Mega Man 7

This page details pre-release information and/or media for Mega Man 7.

Thanks to "bad timing" on the developer's part, development started in late 1994 and ended in early 1995, lasting three months total.

External Developer Conundrum#

It's mentioned by several developers that due to the short development span, Capcom ended up getting help from an external development studio; although never confirmed, it's generally believed to be Minakuchi Engineering, who developed the Game Boy installments (minus II), The Wily Wars, and X3.

If true, it would make 7 one of the last games developed by Minakuchi (alongside X3). It's unknown what happened to the company afterwards.

Shoshinkai 1994 Build#

The game was revealed at Shoshinkai 1994 in Japan, however the only known screenshot from this build comes from the January 1995 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, showcasing Slash Man's stage. Notably, it seems to predate the Sample version, which has Slash Man's stage normally playable.

Shoshinkai 1994	Sample / Final

Aside from different enemies, the early image shows off more complex plant designs and lacks the warning signs. A small part on the left was raised for the final.

Promotional Video#

Watch on YouTubeThis promotional video shows a prototype of Rockman 7, in a later stage of development than what is seen in the prototype sample.

Gameplay Differences:

• The title screen is very similar to the one seen in prototype! However, the small text that says Sample is missing.

Intro Stage

• The stage layout is practically the same as seen in the final version. However, the Auto cutscene has not yet been implemented, similar to what is seen in the prototype.
• Some Gobots are present in the stage, again similar to the prototype.

Cloud Man Stage

• The windmills in this stage are still in the same pattern seen in the prototype.

Sprites Differences

• Gobots still uses the sprites seen in the prototype
• Trash Magnet is much more similar in appearance to the final version, however, here it has eyes, similar to the version seen in the prototype.

Prototype	Promotional	Final