document_title: United States two-dollar bill

question_text: when was the last time a $2 bill was printed

question_tokens: when was the last time a $ 2 bill was printed

text: United States two-dollar bill

text: Denomination overview[edit]

text: The denomination of two dollars was authorized under a congressional act, and first used in March 1862.[2] The denomination was continuously used until the 1960s; by this time the United States Note was the only remaining class of U.S. currency the two-dollar bill was assigned to. In 1966 it was decided to discontinue production of all United States Notes, which included the two-dollar bill.[3] The two-dollar denomination was not immediately reassigned to the Federal Reserve Note class of United States currency and was thus fully discontinued; the Treasury Department cited the two-dollar bill's low use and unpopularity as the reason for not immediately resuming use of the denomination. In 1976, production of the two-dollar denomination was resumed and the two-dollar bill was finally assigned as a Federal Reserve Note, with a new reverse design featuring John Trumbull's depiction of the drafting of the United States Declaration of Independence replacing the previous design of Monticello. It has remained a current denomination since then.[4] It was estimated that if the two-dollar bill replaced approximately half of the one-dollar bills in circulation, the federal government would be able to save about $26 million in 1976 dollars ($112 million adjusted for inflation)[5] over the period from 1976 to 1981, due to reduced production, storage, and shipping costs.[6]

text: However, due to their limited use, two-dollar bills are not printed as frequently in a new series as other denominations, which are produced according to demand.[7] Some bill acceptors found in vending machines, self checkout lanes, transit systems and other automated kiosks are configured to accommodate two-dollar bills, even if the fact is not stated on the label.[8] Although they are generally available at most banks, two-dollar bills are usually not handed out except upon specific request by the customer, and may cause a delay with a trip to the vault.[9]

text: Rarity[edit]

text: Printing $2 bills is twice as cost-effective for the government as printing $1 bills, since they both cost the same amount (about $0.05) to make, but the public has not circulated them as widely.  During the Great Depression, few Americans had enough money to require $2 bills. In the middle of the 20th century, $2 bills were commonly used at strip clubs, for betting on horse racing, and for bribery when politicians wanted votes (though this may be an urban legend)[10] and so acquired a negative reputation. The unusual reverse design of the 1976 note contributed to hoarding and combined with the earlier discontinuation to give the impression these notes might be valuable as collector's items, above their face value.  The public at large continues to be unfamiliar with the notes because they are not being circulated widely.[11]

text: Today, there is a common misconception by the general public that the $2 bill is no longer being produced,[12] though bills have been printed with series of 1976, 1995, 2003, 2003A, 2009, and 2013.  A series changes when there is a redesign of the bill or changes in signatory; Secretary of the Treasury or Treasurer of the United States. The U.S. treasury reports that $1,549,052,714 worth of $2 bills were in circulation worldwide as of April 30, 2007.[12]

text: Things such as unusual serial numbers (example: A11111111A), and replacement notes designated by a star in the serial number can raise the collector value. "Collectible" two-dollar bills have been made and sold by coin dealers and others in recent years merely by adding colors and special graphics to regular issue bills by using computer printers. However, these bills are not authorized by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and are not worth anything more than face value on the collectors' market.[13]

text: Certain conventions and tourism/convention bureaus capitalize on the scarcity of $2 bills in circulation, encouraging convention attendees and tourists to spend $2 bills in order to illustrate to the host communities the economic impact that the conventions and tourism bring. Sometimes known as "SpendTom" campaigns, the $2 bills linger in the community as a constant reminder. Some campaigns encourage people to participate in a hunt for the bills in order to win prizes.[14]

text: History[edit]

text: Large-sized notes[edit]

text: (approximately 7.4218 × 3.125 in ≅ 189 × 79 mm)

text: In March 1862, the first $2 bill was issued as a Legal Tender Note (United States Note) with a portrait of Alexander Hamilton; the portrait of Hamilton used was a profile view and is not the same portrait used currently for the $10 bill. The continental congress based on defending the United States, released on June 25, 1776, began to authorize $2 credit, the circulation of 49,000 copies. Pass two-dollar bill was first used in March 1862. Between 1966 and 1976, two-dollar notes were not printed.

