What we know so far:
-Final version will be released in 2011/2012
-Game is for Nintendo 3DS; cost likely will be $40
-Early "Prototype Version" will be released in mid-2011
-Prototype Version will be a $2 download through the 3DS eShop
-Prototype Version will include more than 10 missions and plenty of voice acting
-PV will also feature a variety of behind-the-scenes making-of materials including brain storming sketches, animated storyboards, proposed characters and designs, and more
-Playable characters include at least Mega Man and new character Barrett
-Game will include a variety of game-play modes including the standard run-and-gun, air bike racing, time attack, and several new modes and mini-games
-Missions will be on offer to help players stay on task
-Series favorite characters will return including Tron Bonne, Teisel Bonne, Bon Bonne, Roll Casket, Barrel Casket, Data, the ServBots, and of course, Mega Man Volnutt
-New characters include Barrett and his gang the Bright Bats, composed of Grill, Max, Pick, and fan-chosen Aero
-Game is being made in cooperation with Western and Japanese fans who have already helped to chose a new female character, create a new Reaverbot, chose Mega Man's new color scheme, create a new Bonne mecha, craft the townsfolk, and pick the Reaverbots which will reappear in the new game
And now for some artwork (apologies for those on slow connections):
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This week Capcom announced "Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version," an incomplete version of MML3 that is to be released to Nintendo 3DS across regions via the eShop, the 3DS's version of DSiWare and Virtual Console. The idea is that it will be a launch title for the eShop and will cost 200 yen, so it's a good bet it'll cost $2 here in North America. What does that $2 get you? A 25% done version of Mega Man Legends 3. This will include several "core missions," which once completed will grant access to the unfinished areas for you to explore at your own peril and a developer mode to enable/disable abilities and features and (presumably) clipping.
There is a story about this which embeds [url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2011/1470.html]several in-game video clips for your viewing[/img]. From the looks of things there will be at least two playable characters (Megaman Volnutt and Berrett Blues) in MML3. There will also be the ability to ride a hover bike around town as well as missions based upon this play mechanic. Appropriate considering Berrett is supposed to be the leader of a gang of sky bikers which includes others named Aero, Grill, Pick, and Max.
Possibly the most interesting thing about this sample software is that it will be used to gauge the future of the game and its series. That's right, the number of downloads and the amount of fan buzz will determine whether the full game will be green-lit for production or if the title will be regulated to the scrap heap. Personally speaking I hope this prototype version will be downloaded a gazillionty times so that it gets a budget of a billion yen.
Updates to this game and the latest news can be found at the official Mega Man Legends 3 Development Room.
So DP'ers, if you had a 3DS would you be willing to spend at least $2 on this beta? Perhaps more just to see an early demo version of MML3? Perhaps for gratis but not for cash? Or to you is this just a glorified early look that you'd rather skip?