Mega Man games are known for their awesome robot masters. Over the years Capcom has given us nature themed robot masters. A common theme is element robot masters. Most Mega Man games have at least an electric, fire, or ice based robot master. In fact, some Mega Man games and even X games have more than 1 element based robot master or maverick.

As a meteorologist I got to thinking could weather be a hidden theme in the Mega Man and Mega Man X games. In a lot of games some stages have meteorological events in them. Indeed, it does seem like meteorology can be a hidden theme. In today's article I will be exploring natural weather events that are found in Mega Man and Mega Man X stages.

I will be starting with the classic Mega Man games that I have played.

Ice Man stage from Mega Man 1. I debated on including this stage on here. There is not much snow in his stage. But given how Ice covers the stage and that is a weather occurring event. I decided to include it in here. It should be noted Elec Man, Ice Man, and Fire Man were the first element robot masters.

Air Man's stage from Mega Man 2- Air Man is an element based robot master as he is based off of air. However, his stage takes place in the clouds. In fact, most of his stage is in the clouds. Therefore, in my opinion his stage was one of the first to have a natural occurring meteorological event and that is clouds. The clouds in his stage move indicate moving clouds. They probably were intended to move but could not due to the graphics at this time.

Toad Man's Stage from Mega Man 4. Toad Man's stage has two naturally occurring meteorological events rain and wind. Most of the stage has rain in it. It is amazing how the graphics allow the rain fall in the stage. In addition, the rain is also wind driven. Capcom even has the wind push the player. In real life rain and wind sometimes go together. This was nicely done.

Gyro Man's Stage from Mega Man 5. Similar to Air Man's this stage mostly appears in the clouds. It makes the player think they are moving through the clouds. To me this is a reference of a party cloudy and partly sunny day.

Wind Man's Stage from Mega Man 6- Wind Man is another element based robot master. He is based off of air and wind. His stage has a lot of wind in it. While the fans are providing the wind. The player still has to contend with Wind.

Blizzard Man Stage from Mega Man 6- In my Blizzard Man Biography I stated according to his data he was once a Meteorological robot. It would be fitting that his stage has ice and snow. Ice is covered throughout the stage. His stage also has snow in it. These are naturally occurring weather events. Ice forms when temperatures get below 32 degrees F or 0 degrees Celsius. Snow falls when there is cold air in the atmosphere and at the surface.

Jupiter's Stage Mega Man V- Jupiter's stage is meant to reflect the planet Jupiter which is cold but stormy. His stage has ice in it indicating that is very cold. But his stage also has lightning in it referencing storms.

Freeze Man's Stage Mega Man 7- Like Blizzard Man's stage there is lots of ice here. However, in the background we can see snow on the trees indicating that it has recently snowed in his stage.

Cloud Man's Stage Mega Man 7- This is a classic weather stage. Parts of the stage take place in the clouds. But if you shoot one enemy it will rain for half of the stage. The enemies will even cause lightning bolts. If you hit the same enemy with Freeze Cracker it will start to snow. The platforms will turn to ice and freeze. It was def a nice touch. As a Meteorologist this was one of my favorite stages and is why Mega Man 7 is so awesome.

Introduction Stage and Cold Man's stage Mega Man and Bass. The intro stage has that section where it is raining. Given how the rain pushes you also means there is wind. In Cold Man's stage you have ice and snow.

Frost Man's Stage Mega Man 8- You have ice in this game. But in this stage it snows for half of the stage. The snow falling down is a nice event.

Tornado Man's Stage Mega Man 9- This is another classic meteorological stage. You have rain in this stage, lightning, dark clouds, and even hail in these stage. This stage is like a naturally occurring severe storm. It was very nicely done.

Mega Man X games

Chill Penguin Stage Mega Man X- This was a nicely done stage. YOu have snow drifts in this stage, you have ice, and falling snow.

Wire Sponge Stage Mega Man X2- This was one of my favorite stages due to the meteorological effects. It is just fun how you can manipulate the weather in this stage. If you hit one of the spheres with the fire weapon. You will make it very hot and hazy in that part of the stage. Hit it with crystal weapon and it becomes cloudy and hazy. It also gives the illusion that it is misting. Other parts of this stage have rain and lightning in it.

Blizzard Buffalo Stage Mega Man X3- This is another fun weather stage. The stage is covered in ice. In the second half of the stage it snows hard. It is to give the impression that the player is going through a blizzard. If you visit the stage later the ice will start melting indicating that it has warmed up.

Frost Walrus Stage Mega Man X4- This stage has a lot of winter weather events in it. It has ice crystals, and blowing snow in it.

The Skyver Stage Mega Man X5- I debated about putting this one in here. The reason being there is not a lot of weather events until the end. In the last part of the stage you take a ride in the clouds.

Blizzard Wolf Fang Mega Man X6- This stage has avalanches in it, heavy snow, freezing ice and ice covered platforms in it.


Therefore, it does seem like Meteorological events are a hidden theme in Mega Man and Mega Man X games. A lot of weather events are covered in these stages such as: Heat, cold, ice, rain, snow, hail, and wind. A lot of these though have to do with the robot masters being element based. However, I think there is a reason Capcom included weather events in Mega Man games. Keep in mind this is just my own personal opinion.

Capcom is a Japanese company and Mega Man made his debut in Japan. Japan has a temperate climate. The climates in Japan are Humid Continental and Humid Subtropical. The Northern part of Japan being colder can have snow, and ice during the colder months. During the warmer months the northern part has rain, storms and heat. The rest of Japan mostly has lots of rain, thunderstorms, heat, humidity, fog, and is the most part prone to typhoons (typhoons are what we call hurricanes in the states). Thus, it is likely that Capcom was referencing their countries diverse climate including weather themes. On the other hand, the United States which is a big market area has some of the most wild weather on earth: Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, ice storms, cold, heat, heavy rain, and severe thunderstorms.

In conclusion, meteorological events are a hidden theme in Mega Man games. I am so glad they included these events in the games. It makes them more special and a joy to play.

That sounds interesting, it's cool that Mega Man has a hidden weather theme. Also if you did not know, I love the weather too. I don't play Mega man, but I'll do the weather thing if I do.

Dauntez: That is awesome and groovy. I am a meteorologist I have been interested in weather since I was 3. That is why I got my degrees so I would be a meteorologist. I am just not on TV as I have never wanted to be on TV.