Prerelease:Mega Man 5

This page details pre-release information and/or media for Mega Man 5.

Promotional Video

In 2017, footage of a work-in-progress version of Rockman 5 was found on an old VHS tape.

To do: Replace the Crystal Man screenshots/maps from the final version since they use the wrong palette and resolution.

Stage Select

Pre-release	Final

The stage select screen is incomplete, having question marks in place of the boss pictures.

Interestingly, the dropshadow in each question mark uses the palette of the respective mugshot.

Stages

Gravity Man

Pre-release	Final

Different enemy placement in this area, and the small Life Energy is gone.

Pre-release	Final

The Energy Tank was replaced by an Extra Life.

Wave Man

Pre-release	Final

In the top area a steam hazard appeared in place of the last iron ball, the Life Energy is absent, and the 1UP and enemy/hazard are in the central screen instead of the bottom, having a red B Bitter instead of steam. In the final release B Bitters are absent in Wave Man's stage, and they only appear with green and orange colors. The central area was modified, and a tube now prevents Mega Man from taking the 1UP in the lower part if he took the wrong path.

The last area with bubbles is a single screen in the final release. In the prototype it lacks the screen transition to the beginning of the marine bike area, sharing the same area.

The last three enemies (two Irucans and one V) before the sub-boss are absent in this build.

Octoper OA, the sub-boss from Wave Man's stage, had a tentacle that rises up-and-down with Octoper OA, slightly narrowing the play field of the battle and adding another obstacle to hurt the player. While removed from the final release, the tentacle graphic remains hidden in the final game.

Gyro Man

Pre-release	Final

The K (the first A outside Japan) Plate from Gyro Man's stage was hidden in a falling block, and could be taken by stepping on the block. It was changed to be below a block in the final version. Also, the plates are smaller at this point.

Pre-release	Final

The elevator cables were different.

Stone Man

Pre-release	Final

The M Tank appeared in the room of the C (G outside Japan) Plate...

Pre-release	Final

...and the C Plate appeared in the M Tank room.

Pre-release	Final

Different enemy placement in this area.

Pre-release	Final

One extra Turban was included after the Rock Thrown. Some action took place in the beginning of the area before being shown, so it's unknown if enemy placement was different before the Rock Thrown.

The Lyric enemies are absent in this area. The first Lyric after Eddie is also absent.

Pre-release	Final

The Metall Mommy's babies walk instead of doing small jumps, one walking back and forth from its spawn point and two running away in opposite directions.

Charge Man

Pre-release	Final

Different enemy placement in this area.

Napalm Man

Pre-release	Final

The terrain elevation in this area was slightly changed.

Pre-release	Final

The background in the underground area was altered slightly, and two enemies were placed a bit further ahead.

Crystal Man

The first enemies to appear in Crystal Man's stage were Camons instead of a Pukapuckers.

Pre-release	Final

The first area with falling crystals was different.

Pre-release	Final

Falling crystals and pits were added to this area. It also had a few changes in the background and terrain.

Protoman's Castle

Pre-release	Final

The ladder's position is different, and the enemies are absent (assuming they weren't defeated before).

Weapons

Charge Kick and New Rush Coil appear to be identical to the final release.

When using Star Crash, Mega Man fired a single star from his Mega Buster that rotated around him and moved in the direction of the closest enemy. It's unknown if it goes after enemies by pressing the fire button again, after some time, or when it detects a nearby enemy. In the final version, Mega Man creates three stars without using his buster, and the stars are thrown forward by pressing the fire button again.

Gravity Hold acted similar to Mega Man 4's Flash Stopper. It darkens the screen and "holds" enemies in place, allowing Mega Man to shoot stopped enemies with his buster. In the final version it creates a flash that damages and temporarily stops enemies by increasing their gravity, launching them upwards and off the screen if defeated by the weapon.

Gyro Attack could change directions multiple times, following the directional buttons pressed by the player. It also appeared to be able to move diagonally. In the final version it moves straight ahead and changes direction only once, either up or down.

Consumer Software Group 1992

A video from Consumer Software Group 1992 shows an early version of the game, which shows similarities to the preview video from above.

Gravity Man's Stage

Pre-release	Final

In the preview version, a Power Muscler can be found instead of two B Bitter.

Pre-release	Final

• The layout slightly differs.
• In the preview version the B Bitter can only be seen when Mega Man is near them. In other words, the player could only hit them when close to them.

Stone Man's Stage

Pre-release	Final

• The background have some extra detailing in the final version. A different version of those tiles can be found in the stage's graphics bank, un-used.
• The small Mettool enemies show the same behavior as in the above promo video, walking along the ground rather than jumping around, but they also show the ability to jump up to a higher platform.

Pre-release	Final

• The layout of this area differs slightly.
• The mountains in the background differ slightly.

Protoman's Castle Stage 4

Pre-release	Final

Pre-release	Final

Both screens show golden platform graphics not present in the final version. Although it was unused, this platform can still be found in the stage's graphics bank.

EGM Previews

Issue #039

A preview of the game found in Electronic Gaming Monthly # 39 showing concept art of four Robot Masters and some screenshots. The magazine came out in October 1992, this pre-release version of the game would be an earlier version than the other one shown on this page:

Gyro Man's Stage

Pre-release	Final

The palette of the Kouker Q differs from the final version.

Stone Man's Stage

Pre-release	Final

The layout slightly differs from the final version. In the pre-release version, the background could block Mega Man's jump on the left when coming out of the ladder.

Gravity Man's Stage

Pre-release	Final

The placement of the Nobita differs from the final version and from the other pre-release version shown on this page. The Suzy G are missing also, and considering the placement of the other enemies, it's unlikely that the bottom right Suzy G from the final version was destroyed before taking the screenshot for the pre-release version.

Pre-release	Final

There are two Graviton. In the final version there is one Graviton and one Suzy G. The placement of the Graviton differs also.

Issue #040

A preview of the game found in Electronic Gaming Monthly # 40, from November 1992:

It seems to be the same version as shown in the promotional video above on this page.