text: By 1869, the $2 United States Note was redesigned with the now familiar portrait of Thomas Jefferson to the left and a vignette of the United States Capitol in the center of the obverse. This note also featured green tinting on the top and left side of the obverse. Although this note is technically a United States Note, TREASURY NOTE appeared on it instead of UNITED STATES NOTE. The reverse was completely redesigned. This series was again revised in 1874; changes on the obverse included removing the green tinting, adding a red floral design around WASHINGTON D.C., and changing the term TREASURY NOTE to UNITED STATES NOTE. The 1874 design was also issued as Series of 1875 and 1878, and by 1880, the red floral design around WASHINGTON D.C. on the United States Note was removed and the serial numbers were changed to blue. This note with the red floral design was also issued as Series of 1917 but with red serial numbers by that time.[15]

text: National Bank Notes were issued in 1875 and feature a woman unfurling a flag and a big 2 (Lazy Duce) on the obverse. The reverse has the king of England smoking tobacco and an eagle with a shield.[16]

text: In 1886, the first $2 silver certificate with a portrait of United States Civil War General Winfield Scott Hancock on the left of the obverse was issued. This design continued until 1891 when a new $2 Silver Certificate was issued with a portrait of U.S. Treasury Secretary William Windom in the center of the obverse.[17]

text: Two-dollar Treasury, or "Coin", Notes were first issued for government purchases of silver bullion in 1890 from the silver mining industry. The reverse featured large wording of TWO in the center and a numeral 2 to the right surrounded by an ornate design that occupied almost the entire note. In 1891, the reverse of the Series of 1890 Treasury Note was redesigned because the treasury felt that it was too "busy", making it too easy to counterfeit. More open space was incorporated into the new design.[18]

text:
In 1896, the "Educational Series" Silver Certificate was issued. The entire obverse of the note was covered in artwork with an allegorical figure of science presenting steam and electricity to commerce and manufacture. The reverse of the note featured portraits of Robert Fulton and Samuel F. B. Morse surrounded by an ornate design that occupied almost the entire note.
By 1899, however, The $2 Silver Certificate was redesigned with a small portrait of George Washington surrounded by allegorical figures representing agriculture and mechanics.[19]

text: Large-sized Federal Reserve Bank Notes were issued in 1918. Each note was an obligation of the issuing Federal Reserve Bank and could only be redeemed at the corresponding bank. The obverse of the note featured a borderless portrait of Thomas Jefferson to left and wording in the entire center. The reverse featured a World War I battleship.[20]

text: Beginning in the 1950s, production of $2 bills began to decrease. The relative scarcity of the bills led some to start saving any they found, with the inevitable result that the notes became rarer in circulation. Currently, the circulation of $2 bills accounts for around 1% of the U.S. currency in circulation.

text: Small size notes[edit]

text: (6.14 × 2.61 in ≅ 156 × 66 mm)

text: In 1928, when all U.S. currency was changed to its current size, the $2 bill was issued only as a United States Note. The obverse featured a cropped version of Thomas Jefferson's portrait that had been on previous $2 bills. The reverse featured Jefferson's home, Monticello. The note's seal and serial numbers were red. The Series of 1928 $2 bill featured the treasury seal superimposed by the United States Note obligation to the left and a large gray TWO to the right.[21]

text: In 1953, the $2 bill received minor design changes analogous to the $5 United States Note. The treasury seal was made smaller and moved to the right side of the bill; it was superimposed over the gray word TWO. The United States Note obligation now became superimposed over a gray numeral 2. The reverse remained unchanged.[22]

text:
The final change to $2 United States Notes came in 1963 when the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse over the Monticello.[23]
Further, because dollar bills were soon to be no longer redeemable in silver, WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND was removed from the obverse. Two-dollar bills, along with $5 and $100 United States Notes, were officially discontinued in August 1966, although they all remain legal tender.

text: On April 13, 1976, the Treasury Department reintroduced the $2 bill as a cost-saving measure.[24] Series 1976 $2 bills were redesigned and issued as a Federal Reserve Note. The obverse design remains basically unchanged since 1928 and features the same portrait of Jefferson. A green treasury seal and serial numbers replace the red used on the previous United States Notes. Since the reissue of the bill coincided with the United States Bicentennial, it was decided to use a bicentennial-themed design on the reverse, though the bill was not issued specifically because of the bicenntenial. An engraved rendition (not an exact reproduction) of John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence replaced Monticello on the reverse. First-day issues of the new $2 bills could be taken to a post office and stamped with the date "APR 13 1976". In all, 590,720,000 notes from Series 1976 were printed.

