Ok, this may seem like a silly topic, but hearing some additional opinions may prove helpful.

I'm currently whipping a review up for the Rockman Powered-Up/Maverick Hunter X promo disc that came out a few months ago, and before I started tackling Powered-Up's take on music I explained my stance on the original version.

There are some classic themes to be had, no doubt, but am I the only one who sees this soundtrack (and the game itself) more as a step in evolution than a series calling card? Also, is it just me, but is CutMan's theme really an anomaly? It's uber-happy (which is probably why it's my favorite of the bunch) for a score that is somewhat dark and moody and nowhere as carefree as some of those that followed. There are other hints of quirkiness in themes like Guts, Bomb and Ice Man but the difference is very stark.

Anyway, what do you think of this soundtrack in general?

I'll agree, the first game seemed like more of an experiment than anything, and I think the original print run was limited too; I remember ordering away for a used copy, and all we could get was the cartridge.

Cutman's stage theme, I always thought sounded pretty action-packed. Now Bomb Man's stage theme, I thought THAT was really perky, especially for a stage for a guy that likes to blow shit up. Elec Man's stage theme, I also think is inappropriately perky, too.

Guts Man and Fire Man, I always thought were appropriately dark, and Ice Man's theme was where it needed to be.

Stark? What does Iron Man have to do with this? Is he Mega Man's cousin or something?

I don't find it as memorable as other soundtracks in the series.

I remember the original Megaman being extremely difficult to find in my area, but when my friend got it, we had already experienced MM2 and had just as much fun playing through MM1. Little things annoyed me, but it was still a blast and the fact that it was a lot harder than MM2 was something I both hated and appreciated at the time (best remembered: the "marathon run" in the final part of Dr. Wily's stage, past the robot masters, then Wily himself). As far as games released in that time period, it would have probably easily been one of the best NES games available.

Despite the brevity of the track times, I think the soundtrack succeeds far better than a lot of entries in overall memorability and is still one of the best NES scores out there. I mean, I dig MM5, but outside of Chargeman and Mr. X's stages, that whole soundtrack is still a blur in my mind. Ditto for MM6. Ditto for MM9. MM1...damn, I see those robot masters, I hear their themes in my head. It also doesn't hurt that I played the hell out of the first Gameboy Megaman (featuring GB remixes of the score) and remember a lot of the Megaman 1 score re-arranged as background music in Captain N.

I honestly think Megaman 1 had the most forgettable music in the entire history of what I've experienced in the Megaman universe. To this day, I can recall the stage themes for almost every robot master from every title since Megaman 2 and up, but I just don't remember anything from Megaman 1, even when I listen to it on Youtube or something.

These feelings extend to the game as well. Megaman 1 might be the only MM title I actually didn't like at all, in any way, shape or form.

Yeah, I have to give the GB remix score a thumbs up. Cut Man and Fire Man simply rule on that.

MMII, III, and V are the ones that really stuck in my mind.

VI and VII (SNES) were REALLY damn forgettable, and I never even played VIII (PSX).

MMIX, if only for Concrete Man, Jewel Man, and Hornet Man; "Jewel Temptation" is just crazy sexy cool, with that synthesized sax in there.

I thought VI had a glorious soundtrack. Didn't care for VII's at all. I loved VIII's music, but I'll agree that no particular track sticks out in my mind.

I actually like a lot of tracks from VI as well: Plant Man! Mr. X! (especially the up-beat complete works version)

I don't think VII has too many tracks that I can flat out say I love - the closest being the opening stage theme which was actually neutered on the OST - but I think it's a soundtrack that works better as a whole. 7's an evil game however.

Mega Man 8 I'll take FrostMan anyday of the week, but there are some things in there - like the final wily battle themes - I can totally leave behind.

Am I the only blasphemer here who loves VII, soundtrack and all?

To be honest, it's not that I don't like VII, but there are several things about it that drive me nuts. Like Wily's Last form - uh, Capcom, that was a bit much, and when you crack jokes about it in the recently released artbook, you're not going to gain any points we me. Also, this is the point where the robot masters became much larger than Mega Man, which isn't a bad thing but a tad peculiar since they started out the same size as Mega Man - the X series never tried to adhere to such a unwritten rule and is better for it (even though they to got carried away with lame-ass Mavericks like Rainy Turtloid from X6.)

Additionally, Capcom has no one but themselves to blame for another thing: how cutesy the damn series became. Mega Man didn't start taking on a kiddy tone until the graphical schemes used in VII and VIII allowed them to. This is a rather moot point given Mega Man Powered Up does the same thing and turns the vibes the original game on its head (not that I'm big on the first game) but with Keiji Inafune professing that that's how he envisioned the game to look to begin with, I'm glad the NES restricted them graphically. Still, this is another moot point because I’d take cutesy over the overdone doom and gloom of the Zero series. I think the X series had the best balance of seriousness.

No sir, you are not.
I think VII is one of the best in the series, and I know from his comments that SonicPanda does too.

I remember renting MMVII so many times and basking in the gorgeous 16-bit graphics back in the day. I liked the first couple X games, but as the classic series was my bread and water for practically years, seeing it updated was cause for celebration. And I totally adored the soundtrack. It was one of the only SNES games I taped practically the entire lot of themes to listen to (Burstman and Springman being longtime favorites). The only thing I dislike? Those damn heat pillars in the second part of Dr. Wily's level.

Yet again, no love for MM4.  Am disappoint.

Am keep forget to mention MM4.

My take on MM4 is that it's so consistant, it's boring to mention. As is, it's probably my 3rd favorite of the classic series (behind 7 and 2, respectively). I think initially (back in my youth!) there were some things that had to grow on me (Ringman, Toadman and Drillman) moreso than what I got in 2 (and later 7). But if I had to pick a 10 from the series, Pharoahman would easily be in and Skullman and Dr. Wily's Final Area would be contenders as well.

Just for the hell of it, my order goes: 7, 2, 4, 3, 5, 9, 1, 6, 8, Megaman and Bass (and wedge Megaman Battle and Chase between 3 and 5 if we're counting that). For all intents and purposes though, the drop from A+ status doesn't start until 8 (which is fine ingame, but outside...eh).

Are you talking about the games, or their respective soundtracks?

Him saying "the drop from A+ status doesn't start until 8 (which is fine ingame, but outside...eh)" is probably a reference to music - I don't know what else can be "fine" outside a game. I don't think it's the memories of said games.

Plus, I think I remember GX liking the Battle and Chase soundtrack a lot, we never got the game in the US when it originally came out (even though ads did run for it over here) so I'd think outside the MM Anniversary Edition most people's experience with it is quite low.

Actually MM4 is pretty much my number 1 favorite (as a game).
In soundtrack terms it comes only after 2 and 3.