Mega Man 5 adds BEAT to the game. In each stage is a word from 'Mega Man V'. Once you have all eight, you can call on BEAT (a robotic bird) who will attack enemies for you. It is a nice addition.

Mega Man 5 stays true to the formula pioneered in the first three games. Graphically, the game is very cartoonish and well done for an 8 bit system. Mega Man 5 turns away from Mega Man 4's upbeat style and adopts Mega Man 3's darkish tones

Some levels are very well done. Gravity Man's stage has you walking on the ceiling (or on the ground) and you can 'flip' which way to go. Star Man's stage has the high jump capability of being underwater to simulate low gravity. Everything here in this game works as it did in the previous games.

The Bad

The formula is starting to get tired to play through. You beat 8 bosses, beat another few levels, and then go through Wily's Castle.

Some levels do not seem well done. Charge Man is little more than trains and hard hats. Drill Man's stage seems identical to Hard Man's stage. Gyro Man's stage seems identical to Air Man's stage.

The weapons seem similar from the previous three games. BEAT is a nice addition but adds minimal gameplay. to it. This is essentially the same game as Mega Man 3 and 4.

The Bottom Line

I think this game is better than Mega Man 4 and a worthy contender to the Mega Man series of NES games. The game does not alter the design formula which is good and bad (good in that it is fun like the previous games but bad because NOTHING will seem 'new').