This week, educational toy company Artec announced that they are working together with Capcom to create Make Rockman, a programming teaching tool that can be used by Japanese children to create their own Mega Buster-shaped game controllers, based on the Mega Man/Rockman series. Beginning on September 7, 2020, the toy will become available for pre-order. (Thanks, Hobby Watch!)
While the toy itself looks pretty different from what you might expect for a Mega Buster, once built, it has full controller capabilities. Capcom is also going to offer a free downloadable learning program that uses sprites and music from the classic Mega Man series, which will allow children to learn how to program Mega Man to move, shoot pellets, and more.
Here’s a look at the Make Rockman manual, teaching the step-by-step process of how children can program Mega Man to move and shoot:
By the end, children will be able to create a stage based on Air Man’s stage from Mega Man 2, and from the key visual artwork it seems that Air Man himself will be programmable as a boss in the stage.
Finally, here’s a look at the controller in action:
◌ ◌ ◌🔵ロックマン×プログラミング🔵◌ ◌ ◌
『メイクロックマン』の商品紹介動画を公開しました！
予約販売開始まで【残り1日】です！
※【9/7(月)11:00～】以下のサイトで予約購入することが可能です。#メイクロックマンhttps://t.co/I8MUrtmlJF pic.twitter.com/wg5WGdPWRM— 株式会社Artec（アーテック）【公式】 (@Artec11142635) September 6, 2020
Make Rockman will begin pre-orders on September 7, 2020 at 11am JST. A release date has yet to be announced.
