that actually make it even closer in gameplay to Mega Man, it is ultimately a less fun version of the original, full of slowdown and frustration."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Blade_2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXMaSv3N4N8

It was made as an unofficial sequel of Power Blade 2, and resembles it a lot. The main non-Mega Man like things of it are a stealth level and motorcycle sections.

https://zxart.ee/eng/software/games/arcade/platform/metroidvania/deltas-shadow/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=615JRaKqzdc

It is a very Mega Man-like 1 level long clone of Power Blade 2 released with Deta's Shadow (a.k.a. Power Blade 3)

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/37007/Pentagon_128/Guns_Gears

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFY0YH295eA

Gothic/Fantasy series using classic Mega Man mechanics

https://www.freem.ne.jp/win/game/30603

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qc848t9eS4

Gothic/Fantasy series using classic Mega Man mechanics

https://www.freem.ne.jp/win/game/33192

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdG0PTA3BpQ

Mega Man clone. Rockbot plays a little bit like Mega Man in MM7 with the Proto Shield. Betabot can dash, shoot burst of energy pellets (two pellets per shot) and gets less damage.

https://rockbot.upperland.net/?page_id=894

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFPsO0N2_Lk&list=PLc-JPUjXw6hs7jiMnywZ35wmx_LF1hgQL&index=1

Mega Man clone. Rockbot plays a little bit like Mega Man in MM7 with the Proto Shield. Candybot can double jump and shoot in multiple directions like Bass, but is weaker.

https://rockbot.upperland.net/?page_id=894

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzTFCiJpf4Q&list=PLc-JPUjXw6hvIMgUmqHeVfKktfl6xvysQ&index=1

"This game is an interesting remix of several other things. It takes ideas, enemies, stage sections, and more from all over the Mega Man series, while throwing in a bit of Castlevania for good measure."

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/Rosenkreuzstilette

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOJz0NJKDVg

"The direct sequel to the previous game, it can kinda come off as more of the same. (a gothic Mega Man clone)"

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/Rosenkreuzstilette

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ96uEH6gAM

"Take the core gameplay mechanics of Revenge of Shinobi, drop them into a Mega Man structure, and mix in a healthy dose of Metroid-style non-linearity, and you’ll end up with something close to The GG Shinobi. It’s a fun game, and it has some great music by Yuzo Koshiro to boot. It’s clear where the game draws from, but it is interesting that it seemed to predict Mega Man X’s system of permanently powering up the main character by using earned abilities to reach inaccessible parts of each level. Sure, it’s something of a natural move anyway, but credit where it’s due: The GG Shinobi mixed the idea into the basic framework first"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_G.G._Shinobi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O8HEgR2GPw

"Take the core gameplay mechanics of Revenge of Shinobi, drop them into a Mega Man structure, and mix in a healthy dose of Metroid-style non-linearity, and you’ll end up with something close to The GG Shinobi. It’s a fun game, and it has some great music by Yuzo Koshiro to boot. It’s clear where the game draws from, but it is interesting that it seemed to predict Mega Man X’s system of permanently powering up the main character by using earned abilities to reach inaccessible parts of each level. Sure, it’s something of a natural move anyway, but credit where it’s due: The GG Shinobi mixed the idea into the basic framework first"

https://eldenpixels.com/indie-highlight-fallen-leaf/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O8HEgR2GPw

Linear Mega Man clone. "Now you bring down enemies with a ranged weapon that can be charged, just like Mega Man’s Mega Buster."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_Citizen_Shockman_2:_A_New_Menace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPj6TWIxcb8

"It's a 2d action platformer that features a lot of beat-em-up mechanics, running to the right and making stuff go boom, and it's two-player co-op. No menus, no frills, no BS, just pure action (...) Player 1 plays as Raita, who uses his fists as an attack, giving the gameplay a Shatterhand kind of a feel to it. You can also hold the Y button to charge up for a projectile and you can actually do a dragon punch using the same control input as Street Fighter 2(...) Player 2 plays Azuki, who hacks and slashes away with a sword. She also has a charged attack."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_Citizen_Shockman_Zero

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pos3wy3ewVU

https://www.freem.ne.jp/win/game/7606

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tJy7k2RX6M

"Dodge, hit it and score a combo! Mega Man Exe-style high-speed battle action game "\n"A simple upgrade of the previous ‘TECHNOLOGIC+’. It is now even easier to play and easier to understand(...) There is no story mode."

https://www.freem.ne.jp/win/game/10338

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hse2AqPel8

Mega Man 2 clone with bullet hell mechanics\n"It takes elements from the classic Mega Man games in the NES, in specific Mega Man 2, although it also takes elements from different games in the Mega Man multi-series: It has the dual character system seen inMega Man Xtreme 2, X7 and X8. Only one of the characters can get the boss' weapon akin to Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters in the arcades. There are Weapon Tanks that refill Weapon Energy and the elusive Mega Tank that refills health and every weapon from the latter games in the classic series."

