28/40

By Charles - March 16th, 2026

When starting to play this game, I was expecting to get through another GB Mega Man just like 3. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the game! This is one of the best original Game Boy games I have ever played!

Mega Man 4 GB

Game Boy, 1993

~$3100 Sealed

~$125 Used

Other Releases:

Virtual Console

Nintendo Switch Online

Presentation

10

Mega Man 4 looks terrific with even more advanced animated tiles and backgrounds. There are a few special effects that match the SNES more than the NES. The music is well-done once again and matches the NES. The original compositions are great too and don't feel like a downgrade. I think the arrangement is much better than in 3. The game is filled with an impressive amount of cutscenes that outclass any of the NES titles. The production value has obviously increased for Mega Man 4 and it's awesome.

The level select is updated and looks great.

Controls

6

Mega Man can jump out of a slide now! The controls feel a lot better now and the charge shot is upgraded. The special weapons are a little more useful this time near the end of the game. If you unlock him you can use Beat, who is great and just like in the NES version. Rush Jet still isn't the best, unfortunately.

Beat is back and just like on NES.

Content

5

Mega Man 4 has a really cool story with a lot of unique bosses and levels. The game is a little bit too easy, namely the bosses. However, this isn't awful as the level design is much improved, taking the small size into account. Many of the stages have branching paths with extra lives and E-Tanks. Unfortunately, the levels repeat screens extremely often to save on cartridge space. The letters from Mega Man 5 are in this game, with the first four unlocking Beat. The second four are actually necessary to beat the game, which adds a little more content. There's even a new shop where you can buy items using P-Chips from defeated enemies. It's still Mega Man, however, so it's way too short.

Pixel art looks great as always.

Fun Factor

7

Mega Man 4 GB is a very fun game with a very high production value for Game Boy. It doesn't have the demanding challenge of Mega Man 3 GB, but it's replaced with a more polished and fun story. This game even goes beyond the NES series with some new ideas. The fourth Game Boy entry is definitely the most fun yet. Despite being a short game, Mega Man 4 feels like a full game - not a lazy port. Unfortunately, it is still too easy and Mega Man still feels a little clunky on Game Boy.

There are lots of amazing cutscenes.

Worth the Time?

Worth the Money?

If you have Nintendo Switch Online, I would definitely try this game. It's really fun and beats out the NES series in some aspects.

This might be in the top level of Game Boy platformers. Consider buying a cartridge if you find it for a low price.

Screenshots from [Mega Man IV] © [Capcom], used for review purposes.