text: Currently, stamped series 1976 $2 bills typically trade for about twice their face value. If the bills were stamped in a city with an unusual name, the value may be slightly higher. However, no first-day-issued 1976 $2 bills with stamps are especially rare or valuable.

text: Despite their age, crisp, uncirculated series 1976 $2 bills are not uncommon and are not particularly valuable. More than half a billion of these notes were printed and a large amount were saved and hoarded upon their original issue. A typical single uncirculated 1976 $2 bill is worth only slightly above face value. If the note is circulated, then it is only worth its $2 face value.

text: In 1996 and 1997, 153,600,000 bills were printed[25] as Series 1995 for the Federal Reserve District of Atlanta. In 2004, 121,600,000 of the Series 2003 bills were printed for the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank. An issue of Series 2003A $2 bills was printed from July to September 2006 for all twelve Federal Reserve Banks. In all, 220,800,000 notes were printed.[26]

text: In February 2012, the B.E.P. printed 512,000 Series 2009 $2 Star Notes, in anticipation of more regular runs being printed later in 2012. Series 2009 $2 bills were issued to banks during the summer of 2012.[27][28]

text: In November 2013, the B.E.P. began printing series 2013 $2 bills for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; these notes entered circulation in early 2014. A total of 44,800,000 notes were ordered for fiscal year 2014, which ran from October 2013 through September 2014.[29]

text: Series dates[edit]

text: Large size[edit]

text:
Type

Series

Registerα

Treasurerα

Sealα

Notes

Legal Tender Note
1862
Lucius E. Chittenden
F.E. Spinner
Small Red w/rays
Also called a "Greenback".

Legal Tender Note
1869
John Allison
F.E. Spinner
Large Red
Nicknamed: "Rainbow Note" from its red, white, and blue colors.[30]

Legal Tender Note
1874
John Allison
F.E. Spinner
Small Red w/rays

Legal Tender Note
1875
John Allison
New & Wyman
Small Red w/rays

Legal Tender Note
1878
Allison & Scofield
James Gilfillan
Small Red w/rays
Scofield/Gilfillan combo is scarce

Legal Tender Note
1880
Scofield, Bruce, Rosecrans, and Tillman
Gilfillan, Wyman, Huston, Nebeker, and Morgan
Large Brown/RedSmall Red scalloped

Legal Tender Note
1917
Teehee, Elliott, and Speelman
John Burke & White
Small Red scalloped

National Bank Note
Original
Colby, Jeffries, and Allison
F.E. Spinner
Small Red w/rays
Jeffries/Spinner combo is very rare

National Bank Note
1875
Allison & Scofield
New, Wyman, and Gilfillan
Small Red scalloped
Nicknamed: "Lazy Deuce" along with the original series from the position of the "2" on the note.[31]

Silver Certificate
1886
William S. Rosecrans
Jordan, Hyatt, and Huston
Large Brown/RedSmall Red scalloped

Silver Certificate

1891

William S. Rosecrans

Benjamin Harrison

Large Red

Silver Certificate
1891
Rosecrans & Tillman
Nebecker & Morgan
Small Red scalloped

Silver Certificate
1896
Tillman & Bruce
Morgan & Roberts
Small Red w/rays
Part of the "Educational Series".

Silver Certificate
1899
Lyons, Vernon, Napier, Parker, Teehee, Elliott, and Speelman
Roberts, Treat, McClung,Thompson, Burke, and White
Blue

Treasury Note
1890
William S. Rosecrans

Huston & Nebecker
Large Brown & Small Red scalloped

Treasury Note

1890

William S. Rosecrans

Benjamin Harrison

Large Red

Treasury Note
1891
Rosecrans, Tillman, and Bruce
Nebecker, Morgan, and Roberts
Small Red scalloped

