Mega Man’s rare Mega Drive release is coming to America in physical form for the first time

A rare Mega Man game only released physically for the Sega Mega Drive in Japan and Europe in the ’90s is being re-released, meaning American Sega Genesis owners will finally be able to play it on their own hardware.

Mega Man: The Wily Wars is a special remake compilation of the first three NES Mega Man games. Each game is given a graphical and musical overhaul, bringing it in line with other 16-bit games (similar to what Nintendo did with Super Mario All-Stars on the SNES).

The game was released in Japan and Europe in late 1994, but was never physically released in North America. Instead, it was added to the Sega Channel, a paid subscription service for the Sega Genesis that let players download games through their phone line.

The game was finally made available again to Americans when it was one of the 42 games included in the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis Mini.

Now Retro-Bit is re-releasing it as a multi-region cartridge that plays on Mega Drive and Genesis consoles, making it available in a physical cartridge in North America for the first time.

The re-release, which is officially licensed by Capcom, includes:

• the game in a blue sparkly cartridge
• an interchangeable outer cartridge sleeve
• a reversible game box
• a numbered certificate of authenticity
• a full colour instruction manual
• a set of lenticular cards
• a double sided 16″ x 12″ poster
• a set of nine collector’s cards
• a book of stickers

Pre-orders for the game, which is priced at $69.99 / €69,99, start on the Retro-Bit site today and will be open until June 21.