Friends, gamers, bombers of the color blue, lend me your ears. I call on all of you to remember a time when Mega Man was a dominant force, a time when he had games coming out each year, a time when he was never far from gamers’ minds. It seems ages ago, but it really wasn’t. Capcom has apparently forgotten about him, and they seem content to leave it that way. Mega Man as a character was once the embodiment of the company yet lately he appears to have fallen from grace. His games have been cancelled, and the only time fans see him is when he’s a background cameo or being used merely as a downloadable skin. While these few nods are appreciated, they often serve as a heartbreaking reminder of just how cast aside Mega Man has become.

Though it seems Capcom has come to see the blue bomber as a profit vacuum, there’s no reason for them to fear. The resurrection of Mega Man isn’t a laughable dream. There are three methods of giving the Blue Bomber a comeback worthy of his legacy, and I’m more than willing about to share these ideas with you. In a show of convenience to you, I’ve tiered them according to difficulty depending on how much effort you actually feel like putting forth. Consider this an open letter, dearest Capcom. Here’s how you can save Mega Man, win a legion of gaming hearts, and even make a profit in the process.

Idea 1: The Mettaur Method

I get it, Capcom. You’ve got a lot on your plate. You’ve got a DMC backlash to worry about, the next Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 iteration to work on (because it’s never too soon), and the juggernaut known as Monster Hunter needs constant attention. So if you really don’t want to mess with your schedule, the easiest method of bringing back Mega Man is simply to remember he exists.

Yes, the chorus of fans clamoring about Mega Man Legends 3 got a little old, but you must realize the interest for the game is there. Fire that baby back up and while you’re at it, take Keiji Inafune up on his offer to be involved. Nothing will make fans feel more at peace than having him back behind the wheel.

Of course, there’s another positive and relatively easy step in resurrecting the character. Just give him his own character square in Marvel Vs. Capcom 3. No, an X skin for Zero doesn’t count. I know you’ve said that it was difficult to create an appropriate move set for the character, but we both know that’s a weak excuse. He’s appeared in plenty of other fighting games with fun move sets. Not to mention the fact that you were able to give a lawyer a usable (and awesome) move set. Mega Man is a robot with at least 78 different weapons to choose from. I’m sure you can think of something.

Idea 2: The Maverick Method

Mega Man 9 was a fantastic surprise. Not only did it make NES-era hearts scream with joy, but it also proved to be a damn fine entry in the series. Mega Man 10 was neat, but even though it was only the second NES-style Mega Man in years the feeling of “been there, done that” was hard to shake.

Mega Man has had his time in the millennial limelight. It’s time to bring back X.

The excitement of an X9 would easily match the announcement of MM9 but to really seal the deal, it must be in a 16-bit, SNES style. The power of today’s consoles would allow every single one of those bits to be stretched to the limit. Cheating, you say? Maybe. But Mega Man 9 wasn’t a “true” 8-bit game and it looked and played amazingly because of it.

Now, about that story. Sigma is dead. Get over it. He can no longer be the plot device used in every single game. Without spoilers, the ending of X8 introduced a possibility that could be an interesting twist in the series’ timeline and you owe it to yourselves to explore that new route and leave the past behind. Want to really blow some minds? Merge the timelines a little. There’s no reason that Dr. Light and Dr. Wily couldn’t have kept DNA samples of Protoman and Bass, right? The new generation reploids introduced in X7 provide the prefect vessel for those universally-loved characters to return. Of course, you’ll need badass bosses as well. Knight Mare, Solar Lion, Nano Hare, Sonic Lyrebird, Tidal Crane, Ballistic Camel, Glacial Viceroy, Prism Angler. Boom. You’re welcome.

Announce at Tokyo Game Show, stir well, launch as digital download, enjoy.

Idea 3: The Sigma Method

Alright Capcom. You say you’re in it to win it? Then open your ears to the ultimate method of resurrecting Mega Man (albeit a slightly over-the-top one). It’s time to ditch the old blueprints and reimagine the series. Although truthfully, this method has been staring you right in the eye for years.

X is a platformer, Zero and his Z-Sabre are all about battle, and Axl, with his twin pistols, was born to shoot. To truly show the world you’re ready to take Mega Man into the next generation, Capcom, you must combine the strengths of your characters into one, mind-blowing title.

In the new title, X is stuck right where he should be—in 2D. Players experience the familiar gameplay of previous titles as X runs and guns through the environment… until control shifts to Zero. With a change in perspective, players are able to control Zero in a 3rd-person action setting, slashing and performing combos through waves of enemy Reploids, calling in X for assists when necessary…until control shifts to Axl. With another change in perspective, players pop behind Axl’s guns for a first-person war zone, while still able to call in X or Zero for assists.

That would reintroduce the world to Mega Man in undeniable triple-A fashion. That would erase the abuse you’ve dealt to countless gamers’ favorite gaming icon. That would make us love you again.

Ok, so the Sigma Method might be just a little far fetched. But is it outside the realm of possibility? I honestly don’t think so. But brainstorming ideas of how to revitalize Mega Man isn’t really the point. Just think—if one person is willing to write a thousand words on the possibilities of Mega Man’s future, just how many people are willing to grab a downloadable game or drive to the store?

Mega Man is still very much alive in the hearts of gamers, Capcom. The sooner you realize that, the sooner we all can get back to doing what we all love—saving the world, one destroyed Maverick at a time.