Federal Reserve Bank Note
1918
Teehee & Elliott
John Burke
Blue
Nicknamed: "Battleship note" from the reverse design.[32]

text: Small size[edit]

text:
Type

Series

Treasurerα

Secretaryα

Seal

Legal Tender Note

1928, 1928-A to G

Tate, Woods, Julian,Clark
Mellon, Mills, Morgenthau,Vinson, Snyder
Red

Legal Tender Note

1953, 1953-A to C

Priest, Smith, Granahan
Humphrey, Anderson, Dillon
Red

Legal Tender Note

1963, 1963-A

Kathryn E. Granahan
Dillon & Fowler
Red

Federal Reserve Note

1976

Francine I. Neff
William E. Simon
Green

Federal Reserve Note

1995

Mary Ellen Withrow
Robert E. Rubin
Green

Federal Reserve Note

2003

Rosario Marin
John W. Snow
Green

Federal Reserve Note

2003-A

Anna Escobedo Cabral
John W. Snow
Green

Federal Reserve Note

2009

Rosa Gumataotao Rios
Timothy F. Geithner
Green

Federal Reserve Note

2013

Rosa Gumataotao Rios
Jack Lew
Green

text: Visual snapshot[edit]

text: A chronological display of the American two-dollar bill.

text: Usage[edit]

text: Over five million $2 bills are entered into the database of the American currency-tracking website Where's George?.[34] Because $2 bills are uncommon in daily use, their use can make a particular group of spenders visible. A documented case of using two-dollar bills to send a message to a community is the case of Geneva Steel and the communities in the surrounding Utah County. In 1989, Geneva Steel paid its employee bonuses in $2 bills. When the bills began to appear in different places, people recognized the importance of the company to the local economy.[35]

text: Use of the two-dollar bill is also being suggested by some gun rights activists to show support for Second Amendment rights, particularly at stores that allow open carry or concealed carry of weapons on their premises.[36][37] Two-dollar notes have also seen increased usage in situations where tipping is encouraged, especially in gentlemen's clubs. This is due to the idea that tips will increase because of the ease of use of a single, higher-denomination bill as the lowest common note in use.[38]

text: The use of the two-dollar bill is popular among fans and alumni of Clemson University, who often bring notes with them when traveling to university athletic events in other localities as a demonstration of their economic impact in an area. The idea was first popularized in 1977 when Georgia Tech had threatened no longer to play the Tigers in football and has since caught on as a token of fandom when traveling to other locations. Fans will often stamp an orange tiger paw (Clemson's logo) on the note as a sign of its origin.[39]

text: During the 1930s, the $2 bill was often used at East Coast horse race tracks to make a bet. Because of the German and Jewish influence, the bill was locally known in parts of New Jersey as a "zwei-buck", and the upper right corner "2" was sometimes torn off to increase the luck.[citation needed]

text: Incidents[edit]

text: The relative scarcity of the $2 bill in everyday circulation has led to confusion at points of sale, as well as overreaction and prosecution of the individual attempting to tender the bill.

text: In 2005, a man in Baltimore, Maryland, was jailed for attempting to use $2 bills to pay a car stereo installation fee that Best Buy originally agreed to waive in the first place.[40]

text: In 2016, a 13-year-old girl in Texas was detained by police at Fort Bend Independent School District's Christa McAuliffe Middle School and prevented from eating lunch that day for attempting to use a $2 bill to pay for chicken nuggets in the school cafeteria.[41][42]

text: Uncut currency sheets[edit]

text: Uncut currency sheets are available from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Some of the recent $2 uncut sheets from Series 1995 and Series 2003 have been collectibles as they come from special non-circulation printings. Most of the Series 1995 $2 uncut sheets had a higher suffix letter in the serial number than regular circulation $2 bills. Uncut $2 sheets from Series 2003 were printed for the Boston (A), New York (B), Atlanta (F), Chicago (G), Minneapolis (I), and Dallas (K) Federal Reserve districts despite the fact that notes from the Minneapolis district were the only ones released for circulation. Uncut sheets of Series 2003A have also been produced, although in this case circulating currency for all districts has also been made. All two-dollar bills beginning with Series 1995 have been printed in the BEP facility in Fort Worth, Texas, (indicated by "FW" preceding the face plate number on the obverse of the note).[26][43][44]

