A virus is a malicious computer program that infects other programs, modifying or corrupting them. As the Mega Man franchise features many artificial intelligences, viruses usually refer to computer viruses, with biological viruses being rarely seen.
Appearances[]
Mega Man series[]
Dr. Wily created a virus named Roboenza that leaves robots sick and, in the worst case, out of control. Ironically, in the end of the game Dr. Wily had a fever and needed to be hospitalized. As thanks, Wily left the cure for Roboenza after escaping from the hospital.
Mega Man X series[]
Viruses are a common threat to Reploids, as it can turn them into Mavericks. Viruses in the series include:
- The Maverick Virus, a virus originally created by Dr. Wily that turns Reploids into Mavericks. Once Sigma takes ownership of the virus, it is named the Sigma Virus, starting in Mega Man X3.
- The Colony Virus scattered in the space colony Eurasia, in Mega Man X5.
- The Zero Virus, formed by mixing the Colony Virus and Sigma Virus in Mega Man X5. It restored Zero to his original evil nature.
- The Nightmare Virus, a virus created by Gate to enslave all "low-grade" Reploids in Mega Man X6.
Virus is also a status effect in Mega Man X: Command Mission.
Mega Man Battle Network series[]
Malicious softwares and enemies in the series are commonly referred as viruses, with a large variety of them appearing, including corrupted programs, bugs, and opposing security systems. Viruses are a common threat as many devices are connected to the cyberworld in the series. Despite being called viruses, not all of them are malicious, a few being friendly or beneficial, such as the viruses in the Virus Breeder.
Mega Man Star Force[]
Like the Mega Man Battle Network series, viruses are a common threat in the Mega Man Star Force series, their data now being made of electromagnetic waves due to the technological advancement.
Other media[]
Mega Man (Archie Comics)[]
In The Return of Dr. Wily, Dr. Wily's eight Robot Masters were created with a virus that would infect Mega Man each time he obtained a Special Weapons from them, so even if Mega Man defeats all of them, he would become a loyal robot with their powers. Wily almost succeeded, but Dr. Light created an anti-virus that restored Mega Man to normal.