Mega Man's 40th anniversary in 2027 will be celebrated with a new mainline entry, Mega Man: Dual Override. A hands-on preview at Tokyo Game Show 2026 revealed a traditional 2D shooter/platformer with modern twists, focusing this time on playing as Proto Man.
Proto Man's gameplay diverges significantly from his blue counterpart. His Proto Buster's shots have a shorter range but deal substantial damage, and his charge shot unleashes a semi-circular slash rather than a projectile. The Proto Buster also builds heat, requiring players to manage its temperature to avoid attack interference, though it dissipates over time or can be manually vented. This aggressive, close-quarters playstyle necessitates precise timing to overcome the robotic enemies.
The demo featured Proto Man navigating distinct stages of increasing difficulty. The initial area, themed around a Robot World's Fair, presented a vibrant visual palette. Proto Man's journey through this segment included combat against turrets and platforming over hazards, culminating in a boss fight against Big Press Don, which was overcome using classic Mega Man slide maneuvers.
Defeating bosses rewards players with Bolts, which can be used in Dr. Light's lab to unlock Custom Chips that enhance performance. While the preview didn't allow for extensive chip unlocking, it did feature a rapid-fire chip for Proto Man's gun, increasing his rate of fire significantly. Bolts are also hidden throughout the levels, encouraging exploration and providing a potential resource for players struggling with difficult encounters.
As the preview progressed to a behind-the-scenes area, Proto Man's unique abilities became more crucial. While lacking Mega Man's projectile range, Proto Man wields a powerful shield that can be thrown like a boomerang. This shield also proved invaluable for blocking incoming projectiles during challenging platforming sections over deadly pits. In addition to the shield throw, Proto Man's moveset in the demo included a leaping uppercut and a horizontal dive attack, both useful in combat and for reaching otherwise inaccessible items like hidden Bolts.
The game retains classic Mega Man scrolling screen design and introduces checkpoints, offering a compromise between old-school difficulty and modern accessibility. Lives are no longer limited, allowing players to restart at the most recent checkpoint as often as needed. One particularly demanding section involved platforming across ascending, exploding fireworks, requiring precise timing for both jumps and attacks, where Proto Man's wider charged shot proved advantageous.
The final confrontation with the Robot Master Twinkle Girl highlighted the strategic differences required when playing as Proto Man. His limited range necessitates staying close to the enemy for attacks, creating a tight operational window that demands careful positioning to avoid damage. A notable visual detail observed throughout the demo was the visible damage accumulating on both Proto Man and enemies as they sustained hits, adding a layer of tactile feedback.
Proto Man's override mode, activated during the fight with Twinkle Girl, provides a temporary power boost. This state, initiated by a flashy cutscene, allows for increased offensive capabilities but is followed by a brief period of diminished power. The preview concluded with Proto Man defeating Twinkle Girl just as the timer ran out, showcasing a dramatic finish.
Proto Man offers a gameplay experience that is distinct from Mega Man, rather than simply harder. Players will choose their character at the beginning of a playthrough and stick with them for the entire run, suggesting replayability to experience the game with both characters. Unlocking various chips and fully upgrading Proto Man's moveset remain points of interest leading up to Mega Man: Dual Override's launch in Spring 2027.