text:
Uncut sheets of $2 bills are available in various sizes. A 32-subject sheet, which is the original-size sheet on which the notes are printed, is available. Other sheet sizes available have been cut from the original 32-subject sheet. These include half (sixteen-note), quarter (eight-note), and eighth (four-note) sheets for $2 bills. Uncut sheets are sold for more than their respective face values.[45]
Uncut sheets of large size notes (issued before 1928) also exist, but are extremely rare.[46]

text: Steve Wozniak, a co-founder of Apple Inc., has been using $2 banknotes separated from four-bill uncut sheets (glued together into pads), to surprise merchants and waiters; also, because of the notes' unusual appearance, he has been interviewed by a Secret Service agent.[47][48]

text: It has become common and trendy for patrons of Wolfgang's Steakhouse located on Park Ave in Manhattan to leave a full sheet (or portion thereof) of $2 bills as a tip for service.[49]


document_title: Mega Man 2

question_text: which mega man installment for the nintendo entertainment center (nes) features quick man

question_tokens: which mega man installment for the nintendo entertainment center ( nes ) features quick man

root

text: Mega Man 2

text: Plot[edit]

text: The game is set in an unspecified year during the 21st century (20XX).

tag: p

text: Mega Man 2 takes place one year after the original Mega Man. After his initial defeat Dr. Wily, the series' main antagonist, creates his own set of Robot Masters in an attempt to counter Mega Man: Metal Man, Air Man, Bubble Man, Quick Man, Crash Man, Flash Man, Heat Man, and Wood Man; along with a new fortress and army of robotic henchmen. Mega Man is sent by his creator, Dr. Light, to defeat Dr. Wily and his Robot Masters.[8] Mega Man crushes the eight new Robot Masters and then challenges Wily himself.[9] During the final fight, Dr. Wily flees into the caves beneath his fortress and when Mega Man follows, attempts to trick Mega Man into thinking he is a space alien, but Mega Man defeats the alien revealing it to be a holographic projection device which malfunctions showing Dr. Wily at the controls. After the scientist begs for mercy, Mega Man spares Wily and returns home.

text: Gameplay[edit]

text: Mega Man 2 is a platform and action game like its predecessor, Mega Man. The player controls Mega Man as he traverses eight stages to defeat the bosses, Dr. Wily's Robot Masters: Metal Man, Air Man, Bubble Man, Quick Man, Crash Man, Flash Man, Heat Man, and Wood Man. Each Robot Master features a unique weapon and a stage related to their weapon's power. For example, Air Man shoots small tornadoes and is fought in a sky-themed level, while Wood Man can use a shield of leaves and is found in a forest-themed stage.[8] After defeating a boss, their signature weapon becomes available to the player. The Robot Masters have weaknesses to the weapons of certain other Robot Masters; therefore, choosing the order in which the levels are played is a vital component of the gameplay.[9][10] After completing certain stages, Mega Man receives a special item.[10] These items create platforms that allow Mega Man to access areas that he otherwise could not.[8]

text: After defeating the eight Robot Masters, the player proceeds to Dr. Wily's fortress, which consists of six levels that are played linearly.[8] As in the first title, the player is required to fight each Robot Master a second time in Dr. Wily's fortress. However, these battles take place in a single room rather than a series of linearly connected rooms. The room contains teleportation devices that lead to each Robot Master. The devices can be entered in any order, but are not labeled. Once the bosses are defeated again, the player must fight Dr. Wily.

text: Mega Man 2 features a few gameplay changes from the original Mega Man.[9] A new item, the Energy Tank, allows a player to refill Mega Man’s health at any time.[10] Also introduced is a password system.[8] After defeating each Robot Master a password is displayed, allowing the player to return to that particular point in the game after restarting the system.[10] The password stores the particular list of completed Robot Masters, as well as the number of accumulated Energy Tanks. Unlike the first game, Mega Man 2 does not feature a score counter, and the player is unable to return to Robot Master levels once completed.

text: Development[edit]

text:
So we, of our own accord, got together, spent our own time, we worked really, really hard, you know, just 20-hour days to complete this, because we were making something we wanted to make. Probably in all my years of actually being in a video game company, that was the best time of my working at Capcom, because we were actually working toward a goal, we were laying it all on the line, we were doing what we wanted to do. And it really showed in the game, because it’s a game, once again, that we put all our time and effort and love, so to speak, into it, designing it.
“
”

