9. Mega Man 10 (2010)
Mega Man 10's greatest failing could probably be having to follow the alarmingly astounding Mega Man 9, but that's something that feels present in the game itself. It feels like a rushed endeavor in order to capitalize on the previous game's runaway success (critically and financially), and the game suffers for it. The level design is lazy (Nitro Man's in particular stands out) and for maybe the first time in a Mega Man game, the story feels over-stuffed and unimportant. There are a couple choice music tracks, but the overall impression is pretty underwhelming. Same with the robot masters: a few inspired choices (Solar Man being my favorite) but mostly derivative and uninteresting (Sheep Man? And his stage is inside a computer? And he's an electric boss? This has to be some bizarre Phillip K. Dick reference, right?). Even though Mega Man 10 gives the option to play as Proto-Man (and Bass, available through DLC. *snarl*), the game doesn't have anything else that elevates it above its predecessor or even some of the easier games in the series. A missed opportunity, and a serious disappointment for the tenth entry in a such a storied series.