Mega Man 10

Here's a nice PSA for my favorite gaming icon. Mega Man 9 and Mega Man 10 will be the latest games available through Sony's Instant Game Collection, a slew of quality titles freely available for PlayStation Plus users. Sony just can't seem to give enough free stuff away these days.

With the new "combo pack" from Capcom, you'll be getting not just one but two really fun games credited with reviving the classic Mega Man series

Mega Man 9 is often compared to the high points of the series, Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3. A lot of creativity and thought went into recapturing how those two were able to set themselves apart from the rest of the 8-bit platformers on the NES. Music, enemies, level design: Mega Man 9 nails what made the series so magical. Newcomers will be treated to the same learning curve us old-timers had to deal with back in the 1980s, when rewards were hard to obtain but oh so satisfying.

If Mega Man 9 is the Mega Man 2 or Mega Man 3 of the pair, then Mega Man 10 is sadly the Mega Man 4, 5, and 6. It's a solid game which does the others justice, but suffers from a horrible case of "this again?!" Taking miscues from the later games in the series, it also has some awkward Robot Master choices. At least it's comforting to know Capcom has no trouble trolling its fanbase with the likes of Sheep Man or Pump Man. Well played Capcom, well played.

Still, no room to complain since it's totally free for subscribers. PlayStation Plus users will also get free entry into the God of War: Ascension beta test, 50% of the strategy game Eufloria, and a free piece of DLC for NCAA Football 13. Thanks for all the free stuff Sony!