Keiji Inafune, April 2004[11]

tag: div

text: The first Mega Man game—released in 1987—was not successful enough to justify the immediate development of a sequel.[12] According to Roy Ozaki, director Akira Kitamura had wanted to make a sequel to Mega Man, but producer Tokuro Fujiwara was against it.[13] Kitamura then went to Capcom Vice-President to get permission to make the game.[14] Capcom allowed the development team to create a sequel on the condition that they work concurrently on other projects as well.[11][15][16] The staff spent their own time on the project to improve upon the original by adding more levels and weapons, as well as improving the graphics.[12] The project supervisor of the first Mega Man invited Inafune to the sequel's development crew; Inafune was working on a separate game at the time.[2] In the previous title, Inafune worked as an artist and character designer but became more involved in the production process of the sequel.[17] "Working on [Mega Man 2] marked my second year at this, and I even got to mentor a 'new kid', which opened up a whole new world of stress for me," Inafune recounted. The development time for the game was only three to four months.[2][18]

text: Due to the limited amount of cartridge space available for the first game, elements such as planned enemy characters were omitted from the final product. The unused content was later transferred to Mega Man 2.[19] The team was limited by the graphical capabilities of the console, and designed characters as pixel art to maintain consistency between the designs and final product; some design elements, however, were lost in the transition.[17] The gameplay system from the original game was kept for Mega Man 2, but the team included more traps for the player to navigate. The game's three support items were added to aid the player because of complaints from consumers and Capcom's marketing department regarding the original game's high difficulty.[2] Inafune's supervisor was "especially unsure" about the usefulness of the Energy Tanks.[2]

text: The first game did not have any influence from fans, but for the second game, Kitamura wanted to get ideas from players and put them in.[20] The developers allowed input from the public by including boss designs created by fans.[21] Capcom received 8,370 boss submissions for the game, although even the designs for the final eight Robot Masters were "tweaked".[2][22]

text: Inafune intended his artwork for Mega Man 2 to be more "anime-ish" than in the first game.[2] A second difficulty setting was added for the North American release. The original version was labeled "difficult", and a "normal" setting was created that made the "arm cannon" and boss weapons more powerful.[23]

text: The soundtrack for Mega Man 2 was composed by Takashi Tateishi (credited as Ogeretsu Kun), with Mega Man composer Manami Matsumae (credited as Manami Ietel) co-composing a minor part of the melody for Air Man's stage.[24] As with the previous game, the sound programming was handled by Yoshihiro Sakaguchi, credited as Yuukichan's Papa.[25]

text: Veteran video game cover illustrator Marc Ericksen painted the North American box art, which included Mega Man firing a pistol instead of his trademark Mega Buster. Ericksen explained, "I didn't know anything about Mega Man, and [after looking at the character in action] I said to the art director, 'What is he shooting with?' ... He said, 'Well, he must have a pistol, because I don't see a rifle.' ... I said, 'So, a pistol? Do you want me to do a pistol?' And he said, 'Yeah, let's put a pistol in there.' So I did what I was told and I put the pistol in there. Add to the fact that they only had, like, a day and a half for me to do the painting and what you wound up with was not the greatest result. But certainly a result that was not my fault. I mean, they told me to put the pistol in his hand!"[26]

text: Reception[edit]

text:
Reception

Review scores

Publication
Score

EGM
8 out of 10[27]

Famitsu
28 out of 40[28]

IGN
9.5 out of 10[29]

Mean Machines
95%[3]

