CASEOTN - Mega Man: Dual Override is here. Capcom's classic franchise has been on hiatus since 2018; its last release, Mega Man 11, came out over eight years ago. For fans of the "Blue Bomber," it seems the long wait has been worth it.

CBR recently attended a preview event for Mega Man: Dual Override and got hands-on time with the latest build. We had the opportunity to play through three levels over the course of about an hour.

Dual Override aims to be a triumphant return for the Blue Bomber, bringing this iconic classic into the modern era.

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Mega Man: Dual Override balances the modern with the retro

Many players were unconvinced by the initial announcement, as it appeared Mega Man hadn't changed at all. Although it is a 3D game, it moves away from the Mega Man Legends formula and belongs to a different genre.

Mega Man: Dual Override features a refreshed style while also delivering exceptional gameplay. The modern touches are subtle yet impactful.

Beautiful 3D backgrounds blend seamlessly with 2D elements, creating a stunning visual experience on the PlayStation 5 Pro. The 2.5D style preserves the essence of standard Mega Man games.

The controls remain largely the same, though some movements feel a bit "floaty." Even so, Mega Man is responsive, despite the jumping feeling slightly imprecise at times. Of course, this is a minor detail that Capcom can tweak before launch.

New mechanics add variety for new players

At the start of a level, players can equip various chips as they progress. While the chip system existed in previous Mega Man titles, it is streamlined in Dual Override. During our demo, we had three support chip options to choose from.

For players worried about taking damage, Dual Override offers a great alternative: it allows Mega Man to temporarily gain a shield capable of blocking enemy fire. It is also an ideal choice for players looking to optimize their attacks, as it grants the weapon a temporary dual-charge capability—especially useful during boss battles.

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If you prefer a more classic experience, playing without support chips offers a greater challenge. The game also features a mechanic called "Override."

When Mega Man takes enough damage, players can activate Override to temporarily boost his strength and speed. However, there is a catch: after activating Dual Override, Mega Man becomes slower and more vulnerable to damage.

Once Dual Override is activated, the mode remains engaged permanently.

At the end of each level, players face a boss, and fortunately, these final encounters are highly entertaining. The first boss, Big Press Don, is relatively easy, but the second battle presents a significant challenge. The new version of Astro Man proves to be more than up to the task.

This is undoubtedly the hardest of the three short levels, as Astro Man R deals heavy damage. The tricky part is avoiding hits from the two spheres floating around Astro Man R. He is also fast—a factor players must keep firmly in mind.

Simply dodging isn't enough, as Astro Man R will capitalize on any movement to attack you. This battle took up the bulk of my playtime, but the satisfaction of defeating him left me thrilled.

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The final boss, Twinkle Girl, provided the perfect conclusion to the demo: she is tough, yet not overly difficult.

The only annoyance is that her expanding fireworks can easily damage Mega Man. The most effective strategy is to exploit her rapid attacks; a swift, direct offensive allows you to defeat her quickly.

It’s a fantastic way to wrap up the demo, leaving me more excited than ever about Mega Man. Mega Man: Dual Override is set to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.