The dates are confirmed, the game is en route to us as I type this. I haven't been thiss jazzed about a game since I walked into a video store in '88 and saw MegaMan 2 on the rental shelf!

From the first time I played MegaMan on the NES I knew it was something special. I just couldn't get enough. As the games came out, I sought them out and cherished them. The hours of patterns to be learned, figuring out which weapon for which boss, all fantastic memories. I've made pilgramages to Akihabara in Japan just to get the import only RockMan titles. I can't understand the dialogue, but that hasn't stopped me from playing the heck out of RockMan Super Adventure. As the generations passed and the graphics improved I've watched MegaMan grow and prosper, and I definately love the smooth animation and awesome design of our 32 bit renditions of the characters. (The arcade game especially).

But there was always that soft spot in my heart for the little blue guy with the blinking eyes. Of all the games in the series, I've played the 8-bit ones the most. When CAPCOM announced that there would be a new MegaMan 9 I was beside myself with joy! I saw the Tshirt design and was stunned! When I found out it was gonna be 8-bit, I actually cried a little. What a beautiful tribute to the series and to what made it great!

The only sad part was that I wouldn't be able to have it on the shelf with all the other games. I off handedly said to my wife just after the announcement, "Man, I wish I could just get an old Nes style game box with that cover art to keep on the shelf".

Then CAPCOM Blew our MINDS!!!

The retail pack! Words can't express what this little box means to fans like myslef. I'm 31 now, but I grew up with the NES, and most specifically with MegaMan. This little box represents something so much more than just a cool giveaway. It's a way to really make MegaMan 9 a part of the collection, a physical manifestation of all the nostalgia and joy that this game is bringing to those of us who have been here since the beginning.

There aren't going to be many of them. I'll do my best to try to get one. If I do get one, it will be one of the greatest days of my life.

Thank you CAPCOM, Thank you John, and Thank you to all the fans for keeping the Blue Bomber going.