Total!
83%[30]

tag: table

text: Though the first Mega Man game had relatively low sales, Mega Man 2 was a huge success. Since its 1988 release, Mega Man 2 has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide. The game is the highest selling in the Mega Man series and is Capcom's 30th highest selling title.[31] Mega Man 2 was critically praised by critics. Electronic Gaming Monthly's four reviewers—Steve Harris, Ed Semrad, Donn Nauert, and Jim Allee—rated the game favorably. They stated that it was better than the first Mega Man, citing the improved audio-visuals, new power-ups, and password system. Nauert and Allee, however, expressed disappointment that the game was less difficult than the first game.[27] Nadia Oxford of 1UP.com complimented its aesthetics and gameplay. She further stated that Mega Man 2 improved the gameplay of its predecessor by removing excessively difficult elements.[16] Mean Machines' two reviewers, Julian Rignall and Matt Regan, praised several aspects of the game. Rignall lauded the gameplay, citing its addictiveness and the puzzles. Regan praised the difficulty and called the gameplay balanced. Both reviewers complimented the graphics, calling them detailed and stunning, and described it as a great platform game.[3] Retro Gamer editor Richard Burton described it as a "must-have" title for the system, comments echoed by two of Electronic Gaming Monthly's reviewers.[27][32] Zach Miller writing for Game Informer attributed the success of the game to the players' option to defeat the stages in the order of their choosing. He praised the simple control scheme and the variety of weapons and items.[33] GamesRadar ranked it the second-best NES game ever made, calling it "the pinnacle" of the 8-bit Mega Man games.[34]

text: The game's soundtrack has been well received by critics. Joey Becht of IGN listed three stage themes from Mega Man 2 along with the main title song among the best in the series.[35] In 2008, Game Informer listed Mega Man 2's introduction sequence as the fifth-best video game opening, citing the build up of excitement that the music and appearance of the character instills.[36] The "Doctor Wily Stage Theme" was ranked second in ScrewAttack's "Top 10 Video Game Themes Ever" video.[37] Nintendo Power' editorial staff praised the music in 2008, stating it is among the best on the platform.[38] In 2009, Gamasutra's Brandon Sheffield describe the music as easily recognizable and lamented that contemporary video game music lacked that trait.[39]

text: Mega Man 2 is a favorite among Mega Man fans, with many calling it the best in the series.[29][40][41] Critics have also referred to the game as the series' best title. Oxford considered it one of the most memorable titles in the series, and Burton called the game the best in the series.[16][32] IGN's Levi Buchanan listed three of the game's bosses among the "Top 10 Mega Man Robot Masters".[42] Several publications consider the game a critical success and have listed it high on "top game" lists. At the end of 1989, it was the top ranked game on Nintendo Power's Top 30 list.[43] In August 2008, Nintendo Power listed Mega Man 2 as the third best Nintendo Entertainment System video game. The editorial staff praised the polished improvements over the previous game.[38] GameSpot named Mega Man 2 as one of "The Greatest Games of All Time".[44] It ranked number 33 in Nintendo Power's "Top 200 Nintendo Games Ever" list and number 60 in Official Nintendo Magazine's "100 Best Nintendo Games" list.[45][46] Miller considered it one of the greatest games of all time.[33] In 2007, IGN's three editorial offices—United States, United Kingdom, and Australia—compiled a list of top 100 games. They listed Mega Man 2 as number 67, citing the action and strategic elements along with the impact it had on the series.[23] Mega Man 2 was placed 4th on IGN's list of the Top 100 NES Games.[47]"Mega Man 2" was the first game on the cover of Electronic Gaming Monthly.[48]

text: Legacy[edit]

text: Despite the strong sales of the game, Kitamura chose to leave Capcom instead of working on the sequel Mega Man 3. Ozaki cites the disagreement between Kitamura and Fujiwara as the reason why Kitamura left Capcom. Instead, Kitamura, along with former Capcom planners Shin'ichi Yoshimoto, and Kouichi Yotsui formed a new company, named Takeru. Kitamura's last titles as a game director were Cocoron and Nontan to Issho: Kuru Kuru Puzzle as well as uncredited work for various titles before leaving the video game industry.[49]

