10 Video Games That Let You Steal Your Enemies' Powers
3. Get Weapon - Mega Man
Along with Kirby, Megan Man is one of the oldest game series to utilize power-stealing as one of its core mechanics.
Starting with the original Mega Man for the NES, the games have always featured a roster of bosses with individual gimmicks and powers that Mega Man could learn after defeating them.
Each power Mega Man takes from his enemies has unique mechanics and damage types that other bosses are either resistant to or vulnerable to. Because of this, unlocking new powers doesn't just let you have fun with a new weapon. It also impacts how you progress through the game. You can choose to follow the chain of vulnerabilities, going after bosses based on which powers they're weak against, or make things more challenging and try to defeat bosses that are resistant to your stolen abilities.
The first three games, especially, are a great example of this complex game of rock, paper, scissors that makes Mega Man's progression system feel so free and open-ended.
You get to choose which powers Mega Man can gain first, and the only thing standing between you and the weapon in question is one of Dr. Wily's unfortunate goons.