Mega Man 4 (lost prototype builds of Famicom/NES game; 1991)

Cover art for the Japanese version.

Status: Lost

Mega Man 4 is the fourth installment of Capcom's Mega Man series which follows Mega Man going up against a new villain "Dr. Cossack". The game released in Japan on December 6th, 1991 and overseas somewhere in 1992. The game had numerous prototype builds showcased within 1991 leading up to the release in December.

The earliest prototype had been shown off in the Tokyo Toy Show in May of that year, showing off many differences including an unfinished stage select screen. The gaming magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly's 25th issue, showcasing screenshots of the Tokyo Toy show build without much visible progress. Consumer Software Group had shown gameplay in it's Autumn-Winter edition as well, showing that the game had progressed further than the Tokyo Toy Show build. Weekly Famitsu Magazine issue No. 151 had shown an advertisement for the game, showing only 2 screenshots that differ slightly from the final release. In it's 153rd issue, the game is covered in more detail, with it's build likely being the same as 2 issues earlier. Just before release, Capcom had made a promotional video showcasing the game, which had very minor differences.

Differences Between the Prototype and Final Game

In the Tokyo Toy Show build, we can see that the stage select screen was unfinished at that point, not showing any portrait icons for any of the bosses nor any of their names. Bright Man's stage was shown to have different enemy placements as well as different graphics for the background. Many other stages had shown different graphics and layout differences as well, most notable being Ring Man's stage. The footage had also shown off a sphinx-themed mini-boss in Pharaoh Man's stage, something that many prototype builds showed off but did not appear in the final game.

In the Consumer Software Group footage, Bright Man's stage has more visible progress closer to the final build, albeit with some missing enemies. Skull Man's stage appears to have different cloud graphics as well as different graphics for a cannon-like enemy. The only other notable difference in this build is that Toad Man's stage lacks rain, whether the physics were implemented or not is currently unknown.

In the Famitsu magazine article, the game was shown to be very near to it's final build, with only a few minor differences in the level designs. Some enemy placements are different, as well as very minor background elements.

In the Capcom Promotional Video, the game appears to be the closest to it's final build, with very little differences, mainly graphical. Most notable graphical difference is the screen that shows Dr. Wily's fortress, which had been completely redrawn in the final build.

Status

Currently, none of the prototype builds have surfaced online.

Gallery

Early screenshot of Bright Man's stage.
The Sphinx boss that was cut from Pharaoh Man's stage shown in the Tokyo Toy Show footage.
Early screenshot of Ring Man's stage, showing off different background graphics.
Magazine scan of Electronic Gaming Monthly Issue no. 25, dated August 1991.