Proto:Mega Man 3 (NES)

This page details one or more prototype versions of Mega Man 3 (NES).

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This article is a work in progress. ...Well, all the articles here are, in a way. But this one moreso, and the article may contain incomplete information and editor's notes.

  This prototype is documented on Hidden Palace.

Download Mega Man 3 US Localization Prototype File: Mega Man 3 (U) (Prototype).zip (384 KB) (info)

The American localization prototype of Mega Man 3 showcases the development of the game as it underwent the English translation process, and is a bit glitchier than the final as a result.

General Differences

• The Bolton and Nutton enemies don't blink when they are being put together, much like in the Japanese version.
• Every time a Robot Master is defeated in the prototype, Mega Man gets stuck in his attacking position until the Robot Master's explosion sprites are completely off-screen.
• Much like in the Japanese version, as soon as Mega Man lands on one of the areas of Top Man's Stage, a Bolton and Nutton appears. In the final, Mega Man needs to be at the edge of the platform he's standing on for it to appear.

Bugs and Glitches

• When Mega Man lands in the room where he battles Break Man in Magnet Man's, Hard Man's, or Shadow Man's stage, he gets stuck in his "running start" position.
• Sometimes, if you lose a life while fighting a boss, the "sweat" particles from Mega Man's attacked sprite will appear after he teleports back into the stage.
• Sometimes, if too many objects appear on-screen, they will glitch or other sprites will appear for a split-second.

Gemini Man's Stage

• Mega Man gets stuck in his running animation while Break Man shows up in Gemini Man's stage.
• While taking damage, Mega Man may suddenly become invisible and get stuck. After about a minute, the screen will start to scroll to the left until it stops at the beginning of the stage.
• Defeating the Doc Robot that has Bubble Man's abilities with Rush Marine in the prototype will cause Mega Man's sprite to glitch.

Top Man's Stage

• The tail of the first Tama miniboss in Top Man's stage disappears after being shot for a few times.
• When Mega Man gets the Top Spin, the colors for part of his helmet are incorrect.

Shadow Man's Stage

• After Mega Man destroys Shadow Man using Top Spin, not only does he get stuck, but his sprite also gets glitched until the Robot Master's explosion sprites are off-screen.
• One of the areas cause the sprites to flicker and change color. They also slow down the framerate of the game. Going down to the next area makes the level retain its original colors and Mega Man and Rush's faces turn purple.