https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/MegaMari

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZPfebEQhZw

Mega Man X clone with tag team system similar to X7 or X8. You have 4 characters to choose from.

https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Bakartet_X

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuWLkj9s7Zo

"Takkoman -Kouzatsu World- is a Mega Man X (more precisely Mega Man Zero) series like platform game"

https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Takkoman_-Kouzatsu_World-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkOMM2tG3ik

"This game is like a combination of Mega Man 2, 6 and 7. heck some of the secrets and abilities are similar to MM7. Like how the Kaguya Stage 1 biss is a nerfed version of the Guts Bot from Wily Stage 1 and Youmu’s weapon is literally Slash Man’s weapon which happens to be the Tewi Mexh’s weakness. There’s also the secret in Utsuho’s stage that’s accesses exactly the secret in Junk Man’s stage. The Final Boss 2nd phase is ALSO copied from Mega Man 7"

https://www.igdb.com/games/touhou-rock-maiden-houraisan-kaguya-no-yabou

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAbIISy4rRA

"This time (...) there is a secondary character, Youmu, who focuses on melee attacks. No between stage switching though, this follows the seperate campaign model of X4. (...) Now imagine if (Zero) had more startup lag, more end lag, shorter range, less defined hitboxes, and slower movement options. While I wouldn't say playing as Youmu is a nightmare, it is much more tedious than it needs to be."

https://www.igdb.com/games/touhou-rock-maiden-2-houraisan-kaguya-no-nazo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o7iYJo6TPA

"Right away, I can say this is easily the best of the three games. While not dramatically so, it does improve a lot of the problems from the last two. The major problems are still there, namely the speed of enemies and some wonky design at times, but the game does enough to mitigate these problems (...) A good number of the new and returning enemies seem to have a focus on bullet spam, using the slower "met" bullets. I actually appreciate this, as it calls back to the source material and unlike MegaMari, you actually have the maneuverability to avoid these."

https://www.igdb.com/games/touhou-rock-maiden-3-houraisan-kaguya-no-saigo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNkPTGIAGCw

"As for the levels and bosses, they're fine. Pretty standard stuff, with some parts directly lifted from past Mega Man games. If anything, most of the levels are a bit too easy. Except for Marisa's level, which is the worst one in the game.(...) the game is a fine remix, it just doesn't do enough to stand out on its own. While I wouldn't want them to make it a bullet hell like MegaMari tried to do, it would have been nice to see this game incorporate some of the other Touhou staples in it's design."

https://www.igdb.com/games/touhou-rock-maiden-fc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qb0opyv9PM

This is probably one of the biggest stretches in the list, but I consider the dash and slashing mechanics to be what Mega Man Zero combat mechanics would look like on a belt-scroll beat 'em up.

https://fiorefire.itch.io/neo-gens0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbFppucKHIQ

"The levels and bosses are even easier this time, with pretty much no stage presenting much of a challenge. You might struggle a bit if you're a newbie, but veterans will breeze through this game. There is one level in particular, that borrows from Wave Man, that feels unfinished."

https://www.igdb.com/games/touhou-rock-maiden-fc-2-historys-greatest-sermon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t16FfQYTw28

"The game is heavily inspired by Mega Man X4, particularly with Zero's gameplay and campaign"

https://www.igdb.com/games/sanae-toumaden-x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEC3PmzHYTc

https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/UDONGEIN_X

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtfZV3cHntE

"It's essentially Mega Man X5 (for those who love that game's structure), with level ideas mostly based off of Mega Man X6, and just like X6."

https://www.igdb.com/games/sanae-toumaden-x2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wOAPfpFZZs

"Shanghai.EXE: Genso Network is a PC fangame which crosses the gameplay of the Mega Man Battle Network series with the cast of Touhou Project and that was developed by Technodot."

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/ShanghaiEXEGensoNetwork

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5KqBLCuDUI

https://www.backloggd.com/games/touhou-rock-maiden-x/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDpQs5wEKYA&list=PLxva2KEuzsf-cTh9t0qeKsthODJkWJ1AK&index=1

"This game is frequently compared to Castlevania, due to similarities in the graphics (blocks, platforms, and staircases), as well as a few gameplay elements (special weapons, items hidden in blocks). Additional comparisons are made to Mega Man’s ability to play the initial stages in any order, and the fact that each boss is weak to one other boss’ weapon. However, there are several features in this game to allow it to stand on its own, such as Cutrus, your bird partner. 8 Eye’s features a cooperative mode in which one player controls Orin and the other player controls Cutrus. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8_Eyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qlwHofP3xI

"The main comparison with Mega Man, beyond the running and gunning, is that, in each level you receive a new weapon that you can access by pausing and then use at the cost of your G meter. Each gun has a different advantage, from homing missiles, to a spreadshot, to a machine gun –and when you run out of ammo, there are these very Mega Man-looking capsules dropped by enemies that will replenish it. There's no level select, but if Mega Man were linear, in a more serious Robo murdering adventure, it'd look a lot like Journey to Silius. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_Silius