text: Keiji Inafune claims the success of Mega Man 2 is what made the Mega Man series a hit that continues to spawn sequels.[12] 1UP.com commented that the game helped establish the series as a prominent and commercially successful video game franchise.[41] IGN cited Mega Man 2 as a title that helped define the action-platforming genre.[23] Retro Gamer credited it with helping the series obtain the global presence that allowed spin-offs and more sequels to be created.[9] Many of the conventions of the original Mega Man series were defined by the first title, but Mega Man 2 added crucial conventions that were retained for the rest of the series.[9][29] The traditional number of Robot Masters for the series is eight as used in Mega Man 2, rather than the six used in the original.[17][23][29] It was the first in the series to include an opening cinematic.[35] Mega Man 2 also introduced the Energy Tank item, special movement items, teleporter room, and password system, which became staples in future titles.[23][29] The Energy Tank became the series' iconic health refill item and later served as inspiration for a promotional "Rockman E-Can" drink.[50] In developing Mega Man 9, producer Inafune and Hironobu Takeshita looked to the first two games in the series for inspiration, with Mega Man 2 serving as a standard to surpass in order to meet fans' expectations.[17][40] Mega Man Universe was to feature a remake of Mega Man 2's story campaign, as well as feature customizable characters and levels.[51] However, Capcom has officially announced the game's cancellation due to "various circumstances." [52] In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Wily Castle, as depicted in Mega Man 2, appears as a selectable stage in both versions of the game.

text: Rereleases and adaptations[edit]

text: In 1990, Tiger Electronics produced a handheld electronic version with abridged gameplay.[53] Mega Man 2 was remade in 1994 for the Sega Genesis game Mega Man: The Wily Wars, featuring updated graphics and sound.[54] In 1999, Mega Man 2 was rereleased for the PlayStation as the second of six Rockman Complete Works discs, though only in Japan and under the original title Rockman 2.[4] It is largely identical to the original NES release, but had a number of bonuses, such as a "navi mode" for beginners that presents the player with a slightly remade version of the game, detailed encyclopedic content, image galleries, and remixed music.[55] Mega Man 2 was included with nine other games in the series in Mega Man Anniversary Collection for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox, released between 2004 and 2005. The game's emulation is identical to the re-release contained in Rockman Complete Works.[56] Also in 2005, Mega Man 2 was released alongside other Capcom games as part of a "Plug It In & Play TV Games" peripheral by Jakks Pacific.[57] Mega Man 2 made its way to mobile phones in 2007.[58] The game was added as a part of the Wii Virtual Console service in PAL regions on December 14, 2007.[59] In celebration of the ninth title's release in September 2008, Capcom Japan released the game on August 26, 2008 in Japan and a North American release on September 15, 2008.[60][61] In March 2009, Capcom released the game for iOS, while in September of the same year the Complete Works version of Mega Man 2 was released on the Japanese PlayStation Store, making it available for download on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable.[6][62] Inafune expressed a desire to remake Mega Man 2, similar to Mega Man Powered Up, but stated that such a project was dependent on the commercial success of the latter.[63] A tech demo for the Nintendo 3DS called Classic Games was shown at E3 2010, displaying more than a dozen classic games, including Mega Man 2, using 3D effects. Reggie Fils-Aime announced that the titles were slated for release on the 3DS and would possibly use the 3DS' features, such as 3D effects, analog control, or camera support.[64] The game was released on the 3DS via the Virtual Console in Japan on August 8, 2012[65] and was released in Europe and North America on February 7, 2013.

text: In Volumen 3, Mega Man 2, is one of the Vídeo Games was Adapted for the Manga titled Warera Hobby's: Famicom Seminar (われらホビーズファミコンゼミナール, Ware-ra Hobīzu Famikon Zemināru) on 1988 to 1990.

text: Mega Man 2 was novelized in the Worlds of Power series published by Scholastic in 1990. The novel mostly follows the game, even offering game hints at the end of some chapters.[66] Besides the added dialogue, the one major variation in the novel is that Dr. Light fears Mega Man's chances against Dr. Wily's more powerful new robots and while attempting to duplicate him, accidentally turns him into a human being, a difficulty Mega Man must endure throughout the story.[66] The book's cover also lacks the gun depicted on the North American box art of the game, due to a "no weapons" policy that Worlds of Power writers had to abide by.[67]

text: The game was also adapted into the third story arc for the Archie Comics Mega Man comic, "The Return of Dr. Wily." In the arc, the Robot Masters are intended to either defeat Mega Man or infect him with a virus bit by bit as he absorbs their Special Weapons. All the Robot Masters are defeated but Mega Man ends up under Dr. Wily's control until the Mega Man Powered Up Robot Masters come to his rescue. Dr. Wily manages to escape and sets his course for the Lanfront Ruins in South America, foreshadowing an adaptation of Super Adventure Rockman.