Mega Man VII / Rockman 7 - Shukumei no Taiketsu!

Here we have a prototype version of Rockman 7 (Mega Man VII). The game mechanics are pretty much the same as the final version, though there are some changes to the level layouts and enemies. This article lays out some of the changes found between this beta rom and the final game. Thanks to Lost Levels and Skrybe for dumping and releasing this rom! By: Evan G Last updated: August 12, 2007

This beta rom of Rockman 7 has the introductory and four other levels in a state of near-completion. Much of the dialogue in the opening level is not there yet.

Beta	Final

From above, the introductory scene with Roll and Auto is instead a section with ever-changing platforms. I can see why they took it out, because the platforms didn't move until you were over them, and some of them are bottomless pits.

Beta	Final

In the beta version, the dialogue between Dr. Light and Dr. Wily have not yet been added. The background graphics and the motion of Dr Wily's craft are slightly different.

Beta	Final

The first main enemy in the game, this steamroller bot, acts in an identical manner to the final game. However, the graphics are far simpler in the beta rom.

Beta	Final

When fighting Bass, the shot he fires is a narrow beam in the beta rom, compared to a wider beam in the final version. The background graphics are also noticeably different.

Beta	Final

When you win/lose to Bass, the dialogue box is a lot simpler in the beta version. I don't read Japanese, but it also appears that the text is different.

Beta	Final

Though the first four levels are the same in both the beta and final, the level select stage has generic placeholders instead of the portrait of the boss of each level. None of the levels had bosses in them, so perhaps they were not finalized when the beta came out.

I won't go through all the levels, but I will show off some of the changes to the ice stage.

Beta	Final

The level layouts are very similar between the beta and the final versions. However, slight differences do exist. For example, the platform that the first polar bear bot rests on is larger in the final version. The projectile the bot sends out is different in the final version (a spikey ice piece vs a dark ice block in the beta).

Beta	Final

In this cavern section, they added an extra powerup below the crumbly ice platform in the final version. There are also some minor changes to the graphics.

Beta	Final

This section is substantially different in the final version. One of the Rush upgrades is here in the final version, though in the beta, there is a section with crumbly ice platforms.

Beta	Final

This screen was made substantially more difficult in the final version with the addition of the pit of spikes and shorter ladder. Also the powerup was changed to an energy container.

Beta	Final

In the final version, they removed the green shield bot.

As you can see, most of the ideas for the game were in the beta version. The level layouts were changed slightly to add or remove challenge to areas. The graphics were improved as well, most noticeably in the backgrounds. The gameplay remains the same, so hardcore Mega Man fans may want to give this a shot.

Download the rom here

Prototype - front

Prototype - back