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKW5iOqgowo

"Let's get brutally honest now. Kid Dracula is Konami taking a stab at the Mega Man formula. Seriously, this kid is a student of the game. He's got all the Blue Bombers moves, down from the Mega Buster. which has now been given a substantial upgrade, able to fire four directionals."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kid_Dracula_(1990_video_game)

https://youtu.be/6PTmLd435tM?t=112

"You start in a basic intro level before reaching a stage select screen where you can pick six different options. Each level has a different elemental theme and corresponding boss. Once the stage is complete, Soaring Eagle (Sun Wukong) gets a new totem (orb) which is basically an optional weapon."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whomp_'Em

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdHpmN0M3gk

"The game play resembles Capcom's Mega Man series(...) However, unlike the first three Mega Man titles, The Krion Conquest allows players to shoot directly upward, crouch to dodge enemies and projectiles, and charge attacks."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Krion_Conquest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3jOVNSUpPM

"The gameplay is classic Mega Man style Run and Gun but with a few tweaks. The game is linear, so there's no stage select options, but like in Krion Conquest you begin the game with a full set of abilities and, man, they really loaded you up here. Jake can heal himself, blast everyone on the screen and some other random things, but best of all, he can transform into three different dudes, each of whom has their own strengths and weaknesses."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totally_Rad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4S4PrYxAPI

Besides being made by Akira Kitamura himself right after leaving Capcom, this game has a selection screen, and it allows you to create a new custom characters and add them to your party after beating a boss. You can't swap them during a level, but you wil need to choose wisely which of your creations will suit better to each stage and boss.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXA4MIBQtt4&

"Tecmo created a fusion of Ninja Gaiden and Mega Man in Samurai Pizza Cats that is also one of the NES’ best action games.(...) You have special skills like Ninja Gaiden, the platforming of Mario, the level selection and mechanical design of the later Mega Man games and the character swapping of TMNT."\n"Plenty of other games allow selection between characters with differing abilities, but here it’s especially well done. With something like the first TMNT there wasn’t much difference apart from attack range, certainly none of the turtles could fly. In Bucky O’Hare you first had to rescue a character before using them. In Tiny Toons you basically chose between Buster, who was useless, or one of three others, who couldn’t be cycled between once in a level. The system in Samurai Pizza Cats is much more generous, well balanced with regards to recharging, and actually gives you a reason to switch between them. It’s almost like a less restrictive version of Mega Man’s powers."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyatto_Ninden_Teyandee#Video_game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcoGX9cN7e0

"You can choose your stage after the first one. You go around punching enemies but you can also collect these symbols dropped by enemies to assemble 1 of like 4 robot companions. It's pretty good."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shatter_(video_game)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCozRM_Nvqk

"In it you play as Bucky, but you can select from four levels where you'll navigate a unique landscape, beat a boss and rescue a comrade who you'll then be able to switch to at will. Each buddy has a different ability that lets you navigate hard to reach platforms, or attack hard to kill enemies. It's maybe not a perfect copy of Mega Man by any stretch but there's definitely plenty of mechanics and aesthetics that feel like this could be a lost game in the series."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucky_O'Hare_(NES_video_game)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFYdpQEFB8c

"When the game starts, you'll play through introductory levels with each of the four main characters before combining efforts, after which you can swap between them just by pausing. After the intro levels, the game becomes pretty linear, more in line with Krion Conquest, where you switch powers in more of a puzzle platformer. The main character Samson is for sure a Mega Man knockoff, just running and shooting its little ass off, but the other three guys are much more diverse both in attack and movement. There's also some pretty great boss fights, where certain characters are more effective than others, which is straight out of the Capcom playbook."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Samson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1llzm_OxDg

"Hosuke controls very similarly to Mega Man from the first game. He can run around, jump, and shoot bullets from his third eye, with the only major challenge being around the third area where crabs can easily duck under the forehead shots until they raise their claws. He’s a bit heavier than Mega Man, but mostly the same."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsume_ga_T%C5%8Dru_(video_game)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx489YS-Eyw

It has a stage selection map so it has non-linear progression, but it does have linear levels rich in exploration. You can collect upgrades which give you new transformations which grant new abilities.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon%27s_Crest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUS0FmlQSPE

"Jazz is a mixture of Megaman & Sonic the Hedgehog resulting in a fantastic action packed game that is a blast to play"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_Jackrabbit_(1994_video_game)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg6QlazXVSk

"Rockman/Mega Man style game, but the character doesn't use the enemy's weapons, only his own."

https://bootleggames.fandom.com/wiki/Metal_Force

https://youtu.be/zqqvjQ1rIpo?t=324

"It's more of a Sonic clone in style than Mega Man It was released in Japan and in North America we got it through the SEGA Channel. I have the reproduction cart, it's fun."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulseman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft2199M5jTw

"The game is a mix between Mega Man Legends and Klonoa."

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%89%E3%82%AF%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%97#%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEhRn1MtPo4