Mega Man IV is a side-scrolling action platformer where you blast through robot-filled stages to stop Dr. Wily's latest takeover scheme. This time he's hijacked a robot expo with a mind control device, turning the city's machines hostile. You'll face eight boss robots across distinct stages, defeating each to claim their weapon—a series staple that lets you exploit enemy weaknesses with the right loadout. Your dog Rush and bird Beat provide mobility assists: Rush transforms into a spring or jet, while Beat can attack enemies directly. After clearing the initial eight stages, you push into Wily's fortress for multi-phase encounters, culminating in a fight against his tank. The weapon-swapping puzzle of which boss counters which remains central, rewarding players who experiment or remember patterns from earlier entries.
