2. Mega Man 9 (2008)
When Capcom announced the first true Mega Man sequel in almost a decade, the interest of the gaming community was piqued. But, it was the news that the series would return to its 8-bit style that sent fans into a frenzy. This return to form ended up creating the second best game in the whole series. This game had no right being this incredibly well-crafted. The level designs were both gorgeous and challenging, the robot masters were an eclectic mix that felt wholly original (including the first female robot master! Progressive!) and the story was a wonderful twist: Dr. Light being portrayed as the villain was a great backdrop, and seeing the big "Dr. L" logos before each boss room was a cool take on a familiar image. But among all things, Mega Man 9 does one thing so perfectly: the music. The tracks in this game are among some of the best ever composed for the entire series. Knowing that the music was one of the most beloved things about the franchise, Capcom really gave 110% in this arena and it shines. I could listen to these tracks all day and never get bored. Mega Man 9 is one of the best games released in the past few years, and it shows that old school gaming can still be done in new and inventive ways without kowtowing to most modern conventions. A true gem in the series and maybe even the last truly great Mega Man game.