August 1990

This is a sub-page of Prerelease:Mega Man 3 (NES).

Japan Version#

August 17th 1990#

As seen in the magazine "Famicom Strategy Guide No. 101 (August 17th & September 3rd, 1990 combined issue)", on pages 41 to 42, it is possible to find photos of a prototype of Rockman 3! And despite being later in development, it still has some differences seen in the July version.

General Differences#

Title Screen

Game-TV	Famicom Strategy Guide No. 101	Final

• The "PASSWORD" option has not yet been implemented, nor has the cursor.

Password Screen

Famicom Strategy Guide No. 101	Final

• The block where you would select the red or blue ball is not present here.
• In the block where it should say "END", there is nothing written here.

Order of Levels

Famicom Strategy Guide No. 101	Final

• Interestingly, the magazine doesn't mention the Robotmasters' names in their respective stages. Instead, it's referred to as STAGE, which goes from A to H. This likely refers to what's seen in the July version. However, it's noticeable that Spark Man and Magnet Man's stages are swapped in order!

Weapons

Shadow Blade

Family Computer Magazine No. 15	Final

Famicom Strategy Guide No. 101	Final

• In this version, when firing with the Shadow Blade, Mega Man uses his Buster firing animation; this was changed in the final version to make more sense.

Rush Marine

Famicom Strategy Guide No. 101

• Apparently, in this version it was possible to ride the Rush Marine without having water nearby, something that is impossible to do in the final version.

Level Changes#

Hard Man's Stage

Famicom Strategy Guide No. 101	Final

• All the green pipes are in the same position.

Gemini Man's Stage

Famicom Strategy Guide No. 101	Final

• Just like in the Famitsu version, the mystery box is not present, and there are also two Pole eggs in the mystery box area instead of its stones as in the final version.

USA Version#

Sometime in August 1990#

Found in the magazine called "Electronic Gaming Monthly, Issue 13" from August 1990, on page 49, is a preview with a photo of an early prototype of Mega Man 3, with some interesting differences!

Title Screen#

Electronic Gaming Monthly, Issue 13	Final

• The shadow of III is missing.
• The cursor is blue instead of red.
• Notably, the options say "STAGE SELECT" instead of "GAME START", likely reusing the same text that appears on the password screen.

Select Stage#

Electronic Gaming Monthly, Issue 13	Final

• As seen in Family Computer Preview, it says "PRESS START" instead of "PUSH START".
• Interestingly, Spark Man and Magnet Man have switched places here!
• The background colors are reversed.

Nintendo Games Secrets#

It's worth noting that another magazine called "Nintendo Games Secrets" on page 338 and 339, has photos of the same (or similar) build as the one seen in "Electronic Gaming Monthly, Issue 13".

Top Man's Stage#

Nintendo Games Secrets	Final

• The glass platform was a little shorter.